A guide to FLNG (floating liquefied natural
gas)
Floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) is not just a term that
rolls elegantly off the tongue, but one also used to
describe an offshore facility floating above a natural gas
field. Here is everything you need to know about FLNG.
Floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) is not just a term that rolls elegantly off the tongue
but one also used to describe an offshore facility floating above a natural gas field.
FLNGs produce, liquefy, store and transfer liquefied natural gas via carrier ship to the
mainland where both the market and the money is based.
FLNG technology can unlock gas resources from underwater gas fields that may once
have been economically or environmentally challenging to obtain. This can help to meet
growing demand for natural gas — the cleanest-burning hydrocarbon — which is set
rise by more than half by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency. Many
natural gas resources are located in offshore fields, but geographic, technical and
economic limitations make a number of these difficult to develop.
FLNG technology is designed to overcome these challenges. It is complementary to
conventional onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) as it helps accelerate the
development of gas resources to meet growing demand.
SEE ALSO: Guide to FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading)
What is liquefied natural gas?
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas, a mixture of methane and ethane, that has
been cooled down to liquid form, so it can be easily transported. In its liquid state, LNG
takes up around 1/600th the volume of natural gas in its gaseous state. It is odorless,
colorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive. Hazards, however, include flammability after
vaporization into a gaseous state, freezing and asphyxia.
The liquefaction process removes dust, acid gases, helium, water and hydrocarbons
that could cause difficulty downstream. Aboard an FLNG facility, natural gas produced
from underwater fields is processed and chilled to -162° Celsius (-260° Fahrenheit).
This shrinks its volume by 600 times to create LNG. The advanced design of facility’s
on-board LNG plant packs a typical land-based LNG plant into around one quarter of its
normal size.
Natural gas is mainly converted into LNG to achieve natural gas transport over the seas
where laying pipelines is possible. LNG achieves a higher reduction in volume than
compressed natural gas (CNG) which makes LNG cost efficient in marine transport over
long distances. LNG is principally used for transporting natural gas to markets, where it
is regasified and distributed as pipeline natural gas.
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How does FLNG work?
The FLNG facility is moored directly above the natural gas field. It routes gas from the
field to the facility via risers. The gas is then processed and treated to remove impurities
and liquefied through freezing, before being stored in the hull. Ocean-going carriers will
offload the LNG, as well as the other liquid by-products, for delivery to markets
worldwide. The conventional alternative to this would be to pump gas through pipelines
to a shore-based facility for liquefaction, before transferring the gas for delivery.
Safety on FLNG
Designers optimize safety on the facility by locating storage facilities and process
equipment as far from crew accommodation as possible. The accommodation areas of
visiting LNG carriers are also at maximum distance from critical safety equipment.
Safety gaps have been allowed between modules of process equipment so that gas can
disperse quickly in the event of a gas leak.
SEE ALSO: [EBOOK] FLNG: Towards a Natural Gas Future on The High Seas
What are the benefits of FLNG?
Natural gas is relatively clean burning compared to other fossil fuels. It is also more
easily found, cheaper and actually provides a number of environmental and economic
advantages.
Firstly, there is no need for pipelines, compression units, dredging, jetty construction or
an onshore LNG processing plant as processing is done at the gas field. This helps
maintain marine and coastal environments. The facility is also able to be
decommissioned and re-deployed elsewhere relatively easily.
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FLNG is more economically viable than pumping gas to the shore, opening new
business opportunities for both developing countries and regions where disputes would
make pipelines impractical. As well as this, the role of LNG as direct use fuel without
regasification is growing slowly but surely.
What are the drawbacks of FLNG?
When it comes to the design and construction of the FLNG facility, every element of a
conventional LNG facility needs to fit into a space around one quarter the size, whilst
maintaining safety and flexibility of production. Containment systems and product
transfers also need to withstand the effects of the wind and waves.
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What is the history of FLNG?
Experimental development of offshore LNG production began in the mid-1990s. Mobil
developed a FLNG production concept based on a square structure with a moon pool in
the center, known as ’The Doughnut‘, in 1997. Following that, major projects conducted
by the EU and major oil and gas companies made great progress in steel concrete hull
design, topside development and LNG transfer systems. The first completed FLNG
production facility was the PFLNG Satu, off the shore of Sarawak in Malaysia.
Since the mid-1990s, Shell has been working on its own FLNG technology. This
includes engineering and the optimization of project developments in Namibia, Timor
Leste/Australia, and Nigeria. In July 2009, Royal Dutch Shell signed an agreement with
Technip and Samsung allowing for the design, construction and installation of multiple
Shell FLNG facilities.
Shell’s Prelude facility is set to be the biggest one ever.
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Than You Think
Prelude: What is the future of FLNG?
Launched in 2013, Prelude is Shell’s first FLNG facility. She recently reached a
significant milestone when gas was introduced onboard for the first time. The Gallina,
an LNG Carrier from Singapore, shipped the gas to the facility and utilities can now
switch to run on gas rather than diesel.
Prelude is now on location, 475km (295 miles) north-north east of Broome, Western
Australia, in around 250 metres of water. Once operating, Prelude FLNG will produce
and liquefy natural gas from the Browse Basin. Once fully operational, the project will
deliver LNG to Shell’s customers around the world while creating significant economic
and social benefits for Australia. They include hundreds of jobs, tax revenues,
businesses opportunities for local companies, and community programmes.
Prelude’s hull is 488 metres long (1,600 feet). Despite its large proportions, the FLNG
facility will take up just a quarter of the footprint of an equivalent land-based LNG plant.
She is designed to remain at sea for around 25 years in severe weather conditions and
even withstand a category five cyclone. FLNG facilities can then be re-deployed to
develop new gas fields.
FLNG technology offers countries a more environmentally-sensitive way to develop
natural gas resources. Prelude will have a much smaller environmental footprint than
land-based LNG plants, which require major infrastructure works. It also eliminates the
need to build long pipelines to the mainland.
Over the lifespan of Prelude, the project is expected to add billions of revenue to
Australia’s economy, create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, spend billions on
Australian goods and services and improve the country’s balance of trade through
export of LNG, LPG and condensate.
SEE ALSO: Guide to FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading)
