Argentina has exported its first cargo of LNG from its barge-based Tango FLNG unit in Bahia Blanca.

The 147,895-cbm Fuji LNG (built 2004) sailed on 6 June with 25,000 cbm of LNG loaded into one of its tanks for buyer Cheniere Energy.

The volumes were produced from Exmar’s 0.5 million tonnes per annum Tango FLNG which is fixed on a 10-year tolling deal to domestic energy company YPF. This charter starts in September.

The unit is the world's third FLNG to export a cargo and is the smallest to be put into operation.

With its start-up Argentina becomes the world's 21st LNG exporter, while still importing cargoes via a floating storage and regasification unit.

Exmar announced last week that it had completed the commissioning of Chinese-built Tango FLNG, after successful performance acceptance tests.

The company said the start-up of the Tango FLNG had been accomplished in a “record time” following a contract signing in November 2018 and delivery acceptance of the unit in Bahia Blanca in February 2019.

Exmar said the unit is generating earnings since early May and is expected to be fully on stream after the Argentine winter season.

YPF executive vice president of gas and electric power Marcos Browne said: "This is the first step of a process that YPF is leading to export and expand gas markets to the world and so be able to monetise in a firm and reliable way Argentine gas during the months of mild temperatures in Argentina.”