HIGAS LNG terminal in Oristano, Sardinia, is the subject of an exclusive acquisition and conversion agreement signed by Snam in October 2025, targeting a roughly tenfold increase in storage capacity and a full conversion to a floating storage and regasification unit. The deal, if finalised, would position HIGAS as the anchor infrastructure for a new Sardinian gas transmission network currently under development.
HIGAS LNG Terminal — Oristano, Sardinia
The HIGAS LNG terminal — also known as the Santa Giusta LNG Terminal — sits at coordinates 39.863873°N, 8.554238°E on Sardinia’s western coast. It operates as a small-scale LNG import facility with a throughput capacity of 0.2 mtpa and onsite storage of 9,000 cbm distributed across six horizontal low-pressure cryogenic tanks. The modular design allows storage to be expanded based on market demand.
Construction began in April 2018 and was completed in August 2020, with the terminal entering commercial operation in August 2021. The EPC contractor was Gas & Heat. Total construction cost was approximately $41.6 million (€38.2 million), according to Global Energy Monitor data. Spanish operator Reganosa has held the operations and maintenance contract since February 2021.
Ownership History — From Avenir LNG to Snam
Stolt-Nielsen took a minority stake in the HIGAS project in October 2015, participating as an early-stage investor during the terminal’s development phase. The ownership structure evolved over subsequent years as the project reached construction and commissioning.
Avenir LNG became the sole owner of HIGAS in March 2022, acquiring the shareholdings of minority partners CPL Concordia and Gas & Heat. Avenir LNG holds 100% of the share capital as of the most recent confirmed filings. HIGAS CEO Roberto Madella has led the company through the operational phase and the subsequent approach from Snam.
Snam’s Acquisition Bid and FSRU Conversion Plan
On 8 October 2025, Snam — Italy’s primary energy infrastructure operator — signed an exclusive assessment and negotiation agreement targeting 100% of HIGAS share capital. The agreement is not a confirmed deal close; it represents an exclusive negotiation period subject to finalisation and regulatory processes.
Alongside the acquisition, Snam intends to convert the coastal storage facility into an FSRU (floating storage and regasification unit). The conversion would increase storage capacity by approximately ten times current levels — from 9,000 cbm to an estimated 90,000 cbm (this figure is derived from the disclosed multiplier and should be treated as an estimate, not a confirmed specification). Regasified gas from the FSRU would be injected directly into a new Sardinia natural gas transmission network currently under development. For context on the FSRU sector, see FSRU operators ranked by fleet scale.
Roberto Madella described the Snam agreement as “a crucial step that will not only decisively strengthen Higas” — adding that it provides a “fundamental infrastructural boost for the methanization of the island.”
Sardinia’s Gas Infrastructure Gap — Why HIGAS Matters
Sardinia is not connected to Italy’s mainland natural gas transmission network. The island relies entirely on LNG imports delivered by small and medium-scale carriers for its gas supply — a structural dependency that the Italian government’s methanization programme is designed to address.
An FSRU at Oristano would serve as the primary regasification hub feeding a new Sardinian pipeline network. The service area identified in the Snam announcement covers industrial and thermoelectric districts in central and southern Sardinia, spanning the provinces of Cagliari, Oristano, Medio Campidano, and Sulcis Iglesiente. HIGAS sits within the broader context of European LNG infrastructure investment — see LNG receiving terminals in Europe for the regional capacity picture.
Small-Scale LNG Operations at HIGAS
In its current form, the HIGAS LNG terminal receives LNG from small and medium-sized gas carriers and distributes product via three channels: truck loading, regasification for port users, and pipeline feed. The truck loading facility handles up to 180,000 mtpa across two bays.
End-use markets served include automotive fuel, industrial gas supply, civil heating, and marine bunkering. The six-tank modular storage configuration was designed from the outset for capacity expansion, making the FSRU conversion plan a logical progression of the terminal’s original engineering parameters.
HIGAS LNG in 2026 — What Happens Next
As of April 2026, the Snam acquisition remains in the exclusive negotiation phase announced in October 2025. No confirmed deal close has been reported in available source material. The timeline for completing the acquisition, progressing regulatory approvals, and advancing FSRU conversion engineering will determine when HIGAS transitions from a small-scale import terminal to a regional gas hub.
Snam already holds a 30% stake in the Adriatic LNG regasification terminal at Porto Tolle (Rovigo), with VTTI holding the remaining 70%. Acquiring HIGAS would expand Snam’s LNG regasification footprint to include Sardinia — a market currently outside the national grid and dependent on island-specific import infrastructure.
Terminal Snapshot
| Terminal | HIGAS LNG Terminal (Santa Giusta) |
|---|---|
| Location | Oristano, Sardinia, Italy |
| Current Owner | Avenir LNG (100%) |
| Prospective Acquirer | Snam (exclusive negotiation, Oct 2025) |
| Throughput Capacity | 0.2 mtpa |
| Storage Capacity | 9,000 cbm (6 horizontal cryogenic tanks) |
| Construction Cost | ~$41.6 million (€38.2 million) |
| Operational Since | August 2021 |
| EPC Contractor | Gas & Heat |
| O&M Operator | Reganosa (from February 2021) |
| Planned Development | FSRU conversion; ~10x storage capacity increase (est.); Sardinia gas network feed |
What is HIGAS LNG terminal and where is it located?
HIGAS LNG terminal — also known as the Santa Giusta LNG Terminal — is a small-scale LNG import facility in Oristano, Sardinia, Italy. It has a throughput capacity of 0.2 mtpa and 9,000 cbm of onsite storage across six horizontal cryogenic tanks. The terminal entered commercial operation in August 2021.
Who is trying to acquire HIGAS LNG terminal?
Snam, Italy’s primary energy infrastructure operator, signed an exclusive assessment and negotiation agreement in October 2025 targeting 100% of HIGAS share capital. As of April 2026, the deal is in the exclusive negotiation phase and has not been confirmed as closed.
What is the planned FSRU conversion at HIGAS Oristano?
Snam intends to convert the HIGAS coastal storage facility into a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). The conversion is expected to increase storage capacity by approximately ten times current levels — from 9,000 cbm to an estimated 90,000 cbm. Regasified gas would be injected into a new Sardinian gas transmission network currently under development.
Why is HIGAS important for Sardinia’s gas supply?
Sardinia has no connection to Italy’s mainland natural gas transmission network and relies entirely on LNG imports for its gas supply. An FSRU at Oristano would serve as the anchor infrastructure for a new island-wide gas pipeline network, supporting the Italian government’s methanization programme for Sardinia.
Who currently owns and operates HIGAS LNG terminal?
Avenir LNG holds 100% of HIGAS share capital, having acquired the shareholdings of minority partners CPL Concordia and Gas & Heat in March 2022. Spanish operator Reganosa holds the operations and maintenance contract and has managed the facility since February 2021.