Texas-based Pilot LNG, the developer of the Galveston LNG bunkering project, has awarded the front-end engineering and design contract for the project’s marine infrastructure engineering to W. F. Baird & Associates.
Under the contract, Baird would provide a variety of services to Pilot LNG including design of marine structures, metocean modeling including storm surge and tidal currents, according to a statement by Pilot LNG.
In addition, Baird will provide dredging design and dredged material placement analysis, and support for vessel maneuvering assessments.
Baird’s Houston office would lead the assessment with support from the company’s other North American and international offices, Pilot LNG said.
The award further solidifies the growing partnership between the two companies, the firm said.
“Our selection of Baird is in recognition of their unparalleled expertise and commitment to engineering and designing safe, reliable and efficient projects; and we are happy to continue to work with Baird as a preferred partner in GLBP,” chief executive Jonathan Cook, said.
Pilot LNG to take FID in the second half of 2022
Cook and Shaun Davison founded Pilot LNG in mid-2019. Prior to that, Cook co-founded US floating LNG firm Excelerate Energy and also led the Norwegian shipping company Flex LNG.
Pilot revealed the US bunkering project last year and subsequently also signed a deal with a unit of GAC. This deal prepares the ground for Pilot to provide LNG marine fuel to GAC on a delivered ex-ship basis for its customers in the Galveston Bay Port complex on a long-term basis.
This includes the ports of Houston, Galveston and Texas City, as well as Galveston offshore lightering area.
Earlier this year, Pilot LNG also awarded a contract to China’s Wison Offshore & Marine for the floating unit.
The Galveston project’s facility infrastructure includes floating liquefaction technology by Wison but also land-based facilities such as a control room, feed gas compressor and a pipeline.
Furthermore, the non-propelled liquefaction unit will be 148 meters long with a capacity of around 0.5 mtpa. It will also feature a C type tank with a storage capacity of 18,000 cbm.
While LNG bunkering infrastructure has been rapidly developing overseas and in certain parts of the US, Pilot’s Galveston project would be the first of its kind for the region.
The total project costs could reach up to $500 million.
Pilot LNG said earlier this year it had expected to take a final investment decision on the project in the first half of 2022.
However, now it says it plans to take FID in the second half of the next year and to launch operations in the second half of 2025.