Houston-based Oceaneering International has been awarded a contract by LNG carrier owner Golar LNG for a build, inspection and maintenance programme for a floating LNG (FLNG) vessel
Under the contract that commenced in January, Oceaneering International is providing an asset register build, a full maintenance build programme, a risk-based inspection assessment, and is developing a corrosion management strategy.
In describing the programme, Oceaneering International said it will add valuable insight through thorough forensic maintenance and inspection planning, detailed technical reviews and identify schedule improvements. This will be integrated into a single management system to ensure a holistic, cohesive approach for optimal asset reliability.
Engineers from Oceaneering’s Norway and UK asset integrity hubs are working collaboratively to manage the comprehensive maintenance and inspection programme.
“FLNG technology offers an economical alternative to large, onshore LNG assets, but these benefits can only be attained if production uptime and reliability are optimised,” said Oceaneering integrity director Helen West. “By delivering a fully integrated maintenance and risk-based integrity programme that determines optimised inspection activities, we ensure enhanced reliability; future proofing it with rightsized maintenance plans and efficient inspection enactment,” Ms West added.
FLNG vessels can remain on station for up to 25 years, often being moored in remote offshore locations, and their hulls are designed with a service life of up to 50 years. This makes proper maintenance and inspection critical.
Golar LNG owns two FLNG vessels, one of which is in operation and the other under conversion. Converted in 2017 at Singapore’s Keppel Shipyard, FLNG Hilli Episeyo began producing LNG off the coast of Cameroon in 2018. Golar LNG has the FLNG vessel under charter to Perenco Cameroon until Q2 2026.
Golar LNG also owns the Moss-type LNG carrier Gimi, currently under conversion to an FLNG vessel at Keppel Shipyard. When completed in 2022, the vessel will go on a 20-year charter to BP, producing LNG offshore Mauritania and Senegal in West Africa until 2042.
A Moss-type LNG carrier owned by Golar LNG, Gandria, is a candidate for conversion to an FLNG.
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