Golar LNG
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA Bermuda-based marine energy infrastructure company focused on liquefied natural gas shipping, floating storage and regasification, and floating LNG production.
Last updated August 27, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Golar LNG is a Bermuda-based energy infrastructure company whose business is centered on liquefied natural gas and marine-based gas facilities. Its activities developed from conventional shipping into specialized LNG transportation and floating infrastructure, including floating storage and regasification units and floating liquefied natural gas facilities. The company’s operating model has generally emphasized converting or adapting LNG carriers into purpose-built offshore assets, allowing it to provide infrastructure with potentially shorter development timelines and lower construction requirements than some fully land-based alternatives. The business traces its origins to Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Company, established in 1946. Gotaas-Larsen entered the LNG segment in 1970, creating the historical foundation for the later Golar LNG enterprise. The company’s maritime history also includes the loss of the oil tanker SS Golar Patricia, which exploded and sank near the Canary Islands in 1973. At the time, the vessel was described as the largest ship ever lost at sea. Ownership and corporate control changed substantially in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Osprey Maritime, based in Singapore, acquired the company in 1997. World Shipholding, controlled by shipping investor John Fredriksen, began a takeover of Osprey in 2000. The transaction was completed in 2001, when Osprey’s LNG interests were transferred into Golar LNG. Golar LNG listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2001 and on NASDAQ in 2002; its Oslo listing was later removed in August 2012. Golar’s major service areas include LNG shipping, floating storage and regasification units, and floating LNG liquefaction. FSRUs receive LNG, store it offshore, and convert it back into gaseous form for delivery into a pipeline or local gas network. Floating liquefied natural gas facilities perform the reverse function: they process and liquefy natural gas at sea, enabling production from offshore or remote gas resources without requiring a complete onshore liquefaction complex. Golar has developed both types of projects using converted LNG carriers and has also pursued larger newbuild FLNG concepts through front-end engineering and design work. The company has also explored adjacent energy and decarbonization opportunities. In 2015, Golar announced a joint venture with Stolt-Nielsen to pursue production and distribution opportunities, accompanied by a strategic investment by Stolt-Nielsen. More recent development themes described for the company include cooperation with another industry participant on floating production concepts for blue and green ammonia and on reducing the carbon intensity of LNG production. Golar LNG therefore occupies a specialized position between shipping, offshore engineering, and gas infrastructure. Rather than operating primarily as a conventional upstream producer or a broad-based utility, it provides marine assets and related services that support the movement, regasification, and offshore liquefaction of natural gas. Its historical fleet experience and conversion-based project model remain central to the company’s identity, while its newer initiatives reflect the changing role of LNG infrastructure in global energy systems.
History
Golar LNG’s history begins with Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Company, founded in 1946. Initially associated with general maritime and tanker operations, the company entered the liquefied natural gas sector in 1970. This expansion established the technical and commercial base from which Golar LNG later developed as a specialist LNG shipping and offshore infrastructure company. The company’s earlier maritime history included a major casualty in 1973, when the Gotaas-Larsen oil tanker SS Golar Patricia exploded and sank off the Canary Islands. With a gross register tonnage of 98,894 and a deadweight capacity of more than 216,000 long tons, the vessel was described at the time as the largest ship ever lost at sea. The incident is part of the company’s historical record rather than a reported corporate scandal. Corporate ownership changed in 1997, when Singapore-based Osprey Maritime acquired the company. In 2000, World Shipholding, controlled by shipping investor John Fredriksen, began a takeover of Osprey. The transaction was completed in 2001, and Osprey’s LNG segments were transferred to Golar LNG. That same year Golar LNG became listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, followed by a NASDAQ listing in 2002. The Oslo listing was delisted on 30 August 2012. Over time, Golar developed beyond the operation of conventional LNG carriers. Its strategy increasingly focused on floating energy infrastructure, particularly vessels and facilities that could perform LNG storage, regasification, or liquefaction offshore. Floating storage and regasification units are converted or purpose-built LNG carriers equipped to receive LNG, hold it in storage, and convert it back into gas for delivery to shore. This approach can support markets that need import capacity without constructing a fully integrated land-based terminal. Golar also developed floating LNG liquefaction concepts. FLNG facilities process natural gas at sea and liquefy it for shipment, potentially allowing offshore or remote gas resources to be monetized without extensive onshore infrastructure. The company’s project development model has included conversions of existing LNG carriers, while front-end engineering and design work has also been completed for a larger newbuild FLNG solution. The company broadened its strategic relationships in June 2015 by announcing a joint venture with Stolt-Nielsen to pursue production and distribution opportunities. Stolt-Nielsen also acquired a strategic stake in Golar LNG. In addition to LNG infrastructure, Golar has been described as collaborating with another industry leader on floating production concepts for blue and green ammonia and on methods to reduce carbon emissions associated with LNG production. A notable historical asset was Golar Spirit, described as the world’s first regasification vessel when it was converted from an LNG carrier. Golar LNG Partners LP operated the vessel as of 2009, and it was subsequently sold to New Fortress Energy. This illustrates the broader development of the group’s floating regasification capabilities and the use of vessel conversions to create specialized gas infrastructure. Today, Golar LNG is best understood as a marine energy infrastructure company operating at the intersection of LNG shipping, offshore engineering, and gas-market development. Its identity is defined by LNG carriers, floating storage and regasification, floating liquefaction, and related technology and project partnerships. The company’s historical evolution from a shipping business into a provider of floating LNG solutions reflects the increasing use of mobile and offshore infrastructure in international gas markets.
- 2015
Stolt-Nielsen joint venture
[1]Golar LNG and Stolt-Nielsen establish a joint venture focused on production and distribution opportunities.
- 2012
Oslo listing is discontinued
[1]Golar LNG is delisted from the Oslo Stock Exchange on 30 August.
- 2002
NASDAQ listing
[1]Golar LNG lists on NASDAQ.
- 2001
LNG interests transferred to Golar LNG
[1]Following World Shipholding’s completed takeover of Osprey, the LNG segments are transferred to Golar LNG.
- 2001
Oslo Stock Exchange listing
[1]Golar LNG lists on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
- 1997
Acquisition by Osprey Maritime
[1]Singapore-based Osprey Maritime acquires the company.
- 1973
Loss of SS Golar Patricia
[1]The company’s oil tanker SS Golar Patricia explodes and sinks off the Canary Islands.
- 1970
Entry into LNG
[1]Gotaas-Larsen expands into the liquefied natural gas segment.
- 1946
Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Company is founded
[1]The predecessor to Golar LNG is established as a shipping company.
Products and positioning
A specialized international provider of marine LNG infrastructure, combining shipping expertise with floating storage, regasification, and liquefaction solutions.
Marine LNG transportation
LNG carriers
LNG carriers are specialized ships designed to transport natural gas in liquefied form at cryogenic temperatures. They form the maritime foundation of Golar LNG’s business and also provide the conversion platform for some of the company’s floating infrastructure projects. In addition to transporting LNG between export and import markets, suitable carriers can be adapted into storage, regasification, or liquefaction assets.
Gas import infrastructure
Floating storage and regasification units
FSRUs are floating facilities that receive LNG, store it onboard, and convert it back into gaseous form for delivery into a pipeline or distribution system. Golar has developed FSRU projects based in part on conversions of existing LNG carriers. The model provides import capacity in a mobile marine format and can support markets that require regasification infrastructure without building a large conventional onshore terminal.
Offshore gas processing
Floating LNG liquefaction facilities
FLNG facilities process natural gas offshore and cool it into LNG for storage and shipment. Golar has developed floating liquefaction projects using converted LNG carriers and has completed front-end engineering and design work for a larger newbuild FLNG solution. These facilities are intended to connect offshore or remote gas resources with global LNG markets while reducing reliance on extensive onshore processing infrastructure.
Floating regasification vessel
Golar Spirit
Golar Spirit was converted from an LNG carrier into a regasification vessel and was described as the world’s first vessel of its kind. It was operated by Golar LNG Partners LP as of 2009 and was later sold to New Fortress Energy. The vessel represents an early example of Golar’s conversion-based approach to floating LNG infrastructure.
Brand decisions
2015
Form a joint venture with Stolt-NielsenM&ABackground
Golar LNG sought to expand beyond core shipping and floating LNG infrastructure into additional production and distribution opportunities.
Action taken
Golar LNG and Stolt-Nielsen announced a joint venture, while Stolt-Nielsen made a strategic investment in Golar LNG and acquired a 2.3 percent stake.
Aftermath
The arrangement created a partnership for pursuing new production and distribution opportunities; the available reference material does not provide further performance or termination details.
2012
End Oslo Stock Exchange listingStrategyBackground
Golar LNG had previously listed on both the Oslo Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
Action taken
The company was delisted from the Oslo Stock Exchange on 30 August 2012.
Aftermath
The available reference material identifies the delisting but does not state the company’s rationale or subsequent market effects.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Reported
Golar LNG agrees to acquire LNG carrier Grace Dahlia from NYK Line for conversion into fourth FLNG[2]
Golar LNG has agreed to acquire the 2013-built LNG carrier Grace Dahlia from NYK Line. The vessel, with an LNG storage capacity of 177,427 cbm, is intended to be converted into Golar's fourth floating LNG unit (FLNG #4), ordered on August 12, 2026, alongside FLNG Esperanza at CIMC Raffles' Yantai shipyard in China, with redelivery scheduled for 2029.
Golar LNG agrees to acquire LNG carrier Grace Dahlia from NYK Line for conversion into fourth FLNG[3]
Golar LNG announced that it has agreed to acquire the 2013-built LNG carrier Grace Dahlia from NYK Line. The vessel, with 177,427 cbm of LNG storage capacity, is intended to be converted into Golar's fourth floating LNG unit (FLNG #4), ordered on August 12, 2026. The conversion will take place at CIMC Raffles' Yantai shipyard in China alongside FLNG Esperanza, with redelivery scheduled for 2029.
Reported
Golar LNG places USD 300 million bond issue[4]
Golar LNG Limited placed USD 300 million in senior unsecured bonds, maturing in October 2025 and bearing 7.00% annual interest. Proceeds are intended for refinancing convertible bonds maturing in February 2022 and general corporate purposes.
Reported
Golar LNG CEO tenders resignation[5]
Golar LNG said CEO Iain Ross tendered his resignation on Monday; the company said it would immediately begin recruiting his successor.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Reported
Hygo launches initial public offering[6]
Hygo Energy Transition Ltd. launched an initial public offering of 23,100,000 common shares at an anticipated price of $18.00 to $21.00 per share and applied to list them on the Nasdaq Global Select Marketplace.
Reported
Golar LNG appoints new chief financial officer[7]
Golar LNG announced the appointment of Callum Mitchell-Thomson as its new chief financial officer; he was to formally take up the role on April 20, 2020.
Sources8 sources
- 1Golar LNGen.wikipedia.org
- 2Golar LNG同意从NYK Line收购LNG运输船Grace Dahlia用于改装为第四艘FLNGenergy-pedia.com
- 3Golar LNG同意从NYK Line收购LNG运输船Grace Dahlia用于改装为其第四艘FLNGhellenicshippingnews.com
- 4Golar LNG 完成 3 亿美元债券发行finanznachrichten.de
- 5Golar LNG 首席执行官提出辞职marinelink.com
- 6Hygo启动首次公开募股finanznachrichten.de
- 7Golar LNG 任命新首席财务官finanznachrichten.de
- 8Golar LNG Appoints New CFOmarinelink.com
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/golar-lng · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled