Gasunie, Gazprom Sign LNG Infrastructure Deal

Gasunie has announced today the signing of an agreement with Gazprom, which will see the two companies developing the usage of small-scale LNG.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by Gasunie Chairman Paul van Gelder and Gazprom Export General Director Alexander Medvedev, was first discussed at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in June. 

The final signed MoU will see the two companies work to promoting infrastructure to facilitate the loading of small-scale packages of LNG for transport via both water and road. The MoU also furthers Gazprom's goal to expand its natural gas vehicle (NGV) operations into foreign countries, providing for the set-up of truck fuelling stations. Marine bunkering is also covered by the agreement. 

Gasunie will act as the open access infrastructure provider, under the terms of the MoU. 

"This Memorandum is a next step in the cooperation between Gasunie and Gazprom Group," Paul van Gelder said in a statement today. "The development of small-scale LNG is important because of the superior environmental benefits of LNG as a motor fuel for both ships and trucks. LNG as a transport fuel is a solution for the transport sector which, in particular for shipping, will be confronted with stringent EU emission requirements as of 2015."

Gazprom Export Director Alexander Medvedev said that the agreement would aid Gazprom's expansion into the LNG market in Europe as well as strengthening Gasunie and Gazprom's ties in Europe.

"The vast experience in the field of LNG production and supply as well as a possibility to realise some new large scale projects in this sphere will enable our companies to enlarge their joint contribution for the European gas market," he said.