South Korean shipbuilding giant Samsung Heavy Industries has received an approval in principle from classification society DNV for its multi-purpose nearshore FLNG concept.
SHI said in a statement on Tuesday it received the approval for the next-generation floating LNG at OTC 2023 in Houston.
The shipbuilder developed the concept named MLF-N (multi-purpose LNG floater-nearshore) in response to market conditions that require faster delivery times and more economical FLNG models compared to onshore plants.
According to SHI, the concept has standardized specification designs based on its experience in various FLNG EPC projects. The firm previously won contracts for four FLNG units.
Also, MLF-N standardizes shapes of LNG cargoes and widths and heights of hulls surrounding them, so the capacity could be easily extended from 180,000 cbm to 245,000 cbm, SHI said.
At the same time, the structure can support topside equipment weighing about 50,000 tons, including natural gas liquefaction modules, it said.
SHI said it is applying some of the MLF-N’s designs to a recently ordered Petronas FLNG.
Also, the shipbuilder is working to win overseas ongoing gas field development projects to apply the new concept.
SHi and Japan’s JGC won a contract from Petronas to build the third floating LNG producer for the Malaysian energy firm.
The unit will be the first nearshore FLNG in the world and will have a minimum production capacity of 2 million tonnes of LNG per year.