site.btaEnergy Minister: Alexandroupolis LNG Terminal Set for October 1 Launch

The regasification platform for liquefied natural gas near Alexandroupolis will be operational on October 1, 2024, following the resolution of a technical flaw, Energy Minister Vladimir Malinov said on Tuesday, quoted by his Ministry. All licensing procedures have been completed, the Minister also said.

Malinov performed an on-site inspection of the works completed at the facility aboard the platform in Alexandroupolis, Greece, accompanied by representatives from the project company Gastrade.

Based on the initial schedule approved by shareholders, the terminal was set to be operational in April 2024, the Energy Ministry press report said. After work began to link the gas platform to the pipeline, the issue of water in the pipeline was identified. It was resolved using a non-intrusive method by supplying gas in a controlled manner from the regasification platform to Greece's gas transmission system. This did not incur additional financial costs for the project.

"All companies set to deliver liquefied natural gas to the terminal are expected to declare their cargo numbers by August 15," Malinov said. He added that the exact slots for these companies would be allocated by the end of August and emphasized that the commissioning of the Alexandroupolis floating storage and regasification unit is scheduled to begin on October 1, coinciding with the start of the upcoming gas year.

"The start of commercial operations at the terminal this autumn will provide a competitive advantage and ensure the security of gas supplies for the upcoming winter season in Southeast Europe, considering the potential halt of Russian natural gas transportation through Ukrainian territory from the beginning of next year," Malinov said.

The project is of strategic importance as it will provide a crucial corridor for the delivery of liquefied natural gas from alternative sources for the entire region, the press report concluded.