AsiaLNG Terminals

Japex says Soma LNG back to full ops after quake

By LNG Prime Staff
Japex says Soma LNG back to full ops after quake
Soma LNG tank (Image: Japex)

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co (Japex) said it has restarted its Soma LNG import terminal after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck offshore Fukushima.

To remind, the strong earthquake occurred on February 13, hitting the Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. The devastating earthquake in 2011 also hit the same areas offshore Japan.

Following the new quake, Japex suspended operations and the supply of LNG at the terminal in Shinchi Town, but Fukushima Gas Power also closed the adjacent 1.18 million kW gas-fired power plant.

Japex first partially resumed Soma LNG operations on Tuesday, including truck loading, followed by the full restart on February 19, the firm said in a statement.

This also means that Fukushima Gas Power restarted the adjacent power plant which receives fuel from the Soma facility.

“In conjunction with the resumption of fuel supply from the Soma LNG terminal, the FGP’s power plant also resumed operation,” Japex said on Friday adding there was no damage to either of the facilities.

Japex announced in August last year the start of commercial operations of the second LNG tank and additional regasification facilities at the Soma terminal.

At the same time, the firm and its partners in Fukushima Gas Power started operations at the adjacent second gas-fueled power plant.

With the additional tank, the terminal now features two tanks with a 230,000 kiloliter capacity, two jetties, and regas facilities, but also LPG receiving and storage infrastructure.

Japex is in charge of the terminal’s operation, maintenance, and gas supply to the power plant.

Most Popular

LNG Terminals

Glenfarne’s Texas LNG seeks DOE extension

US energy firm Glenfarne is seeking an extension from the US Department of Energy to extend the non-FTA export start deadline for its planned 4 mtpa Texas LNG export terminal in the port of Brownsville.
Contracts and Tenders

Petrovietnam units plan new LNG-to-power project

PV Power and PV Gas, units of state-owned Petrovietnam, signed cooperation agreements to secure gas supplies for power plants in southwestern Vietnam and explore developing an integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the northern port city of Hai Phong.
Contracts and Tenders

Cheniere inks long-term LNG supply deals with QatarEnergy

US LNG exporter Cheniere has entered into long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale and purchase agreements with state-owned LNG giant QatarEnergy to supply 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG through 2054.

More News Like This

Contracts and Tenders

Brunei LNG seals long-term SPA with Japan’s Japex

LNG producer Brunei LNG has signed a long-term LNG sales and purchase agreement with Japan Petroleum Exploration Co (Japex).
LNG Terminals

Japan’s LNG imports down 20.6 percent in April

Japan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports decreased by 20.6 percent in April compared to the same month last year, according to provisional data released by the country’s Ministry of Finance.
LNG Terminals

Japan’s LNG imports up 13.9 percent in March

Japan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports rose by 13.9 percent in March compared to the same month last year, according to provisional data released by the country’s Ministry of Finance.
Contracts and Tenders

Japan’s Japex buys two spot LNG cargoes

Japan Petroleum Exploration Co (Japex) said it had purchased two spot LNG cargoes at "significantly" higher prices to substitute cargoes from the Middle East due to the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.