(Updated with a response from Shell spokesperson)
LNG giant Shell could be gearing up to restart production from its Prelude FLNG facility offshore Western Australia.
The FLNG unit has been offline since February due to an electrical trip.
However, the AIS data provided by VesselsValue shows the activities on restarting production may have kicked up a gear.
Currently, the 145,000-liquefied natural gas carrier, Methane Heather Sally is moored by the side of Prelude FLNG.
The LNG tanker has loaded cargo at the Donggi Senoro facility in Indonesia on October 30. It has arrived at its current location on November 24, the data shows.
The arrival at Shell’s Prelude FLNG facility could indicate that the storage tank cooldown process is starting.
Responding to an Offshore-Energy email, Shell spokesperson said the project is still going through the process for hydrocarbon restart of the Prelude FLNG facility.
“Full production is not expected to resume before year-end. Prelude is a multi-decade project, and our focus is on delivering sustained performance over the long term,” the response reads.
The FLNG has the capacity to produce 3.6 mtpa of LNG, 1.3 mtpa of condensate and 0.4 mtpa of LPG.
Shell operates the Prelude FLNG, located 475 km from Broome in Western Australia, with a 67.5 per cent stake.
Japan’s Inpex holds a 17.5 per cent stake, Korea’s Kogas 10 per cent, while Taiwan’s CPC holds 5 per cent.