December 1, 2023 [Proton Ventures]- Proton Ventures BV (“Proton”) is set to complete Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for re-purposing of two 30.000m³ ammonia tanks in Flushing, NL. This critical milestone paves the way for the Final Investment Decision (FID) and positions Vesta Terminals B.V. (“Vesta”) as a key player in the green ammonia business.
Future Hub
The Vesta terminal is located in Vlissingen (Flushing) and currently has 2 x 30.000m3 of refrigerated storage capacity for ammonia, with plans to handle an initial throughput of one million metric ton per annum (MTPA) NH3. The strategically located terminal is well-equipped for the supply of green ammonia, catering to seagoing vessels, reloading into barges, and rail tank cars. The facility’s throughput capacity will be doubled in the second phase, and it will be connected to the Dutch hydrogen pipeline network. A world-scale cracker near the terminal is envisioned in order to convert the green Ammonia back to hydrogen. The commissioning of the Vesta Terminal project is planned for the 1st quarter of 2027.
Resuming FEED towards FID
In early 2022 , Uniper Global Commodities SE and Vesta signed a MoU to evaluate the feasibility of refurbishing and expanding an existing storage facility with the aim to create the first green ammonia hub ‘Greenpoint Valley’ in North-West Europe.
Proton completed a scoping and feasibility study in the first four months of 2023, focusing on the reconversion of the existing ammonia (NH3) tanks, including (un-)loading infrastructure for Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGS), rail tank cars and barges. Following the feasibility study, Vesta entered into long terms agreement negotiations with customers for the import of green ammonia to off-takers in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. This gave Proton the green light to resume works.
The FEED project aims to narrow down the costs estimate, unlocking the full potential of the project and achieving FID by 2024.
During the FEED Proton will focus on:
- Detailing of the reconversion of the two existing tanks back for Ammonia storage in Flushing in compliance with the latest environmental and safety regulations.
- P&IDs for all processes and utilities, including pumps, flare, refrigeration system and jetty and railcar loading system.
- Creating Bill of Material lists and Request for Quotation documents for all disciplines.
- Providing a Total Installed Cost estimate in accordance with AACE Class.
- Planning for spatial provision for a third storage tank in the future and a cracker.
Transition towards green ammonia
As the global energy industry starts to unveil the potential of ammonia as an energy carrier, Proton Ventures takes pride in leading the designs that facilitate the transition from hydrocarbon to hydrogen fuels via the NH3 molecule.
George Dodoros, Business Development Director at Proton Ventures, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The team at Proton Ventures is delighted to finalize the FEED works and enable Vesta to reach FID in 2024.”
Daan Schutte, CCO at Vesta Terminals Group, shared, “As Vesta, we are proud to push forward this project. With the help of Proton Ventures, we are taking important steps towards being a frontrunner in the renewable energy transition.”
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