Floating LNG (FLNG)

Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) refers to a class of offshore vessel-mounted natural gas liquefaction, storage, and transfer facility — a self-contained ship-based plant that processes natural gas directly above an offshore field and exports it as LNG without requiring a pipeline to shore. FLNG technology unlocks remote or stranded offshore gas reserves that lack the geographic or political conditions for fixed pipeline infrastructure.

For the Eastern Mediterranean, FLNG is the principal alternative to the cancelled EastMed direct subsea pipeline to Greece and Italy (effectively ended January 2022 when the US withdrew support). Israeli gas reaches Europe today indirectly via Egyptian LNG terminals at Idku and Damietta under the $35 billion Leviathan-Egypt contract. A dedicated Israeli FLNG vessel would allow direct export without Egyptian intermediation; no such vessel is currently operational.

Full context: EastMed After the Pipeline.