Commonwealth LNG launches tender for LNG offtake

It is the first ever tender process in which prospective LNG customers can secure future term supply at volumes, pricing, and durations of their choosing through competitive bidding. LNG will be made available under tolling, free on board (FOB), or delivered at place (DAP) offtake agreements to match customer preferences. Commonwealth officials say that a different approach is warranted following changes in the energy market resulting from the global pandemic.

Commonwealth Founder and CEO Paul Varello said the innovative approach to selling LNG benefits the project as well as potential buyers. “We believe this process offers a mutually advantageous, low-risk solution for buyers to address their long-term needs while allowing Commonwealth to advance our project expeditiously to meet market demand.”

Commonwealth’s tender is supported by Gunvor Group, Ltd, the leading independent global trader of LNG. Gunvor and Commonwealth LNG have a strategic agreement under which Gunvor supports Commonwealth in securing binding LNG offtake and gas supply agreements for the facility. Gunvor has committed to take up to 3 million tpy of LNG offtake from the project. In addition, as part of the tender, Gunvor will enable the offering of DAP basis to customers desiring this option. Furthermore, the utilisation of Gunvor’s LNG portfolio will allow the offering to provide firm LNG supply obligations, which will mitigate greenfield project supply risk and/or allow deliveries of LNG prior to the start-up of the Commonwealth LNG project to buyers who require earlier supplies.

“The tender process further builds on the momentum generated between Commonwealth and Gunvor under the Strategic Agreement executed in 2019,” said Kalpesh Patel, Gunvor Co-Head of LNG Trading. “The flexibility Gunvor can offer both in terms of early bridging volumes and firm DES/DAP contracts differentiates Commonwealth from other developing LNG projects.”

Commonwealth has retained Poten & Partners, Inc. to manage the tender process, which was launched on 18 January. It calls for confirmations of interest by mid-February and submission of bids by early April 2021. Commonwealth will evaluate each bid based on the bidder’s requested volume, price, contract tenor, and credit. Contracts are due to be awarded by June of this year.

The project should achieve FID in 1Q22, with the first cargo expected in 2Q25. Commonwealth is implementing an accelerated construction schedule that will allow the project to be built in three years using a predominantly modular approach with major components being fabricated offsite, enabling the project to offer one of the most competitive LNG sales prices from the US.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/19012021/commonwealth-lng-launches-tender-for-lng-offtake/