Croatia seeks FSRU for LNG-import venture

LNG Croatia has invited bids to build an LNG-import terminal on Krk Island, based on a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), reviving Croatia’s long-stalled plans to diversify its energy supply and reduce its dependence on piped gas from Russia.

Croatia has invited bids for EPC and FSRU procurement, setting a 29 September deadline for submissions. LNG Croatia said the works include design and construction of a jetty, the connecting gas pipeline and high-pressure infrastructure.

The project will reach a final investment decision early next year, LNG Croatia chief executive Goran Francic told a conference earlier this year.

Previous plans to import LNG through the northern Adriatic centred on a US$650M, 2.4 million tonne a year land-based LNG-import terminal to handle Q-max LNG carriers. Rethinking the Krk Island project as an FSRU-based venture is likely to speed time to market.

LNG Croatia’s call for submissions does not specify the size of FSRU it requires. The European Union is backing the project with a €102M (US$121.3M) investment package.