PLN opens PQ bid for LNG terminal

State electricity firm PLN announced on Wednesday the opening of pre-qualification for the EPC contract for its proposed LNG receiving terminal and re-gasification facilities project it would build in Bojanegara, Banten, some 100 kilometers west of Jakarta.

PLN said the project would consist of three separate lots; which include (1) Tank EPC Contract to build two single containment double walls LNG tanks above ground with volume of 125,000 m3 each; (2) Offshore EPC Contract: including some 8 kms channel turning basin and berth for approximately 75,000 to 135,000 m3 LNG tanker size and other related works; (3) Main EPC Contract: including all works not specified in lot (1) and (2).

Pre-qualification application will be closed March 8, 2005, said PLN. Applicants who have been pre-qualified for any lot will be invited to propose the bidding of EPC Contract.

PLN said the proposed LNG facilities would be able to process 400 MMCFD of natural gas or 3 million tons of LNG per annum.

A PLN senior official told Petromindo.Com that EPC Contract winners might be decided in October this year, with the terminal construction seen to be completed in two years time.

The terminal?s feasibility study had been completed by Kellog, Brown & Root. Estimated the investment needed to build the first phase receiving terminal is around US$300 million.

PLN needs the LNG terminal to ensure gas supply for its existing and future power plants in western part of Java.

PLN said LNG supply for the proposed terminal might come from domestic and overseas producers. (alex/godang)