Shell says Prelude FLNG still offline after fire

Shell is still working to restart production at its giant Prelude FLNG located offshore Australia following an incident last week.

“On 2 December 2021 at approximately 11.00PM AWST, smoke detected in an electrical utility area triggered the automatic fire detection and management systems on board the Prelude FLNG facility,” a Shell spokesperson told LNG Prime in an emailed statement.

The spokesperson said the area was made safe by the systems in place and it did not spread further.

“All workers on the facility are safe and accounted for. While work is underway to restore main power, production on Prelude has been suspended temporarily,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson did not provide any additional information.

LNG Prime understands that Shell has decided to reduce the number of staff on board the FLNG as the unit requires only a skeleton crew during a production shutdown.

Local media reports also suggested that the firm has evacuated about 150 crew members from the giant unit.

It remains unclear when Shell would restore the main power and restart the production.

Production problems continue

Shell’s chief executive Ben van Beurden said earlier this year that the firm was working to bring Prelude to full production following a long shutdown due to an electrical trip in February last year.

To remind, the giant floating LNG producer shipped the first cargo in almost a year in early January followed by the second shipment later the same month.

Prelude delivered its first cargo in June 2019 after several start-up delays. The FLNG has the capacity to produce 3.6 mtpa of LNG, 1.3 mtpa of condensate, and 0.4 mtpa of LPG.

Shell operates the floating facility located some 475 km from Broome in Western Australia, with a 67.5 percent stake.

Japan’s Inpex holds a 17.5 percent stake, Korea’s Kogas 10 percent, and Taiwan’s CPC holds 5 percent.

Most Popular

Canada’s Cedar LNG names FLNG

Canada’s Cedar LNG, a joint venture of Canada’s Pembina Pipeline and the Haisla Nation, has picked a name for its floating LNG facility, which will be located in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation, on Canada’s West Coast.

NextDecade, Jera seal 20-year LNG SPA

Japan's Jera has signed a 20-year deal to buy liquefied natural gas from the planned fifth train at NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG facility in Texas.

Australia’s Viva Energy gets OK for Geelong LNG import terminal

Australia’s Viva Energy has secured approval from the Victorian government for its proposed FSRU-based LNG import terminal in Geelong, Australia.

More News Like This

Shell shareholders re-elect CEO Wael Sawan

Wael Sawan will continue to lead London-based LNG giant Shell following shareholder voting at the company's annual general meeting on Tuesday.

Singapore’s FueLNG wraps up 400th STS bunkering operation

Singapore’s FueLNG, a joint venture consisting of Shell and Seatrium, has completed its 400th ship-to-ship (STS) LNG bunkering operation. FuelLNG delivered LNG to BYD Shenzen, which is said to be the world’s largest LNG-fueled car carrier.

Peru LNG terminal shipped three cargoes in April

Peru LNG’s liquefaction plant at Pampa Melchorita has shipped three liquefied natural gas cargoes in April due to restrictions on the transportation system, according to operator Hunt Oil.

CFO: Shell on track to ship first LNG Canada cargo in middle of 2025

LNG giant Shell remains on track to deliver the first liquefied natural gas cargo from its LNG Canada export terminal in Kitimat in the middle of this year, according to Shell's finance chief, Sinead Gorman.