Knutsen group added newly built LNG tanker to its fleet

Knutsen group added a newly built LNG tanker to its fleet this week.

174,000 cbm Gordon Waters Knutsen will go on long-term charter to French utility Engie and is the first of two vessels ordered by Engie. 

The LNG carrier is equipped with GTT’s Mark III Flex system, a reliquefaction unit, air lubrication system and engine manufacturer MAN Energy Systems’ new MEGA engine. The vessel, built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, marks the first of two vessels ordered by ENGIE.

The naming ceremony for Gordon Waters Knutsen was held in April this year.

In April, Knutsen LNG France took delivery of Grazyna Gesicka, a 174,000 cbm LNG carrier constructed by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries.

editor@lngworldwide.com

Baker Hughes to Supply 3 Liquefaction Trains for NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG Project

Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, announced Thursday it has been awarded an order by Bechtel Energy Inc. (Bechtel) – to be booked in the second quarter of 2023 – to supply three Main Refrigerant Compressors (MRCs) for NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG project in the Port of Brownsville, Texas.

In total, Baker Hughes will supply six Frame 7 gas turbines paired with 18 centrifugal compressors across Rio Grande’s first three LNG trains in a parallel configuration arrangement, providing more operational flexibility – for a nameplate capacity of 17.61 MTPA.

“This order builds on our longstanding relationship with Bechtel and is a significant milestone in our partnership with NextDecade, supporting them on this key LNG project,” said Ganesh Ramaswamy, executive vice president of Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes. “We are delighted that our proven and reliable technology solution will support the production of LNG in the U.S., which is crucial in balancing energy affordability, security and sustainability globally.”

The Baker Hughes gas technology solution chosen for Rio Grande LNG provides NextDecade with the highest production levels for the plant’s design, as well as operational flexibility and high availability. The Frame 7 gas turbine is well-proven for its energy efficiency, availability, reliability and maintainability.

Packaging of the turbine/compressor train, a unique Baker Hughes offering, as well as assembly of the compressors and testing of the trains, will take place at Baker Hughes’ facilities in Italy.

Building on almost 40 years of experience in the LNG space, Baker Hughes continues to help meet global energy demand by providing advanced, efficient and reliable solutions for the U.S. natural gas export sector. The announcement follows another recent contract awarded by Bechtel to Baker Hughes to supply two liquefaction trains for another LNG project in Texas, announced in March 2023.

editor@lngworldwide.com

First Gen Corp of Philippines awarded first cargo to Shell Eastern

First Gen Corporation has informed the Philippine Stock Exchange that it has awarded the first contract for its first LNG cargo to Shell Eastern LNG. Shell Eastern Energy will supply LNG cargo of about 154,500 cubic meters for the delivery window of August 1 and September 30, 2023.

This will be used by First Gen's existing gas-fired power plants in Batangas. First Gen has a portfolio of four existing gas-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 2,017 megawatts that have been supplied with gas from the Malampaya field.

The company has also previously announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Enrique Razon's Prime Infrastructure for the proposed lease and operation of its LNG terminal. 

First Gen and ABS-CBN are part of the Lopez Group of companies.

editor@lngworldwide.com