Posted 18 October 2023 by John Donovan.

Oh, the suspense! Shell’s Prelude liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility off the picturesque Australian coast is set for yet another grand reopening – it’s like a never-ending carnival of maintenance and mishaps!

Our dear friends at Shell decided to kick off maintenance work at this 3.6-million metric ton a year floating LNG plant back in August. A top Shell executive, probably with a straight face, mentioned in September that it was merely a “major turnaround” work that would last roughly two months. Oh, how naïve they were!

Now, our sources (who we assure you are absolutely reliable) tell us that this maintenance extravaganza is expected to be completed by mid-November. Just a slight delay, nothing to worry about, right? Well, apparently, they discovered a few “new issues” along the way, but hey, who doesn’t love a surprise challenge during their maintenance work?

And the icing on the cake: “The first LNG delivery cargo is now expected by mid-November,” says our trusty second source. Because, really, what’s the rush? It’s not like Australia has any pressing energy needs or anything.

The last time something left the facility was on Aug. 19. But who’s counting, right? It’s only been a couple of months.

But wait, there’s more! A Shell spokesperson chimed in with some wisdom: “Shell regularly undertakes maintenance at all its facilities as required to ensure they are delivering safe and reliable performance over the long-term.” Of course, why not do it now and then to keep things interesting?

In case you’ve forgotten, Prelude is the world’s first floating LNG facility, a marvel of modern technology that only cost a mere $12 billion. Because, let’s be honest, who needs to stick to a budget when you’re pioneering revolutionary technology?

And let’s not forget the string of outages since it started production in June 2019. Ah, the memories of fires and full power losses – just another day at the office for our friends at Shell!

In case you missed it, Reuters reported in September that Shell pondered shutting down Prelude for a year to fix its endless issues but, in a stunning twist, decided to opt for a “shorter” maintenance period. We can only imagine what their definition of “shorter” is.

As always, Shell is invited to point out any factual inaccuracies.

ARTICLE ENDS

Floating off the coast of Western Australia like a lost whale, the UK-based behemoth initially planned a few months of spa time for the FLNG starting in August. But, as with all things Shell, it’s not that simple.

Posted by John Donovan: 14 November 2023

Shell, the ever-so-efficient energy giant, has extended the maintenance of its colossal Prelude floating LNG producer. Why, you ask? Because they’ve just now noticed some extra work that needs doing. Talk about being late to the party.

A Shell spokesperson, likely spinning a globe to find where the Prelude is, commented, “Prelude is a complex facility in a remote offshore location.” Ah, the old ‘it’s complex and far away’ line – a classic! They added, “We continue to work through the process methodically taking as much time as required to ensure safe execution of all activities.” Translation: We’re taking our sweet time.

But wait, there’s more! “During the turnaround, additional scopes of work were identified,” said the spokesperson. In other words, they found more stuff to fix. This surprise to-do list means the restart date is anyone’s guess, and the Shell spokesperson conveniently declined to comment on when that might be.

Remember, this is the same FLNG that was supposed to be back in business in 2022 but got delayed to August 2023 due to a bit of industrial action and pesky cyclones. And let’s not forget the spokesperson’s proud claim that Prelude’s performance has “improved considerably” since its start-up. Well, the bar wasn’t exactly high, considering the FLNG’s history of delays, a fire, and other fun interruptions.

This 488-meter-long, 74-meter-wide floating behemoth, which started shipping its first cargo in 2019 after several delays, boasts the capacity to produce a whole lot of LNG, condensate, and LPG. Shell, holding a 67.5 percent stake in this floating festival of delays, shares the joy with Japan’s Inpex, South Korea’s Kogas, and Taiwan’s CPC.

In a twist no one saw coming, Shell managed to resume cargo loading last September after a strike, only to shut down again in December due to a fire, then briefly stop production in May due to a ‘trip’ (whatever that means), before resuming two days later. At this rate, Prelude might just set a record for the most ‘start-stop’ operations in maritime history!

So, as Shell’s Prelude continues its extended maintenance vacation, we can only wonder what other surprises they’ll find. Stay tuned for the next episode of “Shell’s Adventures in Maintenance Land.”

There was talk of shutting down Prelude for a year to fix issues, but Shell opted for a shorter maintenance stint. There was a fire, a trade union dispute, a shutdown, a cyclone season – it’s like Mother Nature herself was questioning the wisdom of this floating giant.

Posted by John Donovan: 27 November 2023

Ah, the ever-so-grandiose Shell is at it again with their floating behemoth, the Prelude LNG facility. After what feels like an eternity of tinkering, adjusting, and possibly duct-taping, Shell is almost ready to flaunt this colossal floaty once more. Set adrift 300 miles off the West Coast of Australia (probably to keep it away from any prying eyes), Prelude is more than just a giant on the waves; it’s a floating testament to Shell’s love for big, expensive toys.

With a price tag that could make even the most seasoned oil tycoons blush (over $12 billion, but who’s counting, right?), Prelude is the first of its kind. A floating LNG facility, because why settle for boring old land-based operations? The facility’s deck is longer than four soccer fields, which is probably enough space to host an offshore corporate retreat.

But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for this maritime marvel. Since kicking off the party in June 2019, Prelude has seen its fair share of drama – including a fire that led to a complete power loss. Ah, the joys of pioneering technology!

Now, after a maintenance saga that began in August, Prelude is poised to resume its role in the global LNG charade. The return is timed perfectly with peak demand during the northern hemisphere’s winter. The LNG tanker Symphonic Breeze (what a name!) is set to grace Prelude with its presence on December 6, signalling the near completion of the maintenance. How poetic!

Shell, in true enigmatic style, has been tight-lipped about the whole affair. Last month, they hinted at a December production ramp-up but offered no juicy details. They’ve described Prelude as a “complex facility in a remote offshore location,” which is corporate-speak for “it’s complicated, and we’d rather not talk about it.”

Let’s not forget the little mishaps and hiccups along the way. There was talk of shutting down Prelude for a year to fix issues, but Shell opted for a shorter maintenance stint. There was a trade union dispute, a cyclone season – it’s like Mother Nature herself was questioning the wisdom of this floating giant.

As we wait for Prelude to spring back to life, it’s worth pondering: is this the future of energy, or just a really expensive way to show off? Only time will tell.

…let’s take a stroll down memory lane. The Prelude, a name that surely suggests a grand beginning, has had a few… let’s call them hiccups, since its 2019 debut. A fire here, a full power loss there – just the usual teething problems for the world’s largest floating LNG facility. The Prelude’s track record reads a bit like a soap opera plot – halted production, union strikes for higher wages, and let’s not forget the cozy little fire…

Posted by John Donovan:  18 Dec 2023

Ah, the wonders of modern technology and impeccable timing! Shell, ever the paragon of environmental stewardship and operational smoothness, has graced the world with the news that its Prelude LNG facility is back up and running. This floating marvel, which stretches longer than four soccer fields (because size matters in the world of fossil fuels), is conveniently revving up just as the northern hemisphere enters its peak gas-guzzling season. Talk about timing!

Situated a mere 300 miles off Australia’s west coast, this behemoth of gas production has been on a bit of a break since August. You know, just a casual maintenance stint. But fret not, within days, it’s ready to churn out its precious cargo, with the Shell tanker Orion Bohemia lurking nearby like a loyal pet, ready to lap up the first batch of LNG since August 8th.

But let’s take a stroll down memory lane. The Prelude, a name that surely suggests a grand beginning, has had a few… let’s call them hiccups, since its 2019 debut. A fire here, a full power loss there – just the usual teething problems for the world’s largest floating LNG facility.

In a move that screams efficiency and perhaps a dash of desperation to cash in on the winter demand, Shell reportedly scrapped a year-long overhaul for a shorter maintenance spell. Why wait a year to fix all the issues when you can just slap on some duct tape and get back to business, right?

The Prelude’s track record reads a bit like a soap opera plot – halted production, union strikes for higher wages, and let’s not forget the cozy little fire last December. But like any good drama, it’s back for another season, just in time to keep the gas flowing and the profits rolling.

In a modest display of humility, Shell declined to comment on their latest achievement. After all, why boast about bringing a giant, intermittently flammable gas facility back online just in time to capitalize on peak winter demand? That’s just another day at the office for our favourite oil giant.

Disclaimer: As always, Shell is cordially invited to correct any factual inaccuracies, though the facts here seem to be as solid as the Prelude’s penchant for unexpected downtime.