Indonesian owner PT Humpuss Intermoda Transportasi is being tipped to supply a quick start-up, small-scale LNG-import solution to state-owned energy provider PLN for an existing powership off Amurang, in North Sulawesi.
Industry sources say PT Humpuss, working in partnership with LNG Japan Corp, is bidding to acquire the 18,800-cbm mini LNG carrier Aman Hakata (built 1998) for use as a floating storage unit (FSU) for the project. The ship is controlled by NYK Line of Japan and Malaysia's MISC.
The vessel would be used in conjunction with a purpose-built floating regasification unit (FRU) to provide a quick start-up option compared to the longer lead time required to build a floating storage and regasification unit.
PLN subsidiary PLN Gas & Geothermal is organising the tender for this business.
PLN has specified that the LNG-import project to supply gas to the 125MW Karadeniz Powership Zeynep Sultan needs to be put into operation in 10 months.
Gas is required to replace the 0.1% low-sulphur fuel oil, which currently has to be imported as fuel for the unit.
Two in the running
Those following the project said around 40 parties applied for tender documents on the project. But just three made offers. PT Humpuss was lined up against local company PT Buana Lintas Lautan (PT Bull) in the final run-up.
But technical location studies still need to be completed. In addition, the FSU and FRU must be redeployable since the powership contract is due to end in three years unless it is extended.
The FSU-FRU combination mirrors the solution put in place for Bali’s first small-scale LNG-import project — Benoa LNG — in April 2016 and would be a stopgap arrangement until a mini FSRUcan be built. The FSU-FRU units are on contract to PLN subsidiary Indonesia Power.
Bali recently saw the delivery of its Chinese-built, small-scale, barge-based FSRU, the 26,000-cbm Karunia Dewata (built 2018), which arrived on site in December.
This technically left the Bali project’s FRU available for other use.
Separately, Benoa LNG’s developer — Jaya Samudra Karunia (JSK) — has also been seen bidding to acquire the Aman Hakata to use as an FSU in combination with this FRU. Consultants say this could allow Indonesia Power to offer a cheaper LNG solution for Amurang.
