GDF Suez has selected KBR to design an FLNG production vessel for its Bonaparte LNG project offshore Darwin, Australia, KBR announced on 8 November 2012.
The contract is part of an initial concept definition design competition for the vessel. KBR said the award pre-qualifies the company as a contender for the delivery phase of the project.
Concept definition work is already underway at KBR's London operations center. It is expected to take up to 12 months, the Houston-based company said.
Bonaparte LNG is a joint venture between GDF Suez (60%) and Australia's Santos (40%). The FLNG plant will be installed in the Bonaparte Basin of the Timor Sea, 250km west of Darwin.
GDF Suez estimates that the Bonaparte basin, consisting of the Frigate, Tern and Petrel fields, holds 220 MMboe of gas resources and could produce 2 MPTA of LNG.
A Final investment decision is expected in 2014 with LNG production to follow in 2018.