After the recent completion of Klaipėdos nafta’s (KN) annual LNG terminal capacity allocation procedure, the terminal’s remaining gasification capacity was 9 TWh.
This was awarded to five customers for the 2023 gas year.
In the 2023 gas year (1st January, 2023 to 31st December, 2023), Klaipeda’s LNG FSRU terminal will be used by seven customers, including Lithuanian companies, which were awarded 19 TWh capacity, as well as others from Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Norway.
A total of 33 TWh of degassing capacity was allocated for next year. It was also envisaged that during the 2023 gas year, spot market capacity of up to 6 TWh will also be allocated.
"The new LNG terminal capacity allocation model systematically assesses the gas needs of both the region and Lithuania. We are pleased with the strengthened co-operation with existing and new customers who have joined – each of them is important to ensure a smoothly functioning gas market in the region.
“We believe that a balanced capacity allocation model will ensure not only stable gas supply to Lithuanian consumers, but also the most competitive natural gas prices in our region," said Mindaugas Navikas, KN’s Commercial Director.
From the beginning of this year to 10th October, 2022, 27 large gas carriers arrived at the LNG terminal, compared to 13 in the same period last year. By the end of this year, nine more LNGCs are expected.
During the period, about 3.6 mill tonnes were imported, the most (72%) coming from the US. During 2023, it is planned to handle 39 LNGCs at the Klaipeda FSRU terminal, delivering about 5.3 mill tonnes of gas.
Management contract
KN has also announced that it is to provide management services for Uniper’s Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal.
Wilhelmshaven is claimed to be Germany’s most advanced and first FLNG terminal project. The aim is to have the facilities built to enable it to come online this winter.
The terminal is based on an FSRU provided by Höegh LNG, which is similar to the FSRU operated at Klaipeda.
Its annual capacity is projected to be 7.5 bill cu m of natural gas per year, which corresponds to around 8% of Germany’s gas demand last year.
KN plans to provide services at Wilhelmshaven until 2024. This will involve the creation and operation of a gas accounting system, plus the IT infrastructure necessary to commercially operate the terminal.
The company will also help Uniper prepare for commercial logistics operations, provide assistance with operational rules, including the open access model application, advise on the preparation of the procedures necessary for reserving the terminal’s capacity, as well as providing other management services.
KN CEO, Darius Silenkis, said: “The successfully implemented LNG terminal project in Lithuania, the safe and reliable operation of the LNG terminal in the port of Acu in Brazil, and the contribution of several other projects in the world, allowed us to create international awareness and consolidate the image of KN as a professional and reliable LNG terminal operator and project developer on the world map.
“We are glad that we will have the opportunity to transfer our unique competences and knowledge to Germany, which, in order to reduce its dependence on Russian gas, is rapidly expanding the construction of floating LNG terminals this year. We hope that the contract for the commercial management of the Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal will allow us to strengthen our position in the European LNG terminal market,” he said.
