Samsung Heavy Industries Launches ‘PFLNG TIGA,’ Setting New Standards in Offshore LNG Production

Samsung Heavy Industries has held a launching ceremony of the “PFLNG TIGA,” a floating LNG production facility ordered by Malaysia’s Petronas in December 2022. The event, held at Samsung’s shipyard on Feb. 26, was attended by over 150 people, including key representatives from Petronas, underscoring the importance of this project in the global LNG market.

The PFLNG TIGA is an impressive engineering feat, measuring 281 meters in length, 64 meters in width, and 32 meters in depth, and weighs 50 thousand tons. Once operational, it is expected to produce 2.1 million tons of gas annually starting from May 2027, off the coast of the Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park in Sabah, Malaysia. This facility represents a significant advancement in the use of floating LNG production technology, which allows for the development of gas fields that are too remote or small for traditional onshore facilities.

Following the launch, Samsung Heavy Industries plans to moor the PFLNG TIGA at the quay to install the hull interior and LNG storage tanks. A critical phase of the project involves the installation of approximately 40,000 tons of plant facilities on the topside. In collaboration with Japan’s JGC, Samsung has fabricated 11 modules ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 tons. The installation of these modules is scheduled to be completed by February 2027, after which the facility will be ready for further operations.

Samsung Heavy Industries has established itself as a leader in the construction of FLNGs, having secured 5 out of 9 FLNG orders worldwide. Ahn Young-kyu, Executive Vice President and Head of the Offshore Business Division at Samsung Heavy Industries, emphasized the company’s competitive edge, stating, “Samsung Heavy Industries maintains overwhelming competitiveness by securing 5 out of 9 FLNG orders worldwide.”

The strategic importance of this project is also highlighted by Petronas’s commitment to enhancing Malaysia’s position in the low-carbon energy sector. Datuk Adif Zulkifli, vice president of Petronas Gas & New Energy, remarked, “FLNG not only offers an optimized method for offshore gas development but also contributes to enhancing the position of the low-carbon energy sector within Malaysia.”
Source: Business Korea