EXMAR's offshore activities reach two milestones with the delivery of the first OPTI EX™ hull and a strategic alliance to develop a floating liquefaction unit (FLNG)

EXMAR Offshore successfully the first ever OPTI-EX™ Hull for its deepwater floating production system at the Samsung Heavy Industries yard in Korea. The project team supervised its transportation and delivery to the coastal offshore facility at Ingleside, Texas where the topside production facilities were being fabricated and where integration of the hull subsequently took place in mid 2009.

EXMAR also entered into an agreement with its partners Excelerate Energy and Black & Veatch to co-develop a floating liquefaction barge, foreseeing the increasing demand for LNG export activities as a clean source of alternative energy.

The charterer of the FPSO Farwah exercised its purchase option earlier in May, with EXMAR Offshore continuing to operate and maintain the unit under a five year contract. The construction of the offshore accommodation barge NUNCE progressed further and was delivered in 2009 on a long term charter to Sonagol off the coast of Angola.