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Bluesky FLNG to cooperate with Chinese shipbuilder

LNG Industry,


Bluesky FLNG is to cooperate with Chinese shipbuilder in order to convert crude carriers into floating liquefied natural gas platforms.

Conversion of carriers

Chairman of Bluesky FLNG Corporation (Bluesky FLNG), Mr. Nobu Su, has announced that the company’s patented technologies for FPSO systems and FLNG platforms, will be applied to a number of existing Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) and Very Large Ore/ Oil Carriers (VLOO).

This conversion plan is expected to bring significant added value to VLOOs, and will be implemented by one of China’s top ship building companies.

Bluesky FLNG entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2013 with its shipbuilding partner. While this is the first FLNG project in China, the cooperation may lead to further projects and joint efforts.

FPSO

The first application of FPSO will be on the Elephant series, a coated VLCC with dynamic positioning. The carrier, with its 5500 KW power generator and hybrid motor driven pump for loading and discharging crude oil, will cost approximately US$ 120 million.

A Monaco-based oil services company, international offshore oilfield services providers, and one of the world's largest marine energy transportation, storage and production companies, have all expressed an interest in purchasing the converted FPSO.

FLNG

The FLNG platform will be converted from the Whale series via a series of phases. Whale series are total coated carriers that are larger than VLCCs. These carriers are being converted to become among the world largest platforms, with an estimated length of 500 m.

Following completion of the installation work, the FLNG platforms will become the world's largest triple hull LNG ships, with a capacity of 450 000 DWT. The vessels are expected to generate significant value for the carrier owners. The time required to integrate the FLNG platform is estimated to be between 26 - 30 months.

To date, the FLNG platform has been tested under actual sea conditions using the existing Whale series for sloshing effect. Pre-feed tests related to the liquefaction process have been carried out by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, and the platform has also completed ship-to-ship transfer trials at sea.

Comments

Bluesky FLNG has been committed to assisting Asian companies better integrate into the global economy through innovative technologies. Su explained: "While the patented and patenting technologies are highly useful for adding value to VLCC/VLOO, I believe that both technologies will also help bolster China's ship building expertise. Moreover, our target is to offer the FLNG platform to the US, and Africa, specifically natural gas companies that require FLNG liquefaction capabilities, which we believe will improve the production efficiency of carriers and benefit the industry as a whole."


Edited from various sources by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/floating-lng/16052014/bluesky_flng_ship_conversions_603/

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