Shell’s Prelude FLNG kicks off production

Shell’s giant Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility located offshore Western Australia has started production on Tuesday, December 25. 

The Hague-based LNG giant said the facility located 475 kilometers north-northeast of Broome now enters start-up, ramp-up, which is the initial phase of production where gas and condensate is produced and is moved through the facility.

“Once this has concluded the facility will be stabilized for reliable production of LPG and LNG,” the statement reads.

The company said it is currently focusing on providing a controlled environment to ensure reliable and safe operation.

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.