Netherland’s Vopak is looking to develop an LNG import terminal in the Australian state of Victoria, a company spokesperson told NGW on March 17.  

Vopak LNG, which already partners in four LNG storage facilities globally, is investigating the feasibility of developing a similar facility in Port Phillip Bay offshore at North Avalon. This infrastructure can play an important role in solving Victoria's looming gas supply crisis, the spokesperson said. 

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The company believes that a floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) can supply the gas needs of households, businesses, and industries throughout Victoria. “Several existing gas market participants have signed MoUs in support of the project development,” the spokesperson added. 

Two other companies are also planning to set up LNG import terminals in the state. AGL Energy is looking to develop a terminal at Crib Point. It has selected Hoegh Esperanza FSRU for the project. Another Australian company, Viva Energy, is planning a terminal at Geelong.  

Energy consultancy EnergyQuest October last year said that states on the Australian east coast, especially Victoria, will need to import LNG to bridge the expected supply shortfall. Victorian gas demand, the largest on the east coast, is supplied from fields offshore Victoria that also meet Tasmanian demand and a substantial proportion of gas for New South Wales and South Australia. Victoria’s fields are on the brink of decline, EnergyQuest said.