S.Sidorski: Minsk and Vilnius may build natural gas liquefaction (NGL) terminal

Belarus and Lithuania may implement a joint project aimed to build a gas liquefaction plant in the port of Klaipeda, reported Prime Minister of Belarus Sergey Sidorski.

Belarus and Lithuania may implement a joint project aimed to build a gas liquefaction plant in the port of Klaipeda, reported Prime Minister of Belarus Sergey Sidorski.

Belarus , noted S.Sidorski, has been looking for alternative ways to deliver energy resources over a long period of time. Recently we’ve settled the matter of oil deliveries from Venezuela, where Belarusian oil-producing potential is being fulfilled, and at present we actively cooperate with Iran.

“A part of Belarusian energy strategy is the construction of a NGL terminal. We are working this project through with our Lithuanian colleagues. There are two or three alternatives, but Belarus is interested in the Lithuanian project. A similar project is being developed by the Lithuanian government,” he said. “Therefore we can pool our financial resources in order to build a gas liquefaction plant in the port of Klaipeda and deliver gas through Lithuania. It is a short distance – 285 km of a header pipe. These questions will be discussed today. Having joined our efforts, we could implement such a project”.

In his turn, after the talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that touching upon the issue of energy security, Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius stressed that resolution of this problem was important not only for Belarus but also for the entire region, that is why in the near future Lithuania would try to analyze the possibility of making a decision on the development of the terminal. NGL terminal in Klaipeda is expected to be built by 2012.

“We suggested that a joint working group should review the idea of a joint project. Belarus needs an alternative gas supply,” said the prime minister of Lithuania. “If we agreed that there was a possibility to build a terminal which would also provide Belarus with gas, we would have to consider a new pipeline as well. Belarusian party is looking into this issue”.

He also noted that in the near future the possibility to import oil into Belarus via the territory of Lithuania should be clarified as well. According to the Premier, Belarusian President and he also discussed the possibility to supply electricity from Belarus to Lithuania.