Excelerate Energy selects Nord Gas Solutions to supply regasification module for its first FSRU conversion project
Excelerate Energy has handed Nord Gas Solutions (NGS) a contract to supply the regasification system module for the conversion of the 170,000-cubic-meter (6.0 million cubic feet) LNG carrier Methane Patricia Camila into a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU). Awarded in July 2026, the deal marks Excelerate Energy’s first foray into FSRU conversion — a milestone that signals a strategic shift for one of the industry’s most established players.
Contract awarded for FSRU conversion module
NGS has been tasked with designing and delivering the regasification system module that will be installed aboard the Methane Patricia Camila — a 170,000-cubic-meter (6.0 million cubic feet) LNG carrier currently undergoing conversion into a fully operational FSRU. Module delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2028, giving both parties roughly two years to work through the technical integration before deployment.
For Excelerate Energy, this project carries real weight. The company has long been one of the biggest names in the FSRU space, but historically as an operator of purpose-built units. Choosing to convert an existing LNG carrier instead of commissioning a newbuild is a genuine departure from that playbook — the kind of pivot the industry tends to notice.
The rebrand is recent — the engineering teams, operational expertise, and global project track record, however, carried straight over from the predecessor company.
The vessel’s size matters too. At 170,000 m³, the Methane Patricia Camila sits firmly in the large-capacity segment of the LNG fleet, and converting a carrier that size demands a regasification module that’s technically precise and proven in demanding marine environments. That’s exactly where NGS’s role becomes critical.
Why NGS was selected for the project
Excelerate didn’t pick NGS at random. According to David Liner, Excelerate’s Chief Operating Officer, the selection came down to technical depth and an established working relationship — two factors that reinforced each other.
“NGS brings extensive experience designing and delivering regasification systems for the global LNG industry,” Liner said. “Combined with our longstanding relationship, their technical expertise made them a natural partner for Excelerate Energy’s first FSRU conversion project.”
That phrase — “longstanding relationship” — is worth sitting with. In high-stakes infrastructure projects, familiarity between contractor and client reduces friction. Both sides already understand each other’s standards, communication styles, and expectations. When you’re tackling a first-of-kind project, that kind of trust is genuinely hard to put a price on.
From NGS’s side, Pål Steinnes, Head of Sales, Midstream, echoed the sentiment. “The award of this important contract was based on our extensive global experience in regasification modules for FSRU conversions,” he said. “We have a strong relationship with Excelerate Energy, and it is a great honor to once again team up with one of the industry’s most prominent companies on their first conversion project.”
The emphasis on FSRU conversion experience specifically — not just general regasification expertise — tells you something about what Excelerate was actually looking for. Retrofitting an existing vessel and outfitting a newbuild from the keel up are different problems, and they wanted a supplier who knew the difference.
Expected outcomes of the converted FSRU
Once the Methane Patricia Camila completes its conversion and enters service, Excelerate expects it to expand natural gas access in the markets it serves. The company frames the project as contributing to cleaner and more affordable energy supply — language that reflects LNG’s broader positioning as a transitional fuel in regions still reliant on heavier or less efficient energy sources.
FSRU conversions have a practical edge over newbuilds that’s hard to ignore. Converting an existing vessel typically takes less time and capital than ordering a purpose-built FSRU from a shipyard. For countries or utilities that need LNG import capacity quickly — whether due to supply disruptions, energy security concerns, or rapid demand growth — that difference can be decisive.
FSRUs also offer flexibility that permanent onshore regasification terminals simply don’t. They can be redeployed if market conditions shift, and they don’t require the same level of coastal infrastructure investment. That combination of lower upfront cost and operational adaptability makes them increasingly attractive, especially in emerging markets.
Background: Nord Gas Solutions and the LNG industry
NGS might be a new name to some, but the company behind it isn’t new to the business. NGS is the corporate brand formed after Mutares SE & Co. acquired Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, with the transaction taking effect on June 1, 2026. The rebrand is recent — the engineering teams, operational expertise, and global project track record, however, carried straight over from the predecessor company.
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions had built a solid reputation as a supplier of regasification systems across the global LNG industry. Institutional knowledge doesn’t disappear with a name change. The Excelerate contract, awarded just weeks after the new brand launched, suggests the market already knows that.
The FSRU sector more broadly has been picking up momentum as countries look for flexible, scalable LNG import solutions without locking themselves into permanent onshore infrastructure. FSRUs come online faster, can be repositioned as needed, and scale to match demand — qualities that suit markets navigating energy transitions or supply uncertainty particularly well.
Excelerate’s first FSRU conversion project
Here’s the short version: NGS has been contracted to supply the regasification system module for the Methane Patricia Camila, an LNG carrier being converted into an FSRU by Excelerate Energy. The contract was awarded in July 2026, with module delivery expected in the first half of 2028. It’s Excelerate’s first FSRU conversion project. NGS — formerly Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, now under new ownership by Mutares SE & Co. — was chosen based on its technical expertise and an existing relationship with Excelerate. Once deployed, the converted vessel is expected to support natural gas access in its target markets.
Kelly is an experienced writer with 15 years of experience exploring the big stories that shape our world, from tech breakthroughs and space exploration to climate, energy, and the fascinating quirks of science. She has a talent for turning complex ideas into sharp, memorable insights that stay with readers long after they’ve finished reading.
