PRELUDE

• Latitude: -13.78451
• Longitude: 123.3208
• North Australia
• Offshore Terminal in Australia

Location: Prelude Western Australia Australia

The Prelude Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility, often simply referred to as "Prelude," is a pioneering offshore maritime project located off the northwest coast of Australia in the Browse Basin. Operated by Shell, Prelude is notable for being the world's largest floating offshore facility and a marvel of modern engineering designed to produce natural gas at sea.

Description

General Overview:

• Operator: Shell (in partnership with INPEX, KOGAS, and OPIC).
• Location: Approximately 475 kilometers (295 miles) north-northeast of Broome, Western Australia.
• Type: Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility.
• Production Capacity: Capable of producing approximately 3.6 million tons of LNG per year, along with condensate and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Specifications

Dimensions and Structure:

• Length: Approximately 488 meters (1,601 feet).
• Width: 74 meters (243 feet).
• Height: Around 105 meters (344 feet) from the keel to the top of the flare.
• Displacement: Approximately 600,000 tons when fully loaded.

Storage:

• LNG Storage Capacity: Around 175,000 cubic meters.
• Condensate Storage Capacity: Approximately 126,000 cubic meters.
• LPG Storage Capacity: About 120,000 cubic meters.

Production and Processing:

• Liquefaction Trains: Equipped with technology to cool natural gas to -162°C (-260°F) to transform it into LNG.
• Gas Treatment Facilities: Designed to remove impurities like water, CO2, and mercury.
• Compression Units: Utilized to compress feed gas.

Infrastructure:

• Mooring System: Prelude is moored using one of the largest and most robust mooring systems ever deployed, with a 93-meter (305-feet) high turret that allows the facility to rotate with prevailing currents and winds.
• Offloading: The vessel is equipped to offload LNG, LPG, and condensate to LNG carriers and other transport vessels.

Safety and Remote Operations:

• Safety Systems: Prelude is equipped with state-of-the-art safety and emergency response systems, fulfilling stringent industry standards to protect personnel and the environment.
• Remote Monitoring: Operations can be monitored and managed remotely via advanced control systems.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

• Environmental Protection: Shell has invested heavily in ensuring Prelude operates within strict environmental guidelines, minimizing emissions and ensuring safe operations.
• Innovation in Clean Energy: As part of Shell's commitment to sustainable energy solutions, Prelude is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of LNG production and transport.

Significance

• Technological Milestone: Prelude represents a significant advance in maritime engineering and offshore technology.
• Economic Impact: Contributes to the local and national economy through job creation, infrastructure development, and export revenues.

In summary, the Prelude FLNG facility marks a significant step forward in the production of natural gas at sea, offering a flexible and efficient solution to accessing remote gas fields. With its immense size, innovative technology, and dedication to safety and environmental standards, Prelude is a standout example of modern maritime infrastructure and energy production.