Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG)

ABS delivers tailored classification and certification services to support the development, newbuild, conversion and operation of FLNG facilities. Our services support stakeholders in meeting technical and regulatory requirements, providing tools and guidance to help owners and operators fulfill their responsibility for asset integrity throughout the asset’s life cycle. Key offerings include:

• Technical reviews of project designs and key documentation

• Approvals in principle (AIPs) for innovative FLNG technologies

• Customized solutions for unique operational challenges 

• Long-term asset integrity management and periodic surveys

ABS’ classification services span every phase of an FLNG project, offering comprehensive support at each stage:

• Concept development

• Early engineering/Front-end engineering design (FEED)

• Detailed design 

• Construction

• Commissioning

• Offshore installation

• Life-cycle surveys

ABS offers vital services to assist stakeholders in the conceptual and planning phases of FLNG projects. These services help guide decision-making and lay the groundwork for successful execution:

• Concept Evaluation: Analysis and recommendations to align project designs with ABS/Industry standards and operational objectives

• Preliminary Planning and Advice (PPA): Guidance on navigating regulatory frameworks and defining project requirements

• Approval in Principle (AIP): Evaluation of innovative designs for alignment with safety, regulatory and operational criteria 

• Basic Design/FEED Approval: Review and validation of designs developed during FEED phases

Compliance with global and regional regulations is critical to the success of FLNG projects. ABS has decades of experience collaborating with regulatory bodies worldwide, including a longstanding memorandum of understanding with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Our regulatory services include:

• Guidance on U.S. and international regulatory standards

• Delegated authority from the USCG to approve and survey FLNG assets

• Long established relationships with local regulators, and familiarity with local regulations

With engineering offices strategically located in key maritime regions, ABS offers localized support backed by global resources. Our technical services include:

• Preliminary design reviews and advanced risk assessments

• Engineering analyses of containment systems, mooring technologies and liquefaction processes

• Real-time project oversight enabled by ABS’ advanced plan review management systems

Safety and operational efficiency are integral to FLNG operations. ABS enhances these priorities through:

• Risk-Based Inspections (RBI): Advanced methodologies tailored to global standards

• Remote Inspection Technologies (RIT): Flexible solutions that minimize downtime

• ABS MyFreedom™: Seamless access to engineering and survey data for improved project management

As a leader in sustainability for the offshore energy sector, ABS offers services that help FLNG operators reduce their environmental footprint and align with global decarbonization goals. These services include:

• Life-cycle emissions assessments and technical guidance for greenhouse gas reduction

• Planning for green decommissioning and end-of-life asset management

• Offering the Sustainability (SUSTAIN) Notation to showcase environmental achievements for offshore projects