Jamaica has been trying to get LNG from Trinidad and Tobago and even signed a memorandum of understanding with the Caribbean island, but earlier this year the twin-island nation told Jamaica it would not be able to meet the 2009 start-up date because it does not have additional LNG available.

In the prequalification documents Jamaica said it appears that neither Trinidad and Tobago nor Venezuela can provide LNG by the start-up date.

The document reads, "It appears that LNG from either of these two sources (Trinidad and Venezuela) will not be available in time to meet the 2009 target for the first gas in Jamaica. Therefore the government of Jamaica is now seeking bridging volumes of LNG to facilitate the 2009 start up."

Jamaica will open bids on June 15 for the floating LNG terminal, which will now replace the $350 million regasification facility that was originally planned for Port Esquivel, Old Harbour.

PIN/OGJ.COM