Swiss engineering group ABB is teaming up with China’s Wison Offshore and Marine to work on floating LNG production units around the globe.
In that regard, the two firms have signed a memorandum of understanding to “collaborate on the development and implementation of floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities worldwide,” according to a statement by ABB on Thursday.
Currently, there are not many floating LNG producers around the globe and they include Shell’s Prelude FLNG off Australia, two units owned by Petronas off Malaysia, as well as the world’s first converted FLNG located off Cameron and operated by Golar. Eni’s Coral Sul FLNG should also start working off Mozambique later this year.
South Korea’s Samsung Heavy built three out of these FLNG units and is competing to win the contract for the third FLNG for Petronas.
According to ABB, which has delivered power and automation solutions to over 70 floating production projects around the world, the FLNG market will continue to grow.
By optimizing and standardizing the FLNG unit design, ABB and WOM aim to “significantly improve” the production efficiency of LNG at sea.
“WOM’s competence as a premier provider of turnkey engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) to the FLNG market will be coupled with ABB’s expertise in integrating electrical, control and safety systems,” the statement said.
Ealrier this year, WOM secured approval in principle from classification society ABS for its 3.5 mtpa FLNG design.
ABS also previously granted approval to WOM for its standardized 1.3 mtpa and 3 mtpa FLNG designs.
