5/10/2020 Top 10 FLNG projects | Oil & Gas IQ

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Top 10 FLNG projects

The run-down of the world's essential projects and milestones

Tags: PFLNG1 Prelude Flng Flng Top 10

Oil & Gas IQ Editor

 10/30/2018

Top 10 FLNG projects of all time

Since the 1970s, oil and gas companies have been interested in the concept of FLNG
projects – with research conducted by rms such as Kvaerner and Moss Maritime resulting
in the drawing up concept designs for state-of-the-art oating LNG plants.

Running in tandem with the development of FPSOs, FLNG projects  have only recently begun to reach maturity –
and with an increasing desire to developed gas elds in the Asia-Paci c region, future FLNG projects could become
the industry solution.

As we prepare to enter a time when FLNG projects may begin to rival oil FPSOs, Oil & Gas IQ run down the Top 10
FLNG projects that you need to know about.

1. The Doughnut, 1997 study

The rst major research project to come out of the 1990s focus on FLNG, the Doughnut was an FLNG production
concept developed by Mobil. The design was a for a oating plant that could produce, store, and o oad over six
million tonnes of LNG per annum. It would weigh over 100,000 tonnes, and would have contained enough storage
tanks for 250,000 cubic metres of LNG.

See also: Top 10 FLNG projects: Mobil's Doughnut.

The Doughnut is also remarkable for its proposed square doughnut hull shape, which would have resulted in an
extremely stable platform with a moonpool in the centre, able to take advantage of excellent motion characteristics.
The size of the pool was designed to dampen the movement of the vessel, and the entire hull was to be built in four
sections – allowing standard-sized docks to build such an enormous vessel.

2. Azure, 1999 study

The Doughnut concept was soon followed by the EU-led research project Azure. This was the rst design to show
that a full oating LNG chain was possible – and could be built by 2004.

See also: Top 10 FLNG projects: The EU's Azure.

This would include FPSOs, a oating regasi cation unit, and shuttles that would move the FLNG between vessels.
The Azure study revealed the need for nancially-viable mooring solutions, as well as improved hydrate
management systems.

3. Prelude, 2017
Australia

3.6mta production
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Since agreeing to work alongside Technip Samsung in 2009, Shell has recently launched the world’s rst FLNG
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development – the  A$12 billion Prelude FLNG.
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The Prelude is half a kilometre in length and constructed of a quarter of a million tonnes of steel. It displaces as
much water as six aircraft carriers and over 600 engineers contributed to its design.

4. PFLNG1, 2017
Malaysia

1.2mta production

Petronas’ 2011 Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contract with Technip and Daewoo resulted in the world’s
second FLNG project, the PFLNG1 or PFLNG SATU. The PFLNG1 is 365 metres in length, and weighs over 100,000
tonnes when fully laden.

It became the rst FLNG to begin LNG production when it produced and delivered LNG from the Kanowit eld in
Malaysian waters in April 2017.

5. Hilli Episeyo, 2018

Cameroon

2.4mta production

Built by Keppel in Singapore, the Hilli Episeyo is the world’s rst converted FLNG vessel. Launched in July 2017, the
Hilli Episeyo was converted from an LNG carrier built in the mid-1970s, and moved from Singapore to Cameroon in
October 2017. It is 300 metres in length, and has a gross tonnage of 120,000.

In March 2018, it became the second FLNG vessel to begin production.

6. PFLNG2, 2020
Malaysia

1.5mta production

Petronas’ PFLNG2, located in the South China Sea, began production when Petronas awarded its second FLNG FEED
contract in 2011 – to Samsung and the JGC Corporation. With nal investments made in 2014, the facility is expected
to produce its rst LNG from the deep water Rotan gas eld in 2020.

You might be interested in our other FLNG articles.

The PFLNG2 is designed to produce 1.5 million tonnes of LNG per year, and will be moored using an external turret. It
will be non-propelled and is intended to manage 20 years of production without dry docking.

7. Del n, 2020
Gulf of Mexico

13mta production
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Having received over seven billion dollars in investments, the Del n LNG group is now working on the United States’
rst FLNG project. Approved by the Department of Energy in June 2017, the US will be able to export LNG to nations
without FTAs. It will be commissioned in 2021-2022, and will have the potential to later expand its capacity from 13
million tonnes, to 21.

There is an existing LNG system o the coast of Louisiana – and plans to move fuel from the platform there to four
FLNGVs moored in the Gulf of Mexico. Del n acquired the current pipeline system from  Enbridge, and are planning
to modify and restore the pipeline following its abandonment in 2011.

8. Fortuna, 2020
Equatorial Guinea

2.2mta production

Ophir Energy is attempting to nd nal investment for its FLNG project with Golar LNG. Due to slow progress and
di culties securing nances, the FID has been delayed since Q4 2016. If funding can be assured, the project will
come in at a total cost of $2.1 billion, with rst production likely in 2022. Ophir is also on the hunt for a new CEO,
further muddying these turbulent waters.

9. Coral South, 2022

Mozambique

3.4mta production

Aided by Eni, the Mozambican government is developing a $10 billion FLNG facility in the Coral Field, discovered in
2012. This will be the rst FLNG project in Africa, and is expected to become fully operational in 2022. The reserves in
the Rovuma Basin, in which the Coral Field is located, could supply both Tanzania and Mozambique with enough
fuel to meet their domestic demands for the next 5,000 years. The development of FLNG projects has the potential
to signi cantly alter the economise of some of the poorest nations in Africa.

10. New Age, 2022

Republic of the Congo

1.2mta production

London-based and Africa-focussed New Age are now looking to develop FLNG projects in Cameroon and the
Republic of the Congo. These projects will allow development of new elds, and a chance to bring two new FLNG
projects onstream by 2022.

However, recent developments – including the sacking of many senior sta members, may have jeopardised or
delayed these ventures.

If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our guide to FLNG.

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