Developments in LNG mega trains

Baker Hughes’ large centrifugal compressor for LNG

Just two years ago Baker Hughes was reporting the order for the then first large-scale LNG project to use modular liquefaction trains: the new LNG Canada’s liquefaction plant in Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada.

In 2020 Baker Hughes announced another large order from long-time partner Qatar Petroleum for the North Field East project, executed by Qatargas. The order is composed of two LNG mega trains, for 33 million tons per annum additional capacity.

Both these projects show that big steps have been made in the development of the whole compression train and not just in the size and capacity of the machines. Leonardo Baldassarre, Turbomachinery Process Solution (TPS) Executive General Manager Engineering at Baker Hughes in Florence, Italy, reported on the development of integrated and modular solutions as well as in the reduction of the carbon footprint.

As far as the compressor machines are concerned, main developments are connected to centrifugal stage technologies, active magnetic bearings, and other technologies to reduce emissions.

Read all the details in the upcoming June issue of COMPRESSORTECH2. Subscribe to the magazine here.