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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.

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