Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent for 20-year charter of MK II FLNG to Southern Energy in Argentina, confirming $8 billion EBITDA backlog before commodity exposure and inflationary adjustments

Core Viewpoint - Golar LNG Limited has successfully secured a 20-year charter for its MKII FLNG unit, establishing a significant earnings backlog and enhancing its operational visibility in the LNG sector [1][2]. Group 1: Charter Agreement and Financial Impact - The 20-year charter of the MKII FLNG solidifies a net earnings backlog of $8 billion over 20 years, translating to an annual EBITDA of $400 million for Golar, prior to commodity exposure and inflation adjustments [2]. - The charter includes favorable commodity exposure through both the FLNG commodity tariff and Golar's 10% stake in Southern Energy S.A. (SESA) [2]. Group 2: Project Development and Timeline - The MKII FLNG, with a capacity of 3.5 MTPA, is currently being converted at CIMC Raffles Shipyard in Yantai, China, and is on track for delivery by the end of 2027, with operations expected to commence in 2028 [3]. - The total conversion budget for the MKII FLNG is approximately $2.2 billion, with $1.0 billion already spent, all funded through equity [3]. Group 3: Regulatory Approvals and Strategic Position - The project has received all necessary governmental approvals, including a 30-year LNG export authorization in Argentina and qualification as a Strategic Investment under the Large Investments Incentive Regime (RIGI) [4]. - Golar's CEO highlighted that with the confirmation of the 20-year charter, all three existing FLNGs now have 20 years of earnings visibility, amounting to a combined EBITDA backlog of $17 billion before commodity exposure [5]. Group 4: Future Growth Opportunities - With the existing fleet fully contracted for the next 20+ years, Golar will focus on new FLNG growth opportunities, leveraging its position as a proven provider of FLNG as a service to create value through gas monetization solutions [6].