KBR, ConocoPhillips partner on mid-scale LNG solutions

US LNG engineer KBR and compatriot ConocoPhillips are working on the design of a mid-scale liquefied natural gas train that is expected to be available for new projects starting in 2019.

KBR and ConocoPhillips have agreed to complete a front-end engineering and design (FEED) quality reference design for a mid-scale capacity LNG train (1.5 – 3.0 MTPA) suitable for a wide range of feed gas and ambient temperature conditions, according to a KBR statement on Monday.

The integrated design approach will utilize ConocoPhillips’ optimized cascade process technology and will be constructed with integrated modularized construction.

Work began with ConocoPhillips in 2017 with KBR applying their SmartSPENDSM methodology to achieve cost reductions for LNG facilities using the optimized cascade process technology, the statement said.

“Building on this experience and responding to demand in the marketplace, the parties decided to focus on developing a mid-scale LNG solution that achieves low unit costs and fast deployment while maintaining high efficiency and operability,” KBR said.

The duo will also continue to cooperate on large scale LNG trains utilizing similar methodology and technology.

KBR has delivered approximately one third of the world’s current LNG production capacity and has been consistently active in the LNG industry for over 40 years, the statement said.

The ConocoPhillips optimized cascade process is utilized in LNG plants producing about 23 percent of the world LNG supply, it said.