Golar LNG Limited (GLNG) 20-F2023 FY Annual report (foreign)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act.

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

 

 

Note- Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

 

 

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

INDEX TO REPORT ON FORM 20-F

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.

We desire to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. This report and any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this report, the words “believe”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “projected”, “plan”, “potential”, “continue”, “will”, “may”, “could”, “should”, “would”, “expect” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements.

In addition to these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among other things:

Please see our Risk Factors in Item 3 of this report for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this report not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance, and actual results and future developments may vary materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date of this report and, except as required by law, we assume no obligation to revise or update any written or oral forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf as a result of new information, future events or other factors. If one or more forward-looking statements are revised or updated, no inference should be drawn that additional revisions or updates will be made in the future.

PART I

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

The risk factors summarized and detailed below could materially and adversely affect our business, our financial condition, our results of operations and the trading price of our common shares. We have categorized the risks we face based on whether they arise from our FLNG business, projects, financing and operational activities or from the industry in which we operate. We have listed these risks based on management’s assessment of priority. Where relevant, we have grouped together related risks into the following categories:

Risks related to our FLNGs and our FLNG growth project

As described under note 18 of our audited consolidated financial statements included herein, a LOA contract interpretation dispute regarding parts of pre-commissioning contractual cash flows currently exists between us and BP, regarding Project Delay Payments (“PDPs”) due from BP to Gimi MS Corporation (“Gimi MS”). Gimi MS initiated arbitration proceedings in August 2023. The resolution of this matter is expected to take several months or years, with no guarantee of a favorable outcome for our claim. Pursuing such legal proceedings may incur significant time and legal expenses. In the event of a favorable resolution, we may be entitled to recover all or a portion of our legal costs and fees incurred, from BP. Conversely, an unfavorable resolution may result in the potential forfeiture of our claim in part or in full and we may be required to reimburse all or a portion of BP’s legal costs and fees incurred which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, and results of operations. Additionally, these legal actions carry the risk of negative publicity, potentially impacting our reputation and, consequently, our operational results. As of March 15, 2024, the dispute remains unresolved.

Our future revenue is dependent on a limited number of customers. The loss of a key customer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a key customer, or the inability of a customer to pay for our services, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. We could lose a customer or the benefits of a contract if:

If we lose a key customer or if a customer exercises its right to terminate the contract or charter, we may be unable to acquire an adequate replacement which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

We use derivative instruments to manage commodity, currency and financial market risks. The extent of our derivative position at any given time depends on our assessments of the markets for these commodities and related exposures. We currently account for all derivatives at fair value, with immediate recognition of changes in the fair value in our earnings. These transactions and other derivative transactions have resulted and may continue to result in substantial volatility in reported results of operations, particularly in periods of significant commodity, currency or financial market variability, or as a result of ineffectiveness of these contracts. Changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts. In addition, our liquidity may be adversely impacted by the cash margin requirements of the commodities exchanges or the failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with a contract.

The inherent uncertainty in the energy market, including fluctuations in commodity prices and regulatory changes, may impact the decision-making processes of potential customers. Economic downturns, geopolitical events, or shifts in energy policies can introduce unpredictability and volatility, making it challenging to forecast and convert commercial leads into profitable long-term contracts. Difficulties in converting opportunities to a binding commercial agreement with a counterparty for the deployment of a Mark II design conversion could result in additional costs and could negatively impact our future project prospects.

The intricacies and scale of the FLNG conversion process pose risks, including unforeseen technical challenges or complexities in the Mark II design, especially with the integration of new technologies or modifications to the original design. Delays in the FLNG conversion schedules beyond agreed-upon timelines may impact our ability to meet contractual obligations, resulting in potential financial penalties, strained customer relationships and reputational damage. Such delays may be caused by various factors, including unforeseen technical issues, supply chain disruptions, adverse weather conditions, or regulatory hurdles.

Moreover, the failure of shipyards to adhere to performance specifications could compromise the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the converted FLNG units. This may lead to suboptimal performance, increased maintenance costs, and potential liabilities if the delivered product fails to meet industry standards or regulatory requirements. Deviations from agreed-upon prices with suppliers can result in unexpected financial burdens. Additionally, the global nature of the shipbuilding industry exposes us to geopolitical and economic risks, wherein changes in trade policies, geopolitical tensions, or economic downturns in key regions, may affect the availability of skilled labor, essential materials, and financing, leading to increased project costs and delays.

In addition, changes in regulatory requirements, unexpected permitting delays or the need to comply with evolving environmental, safety, and operational standards may require modifications to the project plan. In the event of non-compliance by shipyards, our ability to enforce contractual terms and secure timely remedies may be subject to legal and regulatory complexities, further exacerbating the adverse impact on our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.

The conversion of a FLNG, such as Mark II, takes a number of years and requires a substantial capital investment that is dependent on sufficient funding and commercial interest, among other factors. The availability and cost of financing in the capital markets can be influenced by various external factors, including economic conditions, interest rates, investor sentiment, contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Unforeseen changes in these factors may lead to fluctuations in the cost of debt or equity financing, potentially affecting the overall financial feasibility of the Mark II project. Further, the complexity and scale of the Mark II may present challenges in structuring financing arrangements. Lenders and investors may have stringent requirements related to project viability, risk allocation, and financial returns, which may necessitate protracted negotiations and due diligence processes. We may be required to use cash from operations, incur additional borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or additional equity securities to fund the conversion. Our failure to obtain funds for future capital expenditures could impact our results of operations, cash flow, financial condition and growth prospects.

The conversion of our Mark II design will be the first of its kind. Due to its novelty and the highly technical process related to FLNG conversions, we are reliant on a limited number of contractors and shipyards with relevant FLNG conversion experience. A change of appointed contractors for any reason would likely result in higher costs and a significant delay to any delivery schedules. Our future FLNG vessels may not able to meet certain performance requirements or perform as intended and we may have to accept reduced rates, not be able to contract FLNG vessel or we may be required to recognize an impairment expense in our financial statements in the future. Any of these possibilities would have a negative impact, which could be significant, on our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.

Risks related to the financing of our business

In order to fund future projects, increased working capital levels or other capital expenditures, we may be required to use cash from operations, incur additional borrowings or raise capital through the issuance of debt or additional equity securities.

Our ability to do so may be limited by our financial condition at the time of such financing or offering, as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain funds for future capital expenditures could impact our results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay dividends. Furthermore, our ability to access capital, the overall economic conditions and our ability to secure new customers on a timely basis could limit our ability to fund our growth plans and capital expenditures. If we are successful in issuing equity in order to raise capital, the issuance of additional equity securities would dilute existing shareholders’ equity interests and reduce any pro rata dividend payments without a commensurate increase in cash allocated to dividends, if any. Even if we are successful in obtaining bank financing, paying debt service would limit cash available for working capital and increasing our indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.

As of December 31, 2023, we had total outstanding debt of $1.2 billion, of which $0.8 billion was exposed to a floating interest rate based on SOFR, which could affect the amount of interest payable on our debt. In order to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, we use interest rate swaps to effectively fix a part of our floating rate debt obligations. As of December 31, 2023, we have interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $0.7 billion representing 88.5% of our total floating rate debt. While we are economically hedged, we do not apply hedge accounting and therefore interest rate swap mark-to-market valuations may adversely affect our results. Entering into swaps and derivative transactions is inherently risky and presents various possibilities for incurring significant expenses. The derivative strategies that we employ currently and in the future may not be successful or effective, and we could, as a result, incur substantial additional interest costs or losses.

In the future, our financial condition could be materially adversely affected to the extent we do not hedge our exposure to interest rate fluctuations under loans that have been advanced at a floating rate. Any hedging activities we engage in may not effectively manage our interest rate exposure or have the desired impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Most of our obligations are secured by our vessels and guaranteed by our subsidiaries holding the interests in our vessels. Our loan agreements impose, and future financial obligations may impose, operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions may require the consent of our lenders, or may prevent or otherwise limit our ability to, among other things: merge into or consolidate with any other entity; to sell or otherwise dispose of, all or substantially all of our assets; make or pay equity distributions, repurchase our own shares; incur additional indebtedness; incur or make any capital expenditures; materially amend, or terminate, any of our current vessel contracts or management agreements.

We entered into agreements to provide stand-ready guarantees in connection with commercial bank indebtedness, claims, damages or liabilities imposed by governmental authorities for certain parties, including but not limited to Golar Partners, Hygo, Energos, CoolCo, Avenir and Macaw Energies and its investments. Failure by any of these parties to comply with any provisions contained in the agreements, may lead to an event of default under these agreements. In such case, we would need to satisfy the obligations or indemnify the losses of the respective party.

Additionally, if a default occurs under a loan agreement, the lenders could accelerate the outstanding borrowing and declare all amounts outstanding due and payable. In this case, if such party is unable to obtain a waiver or an amendment to the applicable provisions of the loan agreement, or do not have enough cash on hand to repay the outstanding borrowing, the lenders may, among other things, foreclose their liens on the respective asset, or seek repayment of the loan from such party or from us under the guarantee that we have provided.

The occurrence of any of the events described above would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, reduce our ability or make us unable to pay dividends to our shareholders for so long as such default is continuing, and may impair our ability to continue as a going concern.

Pursuant to the entry into agreements to provide stand-ready guarantees to certain parties, we are counter indemnified by certain parties, including CoolCo, NFE and Energos for certain losses we may incur in connection with providing guarantees and indemnities. These parties' abilities may be affected by events beyond either of our control, including prevailing economic, financial, geopolitical and industry conditions. If they are unable to meet their indemnification obligations, our results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders could be materially adversely affected.

Our ability to service our indebtedness will depend upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, regulatory, war or geopolitical unrest and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. If our cash inflows are not sufficient to service our indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions, such as reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt or seeking additional equity capital. We may not be able to effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all. In addition, a lack of liquidity in the debt and equity markets could hinder our ability to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing on favorable terms in the future.

Following the sale and leaseback transaction we have entered into with a subsidiary of a Chinese financial institution that was determined to be lessor VIE, where we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary, we are required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) to consolidate the lessor VIE into our financial results. Although consolidated into our results, we have no control over the funding arrangements negotiated by the lessor VIE such as interest rates, maturity and repayment profiles. The funding arrangements negotiated by the lessor VIE could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow and financial condition. For additional detail refer to note 5 “Variable Interest Entities” of our consolidated financial statements included herein.

As of December 31, 2023, we have $679.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, of which are $481.7 million held in short-term money market deposits carried with a limited number of financial institutions. The collapse of any financial institution or the inability of a financial institution to obtain necessary funding when required, or a banking crisis, could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and financial condition.

Risks related to our operations

We entered into agreements for the provision of certain technical, crew, transitional corporate and administrative services and have subcontracted the provision of certain corporate and administrative services to ship managers. Such agreements expose us to subcontractor counterparty risks. The ability of each of our subcontractors to perform its obligations under a contract with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the overall financial condition of our subcontractors, the condition of the maritime and offshore industries and work stoppages or other labor disturbances. Should our subcontractors fail to honor their obligations under agreements with us, we could sustain significant losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.

We are dependent upon the available labor pool of skilled employees. We compete with other employers to attract and retain qualified personnel with the technical skills and experience required to construct and operate our FLNGs and to provide our customers with the highest quality service. A shortage in the labor pool of skilled workers, remote FLNG locations, increasing cost of living or other general inflationary pressures, changes in applicable laws and regulations or labor disputes could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified personnel and could require an increase in the salaries, wages and benefits packages that we offer, thereby increasing our operating costs. Any increase in our operating costs could materially and adversely affect our business, contracts, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition.

Our success depends, to a significant extent, upon the skills and efforts of our senior executives and certain key employees. While we believe that we have an experienced team, the loss or unavailability of one or more of our senior executives and/or our key employees for any extended period of time could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We rely on information and operational technology systems and networks in our operations and the administration of our business. The energy industry has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies to conduct day-to-day operations, and the use of mobile communication devices has rapidly increased. Industrial control systems such as supervisory control and data acquisition (“SCADA”) systems now control large-scale processes that can include multiple sites across long distances. In addition, cybersecurity attacks are also becoming more sophisticated and include, but are not limited to, ransomware, credential stuffing, spear phishing, social engineering, use of deepfakes (i.e., highly realistic synthetic media generated by artificial intelligence) and other attempts to gain unauthorized access to data for purposes of extortion or other malfeasance. Our technologies, systems, networks and business partners may become the target of cybersecurity attacks or security breaches.

We have experienced attempted cybersecurity attacks, but have not suffered any material adverse impacts to our business and operations as a result of such unsuccessful attempts. We have implemented security measures that are designed to detect and protect against cyberattacks. No security measure is infallible. Despite these measures and any additional measures, we may implement or adopt in the future, our facilities and systems, and those of our third-party service providers, have been and are vulnerable to security breaches, computer viruses, lost or misplaced data, programming errors, scams, burglary, misdirected wire transfers including security breaches caused by human errors, and other adverse events. Our efforts to improve security and protect data may also identify previously undiscovered instances of security breaches or bad actors with present access to our systems.

Cyber-attacks have increased in number and sophistication in recent years. Our operations could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking to sabotage, compromise or disrupt our information or operational technology systems and networks, to steal or corrupt data, or otherwise disrupt our operations. A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our operations, including the safety of our operations, or lead to unauthorized release of information or alteration of information on our systems. Any such attack or other breaches of our information technology and operational technology systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition, and may result in the loss of sensitive, confidential information or other assets, as well as litigation, including individual claims or class actions, regulatory enforcement actions, violation of privacy or securities laws and regulations, and remediation costs.

Our vessels are exposed to a range of risks, including marine disasters, epidemic and pandemic diseases, piracy, environmental accidents, adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, and geopolitical events like war and terrorism. Recent attacks in the Red Sea highlight potential consequences, including injury, property loss, and environmental damage. These events have the potential to disrupt cargo delivery, services, routine maintenance, inspections, and equipment management, leading to loss of hire, contract termination, governmental fines, and business restrictions. Additionally, our vessels could be requisitioned during national emergencies, exposing us to higher insurance premiums, potential coverage inadequacy, and uncertainties in claims settlements. Operating in regions designated as "war risk" zones could also increase insurance costs. Uninsured repair costs and the unpredictability of vessel repair cost could pose substantial financial challenges. Environmental incidents, including those from sandstorms, could lead to cleanup liabilities, penalties, and negative media coverage. All of these factors have the potential to materially impact our business, results of operations, cash flows, weaken our financial condition and negatively affect our ability to pay dividends.

FLNGs are complex floating operation platforms dependent on multiple systems to work in parallel to obtain efficient operations. The various equipment onboard has different operational procedures and maintenance cycles. A breakdown of critical component(s) may adversely impact the overall performance of our FLNG operations, which may lead to economic impacts. Human operational errors, out of cycle maintenance of equipment, failure to routinely conduct maintenance, wear and tear and external impacts may negatively impact our operations and results of operations.

Our main operations located in Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritania and Brazil are subject to various challenges arising from economic, political, social and other conditions and developments in these jurisdictions. Some of these countries have experienced political, security, and social economic instability in recent years and may experience instability in the future, including changes, sometimes frequent or marked, in energy policies or the personnel administering them, expropriation of property, cancellation or modification of contract rights, changes in laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies, unilateral renegotiation of contracts by governmental entities, redefinition of international boundaries or boundary disputes, foreign exchange restrictions or controls, currency fluctuations, royalty and tax increases and other risks arising out of governmental sovereignty over the areas in which our operations are and will be conducted, as well as risks of loss due to acts of social unrest, terrorism, corruption and bribery. The governments in certain of these jurisdictions differ widely with respect to structure, constitution, political, economic and social stability and some countries lack mature legal and regulatory systems. As our operations depend on governmental approval and regulatory decisions, we may be adversely affected by changes in the political structure or government representatives in each of the countries in which we operate. In addition, these jurisdictions, particularly emerging countries, are subject to risk of contagion from the economic, political and social developments in other emerging countries and markets.

Furthermore, some of the regions in which we operate have been subject to significant levels of terrorist activity, social and political unrest, particularly in the shipping and maritime industries. In addition to acts of terrorism, vessels trading in these and other regions have also been subject, in limited instances, to piracy. In addition, the ongoing political instability in Ukraine and Middle East may impact our business. Tariffs, trade embargoes and other economic sanctions by the U.S. or other countries against countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa or elsewhere as a result of terrorist attacks, hostilities or otherwise may limit trading activities with those countries. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay cash distributions to our shareholders.

We may operate in several countries throughout the world, including countries known to have a reputation for corruption. We are committed to doing business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which is consistent and in full compliance with the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act. We are subject, however, to the risk that we, our affiliated entities or our or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents may take actions determined to be in violation of such anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act. Any such violation could result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating, and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of our senior management.

To effectively compete in some foreign jurisdictions, we utilize local agents and/or establish entities with local operators or strategic partners. All these activities may involve interaction by our agents with government officials. Even though some of our agents or partners may not themselves be subject to the FCPA, the UK Bribery Act, or other anti-bribery laws to which we may be subjected to, if our agents or partners make improper payments to government officials or other persons in connection with engagements or partnerships with us, we could be investigated and potentially found liable for violation of such anti-bribery laws and could incur civil and criminal penalties and other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

As our vessels age, the expenses associated with maintaining and operating them are expected to increase, which could have an adverse effect on our business and operations.

The carrying values of our vessels may not represent their fair market value at any point in time because the market prices of secondhand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates, the cost of new build vessels and supply/demand for secondhand vessels. Our vessels are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Any impairment charges recognized in our consolidated financial statements could negatively affect our business, results of operations, financial condition or the trading price of our common shares and publicly listed debt.

We have two defined benefit pension plans for certain of our current and former marine employees. Members do not contribute to the pension scheme plans and these pension schemes are closed to new entrants. As of December 31, 2023, one of the plans is underfunded by $25.2 million. The underfunded pension liability could change depending on market conditions, interest rate volatility and other key actuarial assumptions. We may need to increase our contributions in order to meet the scheme’s liabilities as they fall due, or, to reduce the deficit. Such contributions could have a material and adverse effect on our cash flows and financial condition.

Our principal currency for our operations and financing is the U.S. Dollar. We generate most of our revenues in the U.S. Dollar. Apart from the U.S. Dollar, we incur operating and administrative expenses in multiple currencies. Due to a portion of our expenses being incurred in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, our expenses may, from time to time, increase relative to our revenues as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. Dollar and but not limited to the Euro, the Norwegian Krone (“NOK”), the British Pound (“GBP”) and the Brazilian Real (“BRL”), which could affect our earnings. We may use financial derivatives to hedge some of our currency exposures. Our use of financial derivatives involves certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedged position could exceed the nominal amount invested in the instrument and the risk that the counterparty to the derivative transaction may be unable or unwilling to satisfy its contractual obligations, which could have an adverse effect on our results and cash flows.

As of March 15, 2024, we have invested $18.2 million in Macaw Energies, our wholly owned subsidiary, focused on decarbonizing natural gas production through the monetization of flared gas. Macaw Energies has acquired ownership interests in MGAS Comercializadora de Gás Natural Ltda. (“MGAS”) and Logística e Distribuição de Gás S.A. (“LOGAS”). The value of our equity method investments are subject to a variety of risks, including, among others, the risks related to Macaw Energies’ business, such as the risks inherent in the compression of natural gas, risks associated to the effectiveness of Macaw Energies’ technology (flare to gas mobile kit or F2X), inability of Macaw Energies to identify new customers and enter into profitable contracts, inability of Macaw Energies to obtain sufficient financing for any new project it identifies, and other industry, regulatory, economic and political risks similar in nature to the risks faced by us.

As of December 31, 2023, we held investments in Avenir, Aqualung Carbon Capture AS (“Aqualung”), Egyptian Company for Gas Services S.A.E. (“ECGS”), MGAS and LOGAS. The value of our investments and the income generated from our investments are subject to a variety of risks, including, among others, the inability of our investments to identify and enter into appropriate projects, inability of our investments to obtain sufficient financing for any project it identifies, failure of our investments’ current projects, and other industry, regulatory, economic and political risks impacting our investments’ operations. These may result in future impairment of our equity method investments which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period that the impairment charges may be recognized.

Risks related to our industry

Our results of operations and financial condition depend on continued global and regional demand for LNG, FLNGs and LNG carriers, which could be negatively affected by several factors, including but not limited to geopolitical unrest or war, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza region, fluctuations in natural gas, crude oil and petroleum product prices, changes in the cost and availability of natural gas relative LNG, global oversupply or insufficiency of natural gas liquefaction or receiving capacity.

Other potential risks include technological advancements in land-based regasification and liquefaction systems, developments in alternative floating liquefaction technologies, increase in low-cost natural gas production, expansions of pipeline systems, adverse economic or political conditions in LNG-consuming regions, regulatory changes, incidents involving LNG carriers or facilities, tax or regulatory burdens affecting LNG production, a rise in the number of available FLNGs and LNG carriers, interest rate increases, financing challenges for FLNG projects, and obstacles in obtaining governmental approvals or community acceptance. Any decline in demand for LNG, liquefaction, or transportation, or constraints on LNG production capacity, could have a material adverse effect on prevailing tolling fees, charter rates or the market value of our vessels, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations are affected by extensive and changing laws, regulations, reporting requirements and stakeholders’ social attitudes that could create greater reporting obligations and compliance requirements, including those related to environmental protection, handling, use, disposal, and generation of hazardous substances, occupational health and safety, and other matters. We or our customers may be required to obtain permits, licenses, or other authorizations to operate under such laws, which could be costly and time-consuming. Additionally, compliance with these laws, regulations, treaties, conventions, and other requirements, may increase our costs, limit our operations or access to new opportunities or have an adverse effect on our business. Failure to comply can result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations, including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels.

There is an increasing focus from regulators and stakeholders related to ESG matters. The regulations requirements and stakeholder expectations continue to evolve and criteria used to evaluate ESG practices and metrics may change rapidly at any time, which could result in increased expectations and may cause us to undertake costly initiatives to satisfy any new requirements. Non-compliance with these emerging regulations or a failure to address stakeholder and societal expectations may result in potential cost increases, litigation, fines, penalties, production and sales restrictions, brand or reputational damage, loss of customers, failure to retain and attract talent, lower valuation and higher investor activism activities.

Further, adverse effects upon the oil and gas industry relating to climate change, including growing public concern about the environmental impact of climate change, may also influence demand for our services and could have a significant adverse financial and operational impact on our business that we cannot predict with certainty at this time. For example, 197 countries including Cameroon, Mauritania, Senegal, and the United States, have signed the United Nations-sponsored “Paris Agreement,” agreeing to limit their greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions through non-binding, individually determined reduction goals every five years after 2020. Further, in 2023 countries gathered at the 28th Conference of the Parties on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (“COP28”), where they entered into an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems and increase renewable energy capacity, though no timeline for doing so was set. While non-binding, the agreements coming out of COP28 could result in increased pressure among financial institutions and various stakeholders to reduce or otherwise impose more stringent limitations on funding for and increase potential opposition to the production and use of fossil fuels.

While we may create and publish voluntary disclosures regarding ESG matters from time to time, many of the statements in those voluntary disclosures will be based on hypothetical expectations and assumptions that may or may not be representative of current or actual risks or events or forecasts of expected risks or events, including the costs associated therewith. Such expectations and assumptions are necessarily uncertain and may be prone to error or subject to misinterpretation given the long timelines involved and the lack of an established single approach to identifying, measuring, and reporting on many ESG matters. Additionally, while we may also announce various voluntary ESG targets in the near future, such targets are aspirational and we may not be able to meet such targets in the manner or on a timeline as initially contemplated.

In addition, the European Union’s CSRD that became effective in January 2023 significantly expands mandatory sustainability reporting in accordance with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (“ESRS”), for U.S. companies with operations in the EU. While CSRD rules are prescriptive for the types of data to be reported, the standards to quantify and qualify such data are still evolving and uncertain, and may impose increased costs on us related to complying with our reporting obligations and increase risks of non-compliance with ESRS and the CSRD. We are closely monitoring the rules and regulations related to CSRD and anticipate to fall under the CSRD's scope from 2025, with the initial reporting expected in 2026. Additionally, the Commission released its final rule on climate-related disclosures on March 6, 2024, requiring the disclosure of certain climate-related risks and financial impacts, as well as GHG emissions. Large accelerated filers such as us, will be required to incorporate the applicable climate-related disclosures into their filings beginning in fiscal year 2025, with additional requirements relating to the disclosure of Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, if material, and attestation reports for certain large accelerated filers subsequently phasing in. While we are still assessing our obligations under the rule, complying with such obligations may result in increased costs.

The declaration and payment of dividends to holders of our common shares or the repurchase of shares from holders of our common shares will be at the discretion of our board of directors in accordance with applicable law. In determining whether to declare and pay a dividend, or to repurchase our shares, our board of directors will take into account various factors, including actual results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, net cash provided by operating activities, restrictions imposed by applicable law and our debt agreements, our taxable income, our operating expenses, the share price, and other factors our board of directors deem relevant. There can be no assurance that we will resume the payment of dividends in amounts or on a basis consistent with prior distributions, if at all, or approve new share repurchase programs, or pursue share repurchases, even if such a program has been approved. Because we are a holding company and have no direct operations, we will only be able to pay dividends from our available cash on hand and any funds we receive from our subsidiaries and our ability to receive distributions from our subsidiaries may be limited by the financing agreements to which they are subject.

The market price of our common shares has fluctuated widely since they began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”). We cannot assure that an active and liquid public market for our common shares will continue.

The market price of our common shares may experience extreme volatility in response to many factors, including factors that may be unrelated to our operating performance or prospects such as actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual results and those of other public companies in our industry, the suspension of our dividend payments, mergers and strategic alliances within our industry, market conditions in the natural gas and LNG industry, developments in our FLNG investments, shortfalls in our results of operations from levels forecast by securities analysts, announcements concerning us or our competitors, business interruptions, the general state of the securities market, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

Additionally, sales of a substantial number of our common shares in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, may depress the market price for our common shares. These sales could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities in the future. Therefore, there can be no guarantee that our share price will remain at current prices, and we cannot assure our shareholders that they will be able to sell any of our common shares that they may have purchased at a price greater than or equal to the original purchase price.

We may issue additional common shares or other equity securities in the future in connection with, among other things, mergers and strategic alliances, vessel conversions, future vessel acquisitions, repayment of outstanding indebtedness or our equity incentive plan, in each case without shareholder approval in several circumstances.

Our issuance of additional common shares or other equity securities could have the following effects:

Because we are a Bermuda exempted company, the rights of holders of our common shares will be governed by Bermuda law and our memorandum of association and bye-laws (our “Memorandum of Association and Bye-laws”). The rights of shareholders under Bermuda law may differ from the rights of shareholders in other jurisdictions, including with respect to, among other things, rights related to interested directors, amalgamations, mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, the discharge and indemnification of directors and shareholder lawsuits.

Among these differences is a Bermuda law provision that permits a company to exempt a director from liability for any negligence, default, or breach of a fiduciary duty except for liability resulting directly from that director’s fraud or dishonesty.  Our bye-laws provide that no director or officer shall be liable to us or our shareholders unless the director’s or officer’s liability results from that person’s fraud or dishonesty. Our bye-laws also require us to indemnify a director or officer against any losses incurred by that director or officer resulting from their negligence or breach of duty, except where such losses are the result of fraud or dishonesty. Accordingly, we carry directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect against such a risk.

In addition, under Bermuda law, the directors of a Bermuda company owe their duties to that company and not to the shareholders. Bermuda law does not, generally, permit shareholders of a Bermuda company to bring an action for a wrongdoing against the company or its directors, but rather the company itself is generally the proper plaintiff in an action against the directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties. Moreover, class actions and derivative actions are generally not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. These provisions of Bermuda law and our bye-laws, as well as other provisions not discussed here, may differ from the law of jurisdictions with which shareholders may be more familiar and may substantially limit or prohibit a shareholder’s ability to bring suit against our directors or in the name of the company. The Bermuda courts, however, would ordinarily be expected to permit a shareholder to commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong to the company where the act complained of is alleged to be beyond the corporate power of the company or illegal, or would result in the violation of the company’s memorandum of association or bye-laws. Furthermore, consideration would be given by a Bermuda court to acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud against minority shareholders or, for instance, where an act requires the approval of a greater percentage of the company’s shareholders than that which actually approved it.

It’s also worth noting that, under Bermuda law, our directors and officers are required to disclose to our board any material interests they have in any material contract entered into by our company or any of its subsidiaries with third parties. Our directors and officers are also required to disclose their material interests in any corporation or other entity which is party to a material contract with our company or any of its subsidiaries. A director who has disclosed his or her interests in accordance with Bermuda law may participate in any meeting of our board and may vote on the approval of a material contract, notwithstanding that he or she has a material interest.

Risks related to tax

On December 5, 2017, following an assessment of the tax policies of various countries by the Code of Conduct Group for Business Taxation of the European Union, the Council of the European Union (the “Council”) approved and published Council conclusions containing a list of “non-cooperative jurisdictions” for tax purposes. The Council periodically reviews and updates the list of “non-cooperative jurisdictions”. On March 12, 2019, the Council adopted a revised list of non-cooperative jurisdictions (the “2019 Conclusions”). In the 2019 Conclusions, the European Union (“E.U.”) placed Bermuda and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, among others, on its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes for failing to implement certain commitments previously made to the E.U. by the agreed deadline. It was announced by the Council on May 17, 2019 and on October 10, 2019 that Bermuda and the Marshall Islands, respectively, had been removed from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, but the Marshall Islands was reinstated to the list of “non-cooperative jurisdictions” for tax purposes on February 14, 2023 owing to concerns that this jurisdiction, which has a zero or only nominal rate of corporate income tax, is attracting profits without real economic activity (in particular, the Marshall Islands were found to be lacking in the enforcement of economic substance requirements). On October 17, 2023, the Marshall Islands was removed from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions because it had made significant progress in enforcement of economic substance requirements. The E.U. member states have agreed upon a set of measures, which they can choose to apply against the listed countries, including increased monitoring and audits, controlled foreign company rules, non-deductibility of costs incurred in a listed jurisdiction, withholding taxes, special documentation requirements and anti-abuse provisions. The European Commission has stated it will continue to support member states’ efforts to develop a more coordinated approach to sanctions for the listed countries. E.U. legislation prohibits E.U. funds from being channeled or transited through entities in non-cooperative jurisdictions.

Both Bermuda and the Marshall Islands have enacted economic substance laws and regulations with which we may be obligated to comply. For example, on December 17, 2018, the House of Assembly of Bermuda passed the Economic Substance Act 2018 of Bermuda (the “Economic Substance Act”), which became operative on December 31, 2018, along with the Economic Substance Regulations 2018 of Bermuda. The Economic Substance Act requires each registered entity to maintain a substantial economic presence in Bermuda and provides that a registered entity that carries on a relevant activity must comply with economic substance requirements set out in the legislation. Regulations were also adopted in the Marshall Islands, through Economic Substance Regulations 2018 which came into force in January 2019, and with Guidance Notes being published in October 2019, requiring certain entities that carry out activities to comply with an economic substance test and satisfy certain reporting obligations, beginning with the financial period which ended in 2020.

If we fail to comply with our obligations under this legislation, as it may be amended from time to time, or any similar or supplemental law applicable to us in these or any other jurisdictions, we could be subject to financial penalties and spontaneous disclosure of information to foreign tax officials, or could be removed from the register of companies, in related jurisdictions. Any of the foregoing could be disruptive to our business and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Tax laws, treaties and regulations are highly complex and subject to interpretation. Consequently, we and our subsidiaries are subject to changing laws, treaties and regulations in and between the countries in which we operate. Our tax expense is based on our interpretation of the tax laws in effect at the time the expense was incurred. A change in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or in the interpretation thereof, in any country in which we or any of our subsidiaries operates, or in which we or any of our subsidiaries is organized, could result in us incurring a materially higher tax expense or having a higher effective tax rate on our earnings. Any such changes in the applicable tax laws, treaties and regulations could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Further, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development has adopted a set of international tax model rules known as the “Pillar Two” framework, a central component of which is the imposition of a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. Certain countries in which we or any of our subsidiaries operates, or in which we or any of our subsidiaries is organized, have enacted legislation implementing, and other countries are in the process of introducing legislation to implement, the Pillar Two minimum tax directive. In general, the Pillar Two minimum tax directive applies to entities that are members of a multinational group that has annual revenue of €750 million (approximately $828 million as of December 31, 2023) or more in the consolidated financial statements of their ultimate parent in at least two of the four fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the test is applied.

Although we cannot predict with any certainty when we will reach the applicable revenue threshold for the application of the Pillar Two rules (or the corresponding legislation enacted in any particular country) to us, we do not expect to reach such threshold in the current year. To the extent we reach the Pillar Two applicable revenue threshold in the future, the Pillar Two rules could increase tax compliance complexity and uncertainty and result in additional administrative costs and income tax liabilities in those taxing jurisdictions that have implemented the Pillar Two minimum tax directive, including Bermuda.

A foreign corporation will be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (i) at least 75% of its gross income during the taxable year consists of “passive income” or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation’s assets during such taxable year produce or are held for the production of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to an adverse U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.

Based on the foregoing, we believe that we were not a PFIC with respect to any prior taxable year. If we were a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. shareholders would face adverse U.S. tax consequences and certain information reporting requirements regardless of whether we remain a PFIC in subsequent years. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC, we cannot assure that the nature of our assets, income, and operations will not change, or that we can avoid being treated as a PFIC for any taxable year. Furthermore, the PFIC rules may change, which could result in us being treated as a PFIC in the future as a result of such change in law.

Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders make a certain U.S. federal income tax election (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders), such shareholders would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax at the then-prevailing income tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the disposition of our common shares, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder’s holding period of our common shares. Please see the section of this annual report entitled “Taxation” under “Item 10. Additional Information - E. Taxation” for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences if we were to be treated as a PFIC.

Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation, such as ourselves and our subsidiaries, that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the U.S. (“U.S. Source International Transportation Income”) may be subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax imposed without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code (the “Section 883 Exemption”).

We expect that we and each of our subsidiaries generating transportation income will qualify for the Section 883 Exemption. However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us not to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption and thereby become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. source income. Our qualifying for the Section 883 Exemption is not free from doubt, and we can provide no assurances that the Section 883 Exemption will apply to us or our subsidiaries.

In general, if we and/or our subsidiaries are not eligible for the Section 883 Exemption for any taxable year, we or our subsidiaries could be subject to an effective 4% U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. Source International Transportation Income in such taxable year. The imposition of this tax would have a negative effect on our business and reduce the cash available for distribution to our shareholders. Please see “Item 10. Additional Information - E. Taxation” for a more comprehensive discussion of the Section 883 Exemption.

Prior to 2023, there was no Bermuda income or profits tax, withholding tax, capital gains tax, capital transfer tax, estate duty or inheritance tax payable by us or by our shareholders in respect of our shares. However, on December 27, 2023, Bermuda enacted the Corporate Income Tax Act (the “CIT Act”) under which, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, Bermuda will impose a 15% corporate income tax on Bermuda organized entities and businesses that are constituent parts of multinational groups with annual revenue of at least €750 million (approximately $828 million as of December 31, 2023) for two out of the last four fiscal years. While we had previously obtained an assurance from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda under the Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966 (the “EUTP Act”) that, in the event that any legislation is enacted in Bermuda imposing any tax computed on profits or income, or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, such tax shall not, until March 31, 2035, be applicable to us or to any of our operations or to our shares or other obligations, the CIT Act specifically provides that it applies notwithstanding any assurance given pursuant to the EUTP Act. Based on a number of operational, economic and regulatory assumptions with respect to the current year, we do not expect to have consolidated revenue sufficient for us to fall within scope of the CIT Act in 2025. To the extent our revenue is sufficient for us to be within the CIT Act thresholds in the future, the resulting tax liability could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our strategy is to provide market leading FLNG operations and focus our balance sheet flexibility to maximize shareholder returns through accretive FLNG projects. We offer gas resource holders a proven, quick and low-cost delivering solution to monetize stranded gas reserves. Our industry leading FLNG operational track record and FLNG growth prospects allow gas resource holders, developers and customers a low-cost, low-risk, quick-delivering solution for natural gas liquefaction.

FLNG projects are a solution for stranded gas reserves (such as lean gas sourced from offshore fields) for which geographical, technical and economic limitations restrict the ability to convert these gas reserves into LNG. Our standardized FLNG units can be redeployed to new opportunities after producing a field and offer a viable economic alternative to the traditional giant land-based projects. Our liquefaction solution and quick execution model place liquefaction technology onboard an existing LNG carrier into a fully commissioned FLNG. We are currently the only company able to deliver FLNG as a service to gas resource owners.

We operate in three distinct reportable segments: FLNG, Corporate and other and Shipping. Refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” for further discussion on the respective performance of our reportable segments.

As of March 15, 2024, an overview of our assets and key investments is as follows:

We have developed three FLNG designs, as follows:

Our key investments include our interests in Avenir and Macaw Energies, which are discussed further below.

Avenir is a joint investment, in which we hold a 23.5% interest, with Stolt-Nielsen Ltd (an entity affiliated with our director Niels Stolt-Nielsen) and Höegh LNG Holdings Limited, for the pursuit of opportunities in small-scale LNG, including the delivery of LNG to areas of stranded gas demand and the development of LNG bunkering services and supply to the transportation sector. Avenir currently has five small-scale LNG carriers and an LNG terminal and distribution facility in the Italian port of Oristano, Sardinia.

Macaw Energies, our wholly owned subsidiary, is focused on environmental innovation with its land-based small-scale pilot flare to LNG (or “F2X”) technology. This pioneering solution which is in a pilot testing phase, captures flare gas, a prevalent byproduct of oil and gas operations, and converts it into LIQUIDFLARE®, offering a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to traditional fuels. The F2X technology adopts circular economy principles by repurposing waste into a valuable energy resource, significantly cutting GHG emissions.

Substantial progress has been made with the design, manufacturing, and assembly of the first F2X unit at Macaw Energies’ Houston, Texas facility. This technology is uniquely engineered to be cost-effective, scalable, and adaptable to various flare gas compositions. Its scalability allows for customization to specific site needs, from capturing as low as 0.5 million standard cubic feet per day (“mmscfd”) of flare gas to handling over 30 mmscfd flare volumes by stacking units for larger operations.

We have also acquired ownership interests in Brazilian gas trading and gas transportation infrastructure companies, as an operational platform for small-scale LNG market growth in South America.

Historically, LNG trade, and therefore commodity prices and charter rates, increased in the winter months and eased in the summer months, as demand for LNG for heating in the Northern Hemisphere increased in colder weather and declined in warmer weather. There is a higher seasonal demand during the summer months due to energy requirements for air conditioning in some markets or reduced availability of hydro power in others and a pronounced higher seasonal demand during the winter months for heating in other markets. Due to these seasonal fluctuations, results of operations for individual quarterly periods may not be indicative of the results that may be realized on an annual basis.

Safety is our top operational priority. Our vessels are operated in a manner intended to protect the health and safety of our employees, the general public and the environment. We carry out inspections of our vessels on a regular basis which result in a report containing recommendations for improvements to the overall condition of the vessel, maintenance, safety and crew welfare. Based in part on these evaluations, we create and implement a program of continual maintenance and improvement for our vessels and their systems.

We also actively work to manage the risks inherent in our business and are committed to preventing incidents that may compromise safety, such as fires, environmental spills or any harm to people. Additionally, we are committed to minimizing emissions and waste and have established key performance indicators to facilitate regular monitoring of operational performance, including lost time injury frequency monitoring, total recordable case frequency reporting, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide (“SOx”), nitrogen oxide, methane and particulate matter emissions, total waste disposed of, spills, and crew retention rates, amongst others. We set targets to drive continuous improvement, and regularly review performance indicators to determine if remedial action is necessary to reach our targets. 

Our operations utilize a thorough risk management program that includes, among other things, computer-aided risk analysis tools, maintenance and assessment programs, a seafarers’ competence training program, seafarers’ workshops and membership to emergency response organizations. Golar Management AS renewed its ISO 9001 certification for a quality management system, ISO 14001 certification for an environmental management system and ISO 45001 certification for an occupational health and safety management system and is certified in accordance with the IMO’s International Safety Management (“ISM”), on a fully integrated basis. The ISO 27001 certification for Golar Management AS’s IT Department, was also renewed.

The commercial and technical management of our LNG carriers and our contractual vessel management obligations have been outsourced to third-party ship managers. Outsourcing this non-core aspect of our operations affords operational and cost efficiency and provides appropriate access to supporting administrative functions.

The operation of any vessel, including FLNGs and LNG carriers has inherent risks. These risks include mechanical failure, personal injury, collision, property loss, vessel or cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries and/or war risk situations or hostilities or pandemics. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including explosion, spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade.

We have obtained:

We have also obtained ship manager’s liability insurance to protect us against contractual liabilities with one of our customers.

Our operations are subject to various international treaties and conventions and to the applicable local national and subnational laws and regulations of the countries in which our vessels operate or are registered. Such laws and regulations cover a variety of topics, including but not limited to air, oil and water pollution, waste and hazardous material management, protection of natural resources, biodiversity conservation and protection of worker health and safety, which may require us to obtain governmental permits and authorizations before we may conduct certain activities. Failure to comply with these laws or to obtain the necessary business and technical licenses could result in sanctions including suspension and/or freezing of our operations and responsibility for all damages arising from any violation.

Governments may also periodically revise their environmental laws and regulations or adopt new ones, and the effects of new or revised laws and regulations on our operations cannot be predicted. Although we believe that we are substantially in compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and have all permits, licenses and certificates required for our vessels, future non-compliance or failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend the operation of one or more of our vessels. There can be no assurance that additional significant costs and liabilities will not be incurred to comply with such current and future laws and regulations, or that such laws and regulations will not have a material effect on our operations. Similar or more stringent laws may also apply to our customers, including oil and gas exploration and production companies, which may impact demand for our services.

Our operation in Cameroon is governed by the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, which, among other things, administers the National Environmental Management Plan, requires environmental impact assessments for any development which may endanger the environment, and regulates pollution to the air, water, and other biological resources, including maritime activities. Cameroon is a signatory to international agreements regarding climate change and greenhouse gases including the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (“UNFCCC”).

Our operation in Mauritania and Senegal is governed by various government bodies, primarily the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in Mauritania and Senegal and the Department of Environment and Classified Establishments in Senegal. Mauritania and Senegal have also entered into several international conventions, protocols and bilateral agreements which establish environmental quality standards for waste management, including discharge of chemicals to the marine environment. Mauritania and Senegal are also signatories to the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.

Separately, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, in cooperation with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, is undertaking a review of Mauritania under its Environmental Performance Program. The results of this review and any actions taken in response to its findings cannot be predicted at this time.

Our operations in Brazil are governed by various environmental laws and regulations, including the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, the National Environmental Council, and state environmental agencies. These agencies regulate environmental licensing for activities that could cause significant environmental impact, water use permitting, and quality standards for air, water, and soil. Brazil is also a signatory to the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC.

Our activities in the shipping industry are governed by international regulations set forth by the International Maritime Organization (“IMO”). Compliance with key regulations such as the International Safety Management Code, International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code”), and amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code is imperative. Additionally, the IMO’s Marine Pollution standards, comprising six annexes including its amendments, impose environmental regulations on aspects like limits on sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions, oil spills, harmful substances, sewage, and garbage management. While new emission control measures may arise, our vessels are powered by means other than heavy fuel oil and are not anticipated to incur significant operational costs. However, the evolving nature of IMO regulations poses uncertainties, and non-compliance may result in increased liability, penalties, insurance coverage reductions, or port access issues.

In U.S. waters, we are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, including the Oil Pollution Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act. In some cases, these laws and regulations require governmental permits and authorizations before conducting certain activities. These environmental laws and regulations may impose substantial penalties for noncompliance and substantial liabilities for pollution. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in substantial civil and criminal fines and penalties.

We have published our annual Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Report on our website commencing in 2020.

However, the European Union’s CSRD, implemented in January 2023, significantly expands mandatory sustainability reporting for U.S. companies with operations in the EU. We expect to fall under the CSRD’s scope commencing in 2025, with initial reporting expected in 2026, subject to criteria, received advice, and certain assumptions about future events. The Commission released its final rule on climate-related disclosures on March 6, 2024, requiring the disclosure of certain climate-related risks and financial impacts, as well as GHG emissions. Large accelerated filers will be required to incorporate the applicable climate-related disclosures into their filings beginning in fiscal year 2025, with additional requirements relating to the disclosure of Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, if material, and attestation reports for certain large accelerated filers subsequently phasing in.

For a list of our significant subsidiaries, see Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report and note 4 “Subsidiaries” of our consolidated financial statements included herein. All of our subsidiaries are, directly or indirectly, wholly-owned by us except for Hilli LLC, Hilli Corp and Gimi MS.

For information on our fleet, please see the section of “Item 4 - B. Business Overview”.

None.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the sections of this Annual Report entitled “Item 4. Information on the Company” and our consolidated financial statements included herein. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This discussion includes forward-looking statements based on assumptions about our future business. You should also review the section of this Annual Report entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 3. Key Information - D. Risk Factors” for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by certain forward-looking statements.

In February 2024, we declared a dividend of $0.25 per share in respect of the three months ended December 31, 2023 to shareholders of record on March 12, 2024, which was paid on March 20, 2024.

As of the date of this report, we are in continued discussions with BP to identify alternative contractual arrangements to replace parts of the existing pre-COD contractual arrangements, including parts of the disputed contract mechanisms. There is no guarantee that we can reach alignment around a potential alternative contractual and commercial arrangement.

Our historical results of operations may not be indicative of our future results of operations which may be principally affected for the following reasons:

Please see the section of this Annual Report entitled “Item 3. Key Information - D. Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain risks inherent in our business.

Important Financial and Operational Terms

We use a variety of financial and operational terms when analyzing our performance. These include but are not limited to the following:

Discussed below are the financial statement line items of our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 that are not covered by the segmental analysis presented later in this section:

Unrealized (loss)/gain on the oil and gas derivative instruments, net:

In 2023 and 2022, we sold 1.2 million and 13.3 million of our NFE shares at a price range between $36.90 and $40.38 per share and $40.80 and $58.29 per share for an aggregate consideration of $45.6 million and $625.6 million, which resulted in realized MTM losses of $62.3 million and realized MTM gains of $50.1 million, respectively. Further in 2023, we used our remaining 4.1 million NFE shares as partial payment for the reacquisition of NFE’s 1,230 common units in Hilli LLC. There was no comparable transaction in 2022.

In 2022, we recognized $350.9 million unrealized MTM gains due to a significant increase in the NFE share prices to $42.42 per share at December 31, 2022, compared to $24.14 per share for 2021.

Other non-operating income, net:

In 2022, due to a combination of upstream technical issues and maintenance works, we recognized underutilization of $35.8 million, which is bifurcated on our consolidated statement of operations presentation, as reductions to the “Liquefaction services revenue” and “Other operating income” financial statement line items, amounting to $20.1 million and $15.7 million, respectively. In April 2023, we entered into the fourth amendment to the LTA (“LTA Amendment 4”) where we agreed with the Customer to increase contract year 2023 annual contracted capacity by 0.04 million tonnes (from 1.4 million tonnes to 1.44 million tonnes) resulting from the inclusion of contract year 2022 underutilization into contract year 2023 annual LNG production. The increased contract year 2023 annual LNG production was fully met and we have subsequently unwound the contract year 2022 underutilization liability of $35.8 million, bifurcated between “Liquefaction services revenue” and “Other operating income” line items in the consolidated statements of operations, amounting to $20.1 million and $15.7 million, respectively.

Corporate and other segment

Shipping segment

Please refer to Golar LNG Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Commission on March 31, 2023, Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - A. Operating Results, for the management discussion and analysis of the operating results for 2022 compared to 2021.

We operate in a capital intensive industry, and we have historically financed the purchase of our vessels, conversion projects and other capital expenditures through a combination of borrowings from debt transactions, leasing arrangements with financial institutions, cash generated from operations, sales of vessels and investments and equity capital. Our liquidity requirements relate to servicing our debt, funding our conversion projects, funding investment in the development of our project portfolio, funding working capital requirements, payment of dividends and share repurchases and maintaining cash reserves to satisfy certain of our borrowing covenants (including cash collateral requirements in respect of certain of our derivatives and as security for the provision of letters of credit) and to offset fluctuations in operating cash flows.

Our funding and treasury activities are conducted in accordance with our established corporate policies to maximize investment returns while maintaining appropriate liquidity for our working capital requirements. Cash and cash equivalents are held primarily in U.S. Dollars with some balances held in GBP, NOK, Singapore Dollars, Euros, BRL and Central African Francs (“XAF”). We have used derivative instruments for interest rate, foreign currency and commodity risk management purposes.

Since December 31, 2023, significant transactions impacting our cash flows include:

Receipts of:

Payments of:

Medium to Long-term Liquidity and Cash Requirements

Our medium and long-term liquidity requirements are primarily for funding future investments and our conversion projects and repayment of long-term debt balances. Sources of funding for our medium and long-term liquidity requirements include new loans, refinancing of existing debt arrangements, and public and private debt or equity offerings.

Continuing and discontinued operations

The increase in the net cash provided by discontinued operations of $60.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to net cash used in 2022 was due to the completion of the CoolCo Disposal and TundraCo Disposal between March and June 2022.

Investing activities

Net cash flows used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023 of $131.7 million and net cash flows provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2022 of $498.4 million, is mainly comprised of:

2023:

2022:

Net cash provided by discontinued investing activities of $569.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 relates to net proceeds from the completion of the CoolCo Disposal and TundraCo Disposal. There was no comparable payment for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Financing activities

Net cash flows used in financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $245.0 million and $533.4 million, respectively and is mainly comprised of:

2023:

2022:

As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all our covenants under our various loan agreements. See note 21 “Debt” in our consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information.

We use financial instruments to reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates. See note 27 “Financial Instruments” in our consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information.  

Not applicable.

Other than as described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our revenue, income from continuing operations, profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that would cause our reported financial information not necessarily to be indicative of future operation results or financial condition.

See the sections of this Item 5 entitled “Factors Affecting Our Future Results of Operations and Financial Condition” and “A. Operating Results” included herein for additional information.

The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. Our accounting policies are summarized in note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included herein. The following are estimates that we believe involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of our operations.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Impairment of asset under development

See Item 18. Financial Statements: note 3 “Recently Issued Accounting Standards”.

 

The following provides information about each of our directors as of the date of this annual report.

 

The table below provides certain information regarding the diversity of our board of directors as of the date of this annual report.

The following provides information about each of our executive officers as of the date of this annual report:

For the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid our directors and executive officers aggregate cash compensation (including bonus) of $4.5 million and an aggregate amount of $0.1 million for pension and retirement benefits. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we awarded our executive officers 36,700 restricted stock units and granted 400,000 share options, which vest in equal increments over three years from respective award date or grant date. We also awarded our directors 55,300 fully vested stock awards during the year ended December 31, 2023. For a description of our share based payment plan please refer to the section of this item entitled “E. Share Ownership - Share Based Payment Plan” below.

We recognized $3.8 million share based compensation expense issued to certain of our directors and executive officers. See note 26 “Share Capital and Share Based Compensation” of our consolidated financial statements included herein.

Our directors do not have service contracts with us and do not receive any benefits upon termination of their directorships. Our board of directors established an Audit Committee in July 2005, which is responsible for overseeing the quality and integrity of our external financial reporting, appointment, compensation and oversight of our external auditors and oversees our management assessment of internal controls and procedures, as more fully set forth in its written charter, which has been adopted by the board. Our Audit Committee consists of three independent directors, Lori Wheeler Naess, Daniel Rabun and Thorleif Egeli. In addition, the board of directors also has a Compensation Committee and a Nomination Committee, details of which are further described in “Item 16G. Corporate Governance”.

Our board of directors is elected annually at the annual general meeting. Officers are appointed from time to time by our board of directors and hold office until a successor is elected.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain Nasdaq requirements that are applicable to U.S. listed companies. Please see the section of this Annual Report entitled “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” for a discussion of how our corporate governance practices differ from those required of U.S. companies listed on the Nasdaq.

The table below shows the number and percentage of our issued and outstanding common shares beneficially owned by our directors and officers as of March 15, 2024. Also shown are their interests in our various share based payment schemes. The subscription price for the share options granted under the scheme will normally be reduced by the amount of all dividends declared by us in the period from the grant date until the date the option is exercised.