ExxonMobil has taken delivery of two new breed LNG tankers that cuts fuel consumption by up to one-third while improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions.
The two tankers, Mozah and Umm Slal, developed in conjunction with joint venture partner Qatar Petroleum, are able to carry up to 80% more cargo, but require approximately 40% less energy per unit of cargo than conventional LNG carriers.
Named the Q-Max design, each vessel has a total capacity of up to 266,000 cubic meters and "are longer than three football fields, tower twenty stories tall from keel to masthead and are equipped with the largest membrane containment tanks ever built," Exxon said in a statement.
The vessels will be used to ship gas from projects in Qatar to importing markets around the globe.
"The Q-Max carriers break the LNG shipping mold in nearly every way," said Neil Duffin, President, ExxonMobil Development Company.
"The same technology capability that drove us to develop a new class of LNG carrier is driving innovation in all aspects of the LNG value chain."
The technologies used in the construction of the carriers includes the latest in hull anti-fouling protection, slow-speed diesel engines, twin propellers and rudders, onboard reliquefaction units, and improved fire-protection systems.
The result is a 20-30% reduction in transportation cost.
"Qatar Petroleum, with ExxonMobil, led a major technical effort to enable this groundbreaking enhancement in the LNG shipping industry," said Mr. Faisal Al Suwaidi, Qatargas Chief Executive Officer.
Exxon has ordered a total of seven chartered Q-Max vessels.