Cartagena FSRU (Colombia)

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Cartagena FSRU (Colombia), also known as SPEC FSRU and FSRU de Cartagena (Colombia), is an LNG import terminal in Colombia with units that are proposed and operating.

Location

Table 1: Location details

Name Location Coordinates (WGS 84)
2023 Expansion Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia[1] 10.4, -75.5 (approximate)
2026 Expansion Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia[1] 10.4, -75.5 (approximate)
Cartagena FSRU (Colombia) (base project) Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia[1] 10.4, -75.5 (approximate)

The map below shows the approximate location of the terminal:

Loading map...

Project Details

Table 2: Infrastructure details

mtpa = million tonnes per year
Name Facility type Status Capacity Total terminal capacity Offshore Associated infrastructure
2023 Expansion import[2][3][4] proposed[2][3][4] 0.19 mtpa[2][3][4][5] 4.14 mtpa True Termobarranquilla power station, Termocandelaria power station, Termo Flores power station[6]
2026 Expansion import[2][3][4] proposed[2][3][4] 0.44 mtpa[7][2][3][8] 4.14 mtpa True Termobarranquilla power station, Termocandelaria power station, Termo Flores power station[6]
Cartagena FSRU (Colombia) (base project) import[6] operating[9][10] 3.45 mtpa[11][12][13][5][10][2][3] 4.14 mtpa True Termobarranquilla power station, Termocandelaria power station, Termo Flores power station[6]

Table 3: Cost

Name Facility type Cost Total known terminal costs
2023 Expansion import[2][3][4] – –
2026 Expansion import[2][3][4] – –
Cartagena FSRU (Colombia) (base project) import[6] – –

Financing

No financing data available.

Table 4: Project timeline

FID = Final Investment Decision, used by some developers to indicate a project will move forward
Name Facility type Status Proposal year FID year Construction year Operating year Inactive year
2023 Expansion import[2][3][4] proposed[2][3][4] 2022[2][3][4] – – 2025[9][10][14][15][5] –
2026 Expansion import[2][3][4] proposed[2][3][4] 2022[2][3][4] – – 2027[9][10][14][15][5] –
Cartagena FSRU (Colombia) (base project) import[6] operating[9][10] 2014[16] – – 2016[9][10] –

Ownership

Table 5: Ownership

Name Facility type Status Owners Parent companies Operator
2023 Expansion import[2][3][4] proposed[2][3][4] Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao (SPEC) [100%][17][18][10] Promigas SA ESP [51.0%]; Vopak [49.0%] –
2026 Expansion import[2][3][4] proposed[2][3][4] Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao (SPEC) [100%][17][18][10] Promigas SA ESP [51.0%]; Vopak [49.0%] –
Cartagena FSRU (Colombia) (base project) import[6] operating[9][10] Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao (SPEC) [100%][17][18][10] Promigas SA ESP [51.0%]; Vopak [49.0%] –

Table 6: Vessel ownership

Name Facility type Status Vessel
2023 Expansion import[2][3][4] proposed[2][3][4] Höegh Grace[19][9]
2026 Expansion import[2][3][4] proposed[2][3][4] Höegh Grace[19][9]
Cartagena FSRU (Colombia) (base project) import[6] operating[9][10] Höegh Grace[19][9]

Expansion projects

Phase 1 expansion project

  • Operator: Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao S.A. E.S.P. (SPEC)[20][21][22]
  • Owner: Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao S.A. E.S.P. (SPEC)[20][21][22]
  • Parent company: Promigas (51%), Royal Vopak (49%)[21]
  • Location: Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia
  • Coordinates: 10.272155, -75.552196 (exact)
  • Capacity: 0.75 bcm/y (75 million cubic feet per day)[20][21][22][23]
  • Status: Operating[20][21][22][23]
  • Type: Import
  • Start year:
  • Cost:
  • Financing:
  • FID status: Pre-FID

Phase 2 expansion project

  • Operator: Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao S.A. E.S.P. (SPEC)[21][22]
  • Owner: Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao S.A. E.S.P. (SPEC)[21][22]
  • Parent company: Promigas (51%), Royal Vopak (49%)[21]
  • Location: Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia
  • Coordinates: 10.272155, -75.552196 (exact)
  • Capacity: 58 million cubic feet per day[24][25]
  • Status: Proposed[20][21][22]
  • Type: Import
  • Start year: 2027[20][21][23]
  • Cost:
  • Financing:
  • FID status: Pre-FID

Background

Cartagena LNG Terminal is an LNG import terminal in Bolivar, Colombia, with a regasification capacity of 400 million cubic feet per day[26][27] (roughly 3 mtpa[28]). It began operating in 2016[29][28], and fuels 60% of Colombia's gas-fired power generation[26], supplying fossil gas to the Termobarranquilla (TEBSA), Termocandelaria, and Termo Flores power stations.[27][30][31]

In 2014, Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao S.A. ESP (SPEC) was contracted for the development and construction of the import regasification terminal on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. SPEC's shareholders were Colombian Energy company Promigas (50%), Americas Energy Fund II (25%), a private equity fund managed by Chile's SCL Energia Activa, and TAM LNG (25%), a Colombian equity fund. The two-phase project was estimated to require around $500 million of investment.[32]

By 2015, Promigas owned 51% and a private equity firm Barú Investments owned 49% in the SPEC LNG terminal project. TAM LNG had dropped out of the project.[33]

In 2019, the Dutch tank storage company Royal Vopak acquired Barú Investments' 49% stake in the Cartagena terminal.[34]

The first phase of the project, which was offshore, included the construction of a pier, port, connecting pipelines, an FSRU with a capacity of 170,000 cubic meters, and a regasification capacity of 400 million cubic feet per day. The second phase was an onshore project which consisted of regasification, storage, and liquefaction facilities.[35]

The project was the first LNG terminal to operate in Colombia and was built to supply the three major power plants in Northern Colombia.[36] The project was inaugurated by Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos in 2016 and commenced operations that same year.[37] According to SPEC's General Manager, Jose Luis Montes, the LNG terminal is crucial to preventing drought-related blackouts by providing natural gas to the Termobarranquilla (TEBSA), Termocandelaria and Termo Flores (Zona Franca Celsia) power plants.[38] In addition, the terminal helps address concerns about dwindling gas production in Colombia.[39]

Proposed expansions

Since 2022, terminal operator SPEC (Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao) has been studying possible capacity expansions at the Cartagena LNG terminal to help compensate for an anticipated shortfall in domestic fossil gas production beginning in 2027 or 2028.[21][22] In January 2023, terminal owners Promigas and Vopak announced that they were soliciting expressions of interest to expand the terminal's regasification capacity in two stages.[20][21] A preliminary stage, to be completed as early as December 2023, would increase capacity by 50 mcfd (million cubic feet per day), while a proposed second expansion would add another 80 mcfd of regasification capacity by the second half of 2026.[20][21]

In its year-end report for 2023, Promigas reported that the terminal was still operating at its original capacity of 400 Mcf/d.[26] However, in January 2024, Promigas and Höegh LNG confirmed that the Hoegh Grace's charter and FSRU services contract had been extended for 5 years (through 2031)[29], and that Promigas would be able to make use of the Höegh Grace's full 533 Mcf/d capacity, implying a total eventual expansion of 133 Mcf/d. It was not immediately clear what the revised timeline for the expansion would be.[40][41]

In November 2024, several online news outlets published articles outlining a more detailed timeline for the expansion of the terminal’s capacity. According to the online sources, SPEC’s capacity is expected to increase from a current 400 Mcf/d to 533 Mcf/d in two phases, occurring between August 2025 and August 2027. The first phase would add 75 Mcf/d, followed by a second phase that would increase capacity by the remaining 58 Mcf/d. The complete expansion would require an investment of USD$80 million.[42][43][44]

As of 2026, the first expansion was reported to be operational by BNamericas: "Spec, Colombia’s only existing LNG import terminal, began operating in 2016 and currently has regasification capacity of about 475Mf³/d following a recent 75Mf³/d expansion."[23] The second expansion is planned to begin operations in 2027.[24]

Legal disputes over land ownership in Isla Barú

The Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao (SPEC), operator of the Cartagena LNG terminal, is involved in an ongoing legal dispute over land ownership in Isla Barú, where it operates. In 2024, a local lawyer publicly announced that a court ordered the restitution of the land to the local indigenous community, citing alleged irregularities in the property sale.[45] The accusations have led to protests and blockades, raising concerns about potential disruptions to Colombia’s gas supply.[45][46] The company maintains it holds valid property titles and disputes the restitution order, claiming procedural irregularities in the case.[45][46]

Articles and Resources

Additional data

To access additional data, including an interactive map of LNG terminals, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Gas Infrastructure Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://maps.app.goo.gl/vpCzho5x5KjZkMcQ6. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 2.22 https://www.larepublica.co/economia/se-esta-evaluando-la-ampliacion-de-terminal-de-regasificacion-de-gnl-de-cartagena-3534280. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 https://lngprime.com/americas/promigas-and-vopak-to-gauge-market-interest-in-cartagena-lng-terminal-expansion/72308/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 4.18 4.19 4.20 https://www.eluniversal.com.co/empresas/noticias/avanzan-estudios-para-ampliar-la-terminal-de-regasificacion-EGC-3338. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 https://forbes.co/2024/11/22/economia-y-finanzas/invertiran-us-80-millones-en-ampliacion-de-la-regasificadora-de-cartagena-que-junto-a-las-termicas-fue-clave-para-evitar-apagon. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 https://www.calamarilng.com/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ https://forbes.co/2024/01/04/economia-y-finanzas/regasificadora-de-cartagena-aumentara-su-oferta-para-garantizar-el-suministro-de-gas-natural/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ↑ https://www.speclng.com/Paginas/NoticiasESP/SPEC-LNG-y-H%C3%B6egh-LNG.aspx. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 (PDF) https://giignl.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GIIGNL-2024-Annual-Report-1.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 https://www.igu.org/resources/2024-world-lng-report/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. ↑ (PDF) https://www.promigas.com/Documents/Inversionistas/INFORME%20INTEGRADO%20DE%20GESTIO%CC%81N%20PROMIGAS%202024%2815MAR%29.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ https://forbes.co/2023/06/15/negocios/nueva-importacion-de-gas-para-afrontar-el-fenomeno-de-el-nino. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ https://www.calamarilng.com/facilities. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 https://www.valoraanalitik.com/ampliacion-de-regasificadora-de-cartagena-estaria-lista-en-2027/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://elnorte.com.co/spec-confirma-cronograma-de-ampliacion-de-la-regasificadora-fase-inicial-termina-en-agosto/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ↑ https://lavca.org/2014/02/26/spec-selected-as-successful-bidder-on-regasification-terminal-process-in-colombia/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 https://lavca.org/2019/09/12/royal-vopak-acquires-a-minority-stake-in-spec-from-baru-capital/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 (PDF) https://www.vopak.com/system/files/Press%20Release%20FY%202023.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 (PDF) https://www.igu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IGU_WorldLNG_2021.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :4
  21. ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 21.12 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :5
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 "Avanzan estudios para ampliar la terminal de regasificación". El Universal. September 12, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 "Colombia's Spec readies LNG expansion - BNamericas". www.bnamericas.com. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Project highlight: Colombia's SPEC LNG terminal". The Energy Year. 2025-03-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ↑ "Spotlight: Seven Colombian LNG import projects - BNamericas". www.bnamericas.com. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :8
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :3
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :322
  30. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :6
  31. ↑ LNG Import Facility, BN Americas, accessed April 2017
  32. ↑ SPEC Selected as Successful Bidder on Regasification Terminal Process in Colombia, LAVCA, February 26, 2014
  33. ↑ Colombia Developing Pacific LNG Import Option, Argus, accessed September 2017
  34. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :2
  35. ↑ "BNamericas - Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao S.A. ESP". BNamericas. Retrieved 2021-01-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ↑ Cartagena LNG Terminal, KN, accessed September 2017
  37. ↑ "The president of Colombia opens the regasification terminal of Cartagena de Indias". FuturEnergy: Revista técnica bilingüe de energía. December 22, 2016.
  38. ↑ SPEC Opens the First LNG Import Terminal in Colombia, CWC World LNG & Gas Series, accessed September 2017
  39. ↑ Colombia Proposed LNG Regas Projects, Wood Mackenzie, June 2017
  40. ↑ "Acuerdo entre SPEC LNG y Höegh LNG permitiría regasificar 533 Mpcd de gas natural y brindar mayor confiabilidad energética a Colombia". SPEC LNG. 2024-01-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  41. ↑ "Regasificadora de Cartagena aumentará su oferta para garantizar el suministro de gas natural". Forbes Colombia. 2024-01-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ↑ G., Narciso De la Hoz (2024-11-22). "'Invertiremos US$ 80 millones en la ampliación de nuestra capacidad', dice gerente de la Regasificadora de Cartagena". Forbes Colombia (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  43. ↑ Analitik, Valora (2024-11-22). "Ampliación de regasificadora de Cartagena estaría lista en 2027". Valora Analitik (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  44. ↑ Norte, Redacción El (2025-04-11). "SPEC confirma cronograma de ampliación de la regasificadora" (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Julio, Ruby Villarreal (2025-03-07). "Litigio por terrenos en Islas Barú podría afectar abastecimiento de gas en Colombia". RCN Radio (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Bloquearon vía a Barú para exigir restitución del predio donde opera la Sociedad Portuaria El Cayao". Caracol Radio (in español). Retrieved 2025-07-30.
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