Asian player enters South America with multi-year job for Argentina LNG project
What happened
APSEZ, through a consortium, won a contract to support the Southern Energy FLNG project in Argentina, moving to liquefy gas aboard the FLNG Hilli Episeyo with first commercial operations expected in 2027. The award covers multi-year marine and logistics work tied to Argentina’s first large-scale LNG export project and contracted export volumes to India, which makes this a sustained supplier demand signal; watch whether follow-on FLNG units and export contracts proceed to firm awards
Buyer takeaway
This award signals sustained marine logistics and export handling demand in Argentina; plan for longer supplier engagement and local JV considerations
Cost / money
Directional increase in mobilization and local logistics costs is likely as marine assets and crew are committed to a multi-year schedule
Supplier / commercial
APSEZ’s entry strengthens a supplier footprint and local JV leverage, which can shorten subcontract quote validity and reduce buyer flexibility
Safety / operations
FLNG operation compresses pre-mobilization and commissioning timelines — expect elevated FAT/SAT and vendor acceptance work before offshore start
What to watch
Watch if follow-on FLNG units proceed to firm awards and whether suppliers begin to require deposits or narrow quote validity windows
Key facts
- Commercial operations expected in September 2027
- First phase ~2.45 million tonnes per annum (mtpa)
- Equivalent to roughly 28 cargoes per year in initial phase
Source excerpts
” This content is available after accepting the cookies. The APSEZ-Meridian consortium will provide end-to-end marine services, including tugboat operations for LNG carriers, offshore logistics and supply support, and crew transfer services, supported by four high-specification tugboats, one anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel, and one crew boat
45 million tons of LNG annually in its first phase, equivalent to approximately 28 cargoes per year, making it Argentina’s first operational LNG export project, while the country is emerging as a major new LNG supplier
Southern Energy’s FLNG project is being developed by SESA, a joint venture between Golar LNG and Pan American Energy (PAE). Located in the San Matías Gulf in Argentina’s Río Negro province, the project will liquefy natural gas from the General San Martin pipeline aboard the FLNG Hilli Episeyo, with commercial operations expected to begin in September 2027