Aker Solutions, which changed its name from Aker Kvaener on Thursday April 4, operates in 28 countries and is making Perth a hub for its liquefied natural gas business.

Aker is championing the idea of "floating LNG" plants that would have gas processing, liquefaction and storage facilities available offshore on a purpose-built barge, obviating the need for a pipeline to an onshore plant.

Winner of best technical paper at last year's APPEA Conference, Aker Solutions will present two papers at APPEA 2008, one on semi-submersible production vessels and their application to Australian waters, and the second on closed-loop glycol systems.

Aker vice president deepwater technology Henrik Hannus will lead the Norwegian Aker Solutions team at the conference.