Italy: HIGAS wins governmental approval for Sardinia LNG project

HIGAS, a joint venture between Gas and Heat and CPL Concordia, received the final governmental approval for the construction and operation of the small-scale LNG storage facility in Santa Giusta (Oristano), Italy. 

The latest approval for the 9000-cbm storage facility came from the Italian ministry of economic development, according to the statement by Gas and Heat, a specialist for cargo systems.

The project has obtained more than 15 positive approvals, including the authorization of the Italian ministry of infrastructure and transport.

HIGAS is currently working on receiving the ministerial decree in order to start the construction of the first small-scale LNG storage plant of the Mediterranean, the statement reads.

The Norwegian-listed company Stolt-Nielsen has already acquired 10 percent interest in the project, with an option to increase its stake up to 80 percent. The company is aiming to decide on ordering two small-scale LNG carriers which will be used to ship the chilled fuel for the LNG import facility that will have six cryogenic horizontal storage tanks.

The decision on the order is expected to be made once binding offtake agreements for the LNG project in Italy have been signed, according to Stolt-Nielsen.

LNG World News Staff