Lifting operation wraps up for ‘core’ piece of Eni’s Congo LNG project

China-based provider of clean energy services Wison New Energies (WNE) has hoisted the first self-supporting prismatic shape IMO type-B (SPB) tank for Eni’s Congo liquefied natural gas (LNG) project into hull cargo hold space at the Nantong yard.

The SPB tank, designed and constructed by WNE and intended for the Marine XII Offshore floating LNG (FLNG) project (Congo FLNG), is said to be the world’s largest SPB tank. The construction started in February 2023, with the upper and lower bodies of the tank closed in July, around the time when the topside fabrication began. The installation of the tank, which Wison described as “the core equipment” of Eni’s Congo LNG project, was finalized on March 2, 2024.

Zeng Xiaogang, WNE SPB Tank Manager, noted: “This lifting operation received strong support from Eni. Referring to offshore lifting regulations, we conducted a detailed analysis and rigorous demonstration of the lifting plan, which ensured the safe implementation of this special lifting operation at the technical level.”

The tank is 45 meters long and 44.9 meters wide, with a main body height of 24 meters and a total height of over 31 meters. According to WNE, the volume of 45,000 cubic meters and total weight of over 1,400 tonnes make it the highest and largest independent lifting component in the project.

“In addition, thanks to the meticulous deployment of large-scale construction leadership team and efficient coordination among project teams and various cross-function departments, the entire lifting operation was completed within 4 hours, with approximately a hundred pair of supporting/chocking systems mated perfectly,” added Xiaogang.

Following the completion of the first SPB tank hoisting operation, the Nantong yard aims to install the remaining three SPB tanks for the Congo LNG project by the end of March. Eni’s Congo LNG is said to be the first natural gas liquefaction project in Congo. The Italian oil major hired Saipem a few months ago to convert a rig into a floating production unit (FPU) for the project.

The expected LNG production capacity, starting from 2025, will be 3 million tonnes per year, or approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters/year. Apart from being used for the country’s power generation needs, the LNG is also meant to be exported to international markets, focusing on Europe.