The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its innovative Multi-purpose Liquefied Natural Gas Floating Offshore (MLF-O) facility, a next-generation solution designed for deepwater LNG production.
Deepwater LNG Innovation
The MLF-O is specifically engineered for deepwater areas with wave heights up to nine meters, offering a cost-effective and faster-to-deploy alternative to traditional onshore LNG plants. This makes it suitable for challenging offshore gas field development projects.
Design Features and Efficiency Gains
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The cargo hold is configured in two rows, significantly minimizing internal shock from sloshing.
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Standardization of the LNG cargo hold and hull allows for scalable capacity—from 180,000 to 220,000 cubic meters.
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The modular and standardized approach also enhances production speed and lowers construction costs.
The MLF-O follows SHI’s earlier MLF-N design introduced in 2023 for nearshore environments with lower wave activity.
Global Deployment Goals
Both the MLF-O and MLF-N are aimed at overseas LNG field developments, reflecting SHI’s strategic intent to remain a leader in the floating LNG (FLNG) market.
Hae-Ki Jang, SHI’s VP of Technology Development, emphasized that MLF-O provides a “cost-optimized and fast-delivery” solution that aligns with evolving customer needs.
ABS Endorsement and Role in Offshore Gas Development
ABS, a global authority in offshore classification and safety, conducted comprehensive design reviews based on statutory and class standards before issuing the AIP.
Patrick Ryan, ABS CTO, highlighted the importance of collaborating with forward-thinking partners like SHI, stressing ABS’s continued commitment to safe and reliable offshore energy infrastructure.
The MLF-O design approval represents a key step in expanding the capabilities of offshore LNG production, offering a robust, standardized solution for deepwater operations. With the support of ABS, Samsung Heavy Industries is poised to strengthen its leadership in the global FLNG market.
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Source: ABS
