Floating gas has moved well beyond the concept stage, but that does not mean the next wave of projects will be straightforward. As developers look at shallow-water, nearshore and harsher-environment applications, questions around mooring, stationkeeping, disconnectability and project viability start to matter in a different way.

In this episode of Setting Course, an ABS Podcast, recorded live at OTC 2026 in Houston, Arun Duggal of MODEC and Matt Tremblay of ABS join host Brad Cox to explore what it takes to make floating gas projects work in more demanding offshore environments.

They discuss why shallow water can be especially challenging for large FLNG and FSRU assets, how disconnectable systems are being developed for hurricane-prone regions, where FPSO experience carries over into floating gas applications, and why early planning across design, class and regulatory stakeholders is critical to building confidence in new concepts.

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Takeaways

• Shallow-water floating gas projects can be more complex than they first appear.
• Mooring and stationkeeping can directly shape project viability.
• Disconnectable systems may expand options in harsher environments.
• FPSO experience provides a strong foundation for FLNG and FSRU design.
• Early planning with class and regulators helps build project confidence.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Why the Next FLNG and FSRU Opportunities are Harder

04:32 LNG Market Outlook

06:28 Why Mooring Becomes More Consequential

08:49 The Role of Disconnectable Systems

15:25 What FPSOs Have Taught the Industry

18:56 The Impact of Early Planning

21:19 Closing Thoughts

Guests

Arun Duggal is the President and Country Manager of MODEC America, Inc., following the merger of MODEC International, Inc. and SOFEC, Inc. In this role, he leads the combined U.S. operations and serves as the Head of the Mooring Solutions Business Unit. With over 30 years of experience at SOFEC and the MODEC Group, Arun has been involved in the design and implementation of mooring and turret systems for floating production vessels globally. His career has progressed through various technical and leadership roles, including Chief Technology Officer and CEO of SOFEC. A SNAME Fellow, he has contributed to industry standards for mooring design and integrity. He holds a Ph.D. in Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a frequent contributor to offshore technical symposiums and publications. In 2025, he was awarded the OTC Heritage Award and the SNAME Blakely Smith Medal for his contributions to Ocean Engineering.

Matt Tremblay serves as ABS senior vice president of Global Offshore based at ABS corporate headquarters in Houston. During his 30 years at ABS, Tremblay has served in various engineering and leadership positions throughout the US and Asia, including as Pacific Division vice president of operations based in Singapore and vice president of engineering for the ABS Americas Division.