Bahrain hopes for Russian LNG exports to start in early 2019

MOSCOW, Jun 16 (PRIME) -- Bahrain expects gas giant Gazprom to start exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in early 2019, Bahraini Ambassador to Russia Ahmed Abdulrahman Al Saati told PRIME on Friday.

In February, Russian Industry and Trade Ministry said Moscow and Bahrain were working on supplies of natural gas to the country. In April, Bahrain’s Oil Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said that the country was discussing purchases of LNG with Gazprom and Russian oil major Rosneft.

“The project actually exists, and we have signed a contract with Gazprom…We are in constant contact with Gazprom, we exchange visits to discuss technical issues, and I expect that first tankers with the Russian gas will start coming to Bahrain at the beginning of 2019,” Al Saati said declining to name possible volumes of exports.

Exports will become possible after Bahrain finishes construction of its first LNG-receiving terminal, which will not happen earlier than in 2018, he said.

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