December 19, 2022 [Oil&Gas Journal] – NV Nederlandse Gasunie is investigating options for further temporary expansion of LNG import capacity into the Netherlands.

NV Nederlandse Gasunie is investigating options for further temporary expansion of LNG import capacity into the Netherlands. The study is taking place following consultation with the Dutch government and is consistent with plans sent to the Lower House Dec. 9 by the ministry of climate and energy.

Plans include further expansion of existing LNG terminals in Eemshaven (EemsEnergyTerminal, 8 billion cu m/year (bcmy)) and Rotterdam (Gate, 12 bcmy) via debottlenecking and technical optimization.

Gasunie earlier this year chartered two floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) for use at Eemshaven until a permanent shore-based terminal can be built (OGJ Online, Aug. 1, 2022).

The addition in 2023 of one or more new FSRU in the Port of Terneuzen is also being considered.

Gasunie says there will be no physical shortage of natural gas in the Netherlands this winter but that it’s studying the expansions to ensure a sufficient supply of gas through the 2025-26 heating season.

The company also hopes to address high prices brought about by what it describes as a structural gas scarcity in northwestern Europe by having at least some of these expansions in place before the next gas-storage filling season starts in April 2023.

Longer term, Gasunie is working with the Dutch government to build a national hydrogen network to begin replacing demand for natural gas. It intends to use many of the components built as part of the near-term LNG expansion in that hydrogen service, making the LNG-related measures temporary.

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