RasGas to deliver LNG to EDF’s Dunkerque terminal

Qatar-based RasGas has signed an agreement to deliver up to two million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year to French energy company EDF’s new terminal in Dunkerque, beginning 2017.

The latest deal complements three existing agreements between RasGas ventures and EDF group subsidiaries for supply of up to 4.6 million tonnes to Edison in Italy and up 3.5 million tonnes to EDF Trading in Belgium per year.

EDF group senior executive Marc Benayoun said: "This agreement with RasGas reflects EDF’s growing interest in the LNG markets.

"The group is proud to add this significant contract to its global LNG portfolio and to reach a new important milestone in the excellent relationship with RasGas, who already delivers LNG cargoes to the group under long-term contracts in both Rovigo and Zeebrugge terminals."

The Dunkerque terminal is owned and operated by Dunkerque LNG, a company which is 65% owned by EDF, 25% by Fluxys and 10% by Total.

The terminal will have a regasification capacity of 13 billion m³ of gas per year, which is sufficient to meet about 20% of annual consumption in France and Belgium.

It will connect directly to French and Belgium markets using two separate pipelines.

Gaz-Opale, a company 51% owned by Dunkerque LNG and 49% by Fluxys will operate the terminal upon commissioning.

RasGas was established by Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil RasGas in 2001 and acts as the operating company for and on behalf of the owners of the LNG projects RL, RL (II) and RL3.