The Oslo-listed outfit will conduct a pre-FEED study into a unit capable of producing 2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG for a North American export project, it announced today.
Work will be carried out in the second half of this year withthe potential for a full FEED study in 2014, it said.
The shale gas revolution has seen North America flip from anLNG importer to a continent now planning numerous LNG export projects.
Although Hoegh is coy on the project involved, TradeWindsunderstands it to be in Western Canada.
Unlike floating regasification, floating liquefaction is yetto become a commercial reality though the keel has already been laid for Shell’sgiant 4.5 mtpa Prelude LNG floater at Samsung Heavy Industries.
But Hoegh is working on opportunities at the smaller end ofthe FLNG market, Sveinung Stohle, CEO, tells TradeWinds.
The purpose-built unit would be moored at a jetty, eliminatingthe need for costly technology needed for floaters operating in the open sea, he says.
Stohle has previously pegged thecost of building an FLNG barge at around $800 to $1000 per tonne.
Despite today’s deal Hoegh LNG is sticking to its target ofwinning two pre-FEED contracts for near-shore projects this year and says it isworking on a second deal for a project outside of North America, Stohle said.
