Global LNG Services (GLS) is teaming up with Siemens and SembCorp Marine on its floating liquefaction platform, the Liqui-Max vessel, that will see Sembcorp Marine to participate with Siemens to build and deliver the first Liqui-Max vessel, destined for GLS’s Main Pass Energy Hub gas export terminal.
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Illustration of the Liqui-Max system, from GLS. |
GLS says the Liqui-Max requires minimum customization and enable developers of LNG export projects in remote locations without infrastructure to achieve low costs and high cost control.
GLS´s protected technology enables large-scale, commercially attractive production of LNG worldwide, the company says. The Liqui-Max vessel, at 380m total length, will produce 12 MTPA. The budgetary quotes for the 12 MTPA vessel are less than US$3.5 billion, or less than $300 per tonne of LNG per annum (TPA).
GLS says it has reached a cost breakthrough for the Liqui-Max, and will be able to offer floating tolling fees at a floor level as low as $1.75 per MMBtu.
The Liqui-Max vessel uses air cooling and nitrogen coolant to ensure full compliance with the strictest environmental and safety standards. Pre-cooling enables efficiency at the same level as any mixed-refrigerant liquefaction process. The Liqui-Max is a fully standardized vessel using only field-proven components, with pre-processing of the gas being done off the vessel. Construction costs for the Liqui-Max will benefit from series production, enabling further cost reduction. The global market for Liqui-Max Vessels is estimated at 20-40 vessels producing 6-12 MTPA based on projects currently considered for development.
GLS is in discussions with both Siemens and Sembcorp Marine regarding memorandums of understanding (MoU), which are expected to be signed over the next few weeks.
“Sembcorp Marine is very pleased to collaborate with GLS on the development of the Liqui-Max vessel,” says Sembcorp Marine Head of Rigs & Floaters, William Gu. “We believe this floating liquefaction solution can contribute to making LNG more globally accessible as a greener fuel alternative. With our engineering expertise and integrated production capabilities at the Sembcorp Marine Tuas Boulevard Yard, we look forward to supporting the construction of the Liqui-Max vessels.”
For GLS, Siemens is offering topside modules for a LNG liquefaction vessel in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Siemens’ vast portfolio enables us to flexibly and reliably supply any solution for the LNG market,” says Dan Kinsey, Vice President Global LNG for Siemens. “We are proud to be the partner of choice for topside modules for the Main Pass Energy Hub project and potentially for future projects.”
GLS, with Siemens and SembCorp Marine are entering the permitting phase of the GLS-owned Main Pass Energy Hub in the US Gulf of Mexico. The final investment decision will be taken early 2019, with production startup in 2023. The Main Pass Energy Hub will be licensed as an LNG export terminal and the location off the coast of Louisiana is ideal both for supply of gas and LNG carrier sailing patterns. Main Pass Energy Hub will utilize two 12 MTPA Liqui-Max vessels. Overall development cost (including pre-processing) is estimated to be less than $9 billion, or less than $380 per TPA – compared to $600 per TPA or more for competing projects.
The GLS industry partner model ensures alignment of incentives, low risk and on budget / on time project execution with performance guarantees for production and energy consumption levels.
GLS is being advised by market leading professionals in offshore floating process system contracting strategy, procurement and financing and has engaged the services of Clarksons Platou Offshore in this capacity.
Erik Arthur, Managing Director, Clarksons Platou Offshore says “…with its Liqui-Max vessel technology, GLS’s Main Pass Energy Hub project appears to be a very significant development in the large scale FLNG export terminal market. We are proud to have been invited by GLS to assist them and Sembcorp Marine in connection with the realization and construction of the first Liqui-Max vessels.”
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