Gasol signs strategic alliance with Socar Trading S.A

West African energy development company Gasol has signed a strategic alliance with Socar Trading S.A (STSA) in relation to its proposed Liquefied Natural Gas Import Project in Benin.

STSA is the international marketing and development arm of SOCAR, the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic.

Under the terms of the agreement, STSA will supply all Liquefied Natural Gas required for the Liquefied Natural Gas Import Project in Benin and assist Gasol with the provision of a floating gas storage and regasification vessel in the harbour at Cotonou, Benin.

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The Project involves the regasification of Liquefied Natural Gas and the supply of that gas to power and industrial customers in Benin, Togo and Ghana.

The strategic alliance is a key development for Gasol, as it ensures the supply of LNG and the storage and regasification vessel on competitive terms, important components in putting the Project together.

It also allows STSA to leverage its LNG capability to support Gasol's project and to build its presence in West Africa.

Alan Buxton, Chief Operating Officer at Gasol, said: "Our alliance with STSA represents a major step towards our goal of bringing gas to Benin, Togo and Ghana, which remain significantly gas constrained in their power plants and industries.

"In line with the board's new strategy, the strategic alliance with STSA provides Gasol with access to LNG and a storage and regasification vessel, but just as importantly, STSA's experience in the development of such projects."

Hayal Ahmadzada, Head of Oil Trading at STSA, said: "We are delighted to be working with Gasol to help them unlock the value of their Benin LNG Import Project. Creating this strategic alliance allows STSA the opportunity to supply LNG to a market where we see significant growth over the short to medium term and positions us well in the region to capitalize on that growth."

MF