Africa’s Second Ultra-Deepwater Gas Facility
Secured 6 Out of 10 New Global FLNG Orders
Choi Sung-ahn: “We Aim to Secure 1 to 2 Units Annually”
Samsung Heavy Industries has launched its second floating liquefied natural gas production facility (FLNG) to be operated at the Coral gas field off the northern coast of Mozambique, Africa.
On January 16, Samsung Heavy Industries announced that it held a launching ceremony for the FLNG "Coral Norte," ordered by Italian state-owned energy company ENI, at its shipyard in Geoje, Gyeongnam. The event was attended by approximately 80 officials, including Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries Choi Sung-ahn, Mozambique Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Estevao Pale, ENI Chief Operating Officer Guido Brusco, and JGC President Yamada Shoji.
On the 16th, officials are taking a commemorative photo at the launching ceremony of the Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Production Facility (FLNG) "Coral Norte" held at a shipyard in Geoje, Gyeongnam.
Coral Norte is the second ultra-large FLNG following "Coral Sul," Africa's first ultra-deepwater FLNG, which Samsung Heavy Industries received an order for from ENI in 2017 and delivered in 2021. The vessel measures 432 meters in length and 66 meters in width, with a launch weight of 123,000 tons, making it the largest single offshore gas production facility in the world.
Samsung Heavy Industries and ENI have been proceeding with the project since signing a preliminary construction agreement worth 869.4 billion won in July 2024. The targeted completion date is 2028. Coral Norte will be deployed off the coast of Mozambique, Africa, to handle the production, storage, and offloading of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Samsung Heavy Industries is strengthening its position in the offshore plant sector by focusing on FLNGs. Out of the 10 newly ordered FLNGs worldwide to date, the company has secured orders for six. It has delivered a total of four units, including Shell's "Prelude," known as the world's largest FLNG, and is currently building two more at the Geoje shipyard: Coral Norte and the third FLNG for Malaysia's Petronas.
Samsung Heavy Industries' launched 'Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Production Facility (FLNG)' 'Prelude'. Samsung Heavy Industries
The potential for additional orders is also increasing. U.S.-based Delfin Midstream recently extended the letter of agreement (LOA) with Samsung Heavy Industries for the construction of an FLNG to be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico, and stated that the final investment decision (FID) will be made soon.
Choi Sung-ahn, CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, said, "With global LNG demand on the rise, approvals for offshore gas production facilities are continuously increasing," adding, "Considering our construction capabilities, we plan to secure one to two FLNG orders each year."
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