Australian firm Viva Energy opened its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal to commercial partnerships on Sunday, Kallanish Energy reports.
Viva Energy plans to develop the LNG regasification terminal alongside its Geelong crude oil refinery, located in Victoria, South Australia. Following successful initial technical studies, the company intends to begin the front-end engineering and design phase of the terminal by the end of this year.
The LNG regasification terminal development is part of the company’s wider plan to develop its Geelong site into an energy hub for the South Australia region. It aims to support the transition to lower carbon energies and enhance Australia’s energy security.
The Geelong hub project was first announced in mid-June and the development of an LNG supply and storage facility at the site forms the first step of this venture. Viva Energy has stated that it is also assessing the feasibility of a solar farm on unused refinery land and the potential for gas-fired power generation and hydrogen production.
“Viva Energy is preparing for the future by investing in strategic infrastructure to help meet Australia’s rapidly changing energy demands,” said Scott Wyatt, chief executive of Viva Energy.
“Our project builds on our existing refining infrastructure which makes it significantly more competitive than other proposals and naturally reduces any new environmental impacts. We are already set up to take large shipments of oil on a regular basis, and can easily accommodate additional LNG gas vessels alongside these operations,” added Wyatt.
This post appeared first on Kallanish Energy News.