Klaipedos Nafta begins LNG reloading station commissioning

Klaipedos Nafta, the operator of the first Lithuanian LNG terminal, started commissioning works at the LNG reloading station following the initial cargo delivery by Shell. 

The commissioning cargo was delivered by Shell’s 6,500 cubic meters LNG bunkering vessel that arrived at the Klaipeda port on Sunday, September 17

Shell’s bunkering vessel was loaded with sufficient LNG required for the commissioning works from the FSRU Independence, serving as Lithuania’s first LNG import terminal, Klaipedos Nafta said.

According to the contract, 1,000 cubic meters of LNG was reloaded to the bunker vessel. Two of the five storage tanks of the LNG reloading station will be filled with this amount.

Shell has acquired the cargo from Lietuvos Dujų Tiekimas, a Lithuanian company that uses the services of the LNG terminal.

Speaking of the commissioning, Mindaugas Jusius, KN‘s managing director, said it will enable the company “to test the entire infrastructure for the LNG logistics in the Klaipėda Seaport.”

“First, the reloading of LNG from the large terminal to a small-scale LNG carrier, then from the carrier to the LNG reloading station, and finally to LNG tank trucks,” he said.

All the requisite testing of individual components and equipment of the distribution station was completed prior to starting the transfer of LNG from the bunker vessel to the storage tanks.

It is estimated that all phases of the LNG reloading station‘s commissioning works will be completed by the end of the autumn, and commercial operations will be launched in the first half-year of 2018 upon approval of the construction completion certificate.