Snam’s Piombino FSRU welcomes first LNG tanker

Italy’s Snam has received the first LNG tanker at its FSRU-based LNG import terminal in the port of Piombino as part of the commissioning phase.

The 2021-built, Maran Gas Kalymnos, owned by Greece’s Maran Gas and chartered by Italy’s Eni, docked at the 170,000-cbm Golar Tundra on Friday, according to its AIS data provided by VesselsValue.

Maran Gas Kalymnos is loaded with a cargo from the Eni-operated Damietta LNG export plant in Egypt, the data shows.

Snam and Eni confirmed the arrival of Maran Gas Kalymnos later on Friday.

Eni said it has booked regasification capacity at the FSRU-based facility as part of its strategy to diversify LNG supplies to Italy through its internationally produced equity gas.

According to Snam, the LNG carrier will first unload about 70,000 cbm of LNG into Golar Tundra’s tanks.

Around a few weeks later, the LNG carrier will return to the port to be moored again at the FSRU to offload the remaining 90,000 cbm of LNG for the final testing phase which involves checking the performance at different regasification profiles.

“Some 90 percent of the cargo will be fed into the grid for domestic consumption while the remaining 10 percent will be used to ensure the vessel’s operability,” it said.

Snam's Piombino FSRU welcomes first LNG tanker
Golar Tundra in Piombino (Image: Snam)

Second FSRU-based facility in Italy

Snam purchased Golar Tundra with a regasification capacity of 5 bcm from Golar LNG last year for $350 million, and the unit arrived in Piombino from Singapore in March.

FSRU Italia, a unit of Snam, has already allocated more than 86 percent of the offered regasification capacity following the first allocation procedure and recently offered the remaining quantities as well.

Snam’s chief executive Stefano Venier confirmed in March the that firm is still expecting to launch the FSRU-based LNG import terminal in May.

This facility will be the fourth large LNG terminal in Italy and the second FSRU-based facility.

Last year, Snam also bought one FSRU from BW and signed a deal to convert LNG carrier Golar Arctic into an FSRU.

Snam plans to employ the 2015-built FSRU BW Singapore to serve the facility off Ravenna.

The company owns the Panigaglia facility and has stakes in the FSRU Toscana and the Adriatic LNG import terminal.

(Article updated with statements by Snam and Eni.)

Most Popular

Shell wraps up acquisition of Pavilion Energy

UK-based LNG giant Shell has completed its previously announced acquisition of Singapore's Pavilion Energy.

India’s ONGC approves Mozambique LNG investment

India’s state-run ONGC has approved an investment by its unit, ONGC Videsh, into the TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG joint venture, which is developing a 12.8 mtpa liquefaction plant at the Afungi complex.

Australia’s Viva Energy seeks FSRU for Geelong project

Australia’s Viva Energy is looking to secure a floating storage and regasification Unit (FSRU) for its proposed LNG import terminal in Geelong, Australia.

More News Like This

Adnoc’s XRG wraps up Mozambique deal

Adnoc's investment unit XRG has completed the purchase of Galp’s 10 percent interest in the Area 4 concession of the Rovuma basin in Mozambique, which includes Eni’s Coral South FLNG project.

Snam’s Ravenna FSRU to get first LNG shipment

Snam's 170,000-cbm FSRU BW Singapore, located off Italy's Ravenna, is set to receive the first LNG cargo from the US as part of its commissioning activities.

Vitol to buy stake in Eni’s Congo LNG project

Geneva-based energy trader Vitol has agreed to buy a stake in Eni's Congo LNG project as part of a...

Italian FSRU to be in operation until 2044

Italy’s FSRU Toscana will be in operation until the end of 2024 due to life extension work carried out on the FSRU last year, according to operator OLT Offshore LNG Toscana.