Port Qasim LNG expansion project moves ahead

Port Qasim Authority (PQA) reports that the DNV-GL led consortium is one of those in the running to evaluate and review the feasibility studies for expansion of the EETPL terminal – Pakistan’s first floating LNG import terminal, which began operations in March 2015.

The winning bidder will also review the designs of prospective LNG developers and other studies as well provide project management and quality assurance of implementation.

Four bidders

In addition to DNV-GL FRR, three other bidders have submitted proposals for the consultancy work on the project, Royal Haskoning-Nespak, Ernst and Young -Shamsi Builders-BMT-Asiatek Energi and Exponent International-Total Dynamic System.

This news comes on the back of US-based Excelerate Energy and Engro Elengy Terminal Ltd (EETL) signing an agreement to expand the terminal.

The expansion project aims at increasing the send-out capability of the import LNG terminal at Port Qasim to more than 150 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) and its LNG storage capacity to 173,400 cubic metres (cbm).

The EETPL terminal, which is jointly owned by Pakistan-based Engro and Netherlands-based Royal Vopak, currently has a storage capacity of 150,900cbm.

The associated FSRU Exquisite has been supplying up to 690 MMcf/d of natural gas directly into the natural gas pipeline system of Sui Southern Gas.

To expand the capacity of the LNG import terminal, Excelerate Energy will replace its existing floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) Exquisite with a newbuild FSRU called Hull 2477.

On a wider scale, Pakistan currently has two re-gasified LNG (RLNG) terminals under operation nationwide.

With LNG imports to the country expected to quadruple by 2040, the country plans to build more LNG import terminals to create more capacity.