Soma LNG Terminal

日本語 English

Soma LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) Terminal is the first large-scale LNG receiving and regasification terminal in Fukushima Prefecture, consisting of two LNG tanks with each capacity of 230,000 kiloliters, that is the largest prestressed concrete ("PC^(*1)") tank in Japan. The terminal receives and stores LNG delivered from overseas, vaporizes LNG and sends out the vaporized LNG into pipelines, and reloads LNG into LNG tank trucks and LNG coastal vessels without regasification.

Soma LNG Terminal is our first solely owned regasification terminal with a receiving jetty for LNG vessels from overseas and takes a central role in our domestic gas distribution network, to contribute to the sales expansion and stable supply of natural gas in Japan.

Related

Domestic Gas Supply Network

Overview of the Terminal

Soma LNG Terminal can provide the following services related to the gas supply business via our domestic gas pipeline network, and , based on the consignment contract on the gas supply to the adjacent gas-fired power plants with Fukushima Gas Power Co., Ltd. ("FGP") who is the owner of them, the terminal also stores and vaporizes LNG and delivers the vaporized LNG to the power plants.

LNG unloading from ocean-going LNG vessels, including LNG for power plants procured by FGP's shareholders, such as JAPEX and other partners, and storage of the LNG in the tanks
LNG regasification and send out of the vaporized LNG to the consumers;
- To the gas consumers via our domestic gas pipeline network between Niigata and Sendai, connecting at Iwanuma from Soma, after adjusting the gas heat value by mixing LPG in the Soma LNG Terminal, as needed.
- To the adjacent gas-fired power plants via another sole pipeline from the Soma LNG Terminal, with keeping the gas pressure under control within the allowable range specified in the consignment contract with FGP.
LNG reloading and transportation by LNG tank trucks and coastal vessels to the LNG satellites or secondary bases.

Related

Main Facilities

LNG unloading
- A Jetty for LNG ocean-going vessels (125,000 to 210,000 cubic meter class)
- A Jetty for LPG coastal vessels for receiving (2,500 cubic meter class, used also for LNG coastal vessels for shipping)
Storage of LNG
- Two LNG tanks (ground-type, PC^(*1) model, with capacity of 230,000 kL per tank)^(*2)
- Two LPG tanks (spherical shape, with capacity of 2,124 cubic meter per tank)
LNG regasification
- Two LNG vaporizers for pipelines (with send-out capacity of 7.0MPa 75t/h, including one as a common backup shared with the power plants)
- Two LNG vaporizers for power plants (with send-out capacity of 5.0MPa 75t/h)(*2)
LNG reloading
- A Jetty for LNG coastal vessel for shipping (max. 4,800 cubic meter class)
- Five skids for LNG tank trucks (Reloading rate: 30 tons/h for each skid)

Soma LNG Terminal (left back) / FGP Fukushima Natural Gas Power Plant (right)

Reference:

*1 Prestressed concrete refers to a form of concrete that is prepressed (compressed); we have used prestressed concrete for dikes covering the surfaces of LNG tanks. In case LNG leaks from a tank, the prestressed concrete helps withstand liquid pressure applied to the dike.

*2: No.2 tank and the two vaporizing facilities for power generating fuels are constructed in Phase II (with JAPEX managing and operating them as the FGP's assets).

Basic Information

Name: Soma LNG Terminal (Soma District Office of JAPEX)
Location: Soma Port No.4 Wharf, Shinchi-town, Soma County, Fukushima Prefecture
Area: About 20ha
Commercial Operation Commencement: March, 2018

History

November 2013: Made a final decision to invest in construction of Soma LNG Terminal and a connecting pipeline
November 2014: Started construction
October 2016: Made a final decision to invest in Phase II construction by Fukushima Gas Power Co., Ltd. (No.2 LNG tank, and expansion of vaporizing facilities)
April 2017: Started Phase II construction
December 2017: Received the first cargo of an ocean-going LNG vessel
March 2018: Commenced operation
April 2020: Commenced consigned vaporization of LNG as power generation fuel for FGP Fukushima Natural Gas Power Plant
August 2020: Commenced full-fledged operation of all facilities constructed in Phase II

Related News

Disclosure on March 28, 2018: Commencement of Operation at Soma LNG Terminal (235.6KB)
Disclosure on November 27, 2013: Final Investment Decision on Construction Project of Soma LNG Receiving Terminal and a Connecting Pipeline (553.0KB)e