Curacao’s Refineria di Kòrsou (RdK) recently issued a request for proposals to build an LNG import and transshipment terminal to displace heavy resid fuel oil at the Caribbean island’s refinery and power plants.
According to the RfP issued by the consultancy Poten & Partners which is advising on the project, the selected bidder will be required to develop, finance, build, own and operate the facility on the Caribbean island.
The facility which should be in service by 2021 or earlier, will include LNG storage and regasification at Bullen Bay, according to Poten & Partners.
It will supply natural gas to meet domestic demand, which could grow to around 175 MMcf/d by 2025. The project will also include a gas pipeline running to RdK’s refinery in Willemstad, 12.9 km from Bullen Bay.
The proposed site would allow either a floating storage-and-regasification unit or a conventional onshore LNG terminal.
The use of natural gas at the oil refinery is part of the Curacao government’s plan to have the facility modernized to ensure that it remains viable for at least 20-30 years, the consultancy said.