Why is Golar LNG using floating vessels instead of building an onshore terminal in Argentina?

Floating LNG (FLNG) vessels offer a significantly faster and more cost-effective route to market than onshore terminals, which require extensive civil engineering and local infrastructure. By utilizing converted LNG carriers, Golar can bypass years of construction delays and monetize Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale gas much sooner.

What role will Axess Group play in this specific project?

Axess Group will provide asset integrity management, specialized inspections, and engineering services for the two FLNG units. Their primary objective is to ensure the vessels meet strict safety, environmental, and operational standards before and during their deployment in South American waters.

How does this development affect the global LNG supply chain?

This agreement highlights the tightening market for specialized offshore engineering services as floating gas projects proliferate globally. As more developers turn to FLNG technology to unlock stranded gas, securing experienced partners like Axess Group becomes a critical competitive advantage.

Offshore Energy · July 14, 2026 (23h ago) · 1 min read

Golar LNG tasks Axess with work on FLNG pair bound for South American project

Analysis

AI-assisted analysis · reviewed by Yuri Kan

Golar LNG has contracted Norway's Axess Group to perform critical asset integrity and engineering work on two floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessels slated for deployment in Argentina. This move underscores the accelerating global momentum behind floating liquefaction technology as a rapid-deployment solution for stranded gas reserves. For the wider LNG market, Golar's progress signifies a tightening of the global FLNG supply chain as developers race to lock in specialized engineering services.

Key Facts

Norway-based asset integrity specialist Axess Group has secured new service contracts from Golar LNG.
The scope of work covers two of Golar LNG's floating liquefaction (FLNG) vessels.
These two FLNG units are designated for deployment at a major upcoming LNG export project in Argentina.
Axess Group will be responsible for asset integrity management, inspection, and related engineering services to ensure operational readiness.
Golar LNG, headquartered in Bermuda, is a leading owner and operator of marine LNG infrastructure, specializing in the conversion of carriers to FLNGs.
The partnership highlights the growing reliance on specialized North Sea offshore expertise to de-risk deepwater and floating gas projects in South America.

Background & Context

Argentina holds the world's second-largest shale gas reserves in the Vaca Muerta formation, but domestic infrastructure bottlenecks have historically limited its export potential. To monetize these vast resources without waiting for costly, multi-year onshore terminal construction, developers are increasingly turning to floating LNG solutions. Golar LNG has pioneered this conversion-based FLNG model, having successfully deployed similar vessels like the Hilli Episeyo in Cameroon and the Gimi for the Tortue Ahmeyim project off West Africa.

Market Impact

This contract award signals that Golar LNG is actively advancing its South American export strategy, providing concrete momentum to Argentina's ambitions of becoming a major global LNG exporter. By securing Axess Group's asset integrity services early, Golar mitigates technical risks and potential regulatory hurdles associated with deploying converted vessels in new jurisdictions. The broader LNG market will see this as a validation of the FLNG business model, which offers faster time-to-market and lower capital expenditure compared to traditional land-based liquefaction plants.

What to Watch

Market watchers should monitor the final investment decisions (FIDs) associated with the Argentine export project, which will dictate the exact deployment timeline for the two FLNG vessels. Additionally, the progress of Axess Group's engineering work will serve as a key milestone for Golar's operational readiness. Over the next 12 to 18 months, expect further announcements regarding gas supply agreements and pipeline capacity allocations within Argentina to support these floating terminals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Golar LNG using floating vessels instead of building an onshore terminal in Argentina?: Floating LNG (FLNG) vessels offer a significantly faster and more cost-effective route to market than onshore terminals, which require extensive civil engineering and local infrastructure. By utilizing converted LNG carriers, Golar can bypass years of construction delays and monetize Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale gas much sooner.
What role will Axess Group play in this specific project?: Axess Group will provide asset integrity management, specialized inspections, and engineering services for the two FLNG units. Their primary objective is to ensure the vessels meet strict safety, environmental, and operational standards before and during their deployment in South American waters.
How does this development affect the global LNG supply chain?: This agreement highlights the tightening market for specialized offshore engineering services as floating gas projects proliferate globally. As more developers turn to FLNG technology to unlock stranded gas, securing experienced partners like Axess Group becomes a critical competitive advantage.

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