The Fos Tonkin LNG terminal – operated by Elengy, a GDF SUEZ company – celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The facility has been contributing to the local economy of Fos-sur-Mer since 1972. As one of the first LNG terminals in Europe, the site played an important role in the emergence of the Mediterranean LNG market.
The Fos Tonkin LNG terminal has received nearly 5,500 ships since it was first commissioned. Today, it still accounts for 10% of France’s annual natural gas consumption. The facility has been continually modified and upgraded since 1972, ensuring safe, reliable operation and the ability to cope with customers’ evolving needs.
A new renovation project (total investment: €30 million) was launched in 2012 so the site can operate until 2020. An investment project is currently being examined with a view to building a new tank that would enable the site to continue operating until 2035.
Located on the Mediterranean coast, 50 km west of Marseille, the Fos Tonkin terminal operates 24/7, receiving LNG carriers transporting up to 75,000 m3 of LNG, a capacity level appropriate to Mediterranean traffic. The terminal has a send-out capacity of 5.5 billion m3 of natural gas per year and unloaded 101 cargoes in 2011.
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LNG World News Staff, December 7, 2012; Image: Elengy