USD 415 mn LNG pier in Ain Sokhna port begins trial operations

Trial runs have begun at the Arab Petroleum Pipelines Company (SUMED)’s USD 415 mn LNG pier at Ain Sokhna port, Ahram Gate reports. The project — which aims to receive LNG and pump it through the national grid, in addition to receiving, storing and transporting fuel to the domestic or export — is a crucial component of the Oil Ministry's strategy to turn Egypt into a regional energy hub. Structural work for the FSRU unit anchorage was completed in June, with the facility having begun receiving natural gas shipments, which was connected to the national grid. The port should begin receiving and connecting butane in early 2018, said Oil Minister Tarek El Molla, who added that storing and treating Mazut will begin early 2019. The facility will become especially important once the executive regulations of the Natural Gas Act pass and we can see the private sector begin making deliveries.