LNG

France’s natural gas pipeline operator GRTgaz, whose subsidiary is French LNG import terminal company Elengy, has agreed to proceed with the first major physical entry point of natural gas in France through Switzerland.

March 2 (LNGJ) - French energy company Total has paid $450 million to Marathon Oil for its stake of just over 16 percent in the Waha concessions in Libya, a former LNG producer whose liquefaction plant was partially destroyed in its civil war. “This acquisition will give Total access to reserves and resources in excess of 500 million barrels of oil equivalent, with immediate production of around 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and a significant exploration potential across the area of 53,000 square kilometres covered by the concessions in the prolific Sirte Basin,” said Total. The Libyan LNG plant was shut down in February 2011 as a result of damage sustained during the conflict and repairs were never carried out.

April 6 (LNGJ) - Italian energy company Eni has made a new discovery of natural gas and condensates in its Gamma prospect in Libyan waters of the Mediterranean about 140 kilometres offshore from the capital Tripoli. Libya is a former LNG producer whose liquefaction plant at Marsa El Brega has been badly damaged during the civil war and has not operated since 2011. The Eni offshore well was drilled in 150 metres of water depth and encountered gas and condensates. “The well has the capacity to deliver in excess of 7,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and represents a further discovery made by Eni in Libyan offshore Area D, following discoveries made in 2015,” the Italian company said.