GasEntec Co. Ltd. (“GasEntec”) and Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. (“SHI”) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for GasEntec to license SHI’s SENSE liquefaction technology for small-scale applications between 50,000 and 1 million tons per annum. Under the MOU, GasEntec and SHI are pursuing the first commercial licensing of SENSE to a party outside SHI.
Small-scale LNG is an active segment as producers and industrial users seek to monetize stranded gas without the capital intensity of large-scale liquefaction trains. Potential applications for SENSE at this scale include local LNG production for ports and marine corridors, onward distribution of LNG from local piped gas, monetization of stranded gas resources, and fuel supply for remote power, industrial, or bunker use.
GasEntec brings more than a decade of downstream experience integrating modular LNG systems across floating and onshore infrastructure, including regasification, gas handling and logistics equipment supporting global LNG supply chains. The collaboration is extending GasEntec’s capabilities midstream into liquefaction.
“As global LNG capacity expands, liquefaction technology is entering a new cycle of innovation and diversification,” said Brian Yoon, Chief Executive Officer of GasEntec. “Our partnership with SHI brings their proven liquefaction technology to the small-scale segment, backed by our expertise integrating modular LNG systems worldwide, for the first time. Customers will be able to access an integrated platform that enables flexible solutions spanning liquefaction through to downstream delivery.”
SHI developed its SAMSUNG Enhanced Nitrogen Split Expansion (‘SENSE’) technology to achieve efficiencies in excess of standard natural gas liquefaction processes. The technology features a gas expansion process that uses nitrogen and methane as single-component refrigerants, with the entire process operating in a gaseous state, thereby increasing stability and operational convenience.
“Our award-winning SENSE natural gas liquefaction system is the result of nearly a decade of research and development, validated through more than 1,000 hours of demonstration testing,” said Youngkyu Ahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of SHI. “We are pleased to partner with GasEntec to deliver small-scale applications of our technology, based on their proven ability to deploy innovative LNG technology at scale.”
The MOU covers the licensing of SENSE for small-scale liquefaction. SHI will continue to offer liquefaction technology for larger-volume applications directly, including floating LNG projects.
