Lithuanian LNG terminal services demand triples
LNG terminal operator SC Klaipedos Nafta says it has entered into two new contracts with the biggest national gas market participants – JSC "Lietuvos dujų tiekimas" and SC “Achema”. LNG terminal capacity utilization contract is concluded for the period until 30th September 2016. For this period LNG terminal will receive 12 cargoes.
"Literally, we can say that the LNG terminal in Klaipeda has created all the prerequisites for an independent gas market to emerge with the ability for gas customers to choose for themselves the most attractive and acceptable gas supply source. Proof of this is the appearance of a new terminal capacity user. I would like to emphasize that this is a clear signal not only to Lithuania, but also for all Baltic market, that the LNG terminal ensures efficient logistics chain and creates the preconditions to get gas at lower prices than are currently offered by alternative gas suppliers providing pipeline gas,"- said SC Klaipedos Nafta General Manager Mantas Bartuška.
According to the company, already in the second year of LNG terminal operation LNG import demand confirms that there had been made and optimal choice of the technological concept of the terminal – 170,000 cubic meters storage tanks size is equal to the standard gas carriers and allows unrestrictedly receive LNG cargoes. Meanwhile regasification device’s capability allows supplying the market with the necessary natural gas quantities.
During the first year of terminal operation there was one user – JSC "LitGas", also Estonian industrialists import gas from Lithuania.
"Lithuania has created a regulatory environment which actually made it possible to diversify the market. In our view, this should be an example to the other countries in the Baltic region to use existing regulatory environment and harmonize our markets into a single regulatory system. Joining forces in unified regulatory environment of the Baltic countries enables us appropriately and timely response to changes in the gas market and make effective decisions for LNG purchase. We believe that the Baltic countries can exploit the resulting alternative gas supply infrastructure in the region,"- says Mantas Bartuška.
The State owns 72.32 percent of Klaipedos Nafta shares.
