Samsung Heavy Industries develops next-generation FLNG

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries has developed a new model for its floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) production facility, aimed at maintaining its dominance in the market. The company is targeting customers seeking shorter delivery times with its next-generation FLNG model.

Samsung Heavy Industries announced on Tuesday that it had obtained basic certification for the multi-purpose LNG floater-nearshore (MLF-N), a floating body independent model, from a Norwegian classification agency DNV at the Offshore Technology Conference 2023 in Houston in the US.

FLNG is a composite ocean plant that extracts, refines and liquefies natural gas, allowing it to be stored and unloaded at sea.

Samsung Heavy Industries currently has a competitive advantage in the market, having won orders for four out of the five FLNG ship orders placed worldwide. The company is also participating in the basic design of multiple FLNG projects currently under development.

The MLF-N model was developed in response to demand for a faster and more economical FLNG model than onshore plants, due to the recent increase in exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from major producing countries.

Samsung Heavy Industries' new FLNG model standardizes specifications and linearizes the shape of the LNG cargo hold and surrounding hull. It can support approximately 50,000 tons of natural gas liquefaction modules and other upper plant equipment, from below.

"We will continue to lead FLNG technology through customer-oriented technological innovation," said Jang Hae-gi, Chief Technology Officer of Samsung Heavy Industries' Technology Development Division. 

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com