Statoil Likely to Become LNG Supplier for Lithuanian Terminal

At least 540 million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) Norway’s Statoil is expected to supply Lithuania’s LNG terminal off the seaport city of Klaipeda after the Lithuanian government has given the green light for that for Lietuvos Dujos (Litgas), a state-controlled gas company, to enter into talks with the Norwegians.

“Statoil has been picked up as a single company for the task, and we obligate Litgas to proceed with negotiations,” Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius told at a news conference.

There were several potential suppliers, but Statoil has come out on top after having evaluated all the bidders’ proposed technical details.

Butkevicius intended that talks with Statoil are expected to be over in June.

The Prime Minister declined to comment on Statoil’s price offer. “I can’t speak about prices today,” he said.

Some Lithuanian business news websites, citing unofficial sources, hinted Statoil’s price is more attractive than “Gazprom’s previous price.” 

Morten Eek, a spokesman for Statoil, did not elaborate.

“Statoil continuously evaluates all commercial opportunities for LNG shipping, but (…) we never comment on such reports,” he said.