Brownie points for US player’s part in achieving first LNG at Mexico’s offshore project

Chart Industries, a global solutions provider for clean energy and industrial gas segments, has received recognition for the role its technology played in reaching the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at New Fortress Energy’s (NFE) floating LNG (FLNG) facility off the coast of Altamira, Mexico.

According to Chart, its integrated pre-cooled single mixed refrigerant (IPSMR) process was responsible for last week’s delivery of the first LNG at its FLNG 1 unit, dubbed “the fastest large-scale LNG project ever developed” by NFE. Created in partnership with CFE, Mexico’s state-owned electric utility, the project is expected to help expand LNG supply to Baja California Sur and create a new FLNG hub off the east coast of Mexico.

NFE’s proprietary Fast LNG design was used in the process, pairing the latest advancements in Chart’s modular liquefaction technology with jack-up rigs or similar offshore infrastructure to enable a faster deployment schedule than traditional liquefaction facilities.

Wes Edens, Chairman and CEO of New Fortress Energy, said: “We appreciate our long-standing partnership with Chart Industries who played a pivotal role in our offshore development in Altamira. First LNG represents a transformative moment for NFE and the industry as a whole, and reaffirms our position as a fully integrated leader in the global LNG market.”

With a production capacity of 1.4 mtpa in a single train or around 70 TBtus, the terminal is anticipated to play a key role in supplying low-cost LNG to NFE’s downstream terminal customers.

Jill Evanko, Chart’s CEO and President, noted: “We are proud to support NFE and the industry with our modular liquefaction technology and all mission critical equipment, including brazed aluminum heat exchangers, cold boxes and air coolers. We congratulate NFE for this success of First LNG, and we look forward to further supporting the industry with our modular, adaptable, resilient and cost-effective technology and products.”

The FLNG 1 unit comprises three rigs, Pioneer I, II, and III – a gas processing module, a liquefaction rig, and a utilities and accommodation rig, respectively. Pioneer II arrived on site in October 2023 and achieved its first gas a month later. While the company hoped to start producing LNG in late June, the milestone was achieved last week.