Kuwait to Pick LNG Import Plant Operator "Within Weeks": Snam

State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) is expected to pick a winner in a tender to run an LNG import facility within a matter of weeks, the CEO of Italian gas infrastructure operator Snam, Marco Alvera, told reporters on September 5, according to Reuters.

KPC is offering a five-year contract for the operation and maintenance of an LNG import facility at the Al-Zour petrochemicals complex some 90 km south of Kuwait City. Greek gas grid operator Desfa, which is majority-owned by a Snam-led consortium, has filed a bid.

"It's a very big plant, possibly the world's third-largest. There has been a competitive process and our Desfa unit is taking part," Alvera said on the sidelines of the Ambrosetti business forum in northern Italy. "We're supporting it any way we can, working also with our Spanish friends Enagas."

Enas is another member of Snam's consortium at Desfa.

"We expect to know soon the final outcome, in a matter of weeks. We keep our fingers crossed," he said.

Construction on the Al-Zour LNG plant began in 2016 and had been scheduled for completion in 2021. It is set to receive some 4mn mt/yr of Qatari gas, under two deals reached earlier this year.

Kuwait already imports LNG at its Mina Al-Ahmadi terminal, commissioned in 2009, but it wants to expand its import capacity in order to increase the share of gas in its generation mix, replacing dirtier fuel oil.