Wood wins six-year contract for Shell’s Prelude FLNG facility in Western Australia

Wood, a leading consulting and engineering firm globally, has announced securing a comprehensive six-year contract to offer brownfield engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) solutions to Shell’s Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility. This facility, located off the coast of Western Australia, stands as the world’s largest floating offshore gas facility.

Contract Details and Strategic Impact:

– Scope of Work: Wood will provide integrated brownfield engineering solutions to enhance the operational capacity and efficiency of the Prelude FLNG facility.

– Operational Details: The Prelude facility is designed to produce up to 3.6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG, along with 1.3 mtpa of condensate and 0.4 mtpa of LPG.

Ken Gilmartin, CEO of Wood, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting LNG’s role as a crucial transition fuel in the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions. “LNG is a key transition fuel as industry balances the need for global energy security with the importance of urgent reduction in carbon emissions. We are delighted to build on our 70-year global relationship with Shell to deliver integrated brownfield engineering solutions for Prelude, the world’s largest floating offshore gas facility,” said Gilmartin.

Prelude FLNG Project: At the Forefront of LNG Technology

– Location and Capacity: Situated 475km north northeast of Broome, Western Australia, the Prelude FLNG facility floats in about 250 meters of water in the Browse Basin, a region noted for its significant hydrocarbon reserves estimated at three trillion cubic feet.

– Innovative Design: The facility’s innovative design allows it to remain operational at sea for approximately 25 years and can be re-deployed to develop new gas fields, enhancing its utility and flexibility in natural gas production.

This contract not only emphasizes Wood’s established expertise in LNG but also underlines its position as a market leader for brownfield engineering in Australia. The engagement is expected to leverage Wood’s extensive experience in LNG to boost the operational efficiency and productivity of the Prelude facility.

The collaboration between Wood and Shell via the Prelude FLNG project represents a strategic alignment with global energy sustainability goals, positioning LNG as a pivotal component of the transition towards lower carbon emissions. This project is a clear indication of the industry’s commitment to innovative energy solutions that balance environmental concerns with the need for energy security.