A pending dropdown of a key FLNG unit and increased confidence around payouts to investors has led Stifel to upgrade Golar LNG Partners.

The MLP was raised from hold to buy at the same time as analyst Ben Nolan delivered a positive assessment of parent Golar LNG.

Nolan says the FLNG unit Hilli Episeyo is just days away from beginning to generate revenue and several new contracts are expected soon.