Work on a jetty line at Atlantic LNG Co. (ALNG) ofTrinidad & Tobago’s Point Fortin export facility, the draw from Spain, and “chronic” planned maintenance at Dominion Cove Point LNG LP’s Maryland import facility “will have a profound affect on US LNG imports in August,” according to Commercial Services Co. Ltd. (CSC), Houston.
Repairs on ALNG’s Point Fortin plant will reduce output by four or five cargoes by the end of this month, the privately held consulting firm stated.
“The latest tally for import volumes during August comes to roughly 1.3-1.5 bcfd, the lowest historical volume during this month in 3 years,” said Steve Johnson, CSC principal (see chart). “Cove Point imports will be hit the hardest as only four vessels for a total of 11.8 bcf are expected to discharge there, which is almost half of the volume expected during a typical month.”
Since May, the Cove Point facility has undergone “sporadic” maintenance, and work is expected to continue through September, Johnson said. Meanwhile, ALNG’s Point Fortin plant will be down for planned maintenance for 10 days this month.
Other terminals
Elsewhere, the Elba Island LNG regasification terminal in Savannah, Ga., will receive only three cargoes this month, “which is 5.2 bcf off of their recent pace,” Johnson said.
The Everett, Mass., LNG import terminal, meanwhile, expects five cargos totaling 12.88 bcf in August. This count is one fewer cargo than was planned for the month, Johnson said.
Imports at the Lake Charles, La., import terminal “continue to be at the mercy of global spot demand-particularly from Spain, whose insatiable appetite shows no sign of abating,” said Johnson. ✦
