RasGas has delivered its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to the Dunkerque LNG regasification terminal, France.
Under the sales and purchase agreement (SPA) signed between Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company (3) and EDF in June, 2016, the former will supply up to 2mn tonnes per annum of Qatari LNG into Dunkerque, complementing the existing long-term SPAs between RasGas ventures and EDF Group subsidiaries, Edison and EDF Trading.
The cargo, aboard RasGas’ LNG tanker ‘Murwab,’ was delivered to the EDF Group on January 23, following the successful commencement of commercial operations of the Dunkerque LNG regasification terminal on January 1, 2017.
“RasGas is proud to commence delivery with this first LNG cargo under our SPA with EDF. This is another milestone for RasGas and the EDF Group, as well as for the relationship between Qatar and France for the safe, reliable and clean supply of LNG for France and Europe,” RasGas chief executive Hamad Mubarak al-Muhannadi said.
This will be the first commercial unloading of LNG carriers in the facility which has an annual regasification capacity of 13bn cubic metres and is owned and operated by Dunkerque LNG, a company 65%-owned by EDF, 25% by Fluxys and 10% by Total.
“RasGas is a long-term partner of EDF Group and we are delighted to step up our relationship following the successful commencement of commercial operations of the Dunkerque LNG Terminal,” according to Marc Benayoun, EDF Group executive vice president with responsibility for Gas and Italy.
EDF Group has important needs in terms of gas supply. To help its “CAP 2030” strategy focused on low-carbon electricity generation, it is operating flexible combined cycle gas turbine power plants across Europe, mainly in Italy, France and UK, as well as operating Dalkia cogeneration units. The group is also present in the business to consumer market, providing gas for approximately 4mn clients in France, the UK and Belgium.
The cargo, aboard RasGas LNG tanker ‘Murwab,’ was delivered to the EDF Group on January 23.
