Excelerate Energy selects Nord Gas Solutions to supply regasification module for its first FSRU conversion project
Excelerate Energy has picked Nord Gas Solutions (NGS) to supply the regasification system module for the conversion of the 6.0 million cubic foot (170,000 cubic meter) LNG carrier Methane Patricia Camila into a floating storage and regasification unit. It’s the company’s first FSRU conversion project. The contract was awarded in July 2026.
Contract awarded for FSRU conversion regasification module
The Methane Patricia Camila is a large vessel — 6.0 million cubic feet (170,000 cubic meters) of capacity. Once converted, it’ll serve two functions: storing liquefied natural gas and regasifying it for delivery to end markets. That’s a meaningful operational upgrade from a pure carrier. The regasification module NGS is supplying sits right at the center of that transformation.
NGS got the contract in July 2026 and will design and deliver the regasification system module, which goes aboard the vessel as part of the broader conversion work. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2028 — roughly two years to work through engineering, fabrication, and integration.
The selection came down to NGS’s technical experience in FSRU conversion regasification systems and an existing relationship between the two companies.
For Excelerate, this is new territory. They’re one of the more established names in floating LNG infrastructure, but this marks the first time they’re converting an existing LNG carrier into an FSRU rather than commissioning a purpose-built unit. That distinction makes supplier selection considerably more consequential than it might be on a routine project.
Why NGS was selected for the project
Excelerate didn’t land on NGS by accident. David Liner, the company’s Chief Operating Officer, pointed straight to NGS’s track record when explaining the decision. “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.”
Two factors stand out: technical depth and an existing working relationship. FSRU conversion work means integrating new regasification equipment into a vessel that was never originally built for it — demanding precise engineering and a supplier who already understands the operational reality on the other end.
NGS framed it similarly. Pål Steinnes, Head of Sales for Midstream at NGS, noted the contract was rooted in the company’s “extensive global experience in regasification modules for FSRU conversions.” He also flagged the prior relationship with Excelerate, calling it “a great honor to once again team up with one of the industry’s most prominent companies on their first conversion project.”
That “once again” is worth noticing. Prior experience between two parties tends to reduce the friction that comes with technically demanding jobs — fewer assumptions to test, fewer processes to align from scratch.
Expected impact of the converted FSRU once deployed
Once deployed, the converted vessel is expected to expand access to natural gas in the markets it serves. The project announcement describes that gas as cleaner and more affordable relative to the energy alternatives available in those target regions.
FSRUs have become a practical fix for areas that need gas supply infrastructure but can’t justify — or finance — onshore regasification terminals. A converted vessel can be positioned offshore, connected to existing pipelines or distribution networks, and reach operations far faster than any fixed facility could.
Converting an existing LNG carrier adds another layer of efficiency. Rather than ordering a new-build FSRU, Excelerate is repurposing an asset already in its fleet, sidestepping the costs and lead times of building from scratch while still delivering the regasification capability those markets need. It’s a lean approach — and one that could signal a broader shift in how operators think about expanding floating infrastructure.
Background: Nord Gas Solutions and its origins
NGS is a relatively new name, though the business behind it isn’t. The company is the rebranded entity formed after Mutares SE & Co. acquired Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, with the transaction taking effect on June 1, 2026. The rebrand positions NGS as an independent specialist focused on LNG and gas solutions, operating separately from its former parent.
The timing is notable. NGS entered the market under its new identity just weeks before the Excelerate contract landed. Winning a high-profile project this early in its independent life gives the company a strong opening statement as it builds its standalone reputation.
Excelerate Energy, for its part, operates a fleet of FSRUs and has a history of deploying floating regasification solutions in markets where fixed infrastructure is limited or simply unavailable — a well-established player with a clear strategic rationale for this kind of conversion work.
Module delivery expected in 2028
Here’s what’s been announced: NGS is contracted to supply the regasification system module for the conversion of the Methane Patricia Camila — a 6.0 million cubic foot (170,000 cubic meter) LNG carrier — into an FSRU. The contract was awarded in July 2026, with module delivery expected in the first half of 2028. It’s Excelerate Energy’s first FSRU conversion project. The selection came down to NGS’s technical experience in FSRU conversion regasification systems and an existing relationship between the two companies. NGS itself is a newly independent brand, formed after Mutares SE & Co. acquired Wärtsilä Gas Solutions in June 2026.
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.
