Golar LNG, with its focus on Floating LNG, celebrated a milestone as its Cameroon-based FLNG unit completed the offloading of its 100th cargo. The unit, officially known as the Hilli Episeyo, unloaded this significant LNG cargo, emphasizing its capacity of 2.4 million tonnes per annum. This cargo was transferred to the Energy Integrity, a vessel with a capacity of 173,400 cubic meters and currently under charter to SEFE Marketing & Trading, previously associated with Gazprom, the primary receiver of LNG from the floating unit.
The Hilli Episeyo is distinguished as the world's pioneering LNG carrier-to-FLNG conversion, integrating the original LNG carrier name with the local term for "hope." Golar's efforts in Cameroon made the country the 20th LNG exporting nation in 2018. Presently, this FLNG unit seems to have outperformed the other five operational LNG floaters globally in cargo production, maintaining exceptional commercial uptime since its contract initiation, as per Golar's statement.
CEO Karl-Fredrik Staubo highlighted the vessel's unparalleled performance, attributing it to nearly 5.5 years of collaboration between Golar, Perenco, and the Cameroonian government. Nonetheless, the unit is not operating at full capacity due to insufficient feedgas. Golar has started discussions about potentially redeploying the Hilli after its contract with Perenco expires in July 2026.
Staubo emphasized the increasing value of FLNG in the current energy market, allowing the monetization of untapped gas reserves and addressing the global necessity for energy diversification and security.
Golar is currently preparing to deliver its second LNG carrier-to-FLNG unit conversion for BP's Greater Tortue Gimi project in Mauritania and Senegal. This unit is undergoing final preparations in Singapore and is set to depart this month, although any project delays might impact the schedule.
