Paris-based oil company Total is looking to build a re-gasification terminal on the Croatian coast and set up a company — Adria LNG — for the purpose. The LNG terminal would be built on the Adriatic island of Krk, a site the company sees as strategic in Europe.

Capacity for 10 billion cubic metres per year is envisioned, perhaps rising to 15 bcm as LNG carriers of the 265,000-metre type begin to ply the northern Adriatic.

A final investment decision for the project is expected by year-end 2008 with start-up in 2012.

Total, with 25 percent in Adria LNG, is joined by E.ON Ruhrgas (31 percent), O.M.V (25 percent), RWE (16 percent) and Geoplin (1 percent).

Total already holds interests in four re-gas terminals: Altamira in Mexico, Fos Cavaou in France, Hazira in India, and South Hook in the United Kingdom, plus reserved capacity in Sabine Pass in the USA.

Elsewhere, the French have signed for a stake in Nigeria’s Brass LNG, Ichthys LNG in Australia and QatarGas 2 in Qatar.

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