China has just delivered one of its most ambitious naval works: a floating 376 -meter gas plant ready to cross to Africa. The scene was lived in Nantonga port city of the province of Jiangsu, east of the country, which concentrates part of the Chinese naval industry. We talked about Nguya Flng, an installation designed for transform gas into LNG Without touching the mainland. As CGTN points outthe plan is to locate it in front of the Republic of the Congo after an oceanic trailer coordinated since its exit from the port.
The record is in the figures: we are talking about the largest floating gas installation ever manufactured in the Asian country. Its structure integrates industrial systems for liquefy gas directly on the high seas, store it and transfer it to metaneous ships. This type of platforms allows you to take advantage of deposits without building terminals on land, accelerating export. According to Rystad Energy, the FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas) are gaining traction and their global capacity will triple around 2030. In that context, the development of Nguya Flng places China in the league of the large floating projects, so far led by initiatives such as Prelude Flng of Shell or the PFLNG of Petronas.
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As we anticipated above, the floating plant measures 376 meters in length, 60 of manga and 35 of strut. It houses cryogenic tanks for 180,000 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas and 45,000 liquefied oil gas. Its annual production capacity is 2.4 million tons of GnL. The plant is equipped with processing, storage and loading systems that allow its continuous operation in an open sea. Among its characteristics are units of electricity generation, cooling compressors and a cover designed to facilitate the safe gas transfer to other ships.
Nguya Flng’s departure from Nantong’s shipyards required a detail planned operation. The local maritime administration carried out security evaluations and adjusted the towing plan to adapt to the tides. To displace the structure, 14 tugs and patrols were used, next to drones to supervise the process. The convoy reached 740 meters in length, establishing a record in coastal trailer in the area. The maneuver marked the beginning of its transfer to Africa and evidenced the logistics complexity of moving an installation of this size.
Nguya Flng’s trip is not a simple navigation: requires an oceanic trailer of thousands of kilometers. Pacc Offshore Services Holdings (POSH), a company based in Singapore, was hired to coordinate the operation. The route will take the unit to the water of the Congo, where it will be installed about 50 kilometers from Pointe-Noirein an area of 33 to 35 meters deep. Once anchored, it will connect to the wells of the Marine XII block through underwater systems of the project. The forecasts place their entry into service in the second phase of Congo LNG, with a horizon at the end of 2025 if the deadlines are maintained.
The Marine Block XII, in Aguas del Congo, is the nucleus of the Congo LNG plan led by ENIItalian energy multinational based in Rome and wide presence in Africa. The strategy combines two floating units: Tango Flng, in operation since 2023, and Nguya Flng, which will multiply the installed capacity. Together can process about 3 million tons of liquefied gas per year. For the African country, it is an opportunity to take advantage of significant reserves without large terrestrial infrastructure. For ENI, it reinforces its role as an actor in central Africa and diversifies its LNG export portfolio to Europe and Asia.
For Europe, the deployment of new LNG capabilities in Africa is a strategic movement. Congo LNG aspires to become in a Stable supplier for European markets They seek to reduce the dependence of Russian gas. The commitment to floating plants accelerates terms, although it also raises logistics and financial challenges that the sector is closely followed.
Nguya Flng’s trip does not end with his arrival to the Congo. Its installation on the high seas, the connection to the underwater system and the first gas load will be determining tests for this project. ENI and its partners see the unit as a centerpiece to expand the African production of LNG in a moment of energy transition. Experience will show to what floating plants can accelerate the global supply and if China is consolidated as a competitive supplier in this niche. All eyes will be put in their performance in the coming months.
Images | ENI
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