Gas reserves are not only found on land, but also in abundance in the open sea. In this context, building onshore LNG terminals is often inefficient. This is where Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) offers a solution.
This technology introduces a new way of processing LNG by purifying, liquefying, storing, and even loading it directly at sea.
Compared to onshore terminals, FLNG offers several key benefits, particularly in terms of cost, flexibility, and environmental impact.
What Is Floating LNG (FLNG)?
Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) is a giant ship that operates directly on the high seas.
It enables countries and companies to tap into offshore gas reserves without the need to build land-based LNG terminals.
Natural gas from subsea reservoirs is transported to the FLNG unit through a network of pipelines. Once on board, the gas goes through several main stages:
- Purification: removing water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other impurities
- Liquefaction: cooling the gas to around -162°C until it becomes LNG
- Storage: keeping LNG in advanced cryogenic tanks that maintain stable temperatures
- Offloading: transferring LNG to carrier vessels via safe transfer systems for global distribution
With this process, FLNG can process, store, and distribute LNG directly from underwater sources without the need for land terminals.
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5 Advantages of Floating LNG Over Onshore Terminals
FLNG comes with five major advantages that traditional onshore terminals cannot match, making it an attractive choice for future gas development projects.
1. Direct Access to Offshore Gas Reserves
The main advantage of FLNG is its ability to operate precisely in offshore gas reserves, including those in deep and remote waters.
By using FLNG, previously “stranded” gas reserves can now be monetized efficiently, unlocking energy resources that were once out of reach.
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2. Lower Infrastructure Costs
Onshore LNG terminals require massive investment: liquefaction facilities, tanks, ports, and other onshore infrastructure.
In contrast, FLNG reduces the need for complex onshore infrastructure, helping cut capital expenditure (CapEx).
Although FLNG construction remains costly, it is often more economical than building long pipelines to shore plus new onshore terminals, making offshore gas projects more financially viable.
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3. High Mobility and Flexibility
As a floating facility, FLNG offers a level of mobility that land-based terminals cannot. Once gas production from a field is no longer economical, the FLNG unit can be relocated to another site, allowing the asset to remain useful over the long term.
While relocation remains complex and expensive, this flexibility makes FLNG more adaptable to changes in the global energy market than permanent onshore terminals. In comparison, onshore terminals are fixed and permanent.
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4. Smaller Environmental Footprint
FLNG has a significantly lower environmental impact than onshore terminals. Because it operates at sea, FLNG minimizes the need for land, which often causes social conflict and deforestation on land.
It also minimizes disruption to coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, and can be equipped with advanced technologies to reduce emissions and waste.
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5. Faster Project Implementation
In the energy industry, project speed is critical. Onshore LNG terminals typically take 5–7 years or more to build, whereas FLNG facilities are often completed in 3–5 years.
Although still complex, the integration of all processes into a single floating unit makes FLNG projects potentially faster to bring online.
This advantage enables companies to respond more quickly to market demands, reduce project risks, and accelerate revenue generation.
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Why Is Floating LNG Becoming More Popular?
FLNG’s popularity continues to grow because it can address global energy challenges: from geopolitical crises to the need for a clean energy transition.
The technology enables countries to access offshore gas reserves that were previously difficult to develop while reducing reliance on pipeline-based supply.
It also supports the energy transition by providing a more efficient infrastructure alternative to coal-fired power, helping lower emissions.
Since it can be deployed in different offshore locations with gas reserves, FLNG creates new opportunities for countries that previously lacked LNG access.
FLNG is not just a technical innovation, but a paradigm shift in the gas industry. With its numerous advantages, FLNG is now a key pillar of the global LNG supply chain.
References:
- U.S. Department of Energy. Accessed 2025. Offshore LNG Technologies & Facilities
- ESDM. Accessed 2025. Ke Tiongkok, Menteri Bahlil Tinjau Fasilitas Terapung LNG Terbesar untuk RI
- Rystad Energy. Accessed 2025. Global FLNG capacity to more than triple by 2030
