[Upstream/October24, 2025] Delfin Midstream has entered into a letter of award (LOA) with Samsung Heavy Industries confirming the South Korean company as the exclusive engineering, procurement, construction and installation contractor for the first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility for its Delfin LNG project in the US.

The LOA also entitles project operator Delfin exclusive rights to Samsung’s dock at its Geoje Island yard to construct the first FLNG vessel for its proposed liquefaction project off the coast of Louisiana with ultimate capacity of up to 13.2 million tonnes per annum.

Delfin on Thursday confirmed that it expects to take the finial investment decision on the first FLNG facility for its namesake LNG project in November, with FID on the second such vessel likely to follow in early 2026. Start-up from the initial FLNG facility is targeted in 2029.

As part of the LOA, Delfin and Samsung have agreed to commence an early engagement workscope, mobilise project teams, de-risk the overall project schedule and prepare for imminent execution.

Given the progress towards an FID for the first FLNG vessel and excellent collaboration among all the project stakeholders, the parties have agreed to strengthen their partnership in advance of the second and third FLNG vessels for the Delfin project, the operator revealed.

Under the LOA, Samsung and Delfin have agreed a dock reservation scheme for the second FLNG vessel for the Delfin project following FID of the first facility, which will enable Delfin early next year to sanction the second FLNG vessel. For the third FLNG unit, the companies plan to jointly develop strategic business and trade opportunities, including shipbuilding cooperation.

US-headquartered Black & Veatch is partnering with Samsung to provide its liquefaction technology on the three vessels. While no value of the EPCI contract – which Upstream earlier reported would be on a lump-sum turnkey basis – was divulged, newbuild FLNG vessels of that capacity typically cost billions of dollars.

Earlier this year, Delfin secured the manufacturing capacity for the first FLNG vessel’s gas turbines from Siemens Energy. Since then, Delfin has progressed both its debt and equity financing.

“We are very pleased with the commercial and financing workstreams closing in for an FID on the Delfin LNG project,” commented Delfin chief executive Dudley Poston.

“With this LOA we further strengthen our construction pathway, not just for the first but also the second and third FLNG vessels.”