U.S. grants help fund LNG terminal studies in Lithuania, Romania

U.S. grants help fund LNG terminal studies in Lithuania, Romania The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will award grants totaling about $2 million for studies to develop liquefied natural gas import terminals in Lithuania and Romania.
   USTDA Director Larry W. Walther will present the awards on Sept. 14-16.
   Under a $1.06 million grant to Romgaz, a Romanian natural gas company, USTDA will fund an assessment of the regional natural gas market and recommend a strategy to implement an LNG import terminal on the Black Sea coast. A preliminary site for the terminal has been identified at the Port of Constanta.
   The study will examine the proposed site to determine the appropriate size and throughput of the terminal, and make recommendations regarding implementation and financing, the agency said.
   In Lithuania, a $826,501 grant will support a study of three potential sites for an LNG import terminal. Based on those initial results, the Lithuanian Ministry of Economy will select one site that will be examined in greater detail in determining the appropriate technology for the terminal.
   Lithuania imports nearly all of its natural gas from Russia, while Romania meets its demand through a combination of domestic production and Russian imports.
   'The governments of both countries have prioritized the development of alternative energy sources and believe the construction of LNG import terminals presents a promising option,' USTDA said. 'The new terminals would serve as the entry point into Lithuanian and Romanian markets for LNG from North and West Africa, and other potential producers.'