Fangqiu Li

The South China Sea is rich in natural gas resources, but its complex marine environment—including frequent typhoons, massive internal wave currents, and severe sea conditions—poses unprecedented challenges to the design, mooring, operation, and maintenance of Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facilities. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the core challenges and cutting-edge innovations in FLNG technology under the harsh sea conditions of the South China Sea. The study begins with an in-depth analysis of the unique environmental loads in the region and their extreme demands on FLNG systems, focusing on key issues such as the selection of process schemes under sloshing conditions and the uniform distribution of heat exchangers, vessel design and mooring system solutions adapted to deep-water ultra-strong winds and currents, LNG loading and offloading challenges, and integrated real-time monitoring and AI-driven predictive maintenance systems. Finally, the paper discusses strategies for balancing economic viability and safety in South China Sea FLNG projects and explores the application prospects of digital twin technology and renewable energy integration in enhancing the sustainability of FLNG operations in the region. This research aims to provide technical references and decision-making support for the safe and economical development of FLNG projects in the South China Sea and other similarly harsh marine environments.