ABS grants approval to Hyundai’s deepwater FLNG hull design

ABS, a provider of classification and technical advisory services, has granted an approval in principle (AIP) to Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) deepwater floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) hull design.

According to ABS, HHI advised that the Newbuilding Conversion FLNG hull design for offshore application can be constructed at less than half the cost of a conventional FLNG hull.

It is based on LNG carrier designs combined with the requirements for FLNG production, such as structural reinforcements to take topside module load and a hull designed to allow up to 25 years operation without dry-docking.

ABS Vice President Global Gas Solutions, Patrick Janssens: “We have partnered in leading innovation in the offshore sector for 60 years, and we are proud to enable this latest advanced deepwater FLNG Hull approach from HHI.”

ABS said that HHI developed a technically feasible FLNG hull approach. A low cost Near Shore FLNG Hull was developed and achieved ABS AIP in 2017. The same team from HHI and ABS has now worked to deliver this harsh environment Deepwater Hull to meet increasing market demand.

“In the current emerging gas market, a ready-to-convert offshore FLNG hull, with ABS certification, at affordable CAPEX is an important product for monetization of gas reserves around the globe. This new line-up from HHI responds to the requirements of operators and combines HHI’s unparalleled expertise in shipbuilding with ABS’ stringent safety evaluation,” said Hyungkwan Kim, Executive Vice President, Shipbuilding Division at HHI.

The design features a Barge-shaped Hull, a GTT Mark III containment system with storage for about 192,000 m3, and provisions to accommodate an internal turret and 45,000-ton of topside modules to deliver 2.5 MTPA of LNG.