A Shell-controlled LNG carrier is being lined up as a potential vessel to lift a first commercial cargo from the major’s huge floating LNG (FLNG) production unit off north-west Australia.

Eikland Energy's IGIS/LNG data service indicates that the 170,000-cbm Methane Julia Louise (built 2010) is a likely candidate to call at Prelude FLNG.

The Norway-based natural gas and LNG business consultancy said the vessel is in ballast after discharging a cargo in Dalian, China, on 18 April.