Shell still expects to launch Prelude FLNG production this year

Shell’s giant Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility located offshore Western Australia is still expected to produce its first cargo by the end of this year.

“We continue to progress Prelude towards operations with safety and quality being our main focus. We expect to see production around the end of the year,” a Shell spokesperson said via email on Thursday.

To remind, the FLNG – which is the largest of its kind with 488m in length and 74m in width – received its first cargo in June that was used to test processes and systems before the subsea wells were opened and before the start-up. Prelude FLNG also received its second cargo in October.

The FLNG facility is expected to stay moored at the Prelude gas field offshore Western Australia for 25 years. It is designed to produce 3.6 mtpa of LNG, 1.3 mtpa of condensate and 0.4 mtpa of LPG for export.

Once operational, Prelude FLNG will become the third FLNG unit in operation following Petronas’ PFLNG Satu and Golar’s converted FLNG Hilli Episeyo.

By Mirza Duran