AIE Plans to Import More LNG Through its Oz Terminal
Australian Industrial Energy (AIE) October 25 lodged a modification to its existing development consent for its proposed Port Kembla LNG import terminal near Sydney in order to meet higher demand for natural gas during the Australian winter season.
The modification request seeks to increase the number of annual LNG cargoes received at the terminal from 26 shipments of 170,000 m3 each to up to 46 shipments of variable-sized vessels to reflect the variability in demand. AIE said its customers have expressed that their gas demands during peak season (typically between April and September) exceed the volume approved in the current consent granted by the New South Wales department of planning.
“The increase of up to 20 shipments represents an approximate 2% increase in the number of vessels that visit Port Kembla each year. The project’s FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit), which will remain moored at Port Kembla’s Berth 101 to receive, store and send out natural gas, will not need to be modified as it has the capacity to handle the extra throughput,” AIE said.
As part of the modification process, AIE will be required to undertake additional environmental and hazard studies which will then be assessed by NSW government agencies. The company said that this is expected to extend the completion timeline, "the request for additional volume reinforces the project’s critical importance as a solution to the nation’s near-term gas supply challenges.”
In April, the A$250mn (US$176mn) Port Kembla terminal received developmental consent from the New South Wales government.