Nigeria LNG train to begin planned 24-day shutdown

Sept. 19, 2000
Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Co. (NLNG) will shut one train at its two-train Bonny Island LNG plant for 24 days in October, said Fred Simeenk, its general manager, production. The closure will begin Oct. 5 and will enable NLNG to perform a baseline inspection and tie in a third train that is under construction. Restart is scheduled for Oct. 28.


PORT HARCOURT�Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Co. (NLNG) will shut one train at its two-train Bonny Island LNG plant for 24 days in October, said Fred Simeenk, its general manager, production. The closure will begin Oct. 5 and will enable NLNG to perform a baseline inspection and tie in a third train that is under construction. Restart is scheduled for Oct. 28.

"We will open up the plant and see possible wear and tear, [and] learn more about the facility so as to be able to predict its performance and avoid surprises," Simeenk said.

He expressed confidence that the shutdown would not affect production because it had been programmed into the supply agreements signed with customers. Simeenk also said the planned shutdown would not affect scheduled cargo deliveries.

The second train will undergo the same systems check next April.

The Guardian newspaper quoted Simeenk as saying the shutdown is part of a strategy to ensure that the plant attains its yearend earnings target. He said the plant had earned $500 million since its start-up last October, adding that the company has a target of earning $800 million by the end of 2000.

Much of the earnings would, however, be plowed back into the project's expansion scheme, he noted. Simeenk said about $1.8 billion had been earmarked for the expansion. The first two trains were built at a cost of $3.8 billion.

Nigeria expects to achieve payout on the project in 4-5 years. The government holds 49% equity in the project; its partners are Royal Dutch/Shell Group, TotalFinaElf SA, and Agip SPA.