France to build floating LNG terminal

The French government is in talks with energy company TotalEnergies to build a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the northern port of Le Havre, Les Echos newspaper reported on March 26, without citing sources, Report informs referring to Reuters.

The proposed LNG terminal would serve networks run by French gas utility Engie, increasing the country’s import capacity.

The project for the construction of a floating terminal in the port of Le Havre is being prepared by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, energy companies TotalEnergies, GRTGaz, and port structures that combine Le Havre, Rouen and Paris.

“This project of a floating LNG terminal in Le Havre will be useful if we want to reduce our dependence on gas from Russia and increase the security of supplies. Therefore, everything must be done to expedite the obtaining of the necessary permits,” said Jean-Francois Carenco, chairman of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

He noted that the goal is to have additional LNG receiving capacity brought on line within a year.

The floating terminal can import 50 terawatt hours of gas per year or 3.9 million tons of LNG. It will be able to receive liquefied gas from the US, Qatar or Africa.