Seatrium and Golar LNG are continuing their collaboration: the Singapore-based shipbuilders are to carry out a third conversion of an LNG tanker into a floating platform.
The two partners initially signed a letter of intent setting out the broad outlines of the potential project. Seatrium is to convert an existing tanker into a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility for Golar. The aim of the agreement is to conclude an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) contract in the second half of the year and to commence construction. An advance payment covers the work that Seatrium will carry out in connection with the Letter of Intent prior to the signing of the EPC contract.
The planned project builds on the long-standing partnership between Seatrium and Golar, following the successful completion and handover of the FLNG units “Hilli Episeyo” in 2017 and “Gimi” in 2023. “Hilli Episeyo” has an annual capacity of 2.4 million tonnes, whilst ‘Gimi’ has an annual capacity of 2.7 million tonnes. These vessels are the only FLNG units to have been converted from LNG tankers.
“We are proud to be working with Golar once again on this FLNG development project,” said Marlin Khiew, Executive Vice President of Seatrium Energy (Projects). “Golar’s continued confidence in Seatrium underlines our proven expertise in delivering complex floating gas solutions. Building on the experience gained from the ‘Hilli Episeyo’ and ‘Gimi’ projects, we aim to drive standardisation through a series-production approach. This ensures greater certainty in project delivery, faster time-to-market and greater cost-efficiency.”
Morten Skjong, Chief Technical Officer at Golar, added: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Seatrium, which spans more than 20 years, through the development of further potential FLNG projects. Whilst the “Hilli” FLNG vessel is on its way to Seatrium to be upgraded ahead of the start of its 20-year charter contract in Argentina, we intend to further expand our FLNG collaboration through the letter of intent announced today.”
Given the rising demand for LNG and the growing interest in flexible gas marketing solutions, Seatrium remains “ideally positioned” to support customers across the entire LNG value chain with its comprehensive expertise in engineering, conversion and EPC.
