Exactly one year ago, on the 27th of October, 2014, “Independence”, the ship-storage of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, reached Klaipeda port. Along with “Independence”, security and competition came in Lithuanian gas market for the first time in history. As well as a unique experience.
„Security of gas supply means that no one can no longer blackmail Lithuania threatening to stop gas tap. Exactly a year ago, ending Gazprom's dominance in the Baltic States – "Independence" opened the way to gas markets of the whole world. We all know that from competition the first to win is a consumer. Not long ago Lithuanian users paid the highest price for the gas in Europe. And last year the gas price in Lithuania decreased the most of all European countries. LNG terminal, their plans to create common Baltic gas market, made a reality. “Independence” can be called the regional terminal because it is can meet almost all gas demand of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia” said the Lithuanian Minister of Energy Rokas Masiulis.
The Minister noted that when implementing the directives of the energy supply security of the European Union, LNG terminal in Klaipeda first of all operates as guarantor of supply security of the Baltic region, and at the same time sets gas price ceilings for the entire region.
The General Manager of the Company Mantas Bartuška acknowledged that the first year of the LNG terminal has been an experimentation year. It was necessary to start operating LNG terminal on time, to ensure its effectiveness and be ready for any unexpectedness of the object infrastructure.
“Usually in practice the first year of operation of the LNG terminal is the year when the market, customers and business partners monitors and evaluates the activities of the new terminal. Successful start of Klaipeda LNG terminal indicates for the market that the terminal operates safely, reliably and is open to third party access. Not it is the most modern ship of this type in the world, which not only guaranties security of gas supply but also contributes to the relatively new branch of business development in our region – the use of LNG for shipping and transport and other sectors. We hope that the second year of operation of the terminal there will be more users who will take this new gas supply alternative in the region” said the General Manager of SC Klaipedos Nafta Mantas Bartuška.
As noted Mr. Bartuška, thanks to the smooth operation of the LNG terminal, the experience and competence of Lithuania’s energy specialists is widely evaluated in the world. And that is shown not only in words but also by real actions and signed contracts. SC Klaipedos Nafta has signed an agreement under which the Lithuanian Company will implement the LNG terminal project in Colombia. This is the first agreement of its kind in the Lithuanian energy sector.
Klaipeda LNG terminal can meet 100 percent of Lithuania’s gas demand as well as 90 percent of gas needs of neighbor countries – Latvia and Estonia.
Briefly about LNG terminal: this is the first LNG terminal in the Baltic countries, consisting of LNG ship-storage (170,000 thousand cubic meters), jetty (450 m length) and the gas pipeline branch (18 km long). The terminal, located in the southern part of the port of Klaipeda, became an alternative to gas imported from Russia to Lithuania. Gas is supplied to the terminal by gas carrier vessels. Six gas carrier vessels have visited Klaipeda port by the 27th October 2015.
The State owns 72,32 percent of SC Klaipedos Nafta shares.
