TMC’s compressors chosen for FLNG Hilli

Compressor supplier Tamrotor Marine Compressors (TMC) has been awarded a contract by Golar LNG for the provision of air compressors for the Hilli FLNG vessel which will operate offshore Cameroon.

FLNG Hilli is currently undergoing a conversion from an ex-LNG carrier to a floating LNG (FLNG) production unit at the Keppel Shipyard in Singapore.

TMC said on Tuesday that the scope of work includes manufacturing and delivery of seven 365 kW Smart Air compressors to be installed on board the FLNG Hilli. The company did not disclose the value of the contract.

According to TMC, Smart Air compressors offer 50 percent energy saving compared to conventional compressors.

Per Kjellin, managing director of TMC, said: “Golar LNG’s life-of-field approach to the on-board compressed air system will enable them to significantly reduce both energy costs and harmful emissions. This type of thinking contributes towards making offshore field developments even more economically viable.”

FLNG Hilli is scheduled to start operations at the Kribi field offshore Cameroon later this year. Golar LNG will provide liquefaction, storage, and off-loading services under a tolling agreement to Cameroon’s state-owned oil and gas company Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures and Perenco Cameroon as upstream joint venture partners.

It is anticipated that the allocated reserves will be produced at a rate of 1.2 million tons of LNG per annum, over an eight-year period.

“FLNG Hilli is a big installation that requires major compressor power. Although the vessel will be located in benign, near-shore waters, it is still an offshore environment that places strict demands on operational uptime – especially given the project’s ambitious production targets,” added Kjellin.

The contract award to TMC comes in quick succession after a contract by Sembcorp Marine was awarded to the company in late January for the provision of compressed air systems for the world’s largest crane vessel – Heerema’s Sleipnir.