GDF Suez inaugurates Chilean LNG storage tank

GDF Suez has announced the inauguration of the onshore storage tank for the GNL Mejillones LNG regasification terminal. The tank was inaugurated on 14 May by the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, and the CEO of the company, Gerard Mestrallet.

The onshore tank represents an investment of US$ 200 million and has a storage capacity of 187 000 m³. Tractebel Engineering, an affiliate of GDF Suez, supervised the construction of the LNG tank.

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Mestrallet commented: “The new onshore LNG storage tank in Mejillones strengthens Chile’s access to diversified energy and helps to meet the country’s growing demand for energy. In addition to this investment, we are also developing a transmission line project to connect Chile’s central and northern grids demonstrating our continued commitment to Chile.”

Since 2010, the operating company GNL Mejillones has been closing long-term regasification contracts with major mining and power generation companies in Chile. The new storage tank also opens commercial opportunities for LNG distribution through trucks and ships.

Mejillones LNG terminal

GDF Suez and Codelco, a major copper producer, built the Mejillones terminal as a fast-track solution to guarantee short and long-term security of energy supply in the North of Chile. The terminal entered into operation in April 2010, using an LNG vessel as temporary storage solution, and has received 37 LNG carriers to date, of which 34 were ship-to-ship transfers. This makes GNL Mejillones one of the world’s most experienced companies in this type of process.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/regasification/15052014/gdf_inaugurates_lng_storage_tank_588/