GasAtacama advances floating LNG terminal project

Chilean generator and gas distributor GasAtacama subsidiary Progas has submitted an EIA to the country's environmental evaluation system SEA for a floating LNG regasification terminal in northern region II. The US$350mn project could receive and store up to 170,000m3 LNG and produce up to 10Mm3/d natural gas, according to the environmental document. GasAtacama managing director Rudolf Araneda told BNamericas previously operations were penciled in to begin in 2016. The terminal would be the country's third LNG regasification facility The terminal would be anchored 1.6km off the coast in Mejillones bay. Output would supply GasAtacama's 740MW Atacama thermo in the area and other offtakers, in particular mining operations. The EIA highlights that mining projects worth tens of billions of dollars will be developed in the north of the country that will double power demand in the next decade and require the installation of at least 2GW.