Following a public debate held from September 6 to December 17 2010 by the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP), Elengy has decided to pursue its studies into extending the operation of the Fos Tonkin LNG terminal past 2014, for 20 years, with a maximum natural gas send-out capacity of 7 billion m3/year.
These studies, enriched by the debate, will make it possible to specify the size of the new LNG tank that will replace two of the three current tanks with a maximum capacity of 160,000 m3, and to choose between renovating the jetty or building a new one for berthing and unloading LNG carriers. The results will be presented to the regional stakeholders in connection with a Local Information and Dialogue Committee meeting that Elengy decided to set up in connection with its consultative approach.
Elengy will – at the same time and in a transparent and non-discriminatory way – continue its open season for regasification capacities at the Fos Tonkin terminal. The process will take place from April to November 2011. Subject to the project’s economic and commercial feasibility and the securing of the necessary administrative authorisations, the new equipment will be gradually commissioned between 2015 and 2017.
Located along the Mediterranean coast 50 km west of Marseille, the Fos Tonkin terminal can accommodate LNG carriers 24 hours a day transporting up to 75,000 cu.m of LNG, a size adapted to Mediterranean traffic. The terminal was commissioned in 1972 and in 2010 received 128 cargoes, accounting for nearly 15% of French consumption.
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Source: Elengy, April 5, 2011;