The Ivorian Government has approved plans from a consortium headed up by French energy giant Total to build and operate an LNG re-gasification terminal in the West African country.
Total said the project would make the Ivory Coast the region’s first LNG import centre.
A terminal with a floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU) will be built in Vridi, Abidjan area, along with a pipeline connecting the FSRU to existing and planned power plants in the Ivorian capital.
The terminal will have a capacity of 3million tons per year and is expected to become operational by mid-2018.
Philippe Sauquet, president for gas, renewables and power at Total, said: “This project illustrates Total’s strategy to develop new gas markets by unlocking access to LNG for fast-growing economies.
£Working closely with our partners enabled us to put together an integrated proposal combining LNG supply and import infrastructure through a floating storage and re-gasification unit.
“We are very pleased to have been selected by the Ivorian authorities to manage this project, which will meet growing domestic and regional needs for gas and power.”
Total will operate the project with a 34% interest.
Project partners include national companies PetroCI, CI Energie, Socar, Shell, Golar and Endeavor Energy.