On June 2, Samsung Heavy Industries announced that its recent FLNG contract pertains to the first FLNG construction project for the Delfin LNG project in Louisiana, USA.
The Delfin FLNG, which Samsung Heavy Industries has secured, marks the first FLNG project in U.S. history, with a contract value of $2.9 billion (4.33 trillion won).
The Delfin LNG project breaks away from traditional reliance on large land-based LNG plants, adopting a multiple operational approach that involves deploying several FLNG units of the same specifications. Currently, three FLNG units are planned for order.
This method offers advantages such as distributing initial investment burdens and allowing for flexible production adjustments based on market conditions. Industry experts view it as a new LNG production model with competitive advantages over land-based LNG projects.
The Delfin FLNG is designed as a hybrid model that combines the economic benefits of nearshore FLNG with stability in offshore environments.
The upper plant utilizes a slim structure that receives pre-processed gas from land, reducing construction costs, and is equipped with a living quarters for 120 personnel and a mooring system to ensure stable operations approximately 75 kilometers offshore from Louisiana.
Additionally, eco-friendly technologies such as an air-cooled cooling system and a combined power generation system have been implemented. Notably, the FLNG is equipped with self-navigation capabilities to escape hazardous areas during hurricanes, enhancing safety.
Samsung Heavy Industries attributes its ability to execute such advanced design and technology to its long-standing expertise in integrated FLNG operations.
A company representative stated, "The Delfin project is significant as Samsung Heavy Industries will independently carry out the entire EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) process for the first time, leading series construction. We aim to drive the 'FLNG production era' by applying optimized designs and solutions proposed proactively by Samsung Heavy Industries to achieve groundbreaking cost reductions and flawless quality."
Meanwhile, Samsung Heavy Industries has secured seven out of eleven newly ordered FLNGs globally, including the Prelude, the world's largest FLNG, achieving a 64% market share. Negotiations for subsequent orders related to the Delfin project are also ongoing.
Samsung Heavy Industries offers a comprehensive lineup across the LNG value chain, from FLNG (production, liquefaction, and offloading) to LNG carriers and LNG-FSRUs (supply), providing integrated LNG solutions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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