Norway’s liquefied natural gas shipping company Golar LNG Limited has executed and made effective agreements with Singapore’s Keppel Shipyard Limited for conversion of the 125,000 m3 LNG carrier Golar Gimi to a floating liquefaction facility (FLNGV). The contract is worth approximately USD 705 million.
The conversion award of the Gimi marks the exercise of the first of two options, which were part of an earlier firm contract awarded by Golar to Keppel Shipyard for the conversion of another Moss LNG carrier, the Hilli, into an FLNGV.
The work scope for Keppel Shipyard in converting the Gimi is similar to that for the Hilli. Keppel Shipyard will provide the design, detailed engineering and procurement of the marine systems and all of the conversion-related construction services. Keppel Shipyard will once again engage Black & Veatch to provide design, procurement and commissioning support services for the topsides, as well as the liquefaction process utilising its PRICO technology.
Full construction activities of the Gimi will only commence when Keppel Shipyard receives a notice to proceed, expected to be issued no later than November 2015. In the meantime, orders for long-lead primary equipment such as gas turbines and cold boxes will be placed. The Golar Gimi FLNGV is expected to be delivered around 33 months after receipt of the notice to proceed.
Golar LNG anticipates that the conversion vessel Gimi will be delivered to Keppel Shipyard in Singapore as early as Q2, 2015.