Morocco Plans LNG Terminal to Secure Gas Supply After Pipeline Shutdown

Morocco is working to supply itself with natural gas after the shutdown of the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline on November 1, 2021. In this sense, the National Ports Agency (ANP) has launched a call for tenders for the update of post C at the port of Mohammedia, with a view to installing a gas terminal (Liquefied Natural Gas) and a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). A period of seven months will be granted to the company that wins the contract to deliver the study. It is composed of several sub-missions dealing with different aspects (data analysis, master plan, safety, maneuverability, mooring, preliminary design, etc.), it is specified.

The ANP states that the National Port Master Plan (PDPN) by 2030 has given the port of Mohammedia the vocation of an energy port. "In this context and in order to support the national strategy for the supply of natural gas to Morocco and ensure more efficient productivity of the port, the ANP plans to study the establishment of an LNG and FSRU terminal," it indicates in the Special Specifications Booklet (CPS) accompanying the consultation.

To recall, the Ministry of Energy had launched last April the first Call for Expressions of Interest (AMI) relating to the construction of a unit for the transformation of liquefied gas into natural gas off the coast of Morocco. Thanks to this infrastructure, the kingdom will be able to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) by sea, and regasify it to distribute it to customers operating in industry, as well as to the power plants managed by the National Office of Electricity and Water (ONEE).