Air Products' LNG tech passes test at Coral South FLNG in Mozambique
Air Products on May 6 announced the successful performance test of its dual mixed refrigerant LNG process technology (AP-DMR) and equipment at Eni's Coral South floating LNG (FLNG) plant in Mozambique, achieving LNG production above 3.4mn tonnes/year.
AP-DMR's process efficiency combined with the use of aeroderivative machinery translates to a lower carbon intensity than all other LNG processes in floating service, Air Products said.
The Coral South FLNG project represents a significant milestone for Mozambique as the country's first operating LNG project and Africa's first deep-water FLNG project. With a liquefaction capacity of 3.4mn tonnes/year, the Coral South FLNG is also the second-largest FLNG facility in the world.
Air Products' involvement with the Coral South project dates back to 2013, when conceptual work began, culminating in the selection of the AP-DMR LNG process technology and equipment. Key components supplied by Air Products include two proprietary coil-wound main cryogenic heat exchangers (CWHEs), one for precooling and one for liquefaction within the facility.
The Coral South project achieved a final investment decision in 2017, with fabrication and construction activities commencing in September 2018 and completing as planned within 38 months. The FLNG sail away from South Korea to Mozambique took place in November 2021.
Operating in the offshore Rovuma basin, the Coral South FLNG will produce 450bn m3 of gas from the Coral reservoir. The first cargo departed late 2022, signaling the commencement of LNG production at the facility.
Air Products' AP-DMR LNG process has also been selected for the Energía Costa Azul LNG land-based project in Mexico which is currently under construction.