Angolas liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant is currently facing major reconstruction to fix design problems and corrosion of nearly-new stainless steel equipment. Not only will this cause a lengthy closure of the plant, but it will also push the project costs to an estimated USD $12 billion.
The American-based oil company, Chevron, is the projects largest shareholder but the consortium of investors also includes Sonangol, BP, Total and Eni. As a group, the companies contracted Bechtel to build the state-of-the-art plant on the Atlantic coast 300 km north of Luanda. Production at the plant was stopped in April after a series of leaks and mechanical troubles. Reportedly, the plant will remain closed until mid-next year but some sources speculate this could slip into 2016 depending on how much rebuilding needs to be done. The stainless steel often used in LNG plants is usually low grade because the gas itself is not corrosive.
However, even low grade or basic stainless steel is not resistant to salt spray or seawater in Angolas hot climate. Therefore, corroded pipelines are already being repaired or replaced and valves will also need renewing, while compressors that are prone to uncontrolled surges of gas pressure will have to be overhauled.