Powering the next generation of floating LNG

Golar LNG’s next-generation facility is scheduled to enter service off Argentina’s Atlantic coast in 2028. Currently under construction in China, the Golar Mk II Esperanza is being created by converting an LNG carrier into a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) production unit capable of producing 3.5 million metric tons of LNG per year.

“It’s an evolution of the FLNG experience we’ve gained over the years,” says Igor Tegeltija, Package Responsible for Golar LNG, one of the pioneers of FLNG vessels, “but with higher capacity and efficiency.”

Building on lessons learned from Golar’s Hilli and Gimi, the Esperanza represents the company’s latest step in scaling up what floating LNG production can achieve. To power it, Golar selected Everllence’s 49/60DF four-stroke dual-fuel engines, capable of running on both natural gas and liquid fuel.

Powering LNG production at sea

“Power generation is the backbone of the whole FLNG system,” says Tegeltija. “We call it essential power. Without it, we can’t produce—and every interruption comes at a cost.”

Producing LNG directly at sea is one of the most demanding applications for power generation. Whether connected to existing gas infrastructure or moored over a gas field in the open ocean, these vast floating liquefaction facilities operate around the clock, treating, cooling, storing, and offloading natural gas—often under harsh conditions. At the heart of it all lies a reliable and efficient power-generation system.

The process of turning natural gas into LNG depends on cooling the gas to -162℃. To explain the principle, Tegeltija uses a simple analogy: “Think of a big refrigerator. A refrigerant circulates through compressors and heat exchangers, carrying heat away from the natural gas until it becomes liquid. The process can runs continuously for years.”

Why reliability matters in FLNG operations

In reality, the process is vastly more complex and operates on an industrial scale. Power generation has to go hand in hand with compressors, cooling systems, auxiliary equipment, and lubrication systems that keep the facility running. “All this plays a big role in having a stable production,” says Tegeltija, who was closely involved in the development of the Mk II’s power-generation system. “That is what reliability means for us in practical terms.”

Meeting the continuously high power demand of an FLNG facility requires an engine platform designed for reliability, explains Tord Tunstad, Head of New Sales at Everllence Norway. The 49/60DF achieves this in part through its large-bore design. “This large-bore engine generates 1,300 kilowatts of power per cylinder, meaning fewer cylinders are required, and fewer components means better reliability.” Tunstad also emphasizes that the 49/60DF is based on an engine platform with millions of operating hours. “It incorporates new technologies, but the core of the engine is proven.”

Designing for continuous offshore operation

Reliability, however, is not only about long-term operation. “Load changes can be critical in emergency situations, so you need engines that can pick up the load quickly,” says Tunstad. The 49/60DF provides an advantage in such scenarios. “With its dual-fuel capability, you can always switch to liquid mode, to diesel mode, and then the reaction of the engine is even quicker. That’s embedded in the design.”

Unlike a conventional vessel, an FLNG facility cannot simply sail into port when maintenance is required. There are no port calls, no easy access to spare parts, and little tolerance for unplanned shutdowns. For that reason, redundancy is built into the power-generation system, says Tunstad. With three engines on board, maintenance can be performed on one engine while the other two continue to supplying power to the facility.

Why Golar selected the 49/60DDF dual-fuel engine

When evaluating power generation technologies for the Esperanza, Golar selected the 49/60DF due to an overall balance of factors, says Tegeltija. “It’s about efficiency, power output, reliability, emissions and how it integrates into this overall FLNG design”. 

One key advantage was its dual-fuel capability. With natural gas processed on the facility itself serving as the primary fuel source, the 49/60DF also provides flexibility for scenarios such as start-up sequences or interruptions in the gas supply system.

Balancing efficiency, emissions, and safety

Besides reliability and flexibility, fuel efficiency and emissions performance played a role in Golar’s decision. With the facility expected to operate continuously for decades and often close to full load, even small gains in fuel consumption can have a meaningful impact over its lifetime. 

As the LNG market places increasing emphasis on reducing its carbon footprint, power-generation efficiency is becoming an even more important factor, says Dominik Thoma, Global Manager LNG Cargo at Everllence. "With efficiencies above 51 percent, dual-fuel engines offer a significant advantage over typical gas turbines, making them a highly attractive solution for future FLNG projects."

“With the 49/60DF, we have a new dual-fuel platform where the fuel consumption and emissions, namely methane slip, are best in class,” says Tunstad. 

Safety was another key consideration. Operating in a potentially ignitable atmosphere places particular demands on the power-generation system. Everllence addressed this through engineering and extensive testing, explains Tegeltija, with a comprehensive safety system designed to monitor operations and react quickly in the event of a hazardous scenario.

The future of FLNG power generation

For Tegeltija, the collaboration with Everllence reflects the kind of partnership that complex projects demand. “Our discussions have always been technical, solution-oriented, and transparent,” he says, “which I believe is the best way to get a good final quality product.”

As LNG demand continues in many parts of the world and remote gas resources become increasingly attractive, reliable offshore power generation remains one of the foundations on which FLNG production depends. And as FLNG projects increase in scale and complexity, both Tegeltija and Tunstad see a growing role for dual-fuel engines in future FLNG projects—helping make them more scalable, standardized, and efficient.

About the author

Niels Anner is an independent journalist based in Copenhagen. He writes about science, health, technology, business and society in Northern Europe.