Gunvor Awarded Fortuna FLNG Offtake
The Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons (MMH), Ophir Equatorial Guinea (Block R) Ltd, OneLNG SA and La Compania Nacional De Petroleos De Guinea Ecuatorial (GEPetrol) have nominated Gunvor Group Ltd (Gunvor) as its preferred LNG Buyer for offtake from the Fortuna FLNG project. All parties have agreed the principal commercial terms subject to finalizing a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the offtake ahead of the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Fortuna FLNG project.
Gunvor will take the full contract capacity of the Gandria FLNG vessel of 2.2 MMTPA which will be purchased on a Brent-linked, Free on Board (FOB) basis for a 10 year term. The contract structure allows flexibility for up to 1.1mmtpa of the Fortuna capacity to be marketed on an alternate basis. Consequently the agreement gives the Fortuna partners alongside the State of Equatorial Guinea, the potential to sell volumes to higher priced gas markets in Africa and beyond, while retaining a share in the profits of such onward marketing.
With the identification of a preferred LNG Buyer now achieved, the last significant milestone prior to the FID of the Fortuna FLNG project is the completion of the project funding, with FID remaining on track for 2017.
His Excellency, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons for the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, commented, “The selection of Gunvor sets a landmark moment in the development of the Fortuna Project. The partnership with Gunvor also paves the way for the government's objective to deliver important projects that monetize our gas, promotes local content and brings world-class petroleum technology to Equatorial Guinea. The Fortuna Project will target becoming the first choice supplier of LNG for the LNG to Africa initiative, furthering Equatorial Guinea's leadership position in Africa as an LNG exporter.”
Nick Cooper, Chief Executive of Ophir, said, “Gunvor's involvement is a further addition to a strong partnership along the Fortuna value chain. Our focus is now on completing the financing package and debt facility. With Golar's sister vessel, the Hilli Episeyo, nearing completion and with Petronas FLNG having recently delivered commercial cargoes, FLNG is now entering the mainstream.”
