Completion of the regasification capacity booking process for the FSRU Terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk

The FSRU Terminal project assumes the construction of a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) located in the Gdańsk area, designed to perform regasification process of 6.1 bcm of gaseous fuel per year. The regasification agreement was signed in the aftermath of the Open Season procedure in which ORLEN submitted an order covering 100% of the Regasification Services offered by GAZ-SYSTEM.

The signing ceremony was attended by Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska, Secretary of State and Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure. The Minister emphasised the strategic importance of the project implemented by GAZ-SYSTEM and the pivotal role of LNG supplies, especially after the termination of natural gas import from Russia:

- Last year, as a result of the political impact of the war in Ukraine, the directions of natural gas supplies to the European Union have been completely reorganised. We can see over 60% increase in LNG supplies from the global market. Poland, as a beneficiary of this trend, seeks to become a gas hub for Central and Eastern Europe, said Minister Anna Łukaszewska-Trzeciakowska.

The FSRU terminal in Gdańsk contributes to the process of the country's energy and economic transition towards less carbon-intensive energy sources. The FSRU Terminal project, market-confirmed by Orlen Group, constitutes another element of the country's energy security scheme based on sound economic rationale. Following the recently completed interconnections with Denmark, Lithuania and Slovakia and the expansion of the LNG Terminal in Świnoujście, this project will increase the diversification of natural gas supplies to Poland and the Intermarium region, said Marcin Chludziński, President of GAZ-SYSTEM Management Board.

At present, GAZ-SYSTEM sees unprecedented increase in market demand for liquefied natural gas supplies; in response to this growing interest, the Company is already undertaking measures to expand regasification capacity of the FSRU Terminal:

- Given the growing interest across the entire CEE region in diversification of gas supply sources based on LNG, we are currently conducting an Open Season procedure for the second FSRU Terminal. Assuming its positive outcome, we could launch the second FSRU which would allow us to increase the regasification capacity of the facility by additional 4.5 bcm of gaseous fuel per year, said Andrzej Kensbok - Vice-President of GAZ-SYSTEM Management Board.

For ORLEN company, liquefied natural gas constitutes one of the pillars of diversification strategy and the development of long-term commercial potential:

- The fuel and energy security of Poland has always been and continues to be our priority. The need for enhanced security constituted one of the arguments for building a strong multi­utility group. Owing to the merger with LOTOS, PGNiG and Energa, we have the potential to engage in further projects that contribute to the energy independence of the country and the region. One of such projects is the planned floating LNG terminal in the Gulf of Gdańsk, the entire regasification capacity of which has just been booked by ORLEN. Including President Lech Kaczyński's LNG Terminal in Świnoujście already in operation, it will enable the company to receive all the LNG to be supplied under long-term contracts we have signed. At present, this volume accounts for almost 14 bcm per year. Such quantity of gaseous fuel supplemented by imports from Norway and our own domestic production, will allow us not only to fully satisfy the needs of Polish customers, but also to offer gas to neighbouring markets. Consequently, ORLEN will be a guarantor of fuel and energy security not only internally, but also in other countries in the region, explains Daniel Obajtek, President of the Management Board of ORLEN.

Currently, the FSRU Terminal in Gdańsk is at an advanced design stage. In July, GAZ-SYSTEM completed the process of obtaining administrative decisions for all three onshore gas pipeline projects implemented as part of the FSRU project: Kolnik - Gdańsk, Gardeja - Kolnik and Gustorzyn - Gardeja, of a total length of approx. 250 km and a diameter of 1,000 mm. It is expected that the construction of these connections will commence in 2024. As part of the offshore part of the FSRU project, the pending works include the design of a mooring berth for the FSRU floating terminal together with the offshore section of the gas pipeline, which will run on the sea bed in the Gulf of Gdańsk.

FSRU Terminal - Floating Storage Regasification Unit in the Gulf of Gdańsk is one of the strategic projects implemented by GAZ-SYSTEM. The facility aims to develop infrastructure to enable the off-take of larger quantities of liquefied natural gas delivered by sea from various regions of the world. The project will contribute to increasing energy security of Poland and of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

FSRU has been granted the status of a "Project of Common Interest” (PCI). Under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the European Commission granted funding to the FSRU project for the Action: "Pre-investment works to obtain a construction permit for the offshore part of PCI 6.27 LNG Gdańsk (PL)". The maximum amount of the awarded grant is approximately EUR 19.6 million.