According to the introduction, Golar LNG is considering a design scheme for FLNG of MK I, MK II and MK III types with a liquefaction capacity of 2 to 5.4 million tons per year (mtpa). Shipyards involved in negotiations include:
Zhongjie Lufushan, Golar LNG has an FLNG conversion option order at this shipyard, with a maximum liquefaction capacity of 3.5 million tons/year;
Samsung Heavy Industries, Golar LNG is in talks with the shipyard for the MK III type FLNG, which has a liquefaction capacity of 5.4 million tons/year, becoming the largest FLNG ever built;
Seatrium, Golar LNG plans to build an FLNG with a liquefaction capacity of 200-270 million tons/year at this shipyard.
Golar LNG stated in its new announcement: "To ensure favorable delivery conditions, the Company plans to enter into a letter of intent for the reservation of long-term equipment in the third quarter of 2025."
Like its previous FLNGs, the fourth (FLNG) that Golar LNG is advancing will be built before a charter contract is obtained. The company believes that the planned FLNG could be the only one deliverable this decade, given the shipyard’s capacity constraints.
In terms of existing projects, Golar LNG's FLNG Hilli is expected to complete the current charter in July 2026, after which it will enter the shipyard for life extension and upgrade. According to the 20-year charter agreement signed with Argentina Southern Energy (SESA), FLNG Hilli will be re-deployed to Argentina in the second quarter of 2027.
According to the 20-year charter agreement signed with British Petroleum (BP), Golar LNG's FLNG Gimi has achieved commercial operation in June this year, with Golar LNG holding 70% of the shares, and its net income share is expected to be about 3 billion US dollars. This type of FLNG is converted from the LNG carrier "Gimi", which cost 1.3 billion US dollars. The conversion is carried out by Keppel Shipyard, a subsidiary of Seatrium, and was delivered at the end of 2023.
MK II type FLNG is a FLNG converted from the 148,500 cubic meter Moss type LNG carrier “Fuji LNG”, at a cost of about 2.2 billion US dollars, with a maximum liquefaction capacity of 3.5 million tons/year, which is currently being converted at CSM Raffles. It is scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2027. The MK II type FLNG is about 390 meters long and 70 meters wide.
According to the final investment decision made by SESA at the beginning of August,the MK II type FLNG will start operations in Argentina in 2028, with a lease period of 20 years, depending on regulatory approvals.
It is understood that CCCC Lianfu Shipbuilding and Golar LNG signed a $1.6 billion FLNG EPC conversion contract for the "Fuji LNG" on September 2024, and the contract signed on the same day also includes an optional order, which is expected to be delivered in 2028 if it takes effect.
Golar LNG said it will finalise the design concept and place the firm order for the fourth FLNG after confirming the shipyard design, procurement, construction (EPC) quotation and shipyard capacity. The company also revealed that it will proceed with the fifth FLNG as planned after the fourth FLNG is successfully ordered and the charter party contract is obtained.
