Energy, EU – Baltic States, Gas, Legislation, Lithuania, Transport

Photo: lrv.lt

Butkevicius several weeks ago criticized the joint venture establishment process for its slow pace and asked for the talks to be finalized within two weeks.

"We are speaking with Statoil about the establishment of a joint venture. It is my wish that we come to final decisions as soon as possible," he told BNS by telephone from Oslo on Wednesday.

According to Butkevicius, Lithuania wants clarity regarding Statoil's plans, because Klaipedos Nafta (Klaipeda Oil), the Klaipeda LNG terminal's operator, is building a LNG reloading station that the planned joint venture would use.

"We understand each other and we also need guarantees, because we are implementing the onshore LNG facility (project). We have to think about reducing the (Klaipeda LNG) terminal's costs," he said.

According to the prime minister, he also spoke with Statoil's officials about the price of gas sold to Lithuania. In his words, Statoil seeks long-term cooperation with Lithuania.

Dalius Misiunas, CEO of Lietuvos Energija (Lithuanian Energy), Litgas' shareholder, told BNS that final decisions on the planned joint venture could be made in June to July.

It is planned that the joint venture will order a bunkering vessel, which will supply gas as fuel to ships in the Baltic Sea, this year after talks with potential builders and will start operating in 2018.