PV Gas boosts Thi Vai LNG terminal capacity beyond design levels to meet peak power demand

PV Gas, a subsidiary of state-owned Petrovietnam (PVN), has successfully increased the regasification capacity of its Thi Vai LNG terminal, strengthening Vietnam’s ability to secure fuel supply for power generation amid rising electricity demand and global energy uncertainties.

In its announcement on Tuesday, PV Gas said that its logistics subsidiary, in coordination with relevant partners, had completed trial runs to lift the terminal’s output to 288 tons per hour, well above the original design capacity of 171 tons per hour. This translates into roughly 9.5 million standard cubic meters of gas per day, with the system operating safely and stably under enhanced conditions.

All technical parameters were verified in line with Vietnamese and international standards, under the supervision of DNV, the firm said. The successful upgrade underscores the terminal’s operational reliability and the technical capability required to sustain higher throughput levels.

The capacity increase is expected to significantly enhance PV Gas’s gas supply capability, particularly during the dry season when electricity demand peaks and hydropower output typically declines. The terminal will play a key role in supplying fuel to power plants based on dispatch schedules from the National System and Market Operation Company (NSMO).

Operating above initial design capacity requires advanced technical expertise and continuous monitoring. During the trial phase, PV Gas engineers maintained 24/7 supervision, closely tracking critical parameters such as temperature, pressure, vibration, and equipment displacement to ensure system integrity.

In October 2023, PV Gas (HoSE: GAS) inaugurated its $300-million LNG Thi Vai terminal with an annual capacity of one million tons, the first and biggest such facility in Vietnam. Construction of the terminal, located in the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau province (now part of Ho Chi Minh City), started in October 2019 and was carried out by Samsung C&T and Petrovietnam’s technical arm PTSC.

The facility has a 180,000 cubic meter tank whose capacity can be expanded from one million to three million tons in the second phase. It is also capable of accommodating ships of up to 100,000 deadweight tonnages, delivering LNG via road in tankers and connecting with the LNG Thi Vai-Phu My pipeline.

Thi Vai LNG terminal is a cornerstone of Vietnam’s emerging LNG infrastructure, supporting the transition toward a more flexible and diversified energy mix. As domestic gas reserves decline and reliance on imported fuel rises, such upgrades are becoming increasingly critical to maintaining energy security.