LNG

First production from two FLNGs

Petronas recently became the first energy company to produce LNG from two FLNGs.This follows the first cargo delivery from the second FLNG, ‘LNG Dua’ (PFLNG DUA), sitting off the coast of Sabah on Malaysia’s Borneo island. ‘LNG Dua’ has a production capacity of 1.5 mill tonnes per year and operates at the water depth of 1,300 m. Its first delivery was loaded onto the LNGC ‘Seri Camar’ operated by MISC for shipment to a Thai buyer. Petronas said that this confirmed the viability of unlocking stranded and deepwater gas fields with FLNGs that are more sustainable and economical. The LNG exporter had introduced the world’s first operational FLNG ’LNG Satu’ in 2016.

Fos Cavaou - start of the open season

Elengy and its subsidiary Fosmax LNG are launching a call for capacity subscriptions at Fos Cavaou LNG terminal (Open Season Fos Cavaou 2021). Open Season Fos Cavaou 2021 was initiated in response to a high level of market interest expressed over the past few months, and aims to make available additional primary capacity achieved through technical & regulatory de-bottlenecking, as well as capacity extension beyond 2030. • 1 bill cu m per year from January, 2022, • 2.5 bill cu m from January, 2024, • 4.5 bill cu m from April, 2030 until 2045 or more. The open season will consist of two phases: • A non-binding call for interest, which is expected to last for three months, in order to precisely assess the market needs. • A binding Open Season, which is expected during the second half of 2021 to perform a market test based on binding commitments of the parties.

Höegh shareholders approve amalgamation

At a special general meeting of Höegh LNG Holdings on Wednesday in Bermuda, its shareholders approved the amalgamation and de-listing of shares, as originally proposed. As previously announced, Leif Höegh & Co Ltd (LHC) and funds managed by Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners (MSIP) will, through a 50/50 joint venture, Larus Holding Limited (JVCo), acquire the remaining issued and outstanding shares of HLNG not currently owned by LHC or its affiliates. This will occur by an amalgamation between Larus Limited, a subsidiary of JVCo, and Höegh, subject to certain conditions. It will be owned jointly by LHC and MSIP on a 50/50 basis. All of the company’s shares (other than those owned by LHC and its affiliates) will be cancelled for NOK23.50 per share. On 22nd March, 2021, the holders of Höegh’s outstanding senior unsecured bond issues maturing in February, 2022 and January, 2025 approved the amendment proposal in relation to the amalgamation, which is expected to close in the first half of 2021.

Excelerate strengthens team

Don Hubbard has joined Excelerate Energy’s development team as Vice President of Gas and Power. He joined Excelerate on 1st March, 2021. “Even with an abundance of LNG in the market, access to clean, reliable power is lacking in many regions of the world. Integrated power solutions are key to reducing energy poverty,” said Daniel Bustos, Excelerate’s CCO. “We are fortunate to have Don join our team. As customers look for more integration in accessing reliable energy solutions, his experience and expertise support our expanding project development portfolio.” With more than 30 years of experience in the finance and energy infrastructure sectors, Hubbard has developed LNG to Power projects, LNG regas terminals, gas pipelines, and both greenfield power plant and power plant conversion projects. In addition, Antonio Pinho has joined the team as Commercial Director for Brazil. He joined the company on 4th March, 2021, and will provide new leadership for Excelerate’s Rio de Janeiro office. Since 2012, Excelerate has provided regasification services to Brazil, complementing the country’s hydropower and diminishing pipeline imports.

Chinese newbuildings

China’s Shenzhen Gas has signed a contract to build an LNGC at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. The newbuilding will be of 79,960 cu m and marks Shenzhen Gas’ entry into LNGC owning. She will be fitted with GTT’s NO96 containment system The contract includes an option for another vessel and will serve Shenzhen’s terminal at Yantian, which has an annual capacity of 800,000 tonnes. Hudong is already building two similar LNGCs for Japan’s K-Line, under a charter contract to Petronas. These 239 m long vessels and 9 m draught LNGCs will feature WinGD’s dual-fuel X-DF engine and also GTT’s NO96 containment system. Another contract revealed involved Shenzhen-based Equator Fund placing an order with China Merchants Heavy Industry for the construction of a 45,000 cu m LNGC. This LNGC will be fitted the LNT A-Box design, and delivery is scheduled in 2023. BW LNG has taken delivery of a new LNGC, ‘BW Lesmes’ from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME). Through its social media channels, BW LNG said that vessel has a capacity of 174,000 cu m of LNG and is powered by an ME-GI dual-fuel 2-stroke engine with reliquefaction capabilities. Elsewhere, Turkey’s new Botas owned FSRU, ’Ertugrul Gazi’, has left Hyundai Heavy Industry’s shipyard. She was originally due to arrive in Turkey at the end of last year. Brokers have reported that the 126,190 cu m 1981-built LNGC ‘Ramdane Abane’ has been sold for recycling for just under $4 mill on the basis of ‘as is’ Arzew, Algeria.