Shell’s Philippines LNG import plan gets approval

A unit of energy giant Shell has secured approval to go forward with an LNG import project in the Philippines, joining a number of developments looking to deliver the fuel to the country’s power plants.

The Philippines’ Department of Energy has issued a “notice to proceed” to Shell Energy Philippines.

“We are grateful to the Department of Energy for issuing a ‘notice to proceed’ which will enable us to further explore the opportunity of importing LNG into the Philippines,” a Shell spokesperson told LNG Prime in an emailed statement.

Shell did not reveal any additional information regarding the project but local media reports cite DOE as saying that Shell’s unit plans to install a chartered floating regasification unit (FSRU) in Tabangao, Batangas.

The proposed project would have up to 3 mtpa capacity and it would deliver the fuel to mainly power plants, according to the reports.

“The Philippines is an important country for Shell and is keen to continue working with the country to meet its growing energy requirements,” the spokesperson said.

The Philippines has several LNG import facilities on the table as the Malampaya gas field becomes less reliable in producing and providing sufficient fuel supply for the country’s existing gas-fired power plants.

Shell already owns a 45 percent stake and operates the Malampaya deep-water gas-to-power project along with partner Chevron that also has a 45 percent stake. The Philippine National Oil Corporation-Exploration Corporation holds the rest.

Shell’s LNG import development joins four other planned projects that look to fill the expected natural gas supply gap in the future.

These include the recently approved project by Singapore’s downstream LNG player AG&P but also First Gen’s Batangas project. First Gen said recently it aims to award the Batangas FSRU contract by the end of this month.

Most Popular

Yang Ming books LNG-powered containerships in South Korea

Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport has decided to order LNG dual-fuel container vessels from South Korea's Hanwha Ocean as part of its ongoing fleet optimization plan.

Sabah to take stake in Petronas’ third FLNG

SMJ Energy, owned by the Sabah government, has signed a heads of agreement with Malaysian energy giant Petronas to take a 25 percent stake in the latter's third floating LNG production unit.

Japan’s LNG imports drop in June

Japan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports dropped by 2.8 percent in June compared to the same month last year, according to provisional data released by the country’s Ministry of Finance.

More News Like This

South Korea gets first LNG Canada cargo

The 174,000-cbm GasLog Glasgow, which is carrying the first liquefied natural gas cargo produced at the Shell-led LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, has arrived in Tongyeong, South Korea, according to shipping data.

LNG Canada to send third cargo

Shell-led LNG Canada is expected to soon ship the third cargo of liquefied natural gas from the Kitimat facility, according to shipping data.

Victrol: LNG London hits bunkering milestone

The Shell-chartered inland bunkering vessel LNG London, owned by a joint venture of Belgium's Victrol and France's Sogestran, has reached a new operational milestone.

Monadelphous scores new LNG contracts

Australian engineering firm Monadelphous has secured contracts for Shell's Crux natural gas project offshore Western Australia and the Australia Pacific LNG project in Queensland.