GDF Suez announced the inauguration of the on-shore storage tank for the GNL Mejillones LNG regasification terminal.
The tank was inaugurated today by the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet and the Chairman and CEO of GDF Suez, Gerard Mestrallet.
The on-shore tank, which represents an investment of USD 200 million and has a gross storage capacity of 187.000 m3 has been built to meet the highest security and anti-seismic standards. The construction was supervised by Tractebel Engineering, an affiliate of GDF SUEZ.
“The new on-shore LNG storage tank in Mejillones strengthens Chile’s access to diversified energy and helps to meet the country’s growing demand for energy. In addition to this investment, we are also developing a transmission line project to connect Chile’s central and northern grids demonstrating our continued commitment to Chile,” said Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and CEO of GDF Suez.
Since 2010, the operating company GNL Mejillones has been closing long-term regasification contracts with the main mining and power generation companies of Chile. The new storage tank also opens commercial opportunities for LNG distribution through trucks and mid-scale ships.
The Mejillones terminal was built as a fast-track solution to guarantee short and long-term security of energy supply in the North of Chile by GDF SUEZ and Codelco, the world’s main copper producer. The terminal entered into operation in April 2010, using an LNG vessel as temporary storage solution, and has received 37 LNG carriers to date, of which 34 were ship-to-ship transfers which makes GNL Mejillones one of the world’s most experienced companies in this type of process.
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Press Release, May 15, 2014; Image: GDF SUEZ