Having been delivered from the US to Polish gas company PGNiG Group (PGNiG), Lithuania’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Klaipeda received a 65,000 tonne shipment of LNG via the carrier Aristidis I.
The delivery represents a milestone in the implementation of PGNiG’s strategy to build a ‘strong position’ for the Group on the international LNG trading market.
According to Iwona Waksmundzka-Olejniczak, President, PGNiG S.A Management Board, the partnership between PGNiG and Klaipedos Nafta – the terminal operator – could help integrate the gas markets of Poland and the Baltic States, strengthening the region’s energy security.
“Strengthening of our presence in Lithuania is also part of our plans to build a multi-utility group with PKN ORLEN, which is dynamically developing its business in this region as well,” she added.
Launched in 2014, the terminal is regarded as one of the key elements of Lithuania’s energy infrastructure and has the ability to help diversify the country’s gas supply sources, as well as reduce reliance on Russian natural gas.
The LNG will be loaded into the tanks of the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at the terminal, before being regasified and transferred to the transmission system.
Part of the LNG delivery has been purchased by Finnish-Baltic energy company Elenger.
By cooperating with partner PGNiG, Elenger is hoping to overcome ‘difficult and revolutionary’ times on the European energy market.
“Being one of the fastest growing energy companies in the Baltic Sea region and an experience LNG competence and infrastructure developer, Elenger is very happy to have found a strong partner in PGNiG,” said Margus Kaasik, Head of Elenger group.
By the end of 2022, PGNiG plans to have a fleet of three LNG carriers, each with a capacity of approximately 160,000 cubic metres.