McDermott Scores FEED Contract for Rovuma LNG in Mozambique

McDermott International Ltd. has secured a front-end engineering design (FEED) contract for the Rovuma LNG Phase 1 Project in Mozambique, a joint venture between ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., Eni S.p.A. and CNODC Dutch Cooperatief U.A.

The FEED contract was awarded through a consortium with Saipem and China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation, McDermott said in a news release.

The contract scope of work includes the modular design of a greenfield liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility in Afungi, all associated gas pre-treatment units and the utilities and offsite systems to support LNG production, McDermott noted. The plant will have an overall production capacity of 18 million tons per annum (mtpa). The scope of work also includes the engineering, procurement and construction proposal. Work on the project will be executed from the company’s office in London.

"LNG helps shape an entirely new era of energy solutions and McDermott plays a significant role in this global shift with more than 60 years of LNG experience," Rob Shaul, Senior Vice President of McDermott's Low Carbon Solutions business, said. "McDermott is well established in Mozambique and can apply this knowledge and experience to continue the country's industrial, social and economic development”.

“The Rovuma LNG Phase 1 project represents a significant development for the country and provides a significant opportunity for economic growth,” according to the release. The project includes liquefaction and export of natural gas extracted from the Offshore Area 4 fields off the Afungi Peninsula in Mozambique.

Liquid Hydrogen Developments

Meanwhile, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and McDermott subsidiary CB&I have signed a strategic agreement for promoting a commercial-use liquefied hydrogen (LH2) supply chain and realizing a zero-carbon-emission society.

Under the agreement, the two companies will provide infrastructure to advance the global realization of a sustainable energy economy and meet decarbonization targets. This collaboration will reduce LH2 infrastructure costs and contribute to the more widespread use of this clean and efficient energy source, McDermott said.

"We are very pleased for this opportunity to build and launch a commercial liquefied hydrogen supply chain in cooperation with CB&I," Motohiko Nishimura, Kawasaki President for Energy Solutions & Marine Engineering Company, said. “By taking advantage of both companies' strengths and specialized know-how, we aim to cost down hydrogen, strengthen hydrogen supply chain competitiveness, and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon society”.

Both companies will use their specialized know-how to provide infrastructure that will enable commercial-scale international LH2 supply chains in order to help achieve carbon-neutrality, according to an earlier news release.

"This strategic partnership represents a significant advancement in liquid hydrogen storage capabilities," Mark Butts, Senior Vice President of CB&I, said. "Our technical expertise and extensive experience in liquid hydrogen storage position us at the forefront of the energy transition, delivering reliable storage solutions and executing projects worldwide with proven success”.

Last month, CB&I and Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean also received approval in principle (AiP) for the design of a cargo containment system and an 80,000-cubic-meter liquid hydrogen (LH2) carrier from DNV, a leading classification society for shipping.

The AiP confirms CB&I's cargo containment systems meet applicable safety standards including class rules, according to a separate statement.

"Hanwha Ocean's expertise in gas carriers perfectly complements CB&I's expertise in large-scale storage and handling systems for liquid hydrogen," Butts noted. "Together we have created a safe, efficient liquid hydrogen carrier design with low boil-off of 0.05 percent per day. This carrier makes plans for international liquid hydrogen supply chains possible today”.

To contact the author, email rocky.teodoro@rigzone.com