(Ecofin Agency) - As a way of supporting the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import operations in Ghana, Golar LNG Ltd has today agreed to provide West African Gas Limited (WAGL) with Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) services.

The WAGL is a joint venture between the subsidiaries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Sahara Energy Resource Ltd with 60% and 40% respectively. The partnership is aimed at developing an LNG import project at the port of Tema on the coast of Ghana scheduled to begin in Q2 of 2016. The FSRU is to be moored inside the port at a new jetty being built by WAGL.

“Ghana represents an exciting new business opportunity for Golar. West Africa is becoming an increasingly important region for our business and we are proud to be jointly developing Sub Saharan Africa’s first FSRU in partnership with WAGL. We are very pleased that WAGL has entrusted Golar with their FSRU services which again demonstrates our established reputation as a leading operator of floating midstream LNG assets. As this is a five year charter, the vessel will be offered to Golar LNG Partners L.P. (Golar Partners) to acquire provision for another potential acquisition with a new and particularly strong counterparty,” Golar LNG’s CEO, Gary Smith told Oil and gas press.

According to the Managing Director of WAGL, Umar Ajiya, the project is a great prospect for economic growth and the development of the power sector in the country.