The companies said that Golar’s deep experience in delivering and operating low-cost floating LNG infrastructure complements Black & Veatch’s status as a leading provider of LNG technology and an expert in green energy technologies.

“Given hydrogen and ammonia’s use in many energy-intensive industries we can make meaningful progress in lowering the carbon footprint and help these industries meet new sustainability commitments,” said Hoe Wai Cheong, president of Black & Veatch’s oil and gas business.

As the role of hydrogen in the green energy economy continues to expand, Black & Veatch said it also sees a growing case for ammonia, which is more energy dense than pure hydrogen, incredibly stable and easily liquefied for storage and shipment around the globe in the same way as LNG. Ammonia can then be used in multiple energy-intensive industries to produce low-carbon electricity.

Following publication by year end of a thought leadership paper on floating ammonia production with carbon capture and storage – also termed floating blue ammonia – the partners will focus on the technical and commercial viability of the most prospective applications for both green and blue technologies, as well as the areas of interest that they intend to investigate together.

Any subsequent project development and implementation that follows the initial research and investigation stages will be subject to a separate commercial agreement between the two firms.

Golar launched in June 2018 its first floating LNG vessel – Hilli Episeyo – developed as a conversion project from an LNG carrier. The vessel features Black & Veatch’s Prico technology that uses a single-mixed refrigerant loop for natural gas liquefaction.

Last month, Black & Veatch announced that it has ended its participation in new coal-based power design and construction to focus on clean energy technologies and help companies accelerate to net zero carbon emissions.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist