Breakthrough: FSRU arrives at port, brings LNG with it
Floating storage and regasification unit docks at Port Qasim with 3000mmcf gas.
The vessel will permanently remain docked at Port Qasim. Smaller vessels will be used to import LNG to meet requirements of the energy-starved country. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
After days of uncertainty, the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) finally docked at Port Qasim on Thursday, heralding Pakistan’s entry into the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market.
The FSRU, which has been hired by LNG terminal operator Engro Elengy Terminal Limited, also brought 3,000 million cubic feet gas onboard as commissioning cargo purchased by the government.
“This is sufficient for 15 days,” said Sheikh Imranul Haque, the CEO at EETL. “Hopefully, regular imports will start during the period.”
The FSRU, twice the size of a football field, has a storage capacity of 150,000 cubic metres and has an onboard plant to turn super-chilled liquid methane into gas.
It will permanently remain docked at Port Qasim. Smaller vessels will be used to import LNG to meet requirements of the energy-starved country.
“The company has fulfilled its commitment by constructing all infrastructure facilities in a record time period,” Haque was quoted in a statement after its inauguration.
“We are hopeful that the commissioning of the country’s first LNG terminal will help meet the rising demand of gas.”
Before the arrival of FSRU, some reports had suggested that key agreements between the port authority, LNG importing company and terminal operators needed to be firmed up.
The jetty pipeline and other allied terminal facilities have been built at a cost of $135 million. The FSRU has the capacity to process and pump 600 mmcfd of gas into the system every day.
Engro won the contract to handle LNG in a government bidding process after offering handling charges of 66 cents per unit. The government initially plans to import 200 mmcfd and then increase the quantity later in the year.
trade.Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2015.
After days of uncertainty, the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) finally docked at Port Qasim on Thursday, heralding Pakistan’s entry into the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market.
The FSRU, which has been hired by LNG terminal operator Engro Elengy Terminal Limited, also brought 3,000 million cubic feet gas onboard as commissioning cargo purchased by the government.
“This is sufficient for 15 days,” said Sheikh Imranul Haque, the CEO at EETL. “Hopefully, regular imports will start during the period.”
The FSRU, twice the size of a football field, has a storage capacity of 150,000 cubic metres and has an onboard plant to turn super-chilled liquid methane into gas.
It will permanently remain docked at Port Qasim. Smaller vessels will be used to import LNG to meet requirements of the energy-starved country.
“The company has fulfilled its commitment by constructing all infrastructure facilities in a record time period,” Haque was quoted in a statement after its inauguration.
“We are hopeful that the commissioning of the country’s first LNG terminal will help meet the rising demand of gas.”
Before the arrival of FSRU, some reports had suggested that key agreements between the port authority, LNG importing company and terminal operators needed to be firmed up.
The jetty pipeline and other allied terminal facilities have been built at a cost of $135 million. The FSRU has the capacity to process and pump 600 mmcfd of gas into the system every day.
Engro won the contract to handle LNG in a government bidding process after offering handling charges of 66 cents per unit. The government initially plans to import 200 mmcfd and then increase the quantity later in the year.
trade.Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2015.