Backgrounds:
On 12-Dec-2016, GDF Suez Neptune LNG storage, regasification vessel (SRV) arrived at the Turkey’s first floating LNG receiving facility in Aliaga, Izmir to discharge its cargo which has been re-loaded at French Montoir LNG terminal.
The Aliaga FSRU is capable to supply 5.3 BCM/Y of regasified LNG (more than 12 percent of Turkey's annual gas demand) to the country’s gas supply network. It has started conducting commissioning process as it was expected to start commercial operation by the end of the year.
The terminal is able to receive LNG carriers of up to 217,000-CM and its jetty allows two vessels to be moored in a double-banked configuration so that a visiting LNG vessel can transfer its cargo via an STS operation to the FSRU or SRV.
The Turkish FSRU project’s shareholders are Kolin and Kalyon Turkish groups and operated by Etki Liman Isletmeleri Dogal Gaz Ithalat ve Ticaret AS (Etki Port Operations Natural Gas Import and Trade).
The GDF Suez Neptune SRV (2009-built), 283-M long, 43-M wide is equipped with her own LNG regasification system, allowing her to regasify and discharge natural gas under high pressure directly into the Turkish gas network.
The SRV with a 145,000-CM storage capacity was constructed at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) facility located on Geoje Island, South Korea. She is owned jointly by Höegh LNG (50%), Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) (48.5%) and Tokyo LNG Tanker (1.5%) and operated by Höegh LNG for GDF Suez under a long-term time charter agreement. She is fitted with three state-of-the-art regasification skids for a total output capacity of approximately 21 MMCM/D of regasified LNG and it is equipped with the Tri-Fuel Diesel Electric propulsion system.
Turkey has experienced gas shortages during mid-winter cold spells for the past three years, when gas demand has exceeded the capacity of the existing infrastructure. During these periods, the state-run gas importing monopoly Botas has either reduced or completely cut gas supplies to a large combined cycle gas-fired power plant, requiring them to reduce or halt production or switch to burning fuel oil.
