South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries and GasEntec ink MoU to develop small-scale LNG

South Korean shipbuilder and maritime engineering firm Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and South Korean engineering firm GasEntec have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for GasEntec to license SHI’s Samsung Enhanced Nitrogen Split Expansion (SENSE) liquefaction technology for small-scale LNG development, the firms announced on September 22.

The companies will collaborate on the development of small-scale applications between 50,000 and 1mn tonnes per year (tpy). The MoU marks the first commercial licensing of SENSE outside of SHI.

SHI’s SENSE technology achieves greater efficiencies than the standard liquefaction process. SHI’s technology uses a gas expansion process with nitrogen and methane as single-component refrigerants with the process being done in a gaseous state to increase stability and operational convenience.

In addition to SHI’s SENSE liquefaction technology, GasEntec specialises in integrating modular LNG systems for floating and onshore infrastructure, including regasification, gas handling and logistics equipment supporting global LNG supply chains.

Small-scale LNG holds untapped potential as an active segment producers and industrial users could benefit from monetising stranded gas, while not requiring significant capital investment, as is the case for LNG liquefaction trains.

The two South Korean firms could provide LNG for ports and marine corridors and fuel supply for remote power, industrial or bunker use.

“As global LNG capacity expands, liquefaction technology is entering a new cycle of innovation and diversification,” GasEntec CEO Brian Yoon said.

“Our partnership with SHI brings their proven liquefaction technology to the small-scale segment, backed by our expertise integrating modular LNG systems worldwide, for the first time. Customers will be able to access an integrated platform that enables flexible solutions spanning liquefaction through to downstream delivery,” Yoon added.

In addition to small-scale liquefaction, SHI will continue to offer liquefaction technology for larger volume applications, such as floating LNG projects.

South Korea depends heavily on LNG imports due to its limited natural resources and advanced industrial economy. In 2025, South Korea was the third largest importer of the super-chilled fuel trailing only China and Japan.