- Gate terminal strengthens Netherlands' position as gas roundabout;
- Independent LNG terminal important factor in gas distribution in Europe;
- Terminal dovetails with Dutch and European energy policy of diversification;
- Terminal ready in 2011.
Economic Affairs Minister Maria van der Hoeven today gave the official green light for the construction of the first LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) import terminal in the Netherlands, on Maasvlakte in Rotterdam.
The terminal will have an initial throughput capacity of 9 billion m3 (bcm) per annum and will consist of three storage tanks and one jetty. Annual throughput capacity can be increased to 16 bcm a year in the near future. Each tank will have a capacity of 180,000 m3.
As an independent LNG terminal, Gate terminal will be an important factor for the European receipt of gas from other countries. Imports are necessary as Europe's own production is declining yet demand for natural gas is rising. The terminal will both increase the security of supplies as well enable new players to enter the European gas market.
A consortium consisting of Techint, Sener, Entrepose and Vinci will build the terminal. The total project costs will be about EUR 800 million. The terminal is expected to be fully operational in the second half of 2011. The construction of the Gate terminal will also significantly strengthen Rotterdam's position as an energy port. The port authorities are investing EUR 60 million in the basic infrastructure.
Minister van der Hoeven said at the opening:
“This is an excellent initiative. The terminal dovetails with Dutch and European energy policies, built on the pillars of strategic diversification of LNG supplies, sustainability, safety and environmental awareness of future energy supplies. The direct connection to the national transmission network will also consolidate the Netherlands' position as a European hub for natural gas trading and distribution.”
John Paul Broeders, Vopak's Executive Board Chairman, and Marcel Kramer, Gasunie's CEO, together said:
“We are very proud that construction of the Gate terminal will now go ahead. A modern LNG terminal is essential. This is illustrated by the first long-term contracts signed with three major European energy companies, Dong Energy, EconGas and Essent, for a combined throughput of 9 bcm a year of natural gas. The Gate terminal initiative stands out for its independence, accessibility, excellent location, the priority it gives to safety and the environment and the unique combination of the two strong partners, Gasunie en Vopak.”
Profile of Gate terminal B.V.
The growing demand for natural gas cannot be met without an increase in imports. N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie) and Koninklijke Vopak N.V. (Vopak) therefore decided in 2005 to develop Gate terminal (Gas Access To Europe), an LNG import terminal. The terminal's functions are: receipt, a buffer between receipt and continuous supply of natural gas, regasification and supply. Imported LNG will be regasified and stored under pressure at the terminal before it is supplied at a constant rate to the Dutch transmission network. There will be no change in the composition of the product. The main functions of the LNG import terminal as a whole will therefore be storage and handling; no waste will be produced.
Gate terminal will be a safe and clean LNG facility with four main functions:
- the receipt of LNG from special LNG carriers;
- the buffering of LNG between the points of receipt and outlet;
- the regasification of LNG into natural gas, and
- the delivery of natural gas into the transmission network for the Dutch and northwest European markets.
The terminal will consist of three storage tanks and one jetty. Each tank will have a capacity of 180,000 m3. The total project costs for the LNG terminal will be about €800 million. The terminal is expected to be fully operational in the second half of 2011. The LNG terminal's throughput capacity can be increased to 16 billion m3 per annum in the future.
Website: www.gateterminal.com
Profile N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie)
Gasunie is a gas infrastructure and transport company with an authoritative position in Europe. Its responsibilities include the management and development of the national gas transmission network and the provision of gas transport and infrastructure services. It meets the wishes of customers who want their natural gas to be transported safely and sustainably at a competitive price. In doing so it also serves the public interest.
Profile Vopak
Royal Vopak (Vopak) is the world’s largest independent tank terminal operator specialising in the storage and handling of liquid and gaseous chemical and oil products. On request, Vopak can provide complementary logistics services for customers at its terminals. Vopak operates 74 terminals with a storage capacity of more than 21 million cbm in 30 countries. The terminals are strategically located for users and the major shipping routes. The majority of its customers are companies operating in the chemical and oil industries, for which Vopak stores a large variety of products destined for a wide range of industries.