Speaker Inter view

Addressing the Key Considerations behind Performing a FLNG Topside FEED Study
Chris Mole, Global Hydrocarbons Select Director for Worley Parsons, tell Bryan Camoens what some of the key considerations that need to be addressed when performing a FLNG topside FEED study. He also discusses WorleyParsons role in performing a topside FEED study for the FLNG project in Papua New Guinea. Bryan Camoens: What are some of the key considerations that need to be addressed when performing a FLNG topside FEED study? Chris Mole: FLNG is a new development in our industry. As such there are a number of elements that require additional consideration over and above the usual focus of a FEED project. These areas are in the safety of the facilities, integration between the topsides and hull, understanding the methods of designing and constructing large modules and integration between the subsea systems and the liquefaction process Bryan Camoens: WorleyParsons and Kanfa Aragon have been awarded the topsides front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the Elk-Antelope floating liquefied natural gas project could you please elaborate on the unique features of the project? Chris Mole: This project could well become the first operating FLNG vessel in the world. Its scale and location close to shore make it a low cost low risk first step for FLNG. The combination of a more benign marine environment and Kanfa Aragons proprietary liquefaction technology both act to mitigate concerns that exist in other designs over the impact of motion. The liquefaction process is also extremely safe, having no liquid refrigerants, and this, combined with the near shore location, allows us to design facilities that have a high degree of inherent safety for the operators. Having the FLNG vessel moored to a near shore jetty allows us to optimise the onshore and offshore processing facilities and manning levels to maximise capital efficiency and minimise risk to personnel. Bryan Camoens: How do you go about detailing WorleyParsons role in performing a topside FEED study for the FLNG project in PNG? Chris Mole: For this project our partners, Kanfa Aragon, had already completed a significant amount of work developing the generic FLNG design for Flex. With our proven large project experience we were able to quickly work with Kanfa Aragon to identify which parts of the design needed more effort to complete the transition from a generic to a field specific design. Our work in an integrated team with Kanfa Aragon meant that we could take an holistic view of the design and eliminate any interface issues that may have otherwise affected project quality. Bryan Camoens: In your opinion what are the key challenges in choosing the right technology for topsides in FLNG?

Chris Mole: Carrying out technology selection requires people who are experienced and knowledgeable in both the technologies being considered and the application in which the technology will be used. In the context of FLNG it is key to take an integrated view of technology selection, making sure that you have set the boundaries of your study sufficiently wide to cover all areas impacted. For example the liquefaction technology selection also needs to encompass the end flash and boil off gas systems. You then need an agreed set of criteria to use to compare the technologies efficiency, safety, CAPEX, OPEX, etc and a method of comparing these varying criteria on a common basis. Bryan Camoens: How do you go about addressing the main roadblocks to ensure smooth transition to final investment decision for the project Chris Mole: From the perspective of an engineering contractor we need to assist our clients in two main areas to ensure a smooth transition to FID. These are: 1. to ensure that the design as presented is technically feasible and is supported by robust cost and schedule data 2. to ensure that all risks have been identified and appropriate mitigations put in place We have a well developed project execution process that delivers technically proven solutions that also are robust against the inherent risks involved in developing new designs such as FLNG. In this way we can give our client the maximum opportunity to progress through FID and onto a successfully operating facility. Bryan Camoens: In your opinion, what are some of the current trends in FLNG that is shaping the future of the sector? Chris Mole: In the early days of FLNG the designs presented attempted to take advantage of the economies of scale presented by both the increased capacity of baseload onshore LNG plants and the use of generic designs. Recent trends have shown a divergence in the market some consortia continuing with the large generic designs whilst other, more nimble, consortia are adopting a wide range of possible configurations for their FLNG vessel as well as a variety of different contracting and commercial strategies. My view is that the FLNG market will prove to be sufficiently large to accommodate both the large scale developments and the smaller, more bespoke, developments such as the work we have been executing in PNG Email enquiry@iqpc.com.sg to register for the 8th Annual FLNG Asia Pacific Summit that Chris will be speaking at or visit www.flngsummit.com for the complete list of speakers and topics that will be discussed at the 8th Annual FLNG Asia Pacific Summit.