Floating LNG (FLNG) import and export technologies took another step toward commercialization at Gastech 2026, with classification societies approving high-capacity FSRU and FLNG concepts designed to accelerate global gas infrastructure projects.
GasEntec FSRU gains LR approval
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to GasEntec for an LNG floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), capable of delivering up to 1 Bcf/d.
It follows LR's independent assessment of the design's technical and safety fundamentals, presented recently at Gastech in Bangkok.
The multi-mode regasification system is designed to operate in open, closed and combined-loop modes.
According to LR, this arrangement provides operators with greater leeway to adapt to different environmental conditions, regulatory and project requirements, while sustaining consistent gas delivery.
The concept’s modular architecture can be configured to different capacities, pressures and operational needs. In practice, it would represent one of the world's largest FSRUs in terms of send-out capacity, LR said, and one of the most operationally flexible.
GasEntec plans to use the AiP to advance the FSRU design toward execution.
“As developers look to bring LNG import capacity online quickly, operators need solutions that can perform reliably across different climates, weather conditions and regulatory environments," said Jose Navarro, global gas technology director at LR. “This design combines very high send-out capacity with operational flexibility, helping to address some of the key challenges facing future FSRU projects.”
TG Kim, co-COO at GasEntec, added that the design “delivers a common modular platform that can be configured for different capacities, pressures and operating conditions, enabling efficient project specific engineering and faster deployment.
“As energy demand accelerates around the world, from grid growth to AI data center-driven power needs, the constraint isn't supply; it's how quickly and reliably you can get gas to where it's needed.”
Samsung FLNG technology secures ABS certification
Also at Gastech, ABS presented the certifications for its recently issued AiP and completed basic design review for a natural gas liquefaction system developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for the topside of an FLNG unit.
The topside facilities cover the full scope of process systems required for FLNG operations, including SENSE, developed by SHI to cool natural gas to very low temperatures for storage and transportation.
This latest AIP and basic design review are said to have confirmed that SHI’s FEED development is feasible for the intended application. The basic design review involved a more detailed technical review against ABS rules and requirements.
