September 3: Energos Force on the Way
The loading arms are on the agenda again this week. They are the heart of the superstructure. Now that our partner companies have opened, overhauled, and reinstalled the spring assemblies for the quick-connect devices (QCDCs), it’s time to conduct mechanical functional tests of the control systems—and especially the loading arms—and make the necessary adjustments to ensure smooth operation.
Successful functional tests and their documentation are essential for safe operation and the terminal’s acceptance on the global market. The timing is right, as the subcharter agreement for the FSRU Energos Force has now expired, and the vessel is on its way back. It will return to Stade in September as planned, so that commissioning of the terminal can begin.
We then expect the first LNG tanker to arrive in November.
August 14: loading arms in focus
This week, the loading arms were the focus of work to complete the superstructure for our floating FSRU terminal in Stade. Among other things, our partner companies opened, overhauled, and reinstalled the spring assemblies for the quick-connect devices (QCDCs). For safety reasons, we are not showing this process in the photo, but only the final step after reinstallation: As you can see, an employee is polishing their surfaces here in preparation for subsequent treatment.
QCDCs are essential for smooth and consistently safe terminal operations. Their technical parameters, operating principles, and locations must be fully and accurately documented in accordance with regulations. This is also essential for security. With three terminals now successfully operational and operating at above-average capacity across Europe, we bring the experience and diligence required to handle all these essential steps professionally.
July 30: Working Hand in Hand Toward Our Goal
This week, we have once again stepped up our efforts to complete the facility: In addition to work on the superstructure, our partner companies Gasfin and Worley carried out preparatory inspections. Furthermore, we continued to finalize the essential documentation for the entire facility to ensure compliance with all national and international safety standards. Furthermore, the Lower Saxony port authority NPorts is conducting dredging work in the area of the FSRU Energos Force’s berth. Many thanks to everyone involved: We’re moving forward hand in hand!
July 3: The nexts steps
As part of several teams involving partner companies, DET is on site again this week to coordinate the construction work on the superstructure step by step until the Energos Force returns. Upon arrival, the regasification vessel will be connected to the loading infrastructure. Pictured here: the two loading arms, which form the heart of the jetty. They must be able to compensate for the Elbe’s water level, which fluctuates significantly due to tides. However, the Energos Force’s load level (whether there is a lot or a little LNG in the tanks) also influences how high the ship’s so-called “gas balcony” “hovers” above the quay edge. The loading arms are flexibly connected to this balcony. Incidentally, the regasified natural gas has a temperature of at least five degrees Celsius (usually a little higher) when it flows through the loading arms. The natural gas must be this warm in order to be fed into the gas grid.
June 10: Good news for Stade
Good news for Stade as an energy hub and for Germany’s security of supply: After facing challenges during the construction of the floating LNG terminal Stade, the facility is now scheduled to commence operations in September. Over the past months, extensive technical and safety-related assessments, along with preparatory measures carried out on behalf of the operating company, Deutsche Energy Terminal GmbH (DET), now outline a clear roadmap toward the first LNG delivery.
In the meantime, the state-owned company sub-chartered the FSRU Energos Force—the regasification vessel designated for operation in Stade—and deployed it in Jordan. Contractual provisions ensure that the FSRU will return in time for the terminal’s commissioning phase at the jetty specifically constructed by the State of Lower Saxony in the industrial port of Stade-Bützfleth. This completes the federal government’s terminal concept for securing gas supplies, with Stade complementing the existing terminal locations in Brunsbüttel and Wilhelmshaven.
How to contact us!
We are happy to answer any questions citizens and the general public may have. Please send your inquiries by email to stade@energy-terminal.de. We ask members of the media to continue sending their questions to presse@energy-terminal.de. Thank you very much!