Testing stage at FSRU facilities in Alexandroupolis begins

The arrival of the first LNG cargo from Cameron, USA, in Alexandroupolis marks the beginning of the test stage in order to establish the correct operation and performance of the gasifiers and the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) facilities. The CEO of Gastrade, Kostis Sifnaios, speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), outlined the schedule and process of the controls, details regarding the beginning of the commercial operation of the floating liquefied natural gas station, the next cargo arrivals and the importance of the project for the local economy. The transshipment of approximately 151,000 sq.m. LNG from the floating ship to the tanks of the floating station – the total capacity of which is 153,500 m2 – is estimated to start on Sunday, Sifnaios stated. He explained that during the testing of the facilities, the first step is the cooling down, the required gradual cooling of the tanks that will receive the liquefied gas which is at -163 degrees, a process that will last about ten days as it is being done for the first time, while subsequent loads will be unloaded within 24-36 hours. This will be followed by the gradual testing of all the installations of the floating unit. Initially only internally, without the gas channeling to the system, and only after the gasifiers are tested, the gas will be sent outside. First, the pipeline of the project (28 km long) is filled up to the measuring station of Amfitritis and then the gas shipment to the National Natural Gas Transmission System will begin. The specific tests last about 6-7 weeks, which can be extended if modifications, improvements or corrections are required, Sifnaios explained. The completion of the testing is followed by the certification of the correct operation of the equipment and the issuance of the final operating license of the project, which also marks the start of commercial operation. Sifnaios stated that both the arrival schedule of the next loads and the quantities will be known upon completion of the annual planning for the period from October 1 to September 30. “Depending on the number of loads that will be scheduled, the corresponding slots for their unloading time will be given and we will know these details by mid-March,” he noted. 

Testing stage at FSRU facilities in Alexandroupolis beginshttps://t.co/F05mMvyt9n pic.twitter.com/adxPRAe9FQ

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