CoreMarine and Jumbo Offshore secure Argentina FLNG installation contract from SESA

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CoreMarine and Jumbo Offshore have been awarded a contract to transport, install, and hook up two floating LNG units in Argentina’s Golfo San Matías, marking a key step in the country’s push to expand gas exports.

The contract, awarded by Southern Energy S.A. SESA, covers the installation of soft yoke mooring systems and the hook up of the Hilli Episeyo FLNG and MKII FLNG vessels. The project is backed by a consortium that includes Pan American Energy, YPF, Pampa Energía, Harbour Energy, and Golar LNG.

For Argentina, the development signals a shift toward offshore based liquefaction as it looks to monetise gas reserves and strengthen export capacity.

The companies will execute the project through a combined delivery structure that integrates engineering, transport, offshore installation, and final hook up.

CoreMarine will act as lead contractor and oversee engineering and project management, while Jumbo Offshore will handle transport and installation of the soft yoke mooring systems, including piling and heavy lift operations.

Following installation, CoreMarine will carry out subsea and offshore construction activities such as spool installation, riser hook up, pre commissioning, and positioning of the FLNG units.

The offshore campaign will involve simultaneous operations across multiple vessels, including diving support vessels, tugs, and support tonnage. Activities will range from heavy lifting to saturation diving and riser installation, all requiring tight coordination in a single offshore environment.

The mooring systems, supplied by NOV, will allow the FLNG units to rotate around a fixed point, aligning with wind and sea conditions. This removes the need for fixed infrastructure such as jetties, offering a flexible offshore solution.

Engineering and project management activities began in January 2026. Offshore installation of the Hilli Episeyo FLNG is scheduled for 2027, followed by the MKII FLNG in 2028.

The project will mark the first use of soft yoke mooring technology in Argentine waters, adding a new layer of technical capability to the region’s offshore sector.

Ben Fitzgerald, CEO of CoreMarine, pointed to the operational demands of the project, noting that handling floating assets of this scale requires precision and coordination.

He said the objective extends beyond installation, with a focus on building local capability and establishing a model for future offshore developments in Argentina.

Brian Boutkan, Commercial Director at Jumbo Offshore, highlighted the collaborative approach between the two companies, combining transport and installation expertise with offshore engineering capabilities to deliver what he described as a tailored execution strategy.

Both companies bring experience from offshore projects in regions such as Brazil and Cameroon, particularly in soft yoke installations and floating infrastructure.

The project will be delivered alongside SESA and its partners, with a focus on safety, collaboration, and local engagement. The companies indicated that local resources and regional expertise will be integrated wherever possible.

For CoreMarine, the contract represents its first FLNG development and its largest project in Latin America. For Jumbo Offshore, it strengthens its position in the niche segment of soft yoke mooring installations and floating energy infrastructure.

As offshore gas projects move into deeper and more complex environments, developments like this raise a simple question. Is floating LNG becoming the default model for emerging gas exporters?