Hokkaido Gas to Start Second LNG Storage Tank at Ishikari Terminal

Japanese gas distributors Hokkaido Gas’ newly built 200,000 kl No.2 LNG tank at Ishikari terminal will become operational on September 17 by receiving the first delivery of LNG from a tanker.

In a statement issued September 16, the Japanese firm said the new tank will help expand the capacity at the terminal to 380,000 kl from 180,000 kl. The construction of the tank began in 2013. Hokkaido Gas owns the first and the second tank while third and the fourth tank is owned by Hokkaido Electric.

In June, Hokkaido Electric Power said it has started building the fourth storage tank at the terminal on Hokkaido, Japan’s second biggest island. The tank will have a capacity of 230,000 kl and is expected to be complete by October 2020. The expansion, the company said, will be able to improve the operational flexibility of Ishikari Bay New Port power plant which is currently under construction. 

In September 2015, Hokkaido Electric signed agreements to buy up to 330,000 metric ton/yr of LNG. The utility signed basic agreements with Kansai Electric Power and a unit of Petronas to buy up to three and two cargoes per year, respectively, for 10 years from April 2018.

Shardul Sharma