Klaipėda LNG FSRU


Klaipėda liquefied natural gas floating storage and regasification unit terminal or Klaipėda LNG FSRU is a LNG terminal in the port of Klaipėda, Lithuania. It cost US$128 million to construct. The project operator is Klaipedos Nafta.
The terminal started operating on 3 December 2014. After the completion of the Klaipėda LNG FSRU, Lithuania became the fifth country in the world to use FSRU technology for liquefied natural gas.

History

On 22–27 January 2014 pilot test was conducted in order to assess the FSRU Independence's performance and seaworthiness. Later on the vessel sailed to the sea and the ship's sea trial lasted nearly a week. Earlier, in the beginning of January the ship's propulsion system was tested, later crew safety equipment and other range of testing conducted. It was delivered in March 2014 and was reached the terminal on 27 October 2014.
On June 2014 supplying platform was finished to be built in Kiaulės Nugara. It is one of the four main elements of length embankment.
On 27 October 2014 the main vessel arrived to Klaipėda's Port. The welcoming ceremony of Independence arrival was broadcast live by national broadcaster LRT televizija, while the ship was greeted by Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė. Representatives from Latvia, Estonia, Norway, the United States, Finland, Sweden and European Council also participated at the opening.
On 3 December 2014 the terminal started operating.
On October 27, 2017 LNG Distribution Station at Klaipėda Port started operating. Station is dedicated to create a comprehensive LNG logistics chain in the Baltic region.
On January 7, 2019 the world's largest liquefied natural gas transportation and bunkering vessel Kairos, owned by KN and German company Nauticor, was launched at that time. The ship's main activity in Klaipeda port is to transport LNG from the LNG terminal to LNG distribution station.

Storage and regasification vessel

, a LNG carrier built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, is designed as a floating LNG storage and regasification unit for the terminal. It is leased from Höegh LNG for 10 years with an option of buyout. It has a maximum capacity to handle of almost of natural gas, while it has four storage tanks with total capacity of. However, until the end of 2015, the maximum capacity is to due to limited pipeline capacity between Lithuania and underground storage in Latvia, and due to a closed gas market in Latvia.

Supply

is contracted to supply LNG for five years to cover the minimum operational need of the terminal. In 2015, Equinor will supply of natural gas. The first test cargo was delivered on 28 October 2014 by LNG tanker Golar Seal. Gas was originating from the Snøhvit field. It was imported by Litgas, a subsidiary of Lietuvos Energija.

Awards

At the 8th European Gas Conference 2015 in Vienna, Austria Klaipėda LNG FSRU won the Project of the Year award.