Italian OLT Offshore LNG Toscana has received authorisation to increase its annual regasification capacity from the current 3.75 billion to about 5 billion standard cubic meters per year.
OLT said the capacity increase does not involve plant modifications, but a greater utilisation of the existing plant with increased quantities of LNG discharged and regasified.
It further noted that the additional regasification capacity will be available starting from the next gas year and will be allocated according to the terms of OLT’s Regasification Code.
In addition to the increase in capacity, thanks to the decree issued by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), in agreement with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT) and with the Tuscany Region, OLT will also be able to receive up to 122 small LNG carriers per year to carry out the small-scale LNG service.
OLT said the new service, for which the plant upgrade has been completed, enables small LNG carriers to load LNG directly at the FSRU Toscana terminal, to refuel LNG ships or to deliver it to coastal deposits within Mediterranean ports. The commercial offer of the service is expected soon.
According to OLT, the increase in regasification capacity is part of the broader national strategy related to the European energy emergency in 2022 and in line with what is enshrined in the REPowerEU.
Giovanni Giorgi, CEO of OLT Offshore LNG Toscana, commented: “Almost 10 years after the start of operations at the terminal, we can proudly begin a new chapter in our history. Thanks to the increase in the authorised regasification capacity and in the number of berths of the SSLNGc, as part of the new small-scale LNG service, FSRU Toscana will be able to further increase its contribution to diversification and security of supply.”
To note, the floating regasification terminal FSRU Toscana is moored about 22 km off the coast between Livorno and Pisa and is connected to the national grid through a 36.5 km long pipeline operated and managed by Snam.