EmiratesLNG is moving ahead with the construction of the Middle East’s first land-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility after the Abu Dhabi government approved the project.
The joint venture of state-controlled International Petroleum Investment Company and Mubadala Petroleum intends to build the new terminal at the port of Fujairah but has yet to decide which company will be awarded the construction contract.
EmiratesLNG said it was working to ensure the timely completion of the project but gave no completion date or cost estimate, while the front-end engineering and design has been carried out by France’s Technip.
The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract is currently under evaluation and will be awarded to one of the industry’s leading contractors in the field.
“EmiratesLNG will seize this opportunity to establish itself as a key player in the Middle East within the global LNG market,” said Mr. Ahmed Matar Al Mazrouei, CEO, EmiratesLNG.
“The establishment of EmiratesLNG and its operation in the years to come is a significant contribution to the delivery of sustainable, secure, clean gas, helping ensure a prosperous future for the UAE.
“With support and co-operation from our stakeholders, we look forward to serving our customers when we commence operation of the largest LNG re-gasification facility in the region.”
EmiratesLNG’s regasification terminal will have an average throughput capacity of 1.2 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per day (nine million tonnes of LNG per annum).
The terminal will be a key infrastructure to support the UAE energy diversification strategy by enhancing energy security and providing flexibility to meet future gas demands.
Emirates said the terminal will be able to accommodate the largest LNG carriers with the ability to access competitively priced LNG from any source around the world.