Shell Launches Record-Breaking FLNG Vessel

Shell launched the world’s biggest vessel on Tuesday. The Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility is potentially a game changer for the industry, as it paves the way to more ambitious projects. 

According to a note released by the company, the 488-metre-long hull of the FLNG facility has been floated out of the dry dock at the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) yard in Geoje, South Korea, where the facility is currently under construction.

After unveiling its intention to work on facilities compatible with more extreme environments, Shell presented the facility that will allow the company to produce natural gas at sea, turn it into LNG and then transfer it directly to the ships that will transport it to the customers.

‘It will enable the development of gas resources ranging from clusters of smaller more remote fields to potentially larger fields via multiple facilities where, for a range of reasons, an onshore development is not viable. This can mean faster, cheaper, more flexible development and deployment strategies for resources that were previously uneconomic, or constrained by technical or other risks,’ reads the note.

The UK-based company is the operator of the facility in joint venture with Inpex (17.5%), Kogas (10%) and Opic (5%). The Prelude FLNG will operate in Western Australia for around 25 years.