US energy giant ConocoPhillips, UK’s Ineos, and German energy firm RWE have agreed to book long-term capacity at the planned onshore LNG import terminal in Brunsbuettel, Germany.
According to German LNG Terminal, the developer of the facility, it entered into deals with the three foundation customers for long-term regasification capacity in the terminal.
German LNG Terminal did not provide any additional information regarding the capacity bookings.
LNG giant Shell also previously signed a memorandum of understanding to book a “substantial part” of the Brunsbuettel terminal’s capacity. The LNG terminal developer did not mention Shell in the new announcement.
The terminal will have an annual throughput capacity of 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas and can be expanded to at least 10 bcma.
Besides these booking, German LNG Terminal also awarded the engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract to CS Gas North, a joint venture of Vinci’s Cobra and Sener.
LNG Prime reported on this award on October 7.
According to the developer, it expects the facility to go online in 2026, with efforts underway to accelerate the terminal’s start-up.
Final permits
Earlier this year, Dutch gas grid operator Gasunie joined forces with the German government and RWE to build the Brunsbuettel LNG import terminal as part of the country’s plans to reduce reliance on Russian pipeline gas and boost energy security.
Gasunie has a 40 percent operating stake in the facility. RWE, which plans an ammonia facility next to this terminal, has 10 percent in the facility and the government holds 50 percent.
German LNG Terminal said in the new statement it is now focusing on securing the final permits to fully develop the terminal.
In parallel, the developer is considering “climate-friendly site enhancement opportunities”.
“The terminal is well positioned to become a hydrogen supply hub for northern Germany, and synergies with nearby industries will help achieve energy transition goals in Schleswig Holstein and Germany,” it said.
German LNG imports
Germany currently has no operational LNG import terminals but the country has chartered in total five FSRUs to fast-track LNG imports.
These vessels include the two units RWE chartered from Hoegh LNG, the Dynagas-owned 174,000-cbm Transgas Force and Transgas Power that will go on charter to Uniper, and Excelerate’s FSRU chartered by Engie, TES, and E.ON.
Besides the onshore LNG import plant, Brunsbuettel will also host one of the four FSRUs RWE and Uniper chartered.
RWE is developing the Elbhafen LNG terminal in Brunsbuettel and Uniper is working on the Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal.
These two facilities with a capacity of up to 12.5 bcm per year should go online by the end of this year while the other units should start operations next year.
On top of these five FSRUs, Deutsche ReGas is also working on the first private German FSRU-based facility in Lubmin.