The remaining equipment installation work on the vessel Prometheus is expected to be completed by the end of November or early December. After this, the vessel will be sent to a terminal for official certification as a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). This was announced by the president of Cyprus’ gas infrastructure development company ETYFA, Giorgos Ashikalis.
According to him, the choice of terminal for certification depends on the compliance analysis currently being conducted by the project’s management company. This report will be presented on December 19 and will determine whether the Cypriot terminal in Vasiliko is ready to receive Prometheus.
Why the process was delayed and what has already been completed
Ashikalis noted that all the necessary equipment is on board and ready for installation. The long timelines are explained by the fact that the required components were not available “off the shelf” — they had to be manufactured specifically for this project. This process took several months. The vessel is now in the final stage of conversion, involving the actual installation of the equipment, after which it will be ready to proceed with certification procedures.
Where Prometheus will be sent for certification
The vessel may be sent either to the Cypriot terminal in Vasiliko, if it is ready to receive an FSRU, or to an overseas terminal if work in Vasiliko is delayed. Certification is necessary to confirm the vessel’s ability to maintain a temperature of minus 160°C and safely store liquefied natural gas without evaporation.
Studies and consultations are currently underway to determine the realistic timeline for completing the onshore facilities: the jetty, the land-based infrastructure, and the network connections.
What’s next for the Vasiliko terminal
The final decision depends on the results of the analysis, which will show how much time is needed to fully complete the terminal’s construction. If construction is completed in the coming months, Prometheus will be sent to Vasiliko. If not, certification will take place abroad to avoid delaying the project’s launch.
Ashikalis emphasized that the FSRU itself is the key element of the entire system and the largest cost component. Its value is approximately €200 million. The vessel’s readiness means that Cyprus’s natural gas import project is entering its final stage.