Golar LNG Ltd, the Bermudian-based owner of tankers that haul liquefied natural gas, has announced that floating LNG carrier Hilli Episeyo has successfully offloaded its 100th LNG cargo.

As the world’s first FLNG conversion that also introduced Cameroon as the world’s 20th LNG exporting nation in 2018, the company said, Hilli has maintained market leading commercial uptime since her contract start-up.

The 100th cargo was loaded on to MV Energy Integrity.

Golar chief executive Karl-Fredrik Staubo said: “The unrivalled track record of first-class operations for a pioneering vessel is a significant achievement and a testimony to the near five-and-a-half years of close and constructive co-operation between Golar, (Anglo-French oil and gas company) Perenco and the government of Cameroon.

“We see the proven capabilities of FLNG as increasingly valuable in today’s energy market, enabling monetisation of associated and stranded gas reserves, and catering to a world dependent on energy diversification for energy security. We look forward to maintaining this strong operational track record and collaborative partnership.”

Bermudian-based Cool Company Ltd, the liquefied natural gas shipping company, and China’s Huaxia Financial Leasing Co Ltd have entered into sale and leaseback financing arrangements for the Kool Tiger and Kool Panther new-build vessels.

The ships are scheduled to deliver to CoolCo in the second half of 2024 from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in Korea.

The sale and leasebacks are on a fixed rate per day basis for ten years, with an implied interest rate just under 6 per cent and a minimum loan-to-value of 80 per cent, with potential for additional capacity contingent upon the terms of the charter employment that CoolCo anticipates securing in advance of the vessels’ deliveries.

With the sale and leasebacks in place, CoolCo said, it had fully financed the two mega liquefied natural gas new builds.

John Boots, chief financial officer of CoolCo, said: “We are pleased to have established this important relationship with Huaxia Financial Leasing and look forward to working closely with them over the long term.

“Having completed the financing of these two state-of-the-art, two-stroke Mega LNG carrier new builds, this materially strengthens CoolCo’s future cashflow potential and strategic capabilities in a non-dilutive manner that clearly benefits our shareholders.

“The combination of our robust financial position and a substantial backlog in charters provides us with considerable flexibility, both commercially and financially, enabling us to further grow the company.

“We believe that the near- and long-term opportunities in the LNG transportation market are substantial, supported by an increased emphasis on energy security and the dramatic expansion of global LNG production under way.

“Our pure-play fleet of modern LNG carriers positions CoolCo and our shareholders to be long-term beneficiaries of these durable trends.”

Borr Drilling Ltd, the Bermudian-based oilfield services company, has secured a letter of intent for an award expected to be worth more than $120 million.

The premium jack-up rig Idun received a LOI for a 24-month programme in South East Asia starting in January.

Borr expects this LOI to be converted into a firm contract this month.

The contract value for this award is expected to be around $124 million.

The premium jack-up rig Arabia III successfully commenced its five-year firm contract with Aramco, the Saudi-Arabian state-owned petroleum and natural gas company.

The contract started ahead of schedule, continuing the track record of the Arabia I and Arabia II, which started their respective three-year contracts with Aramco in Q4 2022.

The premium jack-up rig Hild completed its transit to Mexico and is undergoing final preparations ahead of its maiden contract with Fieldwood Energy.

Borr’s premium jack-up rig Ran is on contract with the same customer.

The premium jack-up rig Gerd completed its transit from Africa to the United Arab Emirates and is undergoing preparations ahead of its contract with Bunduq Oil Company.

Borr anticipates that Gerd will commence its contract in mid-November, ahead of the previously announced schedule.

DHT Holdings Inc, the Bermudian-based crude oil tanker company, has provided a business update for the second half of the year.

For the third quarter, the company estimates time charter equivalent earnings for its fleet at $42,500 per day, comprising of $35,500 per day for the company’s very large crude carriers on time-charter and $44,700 per day for the company’s VLCCs operating in the spot market.

So far in the fourth quarter, the company said, 38 per cent of available VLCC spot days had been booked at an average rate of $34,800 per day on a discharge-to-discharge basis.

Fifty per cent of available VLCC days, spot and time-charter days combined, have been booked at an average rate of $35,000 per day.