Ophir Energy has appointed Excelerate Energy as its lead midstream partner for the provision of FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas) storage facilities in Equatorial Guinea.
The company has been appointed as the lead in a consortium of technology providers that is expected to include Samsung Heavy Industries and Black and Veatch.
Ophir said negotiations regarding an MOU (Memorandum of Unerstanding) had now concluded and a deal was expected to be signed tday, between the EquatoGuinean Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy (MMIE), GEPetrol, Ophir and Excelerate.
The MoU will fully align the parties ahead of a full FEED contract later this year, with the deal covering work at the Block R gas site in the country.
The Upstream and Midstream FEED contracts will commence in early 2015 and late 2014 with first gas expected in 2019.
Nick Cooper, chief executive officer, said: “I’m delighted to announce the appointment of the Excelerate consortium as our midstream partners for the Block R FLNG Project.
“The recent newsflow on the EG FLNG Project demonstrates its commercial viability and moves it further up the value curve ahead of a planned farm down in 2015.
“The selection of Excelerate and partners follows a comprehensive evaluation process. The Excelerate consortium has deep sector expertise and a leading position in marine based LNG applications.
“Ophir looks forward to working with Excelerate and our partners in Equatorial Guinea to deliver Africa’s first newbuild, open seas FLNG project.”