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Golar LNG

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FY2010 Annual Report · Golar LNG
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(Mark One) 
[   ]

[X]

For the fiscal year 
ended 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F 

 REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) 
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) 
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

December 31, 2010

OR

[   ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) 
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period 
from

to

OR

[   ]

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) 
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company 
report

Commission file 
number

 000-50113

 Golar LNG Limited
 (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 (Translation of Registrant's name into English)

 Bermuda
 (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
 (Address of principal executive offices)

Georgina Sousa, (1) 441 295 4705, (1) 441 
295 3494

Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, 
Bermuda
(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. 

 Title of each class

Common Shares, par value, $1.00 per 
share

Name of each exchange
on which registered

NASDAQ Global Select Market

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

None
(Title of class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. 

None
(Title of class)

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. 

67,808,200 Common Shares, par $1.00, per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 

Yes     

X

No      

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to 
Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act 1934. 

Yes     

No     

 X

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. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such 
reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 

Yes     

X

No      

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive  Data  File  required  to  be  submitted  and  posted  pursuant  to  Rule  405  of  Regulation  S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) 
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

Yes     

No      

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  is  a  large  accelerated  filer,  an  accelerated  filer,  or  a  non-accelerated filer. See 
definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one). 

Large accelerated filer       

Accelerated filer      X

Non-accelerated filer        

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this 
filing:

X
U.S. GAAP     

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the 
International      Accounting     
Standards Board     

Other     

 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the 
registrant has elected to follow. 

Item 17  

     Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the 
Exchange Act). 

Yes     

No     

 X

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) 
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. 

Yes     

No     

  
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
PART I 

PAGE

INDEX TO REPORT ON FORM 20-F 

ITEM 1. 

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS 

ITEM 2. 

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE 

ITEM 3. 

KEY INFORMATION 

ITEM 4. 

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 

ITEM 4A. 

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 

ITEM 5. 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 

ITEM 6. 

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES 

ITEM 7. 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

ITEM 8. 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

ITEM 9. 

THE OFFER AND LISTING 

ITEM 10. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

ITEM 11. 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES  ABOUT MARKET RISK 

ITEM 12. 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES 

PART II 

ITEM 13. 

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES 

ITEM 14. 

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS 

ITEM 15. 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

ITEM 16A.  AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT 

ITEM 16B. 

CODE OF ETHICS 

ITEM 16C. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 

ITEM 16D. 

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES 

ITEM 16E. 

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS 

ITEM 16F. 

CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT 

ITEM 16G. 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

PART III 

ITEM 17. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

ITEM 18. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

ITEM 19. 

EXHIBITS 

2

2

2

27

48

48

74

77

78

79

80

87

88

88

88

88

90

90

90

91

91

91

91

92

92

93

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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. 

Golar LNG Limited, or the Company, desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation 
Reform Act of 1995 and is 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,"  "project,"  "plan,"  "potential,"  "will,"  "may,"  "should,"  "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. 

In addition to these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein and in the documents incorporated by reference 
herein, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-
looking  statements  include:  inability  of  the  Company  to  obtain  financing  for  the  newbuilding  vessels  at  all  or  on  favorable 
terms; changes in demand; a material decline or prolonged weakness in rates for liquefied natural gas, or LNG, carriers; political 
events affecting production in areas in which natural gas is produced and demand for natural gas in areas to which our vessels 
deliver;  changes  in  demand  for  natural  gas  generally  or  in  particular  regions;  changes  in  the  financial  stability  of  our  major 
customers; adoption of new rules and regulations applicable to LNG carriers and FSRUs; actions taken by regulatory authorities 
that may prohibit the access of LNG carriers or FSRUs to various ports; our inability to achieve successful utilization of our 
expanded  fleet  and  inability  to  expand  beyond  the  carriage  of  LNG;  increases  in  costs  including:  crew  wages,  insurance, 
provisions, repairs and maintenance; changes in general domestic and international political conditions; the current turmoil in 
the global financial markets and deterioration thereof; changes in applicable maintenance or regulatory standards that could 
affect our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs; our ability to timely complete our FSRU conversions; failure 
of  shipyards  to  comply  with  delivery  schedules  on  a  timely  basis  and  other  factors  listed  from  time  to  time  in  registration 
statements, reports or other materials that the Company has filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission, 
or the Commission. 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
PART I

ITEM 1.  IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not Applicable 

ITEM 2.  OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not Applicable 

ITEM 3.  KEY INFORMATION

Throughout this report, the "Company," "Golar," "Golar LNG," "we," "us" and "our" all refer to Golar LNG Limited and to 
its wholly owned subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "USD,""U.S.$" and "$" in this report are U.S. 
dollars. 

A.      Selected Financial Data 

The  following  selected  consolidated  financial  and  other  data  summarize  our  historical  consolidated  financial 
information.  We derived the information as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for each of the years in the three-year period 
ended December 31, 2010 from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this annual report on Form 
20-F, which were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. 
GAAP. 

The  selected  income  statement  data  with  respect  to  the  years  ended  December  31,  2007  and  2006  and  the  selected 
balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements 
prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP not included herein. 

The  following  table  should  also  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  section  of  this  annual  report  entitled  Item 
5,  "Operating  and  Financial  Review  and  Prospects"  and  our  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  and  Notes  thereto  included 
herein. 

1

  
  
  
  
 
  
  
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
2008 

2010 

2006 
(in thousands of U.S. $, except number of shares, per common share data, 
fleet and other financial data)

2009 

2007 

Income Statement Data:
Total operating revenues
Gain on sale of vessel/newbuilding
Vessel operating expenses (1)
Voyage and charter-hire expenses (2) 
Administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of long-lived assets and investments 
Gain on sale of long-lived assets 
Other operating gains (losses)
Operating income
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities 
Net financial expenses
(Loss) / income before equity in net earnings of 
investees, income taxes and noncontrolling 
interests
Income taxes and noncontrolling interests
Equity in net (losses) earnings of investees
Gain on sale of investee
Net income (loss)
Earnings (loss) per common share
- basic (3) 
- diluted (3) 
Cash dividends declared and paid per common 
share (4)
Weighted average number of shares – basic (3) 
Weighted average number of shares - diluted (3) 

Balance Sheet Data (as of end of year):
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and short-term investments (5) 
Amounts due from related parties
Long-term restricted cash (5) 
Equity in net assets of non-consolidated investees   
Newbuildings
Vessels and equipment, net
Vessels under capital lease, net
Total assets
Current portion of long-term debt 
Current portion of obligations under capital leases   
Long-term debt 
Long-term obligations under capital leases (6) 
Noncontrolling interests (7)
Stockholders' equity
Common shares outstanding (3)

228,779 
78,108 
61,868 
33,126 
17,815 
62,005 
110 
430 
- 
132,393 
- 
132,761 

(368)   
(7,215)   
(2,406)   
- 
(9,989)   

(0.15)   
(0.15)   

1.00 
67,214 
67,214 

224,674 
41,088 
52,986 
10,763 
18,645 
60,163 
2,345 
- 
- 
120,860 
46,276 
65,592 

101,544 

(6,248)   
13,640 
27,268 
136,204 

2.09 
2.07 

2.25 
65,283 
65,715 

56,114 
60,352 
538 
557,052 
30,924 
- 
668,141 
893,172 
2,359,729 
71,395 
6,006 
737,226 
784,421 
41,688 
452,145 
67,577 

185,739 
52,106 
712 
792,038 
14,023 
- 
659,018 
789,558 
2,573,610 
80,037 
5,678 
735,629 
1,024,086 
36,983 
552,532 
67,577 

239,697 
- 
44,490 
9,582 
13,657 
56,822 
- 
- 
- 
115,146 
- 
52,156 

62,990 
(8,306)
16,989 
- 
71,673 

1.09 
1.05 

- 
65,562 
65,735 

56,616 
52,287 
778 
778,220 
97,255 
49,713 
669,639 
796,186 
2,566,189 
72,587 
5,269 
803,771 
1,009,765 
32,436 
507,044 
65,562 

244,045 
- 
52,910 
32,311 
22,832 
65,076 
4,500 
- 
(6,230)    
60,186 
4,196 
66,961 

216,495 
- 
60,709 
39,463 
19,958 
63,482 
1,500 
- 
- 
31,383 
- 
1,692 

(2,579)   
4,398 
(1,435)   
- 
384 

29,691 
(10,062)   
(4,902)   
8,355 
23,082 

0.34 
0.34 

- 
67,230 
67,335 

122,231 
40,651 
795 
594,154 
21,243 
- 
653,496 
992,563 
2,492,436 
74,504 
8,588 
707,722 
844,355 
162,673 
495,511 
67,577 

0.01 
0.01 

0.45 
67,173 
67,393 

164,717 
21,815 
222 
186,041 
20,276 
- 
1,103,137 
515,666 
2,077,772 
105,629 
5,766 
691,549 
406,109 
188,734 
410,588 
67,808 

2

  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
   
     
     
     
     
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
  
Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash provided (used in) by investing 
activities  activities
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

2010 

2009 

2008 

2007 

2006 

51,710 

43,763 

48,495 

73,055 

117,219 

364,736 
(373,960)   

(56,460)   
78,814 

(83,548)   
(94,572)   

224,435 
(168,367)   

(268,993)
146,163 

Fleet Data (unaudited)
Number of vessels at end of year (8)
Average number of vessels during year (8)
Average age of vessels (years)
Total calendar days for fleet
Total operating days for fleet (9)

12 
12.7 
17.8 
4,644 
2,939 

13 
13 
15.6 
4,892 
3,351 

14 
13 
13.9 
4,836 
3,617 

12 
12 
14.7 
4,380 
3,732 

12 
11.52 
13.7 
4,214 
3,845 

Other Financial Data (Unaudited):
Average daily time charter equivalent earnings (10)
Average daily vessel operating costs (11)

 $
 $

57,200 
12,080 

 $
 $

47,400 
13,410 

 $
 $

47,500 
13,041 

 $
 $

51,000 
12,097 

 $
 $

55,700 
10,558 

Footnotes 

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

Vessel operating expenses are the direct costs associated with running a vessel including crew wages, vessel supplies, 
routine repairs, maintenance, insurance, lubricating oils and management fees. 

All of our vessels are operated under time charters. Under a time charter, the charterer pays substantially all of the 
voyage expenses, which are primarily fuel and port charges.  However, we may incur voyage related expenses when 
positioning or repositioning vessels before or after the period of a time charter, during periods of commercial waiting 
time or while off-hire during a period of drydocking. 

Charter-hire expense refers to the expenses related to vessels chartered-in under operating leases. 

Basic  earnings  per  share  is  calculated  based  on  the  income  available  to  common  shareholders  and  the  weighted 
average  number  of  our  common  shares  outstanding.  Treasury  shares  are  not  included  in  this  calculation.  The 
calculation of diluted earnings per share assumes the conversion of potentially dilutive instruments. 

During 2010, our board of directors also declared and paid three special dividends (with an aggregate monetary value 
of  $0.73  per  share)  to  our  common  shareholders  that  each  consisted  of  the  distribution  of  one  share  of  Golar  LNG 
Energy Limited, or Golar Energy, for every seven shares of Golar LNG Limited. 

Restricted  cash  and  short-term investments consist of bank deposits, which may only be used to settle certain pre-
arranged loans or lease payments and deposits made in accordance with our contractual obligations under our equity 
swap line facilities.  Please see the section of this annual report entitled Item 5, "Operating and Financial Review and 
Prospects – Results of Operations" for a discussion of our equity swap line facilities. 

During the years presented, we have entered into lease financing arrangements in respect of eight of our vessels. In 
respect  of  six  of  these  leases  we  borrow  under  term  loans  and  deposit  the  proceeds  into  restricted  cash 
accounts.  Concurrently, we enter into capital leases for the vessels, and the vessels are recorded as assets on our 
balance sheet.  These restricted cash deposits, plus the interest earned on those deposits, will equal the approximate 
remaining amounts we owe under the capital lease arrangements. When interest rates increase and there is a surplus, in 
the restricted cash account, that surplus is released to working capital. Similarly, when interest rates decrease and there 
is  a  deficit,  those  deficits  are  funded  out  of  working  capital.  In  these  instances,  we  consider  payments  under  our 
capital leases to be funded through our restricted cash deposits, and our continuing obligation is the repayment of the 
related  term  loans.  During  2010,  the  outstanding  lease  liability  on  five  vessels  was  settled,  when  we  repaid  the 
respective lease financing obligations out of the related restricted cash deposits.  Under U.S. GAAP, we record both 
the obligations under the capital leases and the term loans as liabilities, and both the restricted cash deposits and our 
vessels under capital leases as assets on our balance sheet.  This accounting treatment has the effect of increasing 
both our assets and liabilities by the amount of restricted cash deposits relating to the corresponding capital lease 
obligations.  As of December 31, 2010, our restricted cash balance with respect to our lease financing arrangements 
was $192.8 million. 

3

  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

Noncontrolling interest refers to a 40% ownership interest held by CPC Corporation, Taiwan (CPC) in the Golar Mazo 
and 39% held in Golar Energy. 

In each of the periods presented above, we had a 60% ownership interest in one of our vessels and a 100% ownership 
interest in our remaining vessels except for in 2008 and 2009 when we had chartered-in two vessels under short term 
charters and in 2010 when we chartered-in one vessel. 

The  total  operating  days  for  our  fleet  is  the  total  number  of  days  in  a  given  period  that  our  vessels  were  in  our 
possession  less  the  total  number  of  days  off-hire.  We  define  days  off-hire  as  days  lost  to,  among  other  things, 
operational deficiencies, drydocking for repairs, maintenance or inspection, equipment breakdowns, special surveys 
and vessel upgrades, delays due to accidents, crewing strikes, certain vessel detentions or similar problems, or our 
failure to maintain the vessel in compliance with its specifications and contractual standards or to provide the required 
crew, or periods of commercial waiting time during which we do not earn charter hire. 

Represent the average time charter equivalent, or TCE of our fleet. TCE rate is a measure of the average daily revenue 
performance of a vessel.  For time charters, this is calculated by dividing total operating revenues, less any voyage 
expenses, by the number of calendar days minus days for scheduled off-hire.  Under a time charter, the charterer pays 
substantially  all  of  the  vessel  voyage  related  expenses.  However,  we  may  incur  voyage  related  expenses  when 
positioning or repositioning vessels before or after the period of a time charter, during periods of commercial waiting 
time or while off-hire during drydocking.  TCE rate is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily 
to compare period-to-period changes in a company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot 
charters,  time  charters  and  bareboat  charters)  under  which  the  vessels  may  be  employed  between  the  periods.  We 
included  average  daily  TCE,  a  non-GAAP  measure,  as  we  believe  it  provides  additional  meaningful  information  in 
conjunction  with  total  operating  revenues,  the  most  directly  comparable  GAAP  measure,  because  it  assists  our 
management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of our vessels and in evaluating their financial 
performance.  Our calculation of TCE may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. The following table 
reconciles our total operating revenues to average daily TCE. 

Total operating revenues
Voyage expenses

Calendar days less scheduled off-hire days
Average daily TCE (to the closest $100)

2010   

Year Ended December 31,
2009   

2008   

2007   

2006 

(in thousands of U.S.$, except number of days and
 average daily TCE)

244,045 
(20,959)    
223,086 
3,901 
57,200 

216,495 
(20,093)    
196,402 
4,145 
47,400 

228,779 
(24,483)    
204,296 
4,298 
47,500 

224,674 
(10,763)    
213,911 

4,197     
51,000 

239,697 
(9,582)
230,115 
4,130 
55,700 

(11)

We calculate average daily vessel operating costs by dividing vessel operating costs by the number of calendar days. 

4

  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
B.           Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not Applicable 

C.           Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds 

Not Applicable 

D.           Risk Factors 

Some of the following risks relate principally to our business or to the industry in which we operate.  Other risks relate 
principally  to  the  securities  market  and  ownership  of  our  common  shares.  Any  of  these  risks,  or  any  additional  risks  not 
presently known to us or risks that we currently deem immaterial, could significantly and adversely affect our business, our 
financial condition, our operating results and the trading price of our common shares. 

Risks Related to our Company 

We  generate  a  substantial  majority  of  our  revenue  from  a  limited  number  of  customers  under  long-term  agreements.  The 
unanticipated termination or loss of one or more of these agreements or these customers would likely interrupt our related 
cash flow. 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we received the majority of our revenues from five customers: BG Group plc, 
or  BG,  accounted  for  20%;  Royal  Dutch  Shell  Plc,  or  Shell,  accounted  for  10%;  PT  Pertamina  (PERSERO),  or  Pertamina, 
accounted  for  15%;  Petrobras  accounted  for  37%  and  Dubai  Supply  Authority,  or  DUSUP,  accounted  for  12%  of  our  total 
operating revenues. 

We may be unable to retain our existing customers if: 

1.

our customers are unable to make charter payments because of their financial inability, disagreements with us or 
otherwise; 

2.

in certain circumstances, our customers exercise their right to terminate their charters early, in the event of: 

a.

a loss of the vessel or damage to it beyond repair;

b.

a default of our obligations under the charter, including prolonged periods of off-hire; 

c.

a war or hostilities that would significantly disrupt the free trade of the vessel;

d.

a requisition by any governmental authority;

e.

f.

the charterers Petrobras and DUSUP with respect to the Golar Spirit, Golar Winter and Golar Freeze, upon six 
months' written notice at any time after the fifth anniversary of the commencement of the charter, exercising their 
option to terminate the charter upon payment of a termination fee; 

Petrobras, with respect to the Golar Spirit and Golar Winter, exercising its option to purchase each vessel after 
a specified period of time; or 

3.

there  is  a  prolonged  force  majeure  event  affecting  the  customer,  including  damage  to  or  destruction  of  relevant 
production facilities, war or political unrest, any of which may prevent us from performing services for that customer. 

If we lose any of our charters, we may be unable to re-deploy the related vessel on terms as favorable to us as our 
current  charters.  If  we  are  unable  to  re-deploy  a  vessel  for  which  a  charter  has  been  terminated,  we  will  not  receive  any 
revenues  from  that  vessel,  but  we  may  be  required  to  pay  expenses  necessary  to  maintain  the  vessel  in  proper  operating 
condition. 

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The loss of any of our customers, charters or vessels, or a decline in payments under any of our charters, could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions to our 
shareholders. 

Our growth depends on our ability to expand relationships with existing customers and obtain new customers, for which we 
will face substantial competition. 

One of our principal objectives is to enter into additional medium or long-term, fixed-rate LNG carrier or floating storage 
regasification  units,  or  FSRU  time  charters.  The  process  of  obtaining  new  long-term time charters is highly competitive and 
generally involves an intensive screening process and competitive bids, and often extends for several months. LNG carrier or 
FSRU time charters contracts are awarded based upon a variety of factors relating to the vessel operator, including: 

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LNG shipping and FSRU experience and quality of ship operations; 

cost effectiveness; 

shipping industry relationships and reputation for customer service and safety; 

technical ability and reputation for operation of highly specialized vessels, including FSRUs; 

quality and experience of seafaring crew; 

safety record; 

the ability to finance FSRUs and LNG carriers at competitive rates, and financial stability generally; 

relationships with shipyards and the ability to get suitable berths; 

construction  management  experience,  including  the  ability  to  obtain  on-time delivery of new FSRUs and LNG 
carriers according to customer specifications; 

willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter, such as allowing termination of the charter for 
force majeure events; and 

competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price. 

We expect substantial competition for providing floating storage and regasification services and marine transportation 
services  for  potential  LNG  projects  from  a  number  of  experienced  companies,  including  state-sponsored  entities  and  major 
energy companies.  Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources and larger and more versatile fleets 
than  we  do.  We  anticipate  that  an  increasing  number  of  marine  transportation  companies—including  many  with  strong 
reputations  and  extensive  resources  and  experience—will  enter  the  FSRU  market  and  LNG  transportation  market.  This 
increased competition may cause greater price competition for time charters.  As a result of these factors, we may be unable to 
expand our relationships with existing customers or obtain new customers on a profitable basis, if at all, which would have a 
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions. 

We may have more difficulty entering into long-term time charters in the future if an active short-term or spot LNG shipping 
market continues to develop. 

One of our principal strategies is to enter into additional long-term FSRU and LNG carrier time charters of five years or 
more.  Most  shipping  requirements  for  new  LNG  projects  continue  to  be  provided  on  a  long-term  basis,  though  the  market 
segment consisting of spot voyages and short-term time charters of less than 12 months in duration has grown in the past few 
years. 

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If an active spot or short-term market continues to develop, we may have increased difficulty entering into long-term 
time charters upon expiration or early termination of our current charters, or for any vessels that we acquire in the future, and, as 
a  result,  our  cash  flow  may  be  less  stable.  In  addition,  an  active  short-term or spot LNG market may require us to enter into 
charters based on changing market prices, as opposed to contracts based on a fixed rate, which could result in a decrease in our 
cash  flow  in  periods  when  the  market  price  for  shipping  LNG  is  depressed  or  insufficient  funds  are  available  to  cover  our 
financing costs for related vessels. 

Our growth depends on continued growth in demand for LNG, FSRUs and LNG carriers. 

Our  growth  strategy  focuses  on  expansion  in  the  floating  storage  and  regasification  sector  and  the  LNG  shipping 
sector.  While global LNG demand has continued to rise, the rate of its growth has fluctuated due to several reasons, notably 
including  the  global  economic  crisis  and  the  continued  increase  in  natural  gas  production  from  unconventional  sources  in 
regions such as North America.  Accordingly, our growth depends on continued growth in world and regional demand for LNG, 
FSRUs and LNG carriers, which could be negatively affected by a number of factors, including: 

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increases in the cost of natural gas derived from LNG relative to the cost of natural gas generally; 

increases  in  the  production  levels  of  low-cost  natural  gas  in  domestic  natural  gas-consuming markets, which 
could further depress prices for natural gas in those markets and make LNG uneconomical; 

decreases in the cost of, or increases in the demand for, conventional land-based regasification systems, which 
could  occur  if  providers  or  users  of  regasification  services  seek  greater  economies  of  scale  than  FSRUs  can 
provide, or if the economic, regulatory or political challenges associated with land-based activities improve; 

further development of, or decreases in the cost of, alternative technologies for vessel-based LNG regasification; 

increases  in  the  production  of  natural  gas  in  areas  linked  by  pipelines  to  consuming  areas,  the  extension  of 
existing, or the development of new, pipeline systems in markets we may serve, or the conversion of existing 
non-natural gas pipelines to natural gas pipelines in those markets; 

decreases in the consumption of natural gas due to increases in its price relative to other energy sources, or 
other factors making consumption of natural gas less attractive; 

availability of new, alternative energy sources, including compressed natural gas; and 

negative global or regional economic or political conditions, particularly in LNG-consuming regions, which could 
reduce energy consumption or its growth. 

Reduced demand for LNG, FSRUs or LNG carriers would have a material adverse effect on our future growth and could 

harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

We  operate  some  of  our  vessels  on  fixed-term  charters  and  other  vessels  in  the  spot/short-term  charter  market  for  LNG 
vessels.  Failure to find profitable employment for these vessels, or our other vessels following completion of their fixed-term 
agreements, could adversely affect our operations. 

Currently, we have five vessels of which three are FSRUs contracted on medium or long-term charters, which expire 
between  2017  and  2024,  and  one  vessel  commencing  its  long-term charter in 2012 following its FSRU conversion.  Our other 
LNG vessels are available for trade or trading in the spot/short-term charter market, the market for chartering an LNG carrier for a 
single voyage or short time period of up to one year.  However, three of our vessels (one of which is our 50% equity interest in 
the  vessel,  the Gandria)  are  currently  in  lay-up and are unlikely to trade for the balance of 2011.  Medium to long-term time 
charters generally provide reliable revenues but they also limit the portion of our fleet available to the spot/short-term market 
during an upswing in the LNG industry cycle, when spot/short-term market voyages might be more profitable. 

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The charter rates payable under time charters or in the spot market may be uncertain and volatile and will depend upon, 
among other things, economic conditions in the LNG market.  The supply and demand balance for LNG carriers and FSRUs is 
also uncertain. 

We also cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully employ our vessels in the future or re-deploy our LNG 
carriers and FSRUs following completion of their fixed-term agreements at rates sufficient to allow us to operate our business 
profitably or meet our obligations.  If we are unable to re-deploy an LNG carrier or FSRU, such as the LNG carriers currently in 
lay-up, we will not receive any revenues from that vessel, but we may be required to pay expenses necessary to maintain that 
vessel in proper operating condition.  A decline in charter or spot rates or a failure to successfully charter our vessels could 
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and our ability to meet our financing obligations. 

We are subject to certain risks with respect to our counterparties on contracts, and failure of such counterparties to meet 
their obligations could cause us to suffer losses or otherwise adversely affect our business. 

We  enter  into,  among  other  things,  charter-parties with our customers, conversion contracts with shipyards, credit 
facilities  with  banks,  interest  rate  swaps,  foreign  currency  swaps  and  equity  swaps.  Such  agreements  subject  us  to 
counterparty risks.  The ability of each of our counterparties 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 condition 
of the LNG market and charter rates.  In addition, in depressed market conditions, our charterers and customers may no longer 
need a vessel that is currently under charter or may be able to obtain a comparable vessel at a lower rate.  As a result, charterers 
may seek to renegotiate the terms of their existing charter parties or avoid their obligations under these contracts.  Should a 
counterparty fail to honor its obligations under agreements with us, we could sustain significant losses, which could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 

A renewal of the global financial crisis could negatively impact our business.

Although  there  are  signs  that  the  economic  recession  has  abated  in  many  countries,  there  is  still  considerable 
instability in the world economy and, in the economies of countries such as Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy that could initiate 
a  new  economic  downturn  and  result  in  a  tightening  in  the  credit  markets,  a  low  level  of  liquidity  in  financial  markets,  and 
volatility  in  credit  and  equity  markets.  A  renewal  of  the  financial  crisis  that  affected  the  banking  system  and  the  financial 
markets over the past two years may negatively impact our business and financial condition in ways that we cannot predict.  In 
addition, the uncertainty about current and future global economic conditions caused by a renewed financial crisis may cause 
our  customers  and  governments  to  defer  projects  in  response  to  tighter  credit,  decreased  cash  availability  and  declining 
customer confidence, which may negatively impact the demand for our services.  A tightening of the credit markets may further 
negatively impact our operations by affecting the solvency of our suppliers or customers, which could lead to disruptions in 
delivery  of  supplies  such  as  equipment  for  conversions,  cost  increases  for  supplies,  accelerated  payments  to  suppliers, 
customer bad debts or reduced revenues. 

Due to the lack of diversification in our lines of business, adverse developments in the LNG industry would negatively impact 
our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. 

Currently,  we  rely  primarily  on  the  revenues  generated  from  our  FSRUs  and  LNG  carriers.  Due  to  the  lack  of 
diversification in our lines of business, an adverse development in our LNG business, in the LNG industry or in the offshore 
energy  infrastructure  industry,  generally,  would  have  a  significant  impact  on  our  business,  financial  condition,  results  of 
operations and ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. 

We may incur losses if we are unable to expand profitably into other areas of the LNG industry. 

A  principal  component  of  our  strategy  is  to  expand  profitably  into  other  areas  of  the  LNG  industry  such  as 
regasification and floating power and liquefaction projects that are beyond the traditional transportation of LNG.  Other than the 
recent FSRU conversions of the Golar Spirit, Golar Winter and the Golar Freeze and the creation of our LNG trading business, 
we have not been involved in other LNG industry businesses.  Our expansion into these areas may not be profitable and we 
may incur losses including losses in respect of expenses incurred in relation to project development.  Our ability to integrate 
vertically  into  upstream  and  downstream  LNG  activities  depends  materially  on  our  ability  to  identify  attractive  partners  and 
projects and obtain project financing at a reasonable cost. 

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If there are substantial delays or cost overruns in completion of the modification of our vessels to FSRUs, or if they do not 
meet certain performance requirements, our earnings and financial condition could suffer. 

In  October  2010,  we  were  selected  as  the  successful  bidder  for  the  West  Java  FSRU  project  and  have  commenced 
discussions with Pertamina for the conversion of the Khannur into an FSRU.  The FSRU time charter party was signed between 
the Company and Nusantara Regas (a joint venture between Pertamina and Progress Energy, Inc., or PGN) in April 2011. The 
project represents the Company's fourth FSRU project and is for a period of approximately 11 years.  The project involves the 
conversion of an LNG carrier, the Khannur, into an FSRU and the provision of associated mooring infrastructure. 

Due to the highly technical process, retrofitting an existing LNG carrier for FSRU service may only be performed by a 
limited number of contractors; thus, a change of contractors may result in higher costs or a significant delay to our existing 
delivery schedule.  Furthermore, the completion of the retrofitting of LNG carriers is subject to the risk of cost overrun. 

An increase in costs could materially and adversely affect our financial performance. 

Our vessel operating expenses and drydock capital expenditures depend on a variety of factors, including crew costs, 
provisions, deck and engine stores and spares, lubricating oil, insurance, maintenance and repairs and shipyard costs, many of 
which are beyond our control and affect the entire shipping industry.  Also, while we do not bear the cost of fuel (bunkers) 
under  our  time  charters,  fuel  is  a  significant,  if  not  the  largest,  expense  in  our  operations  when  our  vessels  are  idle  during 
periods of commercial waiting time or when positioning or repositioning before or after a time charter.  The price and supply of 
fuel  is  unpredictable  and  fluctuates  based  on  events  outside  our  control,  including  geopolitical  developments,  supply  and 
demand  for  oil  and  gas,  actions  by  OPEC  and  other  oil  and  gas  producers,  war  and  unrest  in  oil-producing  countries  and 
regions,  regional  production  patterns  and  environmental  concerns.  These  events  may  increase  vessel  operating  and 
drydocking costs further.  If costs continue to rise, they could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. 

We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel in the LNG industry, which may negatively impact the 
effectiveness of our management and our results of operation. 

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

A shortage of qualified officers and crew could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. 

LNG carriers and FSRUs require a technically skilled officer staff with specialized training.  As the world LNG carrier 
fleet and FSRU fleet continue to grow, the demand for technically skilled officers and crew has been increasing, which has led to 
a shortfall of such personnel.  Increases in our historical vessel operating expenses have been attributable primarily to the rising 
costs of recruiting and retaining officers for our fleet.  In addition, our FSRUs will require an additional engineer, deck officer 
and cargo officer.  Furthermore, each key officer crewing an FSRU must receive specialized training related to the operation and 
maintenance  of  the  regasification  equipment.  If  we  or  our  third-party ship managers are unable to employ technically skilled 
staff  and  crew,  we  will  not  be  able  to  adequately  staff  our  vessels.  A  material  decrease  in  the  supply  of  technically  skilled 
officers or an inability of our third-party managers to attract and retain such qualified officers could impair our ability to operate, 
or  increase  the  cost  of  crewing  our  vessels,  which  would  materially  adversely  affect  our  business,  financial  condition  and 
results of operations and significantly reduce our ability to make distributions to shareholders. 

In addition, the Golar Spirit and Golar Winter are employed by Petrobras in Brazil.  As a result, we are required to hire 
a certain portion of Brazilian personnel to crew these vessels in accordance with Brazilian law.  Any inability to attract and retain 
qualified Brazilian crew members could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

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We currently operate primarily outside the United States, which could expose us to political, governmental and economic 
instability that could harm our operations. 

Because  most  of  our  operations  are  currently  conducted  outside  of  the  United  States,  they  may  be  affected  by 
economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we are engaged in business or where our vessels are 
registered.  Any disruption caused by these factors could harm our business.  In particular, we derive a substantial portion of 
our revenues from shipping LNG from politically unstable regions.  Past political conflicts in these regions, particularly in the 
Arabian Gulf, Brazil and Indonesia, have included attacks on ships, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt shipping in 
the area.  In addition to acts of terrorism, vessels trading in these and other regions have also been subject, in limited instances, 
to  piracy.  Future  hostilities  or  other  political  instability  in  the  Arabian  Gulf,  Brazil  and  Indonesia  where  we  operate  or  may 
operate could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business, results of operations and financial condition and 
our ability to make cash distributions.  In addition, tariffs, trade embargoes and other economic sanctions by Brazil, the United 
States  or  other  countries  against  countries  in  the  Middle  East,  Southeast  Asia  or  elsewhere  as  a  result  of  terrorist  attacks, 
hostilities or otherwise may limit trading activities with those countries, which could also harm our business and ability to make 
cash distributions. 

An economic slowdown in the Asia Pacific region could exacerbate the effect of recent slowdowns in the economies of the 
United  States  and  the  European  Union  and  may  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,  financial  condition  and 
results of operations. 

Negative changes in economic conditions in any Asia Pacific country, particularly in China, may exacerbate the effect 
of the significant recent slowdowns in the economies of the United States and the European Union and may have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Before the global economic financial crisis that 
began in 2008, China had one of the world's fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product, or GDP, which had a 
significant impact on shipping demand.  While the growth rate of China's GDP increased to approximately 10.3% for the year 
ended December 31, 2010, as compared to approximately 9.1% increase for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Chinese GDP 
growth  rate  remains  below  pre-2008  levels.  China  has  recently  imposed  measures  to  restrain  lending,  which  may  further 
contribute to a slowdown in its economic growth.  It is possible that China and other countries in the Asia Pacific region will 
continue to experience slowed or even negative economic growth in the near future.  Moreover, the current economic slowdown 
in the economies of the United States, the European Union and other Asian countries may further adversely affect economic 
growth in China and elsewhere.  Our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends will likely 
be materially and adversely affected by an economic downturn in any of these countries. 

Our  loan  and  lease  agreements  are  secured  by  our  vessels  and  contain  operating  and  financial  restrictions  and  other 
covenants that may restrict our business, financing activities and ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders. 

Covenants in our loan and lease agreements require the consent of our lenders and our lessors or otherwise limit our 

ability to: 

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merge into, or consolidate with, any other entity or sell, or otherwise dispose of, all or substantially all of their 
assets; 

make or pay equity distributions; 

incur additional indebtedness; 

incur or make any capital expenditures; 

materially amend, or terminate, any of our current charter contracts or management agreements; or 

charter our vessels. 

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If  the  ownership  interest  in  us  controlled  by  World  Shipholding  Ltd,  or  World  Shipholding,  a  Liberian  company 
indirectly controlled by Trusts established by John Fredriksen for the benefit of his immediate family, decreased below 25% of 
our share capital, a default of some of our loan agreements and lease agreements to which we are a party would occur.  Similarly, 
if we were to be in any other form of default that we could not remedy, such as payment default, our lessors, having legal title to 
our leased vessels, or our lenders, who have mortgages over some of our vessels, could be entitled to sell our vessels in order 
to repay our debt and/or lease liabilities. 

Covenants in our loan and lease agreements may effectively prevent us from paying dividends should our board of 
directors wish to do so and may require us to obtain permission from our lenders and lessors to engage in some other corporate 
actions.  Our lenders' and lessors' interests may be different from those of our shareholders and we cannot guarantee investors 
that we will be able to obtain our lenders' and lessors' permission when needed.  This may adversely affect our earnings and 
prevent us from taking actions that could be in our shareholders' best interests.  As of March 31, 2011, we were in compliance 
with all of the covenants contained in our loan and lease agreements. 

If we do not maintain the financial ratios contained in our loan and lease agreements or we are in any other form of default 
such as payment default, we could face acceleration of the due date of our debt and the loss of our vessels. 

Our loan and lease agreements require us to maintain specific financial levels and ratios, including minimum amounts of 
available  cash,  ratios  of  current  assets  to  current  liabilities  (excluding  current  long-term debt), ratios of net debt to earnings 
before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization and the level of stockholders' equity, minimum loan to value clauses and debt 
service coverage ratios.  Although we currently comply with these requirements, if we were to fall below these levels, we would 
be in default of our loans and lease agreements and the due date of our debt could be accelerated and our lease agreements 
terminated, which could result in the loss of our vessels.  Our ability to comply with covenants and restrictions contained in our 
loan and lease agreements may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry 
conditions.  If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired.  If 
restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our debt instruments are breached, a significant portion of the obligations may become 
immediately due and payable.  In the event that we enter into waiver agreements with our lenders for covenant breaches, such 
waiver agreements may result in a significant increase in our debt cost.  We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds 
to make these accelerated payments and, if we are unable to repay debt under the credit facilities, the lenders could seek to 
foreclose on those assets.  In addition, obligations under our financing arrangements are secured by certain of our vessels and 
guaranteed by our subsidiaries holding the interests in our vessels. 

We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay quarterly dividends following the establishment of cash 
reserves and payment of fees and expenses. 

We  may  not  have  sufficient  cash  available  each  quarter  to  pay  quarterly  dividends.  The  amount  of  cash  we  can 
distribute depends upon the amount of cash that we generate from our operations, which may fluctuate based on, among other 
things: 

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the rates we obtain from our charters; 

the level of our operating costs, such as the cost of crews and insurance; 

the continued availability of LNG, liquefaction and regasification facilities; 

the  number  of  unscheduled  off-hire days for our fleet and the timing of, and number of days required for, 
scheduled drydocking of our vessels; 

prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions; 

currency exchange rate fluctuations; and 

the effect of governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards on the conduct of 
our business. 

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The actual amount of cash that we will have available for dividend distribution also will depend on factors such as: 

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the  level  of  capital  expenditures  that  we  make,  including  for  maintaining  vessels,  building  new  vessels, 
acquiring existing vessels and complying with regulations; 

our debt service requirements and restrictions on distributions contained in our debt instruments; 

fluctuations in our working capital needs; 

our ability to make working capital borrowings, including to pay distributions to shareholders; 

the  amount  of  any  cash  reserves,  including  reserves  for  future  capital  expenditures  and  other 
matters, established; and 

our ability to raise debt finance in respect of expenditure relating to the conversion of the Khannur and our 
newbuildings. 

The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating costs in the future, which could adversely affect our earnings. 

In  general,  the  costs  to  maintain  a  vessel  in  good  operating  condition  increase  as  the  vessel  ages.  Due  to 
improvements  in  engine  technology,  older  vessels  are  typically  less  fuel-efficient  than  more  recently  constructed 
vessels.  Cargo insurance rates increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. 

Governmental regulations and safety, environmental or other equipment standards related to the age of tankers and 
other types of vessels may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment to our vessels to comply with 
safety or environmental laws or regulations that may be enacted in the future.  These laws or regulations may also restrict the 
type of activities in which our vessels may engage or prohibit their operation in certain geographic regions.  We cannot predict 
what alterations or modifications our vessels may be required to undergo as a result of requirements that may be promulgated in 
the  future,  or  that,  as  our  vessels  age,  market  conditions  will  justify  any  required  expenditures  or  enable  us  to  operate  our 
vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. 

Delays or defaults by the shipyards in the construction of our newbuildings could increase our expenses and 
diminish our net income and cash flows. 

We currently have newbuilding contracts for the construction of six LNG carriers with the Korean shipyard Samsung 
Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., or Samsung.  In addition we have an option to acquire an additional two LNG carriers. These projects 
are subject to the risk of delay or defaults by the shipyards caused by, among other things, unforeseen quality or engineering 
problems, work stoppages, weather interference, unanticipated cost increases, delays in receipt of necessary equipment, and 
inability to obtain the requisite permits or approvals. In accordance with industry practice, in the event the shipyards are unable 
or  unwilling  to  deliver  the  vessels,  we  may  not  have  substantial  remedies.  Failure  to  construct  or  deliver  the  ships  by  the 
shipyards or any significant delays could increase our expenses and diminish our net income and cash flows. 

We may not be able to obtain financing to fund our growth or our future capital expenditures, which could negatively impact 
our results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. 

In  order  to  fund  future  FSRUs,  liquefaction  projects,  newbuilding  programs,  vessel  acquisitions,  increased  working 
capital levels or other capital expenditures, we may be required to use cash from operations, incur borrowings or raise capital 
through the sale of debt or additional equity securities.  Use of cash from operations may reduce the amount of cash available 
for dividend distributions.  Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for any future debt or equity 
offerings  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.  The issuance of additional equity securities would dilute your interest in us and 
reduce dividends payable to you.  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. 

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Three of our vessels are currently financed by U.K. tax leases and an additional five of our vessels were financed by U.K. tax 
leases until such leases were terminated in 2010.  In the event of any adverse tax changes or a successful challenge by the 
U.K. Revenue authorities with regard to the initial tax basis of the transactions, or in relation to the terminations we have 
entered into in 2010 or in the event of an early termination of our remaining leases, we may be required to make additional 
payments to the U.K. vessel lessors or the UK revenue authorities which could adversely affect our earnings and financial 
position.  

Three of our vessels are currently financed by U.K. tax leases and an additional five of our vessels were financed by 
U.K. tax leases until such leases were terminated in 2010.  In the event of any adverse tax changes or a successful challenge by 
the  U.K.  Revenue  authorities  with  regard  to  the  initial  tax  basis  of  the  transactions,  or  in  relation  to  the  lease  terminations 
we entered into in 2010 or in the event of an early termination of our remaining leases, we may be required to make additional 
payments  to  the  U.K.  vessel  lessors  or  the  UK  revenue  authorities  which  could  adversely  affect  our  earnings  and  financial 
position.   We would be required to return all or a portion of, or in certain circumstances significantly more than, the upfront 
cash benefits that we have received or accrued over time, together with fees that were incurred in connection with our lease 
financing transactions including our recent termination transactions or post additional security or make additional payments to 
the U.K. vessel lessors.  Any additional payments could adversely affect our earnings and financial position. 

Servicing our debt and lease agreements substantially limits our funds available for other purposes. 

A  large  portion  of  our  cash  flow  from  operations  is  used  to  repay  the  principal  and  interest  on  our  debt  and  lease 
agreements.  As  of  December  31,  2010,  our  net  indebtedness  (including  loan  debt,  capital  lease  obligations,  net  of  restricted 
cash and short-term deposits and net of cash and cash equivalents) was $836.5 million and our ratio of net indebtedness to total 
capital (comprising net indebtedness plus shareholders' equity and noncontrolling interests) was 0.58. 

We may incur additional indebtedness to fund our newbuilding vessels and possible expansion into other areas of the 
LNG industry, such as in respect of our FSRU projects. Debt payments reduce our funds available for expansion into other parts 
of the LNG industry, working capital, capital expenditures and other purposes.  In addition, our business is capital intensive and 
requires  significant  capital  outlays  that  result  in  high  fixed  costs.  We  cannot  assure  investors  that  our  existing  and  future 
contracts will provide revenues adequate to cover all of our fixed and variable costs. 

An increase in interest rates could materially and adversely affect our financial performance. 

As  of  December  31,  2010,  we  had  total  long-term  debt  and  net  capital  lease  obligations  (net  of  restricted  cash) 
outstanding of $1,016.2 million of which $412.2 million is exposed to a floating rate of interest.  We use interest rate swaps to 
manage interest rate risk.  As of December 31, 2010, our interest rate swap arrangements effectively fix the interest rate exposure 
on $620.3 million of floating rate bank debt and capital lease obligation.  In addition, we had $10 million of fixed rate debt which 
has  recently  retired.  If  interest  rates  rise  significantly,  our  results  of  operations  could  be  materially  and  adversely 
affected.  Increases  and  decreases  in  interest  rates  will  affect  the  cost  of  floating  rate  debt  but  may  also  affect  the  mark-to-
market valuation of interest rate swaps, which will also affect our results.  Additionally, to the extent that our lease obligations 
are  secured  by  restricted  cash  deposits,  our  exposure  to  interest  rate  movements  is  hedged  to  a  large  extent.  However, 
movements in interest rates may require us to place more cash into our restricted deposits and this could also materially and 
adversely affect our results of operations. 

The  interest  rate  swaps  that  have  been  entered  into  by  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  are  derivative  financial 
instruments that effectively translate floating rate debt into fixed rate debt.  U.S. GAAP requires that these derivatives be valued 
at current market prices in our financial statements, with increases or decreases in valuations reflected in results of operations 
or, if the instrument is designated as a hedge, in other comprehensive income.  Changes in interest rates give rise to changes in 
the valuations of interest rate swaps and could adversely affect results of operations and other comprehensive income. 

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Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations will result in fluctuations in our cash flows and operating results. 

Currency  exchange  rate  fluctuations  and  currency  devaluations  could  have  an  adverse  effect  on  our  results  of 
operations from quarter to quarter.  Historically, our revenue has been generated in U.S. Dollars, but we incur capital, operating 
and administrative expenses in multiple currencies. 

We  are  exposed  to  foreign  currency  exchange  fluctuations  as  a  result  of  expenses  paid  by  certain  subsidiaries  in 
currencies other than U.S. Dollars, such as Britsh pounds, or GBP, in relation to our administrative office in the U.K., operating 
expenses  incurred  in  a  variety  of  foreign  currencies,  including  Euros  and  Singapore  Dollars,  among  others;  and  multiple 
currencies, including Euros, Singapore Dollars and Norwegian Krone in respect of our FSRU conversion contracts.  If the U.S. 
Dollar  weakens  significantly,  this  could  increase  our  expenses  and,  therefore,  could  have  a  negative  effect  on  our  financial 
results. 

Under the charter agreements for the Golar Spirit and the Golar Winter, we will generate a portion of our revenues in 
Brazilian Reais.  Income under these charters is split into two components.  The component that relates to operating expenses 
(the minority) is paid in Brazilian Reais, whereas the capital component is paid in U.S. Dollars.  We will incur some operating 
expenses in Brazilian Reais but we will also have to convert Brazilian Reais into other currencies, including U.S. Dollars, in order 
to pay the remaining operating expenses incurred in other currencies.  If the Brazilian Real weakens significantly, we may not 
have  sufficient  Brazilian  Reais  to  convert  to  other  currencies  in  order  to  satisfy  our  obligations  in  respect  of  the  operating 
expenses  related  to  these  charters,  which  would  have  a  negative  effect  on  our  financial  results  and  cash  available  for 
distribution. 

We  have  entered  into  currency  forward  contracts  or  similar  derivatives  to  mitigate  our  exposure  to  these  foreign 

exchange rate fluctuations in respect of our capital commitments relating to our FSRU conversion contracts. 

Two of our vessels are currently financed by U.K. tax leases, which are denominated in GBPs.  The majority of our GBP 
capital lease obligations is hedged by GBP cash deposits securing the lease obligations, or by currency swap.  However, these 
are not perfect hedges and a significant strengthening of the U.S. Dollar could give rise to an increase in our financial expenses 
and could materially affect our financial results (See Item 11- Foreign currency risk). 

Our joint venture agreement with CPC Corporation, Taiwan (CPC) with respect to the Golar Mazo contains provisions that 
may limit our ability to sell or transfer our interest in the Golar Mazo, which could have a material adverse effect on our cash 
flows and affect our ability to make distributions to our shareholders. 

We have a 60% interest in the joint venture that owns the Golar Mazo, which enables us to control the joint venture, 
subject  to  certain  negative  controls  held  by CPC, who owns the remaining 40% interest in the Golar Mazo.  Under the joint 
venture  agreement,  no  party  may  sell,  assign,  mortgage,  or  otherwise  transfer  its  rights,  interests  or  obligations  under  that 
agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.  If we determine that the sale or transfer of our interest in the 
Golar Mazo is in our best interest, we must provide CPC notice of our intent to sell or transfer our interest and grant CPC a right 
of first refusal to purchase our interest.  If CPC does not accept the offer within 60 days after we notify CPC, we will be free to 
sell or transfer our interest to a third-party.  Any delay in the sale or transfer of our interest in the Golar Mazo or restrictions in 
our ability to manage the joint venture could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and affect our ability to make 
distributions to our shareholders 

We may have to pay tax on United States source income, which would reduce our earnings. 

Under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or 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  United  States,  may  be  subject  to  a  4%  U.S.  federal  income  tax  without 
allowance  for  deduction,  unless  that  corporation  qualifies  for  exemption  from  tax  under  Section  883  of  the  Code  and  the 
applicable Treasury Regulations recently promulgated thereunder. 

We  expect  that  we  and  each  of  our  subsidiaries  will  qualify  for  this  statutory  tax  exemption  and  we  will  take  this 
position for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes.  However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control 
that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption and thereby become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. 
source income.  Therefore, we can give no assurances on our tax-exempt status or that of any of our subsidiaries. 

14

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
If, we or our subsidiaries, are not entitled to exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any taxable year, we, or our 
subsidiaries, could be subject for those years to an effective 4% U.S. federal income tax on the gross shipping income these 
companies derive during the year that are attributable to the transport or cargoes to or from the United States.  The imposition 
of this tax would have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our 
shareholders. 

United States tax authorities could treat us as a "passive foreign investment company", which could have adverse United 
States federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders. 

A foreign corporation will be treated as a "passive foreign investment company," or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax 
purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of "passive income" or (2) at 
least 50% of the average value of the corporation's assets produce or are held for the production of those types of "passive 
income."  For purposes of these tests, "passive income" includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of 
investment  property  and  rents  and  royalties  other  than  rents  and  royalties  which  are  received  from  unrelated  parties  in 
connection with the active conduct of a trade or 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  a  disadvantageous  U.S.  federal 
income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, 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 our current and expected future method of operation, we do not believe that we will be a PFIC with respect to 
any taxable year.  In this regard, we intend to treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering 
activities  as  services  income,  rather  than  rental  income.  Accordingly,  we  believe  that  our  income  from  our  time  chartering 
activities does not constitute "passive income," and the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of 
that income do not constitute passive assets. 

There  is,  however,  no  direct  legal  authority  under  the  PFIC  rules  addressing  our  method  of  operation.  We  believe 
there is substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and United States Internal Revenue Service, 
or IRS, pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services 
income for other tax purposes.  However, we note that there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental 
income rather than services income for other tax purposes.  Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of 
law will accept our position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC.  Moreover, no 
assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in the nature 
and extent of our operations. 

If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. shareholders will face adverse U.S. 
tax  consequences  and  certain  information  reporting  requirements.  Under  the  PFIC  rules,  unless  those  shareholders  make  an 
election  available  under  the  Code  (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 stock, as if the excess distribution or 
gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder's holding period of our common stock.  Please see the section of this 
annual  report  entitled  "Taxation"  under  Item  10E  for  a  more  comprehensive  discussion  of  the  U.S.  federal  income  tax 
consequences if we were to be treated as a PFIC. 

Our  Liberian  subsidiaries  may  not  be  exempt  from  Liberian  taxation,  which  would  materially  reduce  our  Liberian 
subsidiaries', and consequently our, net income and cash flow by the amount of the applicable tax. 

The  Republic  of  Liberia  enacted  an  income  tax  act  generally  effective  as  of  January 1,  2001,  or  the  New  Act,  which 
repealed,  in  its  entirety,  the  prior  income  tax  law  in  effect  since  1977,  pursuant  to  which  our  Liberian  subsidiaries,  as  non-
resident domestic corporations, were wholly exempt from Liberian tax. 

In 2004, the Liberian Ministry of Finance issued regulations, or the New Regulations, pursuant to which a non-resident 
domestic corporation engaged in international shipping, such as our Liberian subsidiaries, will not be subject to tax under the 
New Act retroactive to January 1, 2001. In addition, the Liberian Ministry of Justice issued an opinion that the New Regulations 
were a valid exercise of the regulatory authority of the Ministry of Finance. Therefore, assuming that the New Regulations are 
valid, our Liberian subsidiaries will be wholly exempt from tax as under prior law. 

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In 2009, the Liberian Congress enacted the Economic Stimulus Taxation Act of 2009, which reinstates the treatment on 
non-resident  Liberian  corporations,  such  as  our  Liberian  subsidiaries,  under  Prior  Laws  retroactive  to  January  1,  2001.  This 
legislation will become effective when it is finally published by the Liberian government. 

If our Liberian subsidiaries were subject to Liberian income tax under the New Act, our Liberian subsidiaries would be 
subject to tax at a rate of 35% on their worldwide income. As a result, their, and subsequently our, net income and cash flow 
would be materially reduced by the amount of the applicable tax. In addition, we, as a shareholder of the Liberian subsidiaries, 
would be subject to Liberian withholding tax on dividends paid by the Liberian subsidiaries at rates ranging from 15% to 20%. 

We are a holding company, and our ability to pay dividends will be limited by the value of investments we currently hold and 
by the distribution of funds from our subsidiaries. 

We are a holding company whose assets mainly comprise of equity interests in our subsidiaries and other quoted and 
non-quoted companies.  As a result, should we decide to pay dividends, we would be dependent on the performance of our 
operating subsidiaries and other investments.  If we were not able to receive sufficient funds from our subsidiaries and other 
investments, including from the sale of our investment interests, we would not be able to pay dividends unless we obtain funds 
from other sources.  We may not be able to obtain the necessary funds from other sources on terms acceptable to us. 

Risks Related to Our LNG-trading Business 

During 2010, we established Golar Commodities Limited, or Golar Commodities, a wholly owned Bermuda subsidiary, to 

trade physical cargos of LNG and to provide financial risk management to LNG customers around the world. 

We are exposed to market risks, any of which could adversely affect our business.

We  are  exposed  to  market  and  credit  risks  in  all  of  our  operations.  To  minimize  the  risk  of  commodity  price 
fluctuations,  we  periodically  enter  into  derivative  transactions  to  hedge  anticipated  purchases  and  sales  of  LNG.  However, 
financial derivative instrument contracts may not completely eliminate all risks.  Specifically, such risks include commodity price 
changes, market supply shortages, operational risks and counterparty default.   

Customers  and  counterparties  may  not  pay  or  perform  in  accordance  with  our  agreements,  which  could  materially  and 
adversely impact our results of operations. 

We  are  subject  to  the  risk  of  loss  resulting  from  non-payment  and/or  non-performance  by  customers  and 
counterparties.  Customers may experience deterioration of their financial condition as a result of changing market conditions or 
financial difficulties, which could impact their creditworthiness or ability to pay for our services.  If we fail to assess adequately 
the  creditworthiness  of  existing  or  future  customers,  unanticipated  deterioration  in  customers'  creditworthiness,  and  any 
resulting  non-payment  and/or  non-performance,  could  adversely  impact  results  of  operations.  In  addition,  if  any  of  our 
customers  or  counterparties  filed  for  bankruptcy  protection,  we  may  not  be  able  to  recover  amounts  owed,  which  could 
materially and adversely impact the results of operations. 

Limitations on liquidity in the LNG market could affect our earnings.

The LNG market can experience periods of limited liquidity, which can create difficulties in managing our physical and 
economic risks.  The lack of liquidity can present us with adverse conditions in which to buy cover short positions or to sell to 
cover long positions. We may not always be able to manage liquidity-related risks, which could affect our earnings. 

Limitations on our flexibility to trade in the spot market could adversely affect our business.

There is an element of structured rigidity to operations in the LNG supply chain that can limit our flexibility to trade in 
the spot market for LNG cargos.  Significant mismatches between cargo sizes and vessel and storage tank capacity can limit the 
ability to trade vessels chartered by us or to buy or sell cargoes to and from certain locations. We may also not be able to 
charter vessels when required and therefore may not be able to fulfil our obligations to deliver cargos which could adversely 
affect our business.  

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There are operational risks associated with loading and off-loading, storing and transporting cargoes, which could expose 
us to liability and affect our economic results. 

We  assume  numerous  operational  risks  associated  with  loading  and  off-loading,  storing  and  transporting  cargoes 
which  can  cause  delays  to  our  operations.   In  addition  difficulties  due  to  port  constraints,  weather  conditions  and  vessel 
compatibility and performance can all affect our  results of operations and expose us to some adverse economic consequences.  

Restrictions on LNG imports could have a materially adverse effect on us.

LNG  is  produced  from  various  production  facilities  with  varying  qualities.   Markets  for  LNG  have  varying  quality 
specification limits, which can restrict the ability to import LNG into these markets.  These restrictions can reduce the flexibility 
to buy and/or sell cargoes across various markets, which could have a materially adverse effect on our results of operations. 

Employees may violate our risk management policies, which could have an adverse effect on our earnings, financial position 
or cash flows.

Our established risk management policies and procedures may not be effective and employees may violate our risk 
management  policies.  If  employees  fail  to  adhere  to  our  policies  and  procedures,  or  if  our  policies  and  procedures  are  not 
effective, potentially because of future conditions or risks outside of our control, we may be exposed to greater risk than we had 
intended.  Ineffective risk management policies and procedures, or violation of risk management policies and procedures, could 
have an adverse effect on our earnings, financial position or cash flows. 

We may be unable to attract and retain key management and trading personnel, which may impact the effectiveness 

of trading performance and our financial results. 

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

Risks Related to Our Industry 

The operation of LNG carriers and FSRUs is inherently risky, and an incident resulting in significant loss or environmental 
consequences involving any of our vessels could harm our reputation and business. 

The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks.  These risks include the possibility of: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

Marine disaster; 

Piracy; 

Environmental accidents; and 

Business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, war, terrorism, political action in various 
countries, labor strikes, or adverse weather conditions. 

Any  of  these  circumstances  or  events  could  increase  our  costs  or  lower  our  revenues.  The  involvement  of  our 

vessels in an oil spill or other environmental disaster may harm our reputation as a safe and reliable LNG carrier operator. 

If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired.  The costs of vessel repairs are unpredictable and can be 
substantial.  We  may  have  to  pay  repair  costs  that  our  insurance  policies  do  not  cover.  The  loss  of  earnings  while  these 
vessels are being repaired, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our results of operations.  If one of our 
vessels were involved in an accident with the potential risk of environmental contamination, the resulting media coverage could 
have a material adverse effect on our business, our results of operations and cash flows, weaken our financial condition and 
negatively affect our ability to pay dividends. 

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Growth of the LNG market may be limited by many factors, including infrastructure constraints and community and political 
group resistance to new LNG infrastructure over environmental, safety and terrorism-related concerns. 

A complete LNG project includes production, liquefaction, regasification, storage and distribution facilities and LNG 
carriers.  Existing LNG projects and infrastructure are limited, and new or expanded LNG projects are highly complex and capital 
intensive, with new projects often costing several billion dollars.  Many factors could negatively affect continued development 
of  LNG  infrastructure  and  related  alternatives,  including  floating  storage  and  regasification,  or  disrupt  the  supply  of  LNG, 
including: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

increases  in  interest  rates  or  other  events  that  may  affect  the  availability  of  sufficient  financing  for  LNG 
projects on commercially reasonable terms; 

decreases  in  the  price  of  LNG,  which  might  decrease  the  expected  returns  relating  to  investments  in  LNG 
projects; 

the inability of project owners or operators to obtain governmental approvals to construct or operate LNG 
facilities; 

local community resistance to proposed or existing LNG facilities based on safety, environmental or terrorism-
related concerns; 

any significant explosion, spill or similar incident involving an LNG facility, FSRU or LNG carrier; and 

labor or political unrest affecting existing or proposed areas of LNG production and regasification. 

We expect that, as a result of the factors discussed above, some of the proposals to expand existing, or develop new, 
LNG liquefaction and regasification facilities may be abandoned or significantly delayed.  If the LNG supply chain is disrupted 
or does not continue to grow, or if a significant LNG explosion, spill or similar incident occurs, such an event could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions. 

Terrorist  attacks,  piracy,  increased  hostilities  or  war  could  lead  to  further  economic  instability,  increased  costs  and 
disruption of our business. 

Terrorist attacks such as the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the bombings in Spain on March 11, 
2004, in London on July 7, 2005, and the attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008, and the continuing response of the United 
States and others to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks in the United States or elsewhere, continue to 
cause uncertainty in the world's financial markets and may affect our business, operating results, financial condition, ability to 
raise capital and future growth.  Continuing conflicts in North Africa and the Middle East and the presence of the United States 
and other armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, 
which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets and disrupt our business.  For example, in 
December  2005,  we  signed  a  joint  venture  agreement  with  The  Egyptian  Natural  Gas  Holding  Company,  or  EGAS,  and  HK 
Petroleum Services in respect of the setting up of a jointly owned company named Egyptian Company for Gas Services S.A.E., 
or ECGS, for the development of hydrocarbon business and in particular LNG related business.  The recent turmoil in Egypt may 
affect  the  economic  success  of  this  joint  venture.  These  uncertainties  could  also  adversely  affect  our  ability  to  obtain 
additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all.  In the past, political conflicts have also resulted in attacks on vessels, 
mining  of  waterways  and  other  efforts  to  disrupt  international  shipping,  particularly  in  the  Arabian  Gulf  region.  Acts  of 
terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the 
coast of Somalia.  Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results 
of operations and ability to pay dividends.  Terrorist attacks on vessels, such as the October 2002 attack on the M.V. Limburg, a 
very large crude carrier not related to us, may, in the future, also negatively affect our operations and financial condition and 
directly  impact  our  vessels  or  our  customers.  Future  terrorist  attacks  could  result  in  increased  volatility  and  turmoil  of  the 
financial  markets  in  the  United  States  and  globally.  Any  of  these  occurrences  could  have  a  material  adverse  impact  on  our 
revenues and costs. 

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In  addition,  LNG  facilities,  shipyards,  vessels  (including  conventional  LNG  carriers  and  FSRUs),  pipelines  and  gas 
fields could be targets of future terrorist attacks or piracy.  Any such attacks could lead to, among other things, bodily injury or 
loss of life, vessel or other property damage, increased vessel operational costs, including insurance costs, and the inability to 
transport LNG to or from certain locations.  Terrorist attacks, war or other events beyond our control that adversely affect the 
production, storage, transportation or regasification of LNG to be shipped or processed by us could entitle our customers to 
terminate our charter contracts, which would harm our cash flow and our business. 

Terrorist attacks, or the perception that LNG facilities, LNG carriers and FSRUs are potential terrorist targets, could 
materially and adversely affect expansion of LNG infrastructure and the continued supply of LNG to the United States and other 
countries.  Concern that LNG facilities may be targeted for attack by terrorists has contributed to significant community and 
environmental resistance to the construction of a number of LNG facilities, primarily in North America.  If a terrorist incident 
involving an LNG facility, LNG carrier or FSRU did occur, in addition to the possible effects identified in the previous paragraph, 
the  incident  may  adversely  affect  construction  of  additional  LNG  facilities  or  FSRUs,  or  lead  to  the  temporary  or  permanent 
closing of various LNG facilities or FSRUs currently in operation. 

The economic downturn may affect our customers' ability to charter our vessels and pay for our services, and may adversely 
affect our business and results of operations. 

The economic downturn in the global financial markets may lead to a decline in our customers' operations or ability to 
pay  for  our  services,  which  could  result  in  decreased  demand  for  our  vessels  and  services.  Our  customers'  inability  to  pay 
could also result in their default on our current charters.  The decline in the amount of services requested by our customers or 
their default on our charters with them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations.  We  cannot  determine  whether  the  difficult  conditions  in  the  economy  and  the  financial  markets  will  improve  or 
worsen in the near future. 

An over-supply of vessel capacity may lead to further reductions in charter hire rates and profitability. 

The supply of vessels generally increases with deliveries of new vessels and decreases with the scrapping of older 
vessels,  conversion  of  vessels  to  other  uses,  and  loss  of  tonnage  as  a  result  of  casualties.  Currently,  there  is  significant 
newbuilding  activity  with  respect  to  virtually  all  sizes  and  classes  of  vessels.  An  over-supply of vessel capacity, combined 
with  a  decline  in  the  demand  for  such  vessels,  may  result  in  a  further  reduction  of  charter  hire  rates.  If  such  a  reduction 
continues in the future, upon the expiration or termination of our vessels' current charters, we may only be able to re-charter our 
vessels at reduced or unprofitable rates or we may not be able to charter our vessels at all, which would have a material adverse 
effect on our revenues and profitability. 

Hire rates for FSRUs and LNG carriers are not readily available and may fluctuate substantially.  If rates are lower when we 
are seeking a new charter, our earnings and ability to make distributions to our unitholders will suffer. 

Hire rates for FSRUs and LNG carriers are not readily available and may fluctuate over time as a result of changes in the 
supply-demand balance relating to current and future FSRU and LNG carrier capacity.  This supply-demand relationship largely 
depends  on  a  number  of  factors  outside  our  control.  The  LNG  market  is  closely  connected  to  world  natural  gas  prices  and 
energy markets, which we cannot predict.  A substantial or extended decline in natural gas prices could adversely affect our 
ability to recharter our vessels at acceptable rates or acquire and profitably operate new FSRUs or LNG carriers.  Our ability from 
time to time to charter or re-charter any vessel at attractive rates will depend on, among other things, the prevailing economic 
conditions  in  the  LNG  industry.  Hire  rates  for  newbuilding  FSRUs  and  LNG  carriers  are  correlated  with  the  price  of  FSRU 
newbuildings  and  LNG  carrier  newbuildings.  Please  read  "Industry—LNG  Carriers—Carrying  Capacity  and  Prices"  for 
information on the cyclical behavior and the current state of LNG carrier shipbuilding prices 

Vessel values may fluctuate substantially and, if these values are lower at a time when we are attempting to dispose of vessels, 
we may incur a loss. 

Vessel values for LNG carriers can fluctuate substantially over time due to a number of different factors, including: 

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prevailing economic conditions in the natural gas and energy markets; 

a substantial or extended decline in demand for LNG; 

increases in the supply of vessel capacity; 

the size and age of a vessel; and 

the cost of retrofitting or modifying existing vessels, as a result of technological advances in vessel design or 
equipment, changes in applicable environmental or other regulations or standards, customer requirements or 
otherwise. 

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 if we do not maintain sufficient cash reserves for maintenance and 
replacement capital expenditures.  Moreover, the cost of a replacement vessel would be significant. 

If a charter terminates, we may be unable to re-deploy the affected vessels at attractive rates and, rather than continue 
to incur costs to maintain and finance them, we may seek to dispose of them.  Our inability to dispose of vessels at a reasonable 
value could result in a loss on their sale and adversely affect our ability to purchase a replacement vessel, results of operations 
and financial condition and ability to make distributions to shareholders. Please refer to section "Critical Accounting Estimates 
– Vessel Market Valuations" for further information. 

The LNG transportation industry is competitive and we may not be able to compete successfully, which would adversely affect 
our earnings. 

The LNG transportation industry in which we operate is competitive, especially with respect to the negotiation of long-
term charters.  Competition arises primarily from other LNG carrier owners, some of whom have substantially greater resources 
than  we  do.  Furthermore,  new  competitors  with  greater  resources  could  enter  the  market  for  LNG  carriers  and  FSRUs  and 
operate larger fleets through consolidations, acquisitions or the purchase of new vessels, and may be able to offer lower charter 
rates  and  more  modern  fleets.  If  we  are  not  able  to  compete  successfully,  our  earnings  could  be  adversely 
affected.  Competition  may  also  prevent  us  from  achieving  our  goal  of  profitably  expanding  into  other  areas  of  the  LNG 
industry. 

Our vessels are required to trade globally and we must, therefore, conduct our operations in many parts of the world, and, 
accordingly, our vessels are exposed to international risks, which could reduce revenue or increase expenses. 

We conduct global operations and transport LNG from politically unstable regions.  Changing economic, regulatory 
and political conditions in some countries, including political and military conflicts, have from time to time resulted in attacks on 
vessels, mining of waterways, piracy, terrorism and other efforts to disrupt shipping.  The terrorist attacks against targets in the 
United  States  on  September  11,  2001,  the  military  response  by  the  United  States  and  the  conflict  in  Iraq  may  increase  the 
likelihood of acts of terrorism worldwide.  Acts of terrorism, regional hostilities or other political instability could affect LNG 
trade patterns and reduce our revenue or increase our expenses.  Further, we could be forced to incur additional and unexpected 
costs in order to comply with changes in the laws or regulations of the nations in which our vessels operate.  These additional 
costs could have a material adverse impact on our operating results, revenue and costs. 

Our vessels may call on ports located in countries that are subject to restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments, 
which could adversely affect our business. 

From time to time on charterers' instructions, our vessels may call on ports located in countries subject to sanctions 
and embargoes imposed by the United States government and in countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors 
of terrorism.  The U.S. sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all apply to the same 
covered persons or proscribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended or 
strengthened  over  time.  In  2010,  the  U.S.  enacted  the  Comprehensive  Iran  Sanctions  Accountability  and  Divestment  Act 
("CISADA"),  which  expanded  the  scope  of  the  former  Iran  Sanctions  Act.  Among  other  things,  CISADA  expands  the 
application of the prohibitions to non-U.S. companies, such as our company, and introduces limits on the ability of companies 
and  persons  to  do  business  or  trade  with  Iran  when  such  activities  relate  to  the  investment,  supply  or  export  of  refined 
petroleum or petroleum products.  Although we believe that we are in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo 
laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance in the 
future,  particularly  as  the  scope  of  certain  laws  may  be  unclear  and  may  be  subject  to  changing  interpretations.  Any  such 
violation could result in fines or other penalties and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their 
interest, or not to invest, in our company.  Additionally, some investors may decide to divest their interest, or not to invest, in 
our  company  simply  because  we  do  business  with  companies  that  do  business  in  sanctioned  countries.  Moreover,  our 
charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or 
our  vessels,  and  those  violations  could  in  turn  negatively  affect  our  reputation.  Investor  perception  of  the  value  of  our 
company may also be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental 
actions in these and surrounding countries. 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have recently increased in frequency, which could adversely affect our business. 

Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China 
Sea and in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia.  Beginning in 2008, the frequency of piracy incidents against commercial 
shipping  vessels  increased  significantly  and  continues  at  a  relatively  high  level  through  today,  particularly  in  the  Gulf  of 
Aden.  Since 2009, numerous vessels have fallen victim to piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia.  For example, on January 15, 
2010, the M/V Samho Jewelry, a vessel not affiliated with us, was seized by pirates while transporting chemicals 800 miles off 
the Somali coast.  If these piracy attacks result in regions in which our vessels are deployed being characterized by insurers as 
"war  risk"  zones,  as  the  Gulf  of  Aden  temporarily  was  in  May  2008,  or  Joint  War  Committee  "war  and  strikes"  listed  areas, 
premiums payable for such insurance coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult 
to  obtain.  In  addition,  crew  costs,  including  those  due  to  employing  onboard  security  guards,  could  increase  in  such 
circumstances.  We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse 
effect on us.  In addition, any detention hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost, or 
unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results 
of operations. 

The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan may have an adverse affect on our business, results of operations and financial 
condition. 

The earthquake and tsunami that occurred in Japan on March 11, 2011 have caused hundreds of billions of dollars of 
damage and has threatened to send the Japanese economy into a recession.  As of the date of this annual report, the extent to 
which the earthquake and tsunami will affect the international shipping industry is unclear.  With the third largest economy in 
the world, a prolonged recovery period with a relatively stagnant Japanese economy could have adverse economic implications 
worldwide.  This, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. 

Our insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our property or result from our operations. 

The operation of LNG carriers and FSRUs is inherently risky.  Although we carry protection and indemnity insurance, 
all risks may not be adequately insured against, and any particular claim may not be paid.  Any claims covered by insurance 
would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of 
these deductibles could be material.  Certain of our insurance coverage is maintained through mutual protection and indemnity 
associations and, as a member of such associations, we may be required to make additional payments over and above budgeted 
premiums if member claims exceed association reserves. 

We  may  be  unable  to  procure  adequate  insurance  coverage  at  commercially  reasonable  rates  in  the  future.  For 
example, more stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the 
lack  of  availability  of,  insurance  against  risks  of  environmental  damage  or  pollution.  A  marine  disaster  could  exceed  our 
insurance coverage, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.  Any uninsured or underinsured 
loss could harm our business and financial condition.  In addition, our insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of 
certain of our actions, such as our vessels failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime self-regulatory organizations. 

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Changes  in  the  insurance  markets  attributable  to  terrorist  attacks  may  also  make  certain  types  of  insurance  more 
difficult for us to obtain.  In addition, upon renewal or expiration of our current policies, the insurance that may be available to 
us may be significantly more expensive than our existing coverage. 

Any future changes to the laws and regulations governing LNG carrier and FSRU vessels could increase our expenses to 
remain in compliance. 

The  laws  of  the  nations  where  our  vessels  operate,  as  well  as  international  treaties  and  conventions,  regulate  the 
production,  storage  and  transportation  of  LNG.  Our  operations  are  materially  affected  by  these  extensive  and  changing 
environmental protection laws and other regulations and international conventions, including those relating to equipping and 
operating our LNG carriers and FSRUs.  We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, substantial expenses in complying 
with these laws and regulations, including expenses for vessel modifications and changes in operating procedures.  While we 
believe  that  we  comply  with  the  current  regulations  of  the  International  Maritime  Organization,  or  IMO,  any  future  non-
compliance could subject us to increased liability, lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and 
result  in  the  denial  of  access  to,  or  detention  in,  some  ports.  Furthermore,  future  United  States  federal  and  state  laws  and 
regulations as then in force, or future regulations adopted by the IMO, and any other future regulations, may limit our ability to 
do business or cause the Company to incur additional costs relating to such matters as LNG carrier construction, maintenance 
and inspection requirements, development of contingency plans for potential leakages and insurance coverage. 

Safety, environmental and other governmental requirements expose us to liability, and compliance with current and future 
regulations could require significant additional expenditures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business 
and financial results. 

Our  operations  are  affected  by  extensive  and  changing  international,  national,  state  and  local  laws,  regulations, 
treaties, conventions and standards in force in international waters, the jurisdictions in which our tankers and other vessels 
operate  and  the  country  or  countries  in  which  such  vessels  are  registered,  including  those  governing  the  management  and 
disposal  of  hazardous  substances  and  wastes,  the  cleanup  of  oil  spills  and  other  contamination,  air  emissions,  and  water 
discharges and ballast water management. These regulations include the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or the OPA, the U.S. 
Clean Water Act, the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 and regulations of the IMO, including the International 
Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as from time to time amended and generally referred to as the 
CLC, the IMO International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973, as from time to time amended and 
generally referred to as MARPOL, the IMO International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, as from time to time 
amended and generally referred to as SOLAS, and the IMO International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, as from time to time 
amended. 

In addition, vessel classification societies and the requirements set forth in the IMO's International Management Code 
for  the  Safe  Operation  of  Ships  and  for  Pollution  Prevention,  or  the  ISM  Code,  also  impose  significant  safety  and  other 
requirements on our vessels. In complying with current and future environmental requirements, vessel owners and operators 
may also incur significant additional costs in meeting new maintenance and inspection requirements, in developing contingency 
arrangements  for  potential  spills  and  in  obtaining  insurance  coverage.  Government  regulation  of  vessels,  particularly  in  the 
areas  of  safety  and  environmental  requirements,  can  be  expected  to  become  stricter  in  the  future  and  require  us  to  incur 
significant capital expenditures on our vessels to keep them in compliance, or even to scrap or sell certain vessels altogether. 

Many of these requirements are designed to reduce the risk of oil spills and other pollution, and our compliance with 
these requirements can be costly. These requirements also can affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels, require 
reductions  in  cargo  capacity,  ship  modifications  or  operational  changes  or  restrictions,  lead  to  decreased  availability  of 
insurance  coverage  for  environmental  matters  or  result  in  the  denial  of  access  to  certain  jurisdictional  waters  or  ports,  or 
detention in certain ports. 

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Under  local,  national  and  foreign  laws,  as  well  as  international  treaties  and  conventions,  we  could  incur  material 
liabilities,  including  cleanup  obligations,  natural  resource  damages  and  third-party  claims  for  personal  injury  or  property 
damages,  in  the  event  that  there  is  a  release  of  petroleum  or  other  hazardous  substances  from  our  vessels  or  otherwise  in 
connection with our current or historic operations. We could also incur substantial penalties, fines and other civil or criminal 
sanctions,  including  in  certain  instances  seizure  or  detention  of  our  vessels,  as  a  result  of  violations  of  or  liabilities  under 
environmental  laws,  regulations  and  other  requirements.  For  example,  OPA affects all vessel owners shipping oil to, from or 
within  the  United  States.  OPA  allows  for  potentially  unlimited  liability  without  regard  to  fault  for  owners,  operators  and 
bareboat charterers of vessels for oil pollution in U.S. waters. Similarly the CLC, which has been adopted by most countries 
outside of the United States, imposes liability for oil pollution in international waters. OPA expressly permits individual states to 
impose  their  own  liability  regimes  with  regard  to  hazardous  materials  and  oil  pollution  incidents  occurring  within  their 
boundaries. Coastal states in the United States have enacted pollution prevention liability and response laws, many providing 
for unlimited liability. Furthermore, environmental laws often impose strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of oil 
and hazardous substances, which could subject us to liability without regard to whether we were negligent or at fault. Under 
OPA, for example, owners, operators and bareboat charterers are jointly and severally strictly liable for the discharge of oil in 
U.S. waters, including the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. Furthermore, the 2010 explosion 
of  the  drilling  rig Deepwater  Horizon, which is unrelated to the Company, and the subsequent release of oil into the Gulf of 
Mexico, or other events, may result in further regulation of the shipping and offshore industries and modifications to statutory 
liability schemes, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash 
flows. An oil spill could also result in significant liability, including fines, penalties, criminal liability and remediation costs for 
natural resource damages under other international and U.S. federal, state and local laws, as well as third-party damages, and 
could harm our reputation with current or potential charterers of our vessels. We are required to satisfy insurance and financial 
responsibility requirements for potential oil (including marine fuel) spills and other pollution incidents. 

Although  we  have  arranged  insurance  to  cover  certain  environmental  risks,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  such 
insurance will be sufficient to cover all such risks or that any claims will not have a material adverse effect on our business, 
results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and available cash. 

Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely impact our operations and markets. 

Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries and the IMO have adopted, or are considering 
the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emission from vessel emissions. These regulatory measures 
may include, among others, adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards, and incentives or 
mandates  for  renewable  energy.  Although  the  emissions  of  greenhouse  gases  from  international  shipping  currently  are  not 
subject  to  the  Kyoto  Protocol  for  now,  a  new  treaty  may  be  adopted  in  the  future  that  includes  restrictions  on  shipping 
emissions. Compliance with changes in laws and regulations relating to climate change could increase our costs of operating 
and maintaining our vessels and could require us to install new emission controls, acquire allowances or pay taxes related to our 
greenhouse gas emissions, or administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program. Revenue generation and strategic 
growth opportunities may also be adversely affected. 

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 have an affect on demand for our services. For example, increased regulation 
of greenhouse gases or other concerns relating to climate change may reduce the demand for oil and gas in the future or create 
greater incentives for use of alternative energy sources. Any long-term material adverse effect on the oil and gas industry could 
have a significant financial and operational adverse impact on our business that we cannot predict with certainty at this time. 

We may incur significant liability that would increase our expenses, if any, of our LNG carriers or FSRUs discharged fuel oil 
(bunkers) into the environment. 

International environmental conventions, laws and regulations, including the laws of the United States, apply to our 
LNG carriers and FSRUs.  If any of the vessels that we own or operate were to discharge fuel oil into the environment, we could 
face  claims  under  these  conventions,  laws  and  regulations.  We  must  also  carry  evidence  of  financial  responsibility  for  our 
vessels  under  these  regulations.  United  States  law  also  permits  individual  states  to  impose  their  own  liability  regimes  with 
regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and a number of states have enacted legislation providing for 
unlimited liability for oil spills. 

Maritime claimants could arrest our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow. 

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If we are in default of certain obligations, such as those to our crew members, suppliers of goods and services to our 
vessels or shippers of cargo, these parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against one or more of our vessels for unsatisfied 
debts,  claims  or  damages.  In  many  jurisdictions,  a  maritime  lien  holder  may  enforce  its  lien  by  arresting  a  vessel  through 
foreclosure proceedings.  In a few jurisdictions, claimants could try to assert "sister ship" liability against one vessel in our fleet 
for claims relating to another of our vessels.  The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt our cash 
flow  and  require  us  to  pay  large  sums  of  money  to  have  the  arrest  lifted.  In  addition,  in  some  jurisdictions,  such  as  South 
Africa,  under  the  "sister  ship"  theory  of  liability,  a  claimant  may  arrest  both  the  vessel  which  is  subject  to  the  claimant's 
maritime  lien  and  any  "associated"  vessel,  which  is  any  vessel  owned  or  controlled  by  the  same  owner  under  some  of  our 
present charters.  If the vessel is arrested or detained for as few as 14 days as a result of a claim against us, we may be in default 
of our charter and the charterer may terminate the charter. 

Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency without adequate compensation, resulting in 
a loss of earnings. 

A  government  could  requisition  one  or  more  of  our  vessels  for  title  or  for  hire.  Requisition  for  title  occurs  when  a 
government takes control of a vessel and becomes her owner, while requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control 
of a vessel and effectively becomes her charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during periods of war or 
emergency, although governments may elect to requisition vessels in other circumstances.  Although we would be entitled to 
compensation in the event of a requisition of one or more of our vessels, the amount and timing of payment could be materially 
less than the charterhire that would have been payable to us otherwise.  In addition, we would bear all risk of loss or damage to 
a vessel under requisition for hire.  Government requisition of one or more of our vessels may negatively impact our revenues 
and reduce the amount of dividends paid, if any, to our shareholders. 

We may be subject to litigation that, if not resolved in our favor and not sufficiently insured against, could have a material 
adverse effect on us. 

We may be, from time to time, involved in various litigation matters.  These matters may include, among other things, 
contract  disputes,  personal  injury  claims,  environmental  claims  or  proceedings,  asbestos  and  other  toxic  tort  claims, 
employment  matters,  governmental  claims  for  taxes  or  duties  and  other  litigation  that  arises  in  the  ordinary  course  of  our 
business.  Although we intend to defend these matters vigorously, we cannot predict with certainty the outcome or effect of 
any claim or other litigation matter, and the ultimate outcome of any litigation or the potential costs to resolve them may have a 
material adverse effect on us.  Insurance may not be applicable or sufficient in all cases and/or insurers may not remain solvent, 
which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. 

Risks Related to our Common Shares 

Our Chairman may have the ability to effectively control the outcome of significant corporate actions. 

As  of  December  31,  2010,  World  Shipholding,  a  company  indirectly  controlled  by  Trusts  established  by  John 
Fredriksen,  our  chairman,  for  the  benefit  of  his  immediate  family,  beneficially  owned  45.8%  of  our  outstanding  common 
shares.  As  a  result,  Mr.  Fredriksen  and  his  affiliated  entities  have  the  potential  ability  to  effectively  control  the  outcome  of 
matters on which our shareholders are entitled to vote, including the election of all directors and other significant corporate 
actions. 

Fluctuations in the price and volume of shares of listed companies generally could result in the volatility of our share price. 

Generally, stock markets have recently experienced extensive price and volume fluctuations, and the market prices of 
securities  of  shipping  companies  have  experienced  fluctuations  that  often  have  been  unrelated  or  disproportionate  to  the 
operating results of those companies.  Our share price has been subject to significant volatility.  Since September 30, 2010, the 
closing market price of our common shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market has ranged from a high of $25.96 per share on 
March 31, 2011 to a low of $12.08 per share on October 4, 2010, largely reflecting the market for shares such as ours.  As of April 
26, 2011, our share price was $31.20.  The market price of our common shares may continue to fluctuate due to factors 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 in the shipping industry, market conditions in the LNG 
shipping industry, shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecast by securities analysts, announcements concerning us 
or our competitors and the general state of the securities market.  The market for common shares in this industry may be equally 
volatile.  Therefore, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell any of our common shares that you may have purchased 
at a price greater than or equal to its original purchase price. 

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As of April 27, 2010, the Company owned 95.1% of Golar Energy's shares and 65% of Golar LNG Partners LP, or Golar 
Partners,  shares,  and  investor  ownership  in  Golar  Energy  and  Golar  Partners  may  be  further  diluted  by  the  issuance  of 
additional common shares including stock dividends. 

Further exchange listings and/or stock dividends may have the following effects: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

Golar  Energy  and/or  Golar  Partners  may  issue  additional  common  shares,  or  we  may  sell  all  or  part  of  our 
holdings in Golar Energy and/or Golar Partners further diluting your indirect ownership interest. 

Conflicts of interest may arise between the non-controlling shareholders, and us, the majority shareholder 

The amount of cash available for paying dividends may decrease. 

The market price of our common shares may decrease. 

Because we are a Bermuda corporation, you may have less recourse against us or our directors than shareholders of a U.S. 
company have against the directors of that U.S. Company. 

Because we are a Bermuda company, the rights of holders of our common shares will be governed by Bermuda law and 
our  memorandum  of  association  and  bye-laws.  The  rights  of  shareholders  under  Bermuda  law  may  differ  from  the  rights  of 
shareholders in other jurisdictions.  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,  but  rather  the  company  itself  is  generally  the  proper  plaintiff  in  an  action  against  the 
directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties.  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 investors may be more familiar and may substantially 
limit or prohibit shareholders ability to bring suit against our directors. 

Future sales of our common shares could cause the market price of our common shares to decline. 

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. 

Because our offices and most of our assets are outside the United States, you may not be able to bring suit against us, or 
enforce a judgment obtained against us in the United States. 

We, and most of our subsidiaries, are or will be incorporated in jurisdictions outside the U.S. and substantially all of 
our assets and those of our subsidiaries and will be located outside the U.S.  In addition, most of our directors and officers are 
or will be non-residents of the U.S., and all or a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are or will be located 
outside the U.S.  As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to serve process within the U.S. upon us, our 
subsidiaries, or our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us for civil liabilities in U.S. courts.  In addition, you 
should not assume that courts in the countries in which we or our subsidiaries are incorporated or where our or our subsidiaries' 
assets are located would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiaries based upon the 
civil  liability  provisions  of  applicable  U.S.  federal  and  state  securities  laws,  or  would  enforce,  in  original  actions,  liabilities 
against us or our subsidiaries based on those laws. 

25

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Disruptions in world financial markets and the resulting governmental action in the United States and in other parts of the 
world  could  have  a  material  adverse  impact  on  our  results  of  operations,  financial  condition  and  cash  flows,  and  could 
cause the market price of shares of our common stock to decline. 

The United States and other parts of the world have and continue to experience weakened economic conditions and 
have  been  in  a  recession.  For  example,  the  credit  markets  in  the  United  States  and  worldwide  have  experienced  significant 
contraction, deleveraging and reduced liquidity, and governments around the world have taken highly significant measures in 
response to such events, and may implement other significant responses in the future.  Securities and futures markets, and the 
credit  markets,  are  subject  to  comprehensive  statutes,  regulations  and  other  requirements.  The  SEC,  other  regulators,  self-
regulatory  organizations  and  exchanges  have  enacted  temporary  emergency  regulations  and  may  take  other  extraordinary 
actions in the event of market emergencies, and may effect changes in law or interpretations of existing laws. 

A number of financial institutions have experienced financial difficulties and, in some cases, have entered bankruptcy 
proceedings or are in regulatory enforcement actions.  The uncertainty surrounding the recovery of the credit markets in the 
United  States  and  the  rest  of  the  world  has  resulted  in  reduced  access  to  credit  worldwide  that  is  especially  evident  in  our 
industry.  Over the last few years, certain banking institutions have been forced to record heavy losses from troubled shipping 
loans.  These  difficulties  may  adversely  affect  the  financial  institutions  that  provide  our  credit  facilities  and  may  impair  their 
ability to continue to perform under their financing obligations to us, which could have an impact on our ability to fund current 
and future obligations. 

The uncertainty surrounding the future of the credit markets in the United States and the rest of the world has resulted 
in reduced access to credit worldwide.  These difficulties may adversely affect the financial institutions that provide our credit 
facilities and may impair their ability to continue to perform under their financing obligations to us, which could have an impact 
on our ability to fund current and future obligations, including our ability to take delivery of our new vessels. 

We face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates and instability in the banking 
and  securities  markets  around  the  world,  among  other  factors.  Major  market  disruptions  and  adverse  changes  in  market 
conditions and the regulatory climate in the United States and worldwide may adversely affect our business or impair our ability 
to  borrow  amounts  under  our  credit  facilities  or  any  future  financial  arrangements.  We  cannot  predict  how  long  the  current 
market conditions will last.  However, these recent and developing economic and governmental factors, including proposals to 
reform the financial system, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows 
and  could  cause  the  price  of  our  common  shares  to  decline  significantly  or  impair  our  ability  to  make  distributions  to  our 
shareholders. 

Investor confidence and the market price of our common stock may be adversely impacted if we are unable to comply with 
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

We are subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires us to include in our annual report on 
Form 20-F, our management's report on, and assessment of the effectiveness of, our internal controls over financial reporting.  If 
we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting, we will not be in compliance with all of the 
requirements imposed by Section 404.  Any failure to comply with Section 404 could result in an adverse reaction in the financial 
marketplace due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which ultimately could harm our 
business and could negatively impact the market price of our common stock.  We believe the ongoing costs of complying with 
these requirements may be substantial. 

ITEM 4.  INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 

A.      History and Development of the Company 

Golar  LNG  Limited  is  a  mid -stream  LNG  company  engaged  primarily  in  the  transportation,  regasification  and 
liquefaction and trading of LNG.  We are engaged in the acquisition, ownership, operation and chartering of LNG carriers and 
FSRUs through our subsidiaries and the development of LNG projects as well as the trading of LNG cargo's.  As of March 31, 
2011, our fleet consisted of 12 vessels and a 50% equity interest in one LNG carrier. 

26

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
We were incorporated as a Bermuda exempted company under the Bermuda Companies Act of 1981 in the Islands of 
Bermuda on May, 2001 and maintain our principal executive headquarters at Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, 
Bermuda.  Our  telephone  number  at  that  address  is  +1  (441)  295-4705.  Our principal administrative offices are located at One 
America Square, 17 Crosswall, London, United Kingdom. 

Our business was originally founded in 1946 as Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Corporation. Gotaas-Larsen entered the LNG 
shipping business in 1970 and in 1997 was acquired by Osprey Maritime Limited, or Osprey, then a Singapore listed publicly 
traded company.  In May 2001, World Shipholding, a company indirectly controlled by Trusts established by John Fredriksen 
for  the  benefit  of  his  immediate  family,  acquired  Osprey,  which  was  subsequently  delisted  from  the  Singapore  Stock 
Exchange.  On May 21, 2001, we acquired the LNG shipping interests of Osprey and we listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 
July 2001 and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market in December 2002.  As of December 31, 2010, World Shipholding owned 
45.8% of our issued and outstanding common shares. 

Our strategy to become a midstream floating solution provider began in 2002 when we undertook a study to consider 
the conversion of an existing LNG carrier into a floating storage and regasification unit, or FSRU and continued in 2004 with a 
similar study for the conversion into a floating power generation plant, or FPGP. In December 2005, Keppel Shipyard Limited of 
Singapore signed a contract with us for the first ever conversion of an existing LNG carrier into a FSRU. 

In  April  2007,  we  were  awarded  our  first  firm  FSRU  employment  through  the  award  of  two  long  term  leases  by 
Petrobras to employ Golar Winter and Golar Spirit as FSRUs. We currently have three operational FSRUs and one undergoing 
conversion and are actively pursuing further growth as a midstream LNG company. 

Vessel acquisition, disposals and conversions 

During the three years ended December 31, 2010, we invested $469.1 million in our vessels and equipment, including 
the 2008 acquisition from Shell of the Golar Arctic for the purchase price of $185 million and FSRU conversions. We also sold 
the Golar Frost to OLT Offshore Toscana S.p.A, or OLT-O, in July 2008, recognizing a gain of $78.1 million. 

During 2007 and 2008, we entered into time charter agreements which required the conversion or modification of three 
LNG  carriers,  the Golar  Spirit,  Golar  Winter  and  the Golar  Freeze  into  FSRUs.  We  entered  into  10-year  time  charter 
agreements with Petrobras for the Golar Spirit and the Golar Winter and with DUSUP for the Golar Freeze, that commenced 
upon delivery of each of these vessels.  Employment commenced in (i) July 2008 for the Golar Spirit, (ii) September 2009 for the 
Golar Winter and (iii) May 2010 for the Golar Freeze. 

In  October  2010,  we  were  selected  as  the  successful  bidder  for  the  West  Java  FSRU  project  and  have  commenced 
discussions with Pertamina for the conversion of the Khannur into an FSRU.  The FSRU time charter party was signed between 
the Company and Nusantara Regas (a joint venture between Pertamina and Progress Energy, Inc., or PGN) in April 2011. The 
project represents the Company's fourth FSRU project and is for a period of approximately 11 years.  The project involves the 
conversion of an LNG carrier, the Khannur, into an FSRU and the provision of associated mooring infrastructure. 

In April 2011, we entered into newbuilding contracts for the construction of six LNG carriers with the Korean shipyard 
Samsung.  Four  of  these  vessels  are  scheduled to  be  delivered  in  2013  and  the  remaining  two  vessels  are  scheduled  to  be 
delivered in early 2014. The total cost of the six vessels is approximately $1.2 billion. In addition we have an option to acquire an 
additional two LNG vessels to be constructed by Samsung for delivery in 2013 and thereafter. 

Investments 

During  the  three  years  ended  December  31,  2010,  we  acquired  and  divested  interests  in  a  number  of  companies 

principally: 

In July 2008, we invested an initial sum of $22.0 million in a (50:50) Dutch Antilles incorporated joint venture named 
Bluewater Gandria N.V., or Bluewater Gandria, with Bluewater Energy Services B.V., or Bluewater, formed for the purposes of 
pursuing opportunities to develop offshore LNG FSRU projects.  The initial equity investment was used to acquire a 1977 built 
LNG carrier, the Gandria, for conversion and use as a FSRU. 

27

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
In  2006,  we  purchased  23  million  shares  in  Liquefied  Natural  Gas  Limited,  or  LNGL,  an  Australian  publicly  listed 
company, for a consideration of $8.6 million. During 2009 and 2010, in a series of transactions we disposed of our entire interest 
in LNGL resulting in a gain of $8.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. 

Public Offerings 

Golar LNG Partners ("Golar Partners") 

In April 2011, we completed a public offering of 13.8 million common units (including 1.8 million units issued due to the 
exercising of the over-allotment option) of our subsidiary, Golar Partners, which is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under 
the symbol "GMLP".  As a result of the offering our ownership of Golar Partners was reduced to 65% (including our 2% general 
partner interest).  Golar Partners is a Marshall Islands Partnership formed by us in 2008, which owns and operates a fleet of two 
LNG  carriers  and  two  FSRUs  each under  long-term charters. The 13.8 million units were priced at $22.50 per unit resulting in 
gross proceeds of $310.5 million. 

Golar LNG Energy LTD ("Golar Energy") 

In June 2009, we formed a wholly owned subsidiary Golar Energy under the laws of Bermuda. On August 12, 2009, 
Golar Energy completed its corporate restructuring and private placement offering, when it acquired the interests in our wholly 
owned subsidiaries, which collectively owned interests in eight LNG vessels, a 50% equity interest in another LNG carrier and 
certain other investments. As ot December 31, 2010, we owned 61% of Golar Energy. Golar Energy is a publicly listed Bermuda 
company,  listed  in  Norway  on  the  Oslo  Axess  specializing  in  the  acquisition,  ownership,  operation  and  chartering  of  LNG 
carriers and FSRUs and the development of liquefaction projects. As of December 31, 2010, Golar Energy operated a fleet of 
seven LNG carriers and had a 50% equity interest in another LNG carrier. 

LNG trading – new business segment 

During 2010, Golar established a wholly owned new subsidiary, Golar Commodities which positioned the company in 
the market for managing and trading LNG cargoes. Activities include structured services to outside customers, the buying and 
selling of physical cargoes as well as proprietary trading. Golar Commodities provides physical and financial risk management in 
LNG and gas markets for its customers around the world and strives to provide risk management expertise to help customers 
improve profitability.  The team is based in Tulsa Oklahoma, London and Bermuda. 

Acquisition of Golar Energy Shares

On  April  26,  2011,  we  increased  our  ownership  of Golar Energy from 61.1% to 90.5% by entering into agreements to 
acquire an additional 69,841,044 Golar Energy shares. The sellers will receive one newly-issued Golar LNG share for every 6.06 
Golar Energy shares. The new Golar LNG shares will be issued at $30.30. 

The share acquisitions have been organized into two transactions. In the first transaction, we have acquired 36,300,891 
shares  from  international  institutional  investors  and,  in  the  second  transaction,  we  have  acquired  33,540,153  from  World 
Shipholding Limited, our major shareholder. In the first transaction, shares will be issued immediately. In the second transaction, 
the shares will be issued upon the filing with the SEC and effectiveness of a registration statement covering such shares. The 
two transactions will increase our capital by 11,524,911 shares. 

On April 27, 2011, we further increased our ownership of Golar Energy by acquiring an additional 10,536,287 shares at a 
price of approximately $5 per share.  This increases our ownerhip of Golar Energy to 95.1% and the number of shares held to 
226,346,347. 

We intend to commence, in mid-May, a voluntary offer to acquire the remaining outstanding shares in Golar Energy at 

the same price as described above. 

Following  the  closing  of  this  offer,  we  will  initiate  a  compulsory  acquisition  offer  of  any  remaining  shares  in  Golar 

Energy and delist Golar Energy from Oslo Axess. 

B.      Business Overview 

We are a leading independent owner and operator of LNG carriers and FSRUs.  As of March 31, 2011, we had a fleet of 
12 vessels, consisting of eight LNG carriers (including one in which we have a 60% equity interest), four FSRUs and a 50% 
equity interest in another vessel. In April 2011, we placed orders with Samsung for the construction of six LNG carriers with an 
option to acquire an additional two vessels.  We are seeking to further develop our business in other mid-stream areas of the 
LNG supply chain other than shipping, in particular innovative LNG solutions such as FSRUs and floating LNG production as 
well  the  recent  creation  of  our  commodity  trading  business  which  positions  the  company  for  managing  and  trading  LNG 
cargoes. 

The Natural Gas Industry 

Predominately used to generate electricity and as a heating source, natural gas is one of the "big three" fossil fuels 
that make up the vast majority of world energy consumption.  As a cleaner burning fuel than both oil and coal, natural gas has 
become an increasingly attractive fuel source in the last decade.  As more emphasis is placed on reducing carbon emissions, 
Organization  for  Economic  Cooperation  and  Development  (or  OECD)  nations  have  come  to  view  natural  gas  as  a  way  of 
reducing their environmental footprint, particularly for electricity where natural gas-fired facilities have been gradually replacing 
oil, coal and older natural gas-fired plants. 

 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
28

  
  
According to the EIA International Energy Outlook 2010, worldwide energy consumption is projected to increase by 
49% from 2007 to 2035, with total energy demand in non-OECD countries increasing by 84%, compared with an increase of 14% 
in OECD countries.  Natural gas consumption worldwide is forecasted to increase by 44%, from 108 trillion cubic feet (or Tcf) 
(3,058 billion cubic meters (or bcm)) in 2007 to 156 Tcf (4,417 bcm) in 2035. 

The primary factors contributing to the growth of natural gas demand include: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

Environmental:  Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel.  It produces less carbon dioxide and other pollutants and 
particles per unit of energy produced than coal, fuel oil and other common hydrocarbon fuel sources; 

Demand from Industry and Power Generation:  According to the EIA, electricity generation is expected to be 
an important use for natural gas, forecasted to increase from 33% in 2007 to 36% in 2035 as a share of the 
world's  total  natural  gas  consumption.  Additionally,  the  industrial  and  power  sectors  which  currently 
consume  more  natural  gas  than  any  other  end-use  sectors  are  forecasted  to  consume  39%  of  the  world's 
natural gas supply in 2035; 

Market  Deregulation:  Deregulation  of  the  natural  gas  and  electric  power  industries  in  the  United  States, 
Europe and Japan has resulted in new entrants and an increased market for natural gas; 

Significant  Natural  Gas  Reserves:  According  to  EIA  estimates,  as  of  January  1,  2010,  the  world's  total 
proved natural gas reserves were 6,609 Tcf (187,144 bcm), 6% higher than the 2009 estimate; and 

Emerging  Economies:  According  to  the  EIA,  natural  gas  consumption  is  forecasted  to  increase  by  an 
average of 1.9% per year through 2035 in non-OECD countries, compared to an average of 0.6% per year in 
OECD  countries.  As  a  result,  non-OECD countries are expected to account for 78% of the total increase in 
natural gas consumption over the period from 2007 to 2035. 

These  factors,  in  addition  to  overall  global  economic  growth,  are  expected  to  contribute  to  an  increase  in  the 
consumption  of  natural  gas.  There  is  a  growing  disparity  between  the  amount  of  natural  gas  produced  and  the  amount  of 
natural  gas  consumed  in  many  major  consuming  countries,  which  will  likely  cause  those  countries  to  rely  on  imports  for  a 
greater portion of their natural gas consumption.  Importers must either import natural gas through a pipeline or, alternatively, in 
the form of liquefied natural gas (or LNG) aboard ships.  LNG is natural gas that has been converted into its liquid state through 
a  cooling  process,  which  allows  for  efficient  transportation  by  sea.  Upon  arrival  at  its  destination,  LNG  is  returned  to  its 
gaseous state at regasification facilities for distribution to consumers through pipelines. 

Natural gas is an abundant fuel source, with the EIA estimating that, as of January 1, 2010,  worldwide proved natural 
gas reserves were 6,609 Tcf (187,144 bcm).  Almost three-quarters of the world's natural gas reserves are located in the Middle 
East and Eurasia.  Russia, Iran and Qatar accounted for 55% of the world's natural gas reserves as of January 1, 2010, and the 
United States is the sixth largest holder of natural gas reserves at 3.7% of the world's reserves. 

The EIA predicts a substantial increase in the production of "unconventional" natural gas, including tight gas, shale 
gas  and  coalbed  methane.  Although  reserves  of  unconventional  natural  gas  are  unknown,  the  EIA  predicts  a  substantial 
increase in natural gas supplies from unconventional formations in the future, especially from the United States but also from 
Canada and China.  Shale gas production has been particularly prolific increasing by over 5 billion cubic feet (or Bcf) per day 
since the beginning of 2007.  This increase largely results from recent advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing 
technologies,  especially  in  the  U.S.  These  technologies  have  made  it  possible  to  exploit  the  U.S.'s  vast  shale  gas 
resources.  Rising estimates of shale gas resources have helped to increase estimates of the total U.S. natural gas reserves by 
almost 50% over the past decade.  The EIA expects shale gas to comprise 26% of U.S. natural gas production in 2035.  This is a 
fivefold increase from 2007, more than enough to offset the expected decline in conventional natural gas production. 

29

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Although the growth in production of unconventional domestic natural gas has resulted in a reduced rate of growth in 
LNG demand in the U.S., the long-term impact of shale gas and other unconventional natural gas production on the global LNG 
trade is unclear. The following factors will be primary indicators of future demand for LNG in the U.S.: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

Sustainability of current levels of shale gas production; 

Total reserves of unconventional natural gas, which have not yet been fully evaluated; 

Depletion rates of shale gas reserves; and 

Potential  negative  environmental 
unconventional formations. 

impact,  which  could 

limit  production  of  natural  gas 

from 

The reduced rate of growth in LNG demand in the U.S. is expected to be at least partly offset by increased demand for 

LNG in other nations, especially non-OECD countries. 

Liquefied Natural Gas 

Overview 

The need to transport natural gas over long distances across oceans led to the development of the international LNG 
trade.  The first shipments were made on a trial basis in 1959 between the United States and the United Kingdom, while 1964 saw 
the start of the first commercial-scale LNG project to ship LNG from Algeria to the United Kingdom.  LNG shipping provides a 
cost-effective and safe means for transporting natural gas overseas. The LNG is transported overseas in specially built tanks on 
double-hulled  ships  to  a  receiving  terminal,  where  it  is  offloaded  and  stored  in  heavily  insulated  tanks.  In  regasification 
facilities  at  the  receiving  terminal,  the  LNG  is  returned  to  its  gaseous  state  (or  regasified)  and  then  shipped  by  pipeline  for 
distribution to natural gas customers. 

The following diagram displays the flow of natural gas and LNG from production to regasification. 

LNG Supply Chain

The LNG supply chain involves the following components: 

Gas Field Production and Pipeline:  Natural gas is produced and transported via pipeline to natural gas liquefaction 

facilities located along the coast of the producing country. 

Liquefaction Plant and Storage:  Natural gas is cooled to a temperature of minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit, transforming 
the gas into a liquid, which reduces its volume to approximately 1/600th of its volume in a gaseous state.  The reduced volume 
facilitates  economical  storage  and  transportation  by  ship  over  long  distances,  enabling  countries  with  limited  natural  gas 
reserves or limited access to long-distance transmission pipelines to meet their demand for natural gas. 

Shipping:  LNG  is  loaded  onto  specially  designed,  double-hulled  LNG  carriers  and  transported  overseas  from  the 

liquefaction facility to the receiving terminal. 

Regasification:  At the regasification facility (either onshore or aboard specialized LNG carriers), the LNG is returned 

to its gaseous state, or regasified. 

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Storage,  Distribution  and  Marketing:  Once  regasified,  the  natural  gas  is  stored  in  specially  designed  facilities  or 

transported to natural gas consumers and end-use markets via pipelines. 

The basic costs of producing, liquefying, transporting and regasifying LNG are much higher than in an equivalent oil 
supply chain.  This high unit cost of supply has led in recent years to the pursuit of ever-larger facilities in order to achieve 
improved economies of scale. 

Production 

There  are  three  major  regional  areas  that  supply  LNG.  These  are  (i)  Southeast  Asia,  including  Australia,  Malaysia, 
Brunei,  Indonesia  and  Russia  (ii)  the  Middle  East,  including  Qatar,  Oman,  United  Arab  Emirates  and  Yemen,  and  (iii)  the 
Atlantic  Basin  countries,  including  Algeria,  Egypt,  Equatorial  Guinea,  Libya,  Nigeria,  Norway  and  Trinidad  with  facilities 
approaching  completion  in  Angola.  South  America  has  now  entered  the  LNG  Liquefaction  industry  with  Peru  completing 
construction of their LNG project.  The expansion of existing LNG production facilities is one of the major sources of growth in 
LNG production and most projects with gas reserves available are considering growth of production. 

Qatar completed construction on its final three large production facilities ("trains") during 2010, taking total production 
capacity  to  77  million  tons  per  annum,  or  mmtpa,  upon  commissioning  RasGas  III  Train  7  in  February  2010,  Qatargas-3  in 
November 2010 and completing construction at Qatargas-4 in December 2010. 

Peru became a new LNG exporter in June 2010 when it commissioned a 4.45 mmtpa facility.  Yemen also commissioned a 

second train in April 2010.   

The  Australian  LNG  focus  has  shifted  to  the  Coal  Seam  Gas  (CSG)  fields  in  Queensland.   Despite  some  taxation 
uncertainties, BG sanctioned its 8.5 mmtpa, QCLNG project in October 2010.  Strong progress was also made at Santos's rival 7.8 
mmtpa  GLNG  project,  with  both  Total  and  KOGAS  signing  offtake  contracts  and  acquiring  equity  in  the  project.   A  final 
investment  decision  on  GLNG  was  taken  in  January  2011.   Chevron's  Wheatstone  project  signed  a  4.1  mmtpa  Heads  of 
Agreement with TEPCO in December 2009 and subsequently entered into agreements with Kyushu Electric and KOGAS during 
2010.  Shell also made strides at its Prelude FLNG project agreeing to an HOA with Osaka Gas for 0.8 mmtpa. 

Many recently commissioned projects had contracts to supply LNG to North America. Due to the increase in domestic 
U.S. natural gas production from shale gas much of this new LNG supply has been diverted to alternative markets. This has 
opened up new trade routes and new markets have developed. 

The development of U.S. shale gas production has also given rise to the possibility of exporting LNG from the U.S. For 

example Cheniere Energy Inc announced plans to add liquefaction facilities at its Sabine Pass LNG import terminal.   

Consumption 

The two major geographic areas that dominate worldwide consumption of LNG are East Asia; including Japan, South 

Korea, Taiwan and China; and the Atlantic basin. 

East Asia 

Most recently as a result of the terrible damage caused by the earthquake, LNG buyers in Japan have significantly 
increased LNG imports to help counter balance the loss of nuclear power. The large traditional LNG markets of Japan, South 
Korea and Taiwan all increased LNG imports in 2010, with South Korea and Taiwan showing particularly strong growth as their 
economies recovered.  

China's LNG imports also increased in 2010 due to new LNG from Qatar, Yemen, Malaysia and Indonesia. However, in 

India, pipeline constraints and increased domestic production led to a decrease in LNG imports. 

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Europe and the Atlantic Basin 

Importation of LNG from the expanding production capacity in Qatar increased in Italy and the UK in particular while 
an expected decline in Spanish imports due to increased pipeline imports did not materialise due to delays in the commissioning 
of  the  Medgaz  pipeline. Argentina  increased  its  LNG  imports  in  2010,  shifting  from  a  purely  seasonal  buyer  to  a  year-round 
importer. The commissioning of its second FSRU (Escobar LNG) due in May this year means that ENARSA could import as 
many as 50 cargoes in the coming year.   

Following limited imports in the first nine months of the year, low hydro power facility water reservoir levels in Brazil 
led to an increase in LNG imports towards the end of the year, with Brazil importing an average of 7 cargoes per month during 
the last quarter. 

In  2010  in  the  U.S.,  higher  domestic  gas  production,  increasing  demand  from  new  LNG  markets  and  a  economic 

recovery in Asia has kept U.S. LNG imports relatively low.   

In the Middle East, Kuwait, in its first full summer season of LNG imported more than 30 cargoes. In Dubai, DUSUP 
commissioned  its  FSRU  terminal  in  November  2010  and  is  expected  to  be  used  to  help  meet  peak  air  conditioning  and 
desalination demand loads in the summer months. 

Chile's  second  terminal  at  Mejillones  opened  at  the  end  of  the  first  quarter  in  2010  and  imports  about  one  cargo  a 

month, with the first terminal at Quintero importing approximately double that amount.   

The LNG Fleet 

As  of  the  end  of  March  2011,  the  world  LNG  carrier  fleet  consisted  of  368  LNG  carriers  (including  FSRUs  and 
Regasification Vessels and 9 vessels currently in Lay-up).  As of early April 2011, there are orders for around 37 (of all sizes) 
new LNG carriers (including small vessels and production units) with expected delivery dates through to end 2013. 

The current 'standard' size for LNG carriers is approximately 155,000 cbm, up from 125,000 cbm during the 1970's.  To 
assist with transportation unit cost reduction the average size of vessels is rising steadily and we have now seen Q Max LNG 
Vessels  of  up  to  266,000  cbm  enter  the  market.  There  are  also  some  smaller  LNG  carriers,  mainly  built  for  dedicated  short 
distance trades. 

LNG  carriers  are  designed  for  an  economic  life  of  approximately  40  years.  Therefore  all  but  a  very  few  of  the  LNG 
carriers built in the 1970s still actively trade.  In recent contract renewals, LNG vessels have been placed under time charters 
with terms surpassing their 40th anniversaries, which demonstrate the economic life for such older vessels.  As a result, limited 
scrapping of LNG carriers has occurred or is likely to occur in the near future.  In view of the fact that LNG is clean and non-
corrosive when compared to other products such as oil and given that more has tended to be spent on maintenance of LNG 
vessels than oil tankers, the pressure to phase out older vessels has been much less than for crude oil tankers.  We cannot, 
however, say that such pressure will not begin to build in the future. 

While  there  are  a  number  of  different  types  of  LNG  vessels  and  "containment  systems,"  there  are  two  dominant 

containment systems in use today: 

·  

·  

The Moss system was developed in the 1970s and uses free standing insulated spherical tanks supported at 
the  equator  by  a  continuous  cylindrical  skirt.  In  this  system,  the  tank  and  the  hull  of  the  vessel  are  two 
separate structures. 

The  Membrane  system  uses  insulation  built  directly  into  the  hull  of  the  vessel,  along  with  a  membrane 
covering  inside  the  tanks  to  maintain  their  integrity.  In  this  system,  the  ship's  hull  directly  supports  the 
pressure of the LNG cargo. 

Illustrations of these systems are included below: 

Moss System 

Membrane System 

Of  the  vessels  currently  trading  and  on  order,  approximately  70%  employ  the  membrane  containment  system,  29% 
employ the Moss system and the remaining 4% employ other systems.  Of the newbuilds vessels on order that have employed 
the membrane containment system, have done so primarily because it most efficiently utilizes the entire volume of a ship's hull. 
The construction period for an LNG carrier is approximately 28-34 months. 

32

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
Floating LNG Regasification

Floating LNG Storage and Regasification Vessels

       Floating LNG regasification vessels are commonly known as FSRUs. The figure below depicts a FSRU 

The FSRU regasification process involves the vaporization of LNG and injection of the resultant natural gas directly 
into  one  or  more  pipelines.  In  order  to  regasify  LNG,  FSRUs  are  equipped  with  shell-and-tube  vaporizer  systems  that  can 
operate in the open-loop mode, the closed-loop mode or in both modes. In the open-loop mode, seawater is pumped through 
the shell-and-tube system to provide the heat necessary to convert the LNG to the vapor phase. In the closed-loop system, a 
natural gas-fired boiler is used to heat water circulated in a closed-loop through the shell-and-tube vaporizer and a steam heater 
to convert the LNG to the vapor phase. In general, FSRUs can be divided into four subcategories: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

FSRUs that are permanently located offshore; 

FSRUs that are permanently alongside (with LNG transfer being either directly ship to ship or over a jetty); 

shuttle  carriers  that  regasify  and  discharge  their  cargos  offshore  (sometimes  referred  to  as  energy  bridge); 
and 

shuttle carriers that regasify and discharge their cargos alongside. 

Demand for Floating LNG Regasification Facilities

The long-term outlook for global natural gas supply and demand has stimulated growth in LNG production and trade, 
which  is  expected  to  drive  a  necessary  expansion  of  regasification  infrastructure.  While  worldwide  regasification  exceeds 
worldwide liquefaction capacity, a large portion of the existing global regasification capacity is concentrated in a few markets 
such as Japan, Korea and the U.S. Gulf Coast. There remains a significant demand for regasification infrastructure in growing 
economies in Asia, Middle-East and South America. We believe that the advantages of FSRUs compared to onshore facilities 
will make them highly competitive in these markets. 

Floating LNG regasification projects first emerged as a solution to the difficulties and protracted nature of obtaining 
permission  to  build  shore-based LNG reception facilities (especially along the North American coasts). Due to their offshore 
location,  floating  facilities  are  less  likely  than  onshore  facilities  to  be  met  with  resistance  in  local  communities,  which  is 
especially important in the case of a facility that is intended to serve a highly populated area where there is a high demand for 
natural gas. As a result, it is typically easier and faster for FSRUs to obtain necessary permits than for comparable onshore 
facilities. More recently, cost and time have become the main drivers behind the growing interest in the various types of floating 
LNG regasification projects. 

33

 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
In  addition,  the  flexibility  afforded  by  floating  LNG  regasification  facilities  provide  an  advantage  over  onshore 
facilities. A floating regasification vessel can load, store and regasify LNG before delivering the natural gas to market. It can be 
operated partially as a conventional trading ship that transports and regasifies its own cargo, or as a mother-ship that processes 
supplies  received  by  way  of  ship-to-ship  transfers.  FSRUs  can  also  be  moved  to  (and  operated  at)  a  different  location  if 
required, which is particularly beneficial in markets where demand for LNG is seasonal. Additionally, FSRUs offer quicker access 
to LNG supply for markets that lack onshore regasification infrastructure. 

Floating LNG Regasification Vessel Fleet Size and Ownership

Compared to onshore terminals, the floating LNG regasification industry is fairly young. Several companies including 
Golar as  well as  Exmar,  Excelerate  Energy,  Mitsui  O.S.K.  Lines  and  Höegh  LNG  are  actively  pursuing  and  marketing  FSRU 
terminals  to  LNG  importers  around  the  world.  We  were  the  first  company  to  enter  into  an  agreement  for  the  long-term 
employment of an FSRU with a LNG importer. Our first FSRU, the Golar Spirit, was delivered to Petrobras in September 2008 
and  is  currently  operational.  Our  second  FSRU,  the Golar  Winter,  commenced  its  long-term  charter  with  Petrobras  in  early 
September 2009. Our third FSRU, the Golar Freeze, was delivered to DUSUP in May 2010. 

As of February 2011, 13 vessels have been built or converted with a further vessel currently undergoing conversion. 
Of these vessels, two will be fixed to projects in Dubai and Italy, two are dedicated to the two floating regas facilities in Brazil 
and two are employed on a seasonal basis in Kuwait and Argentina. An additional vessel will be tied to the second Argentine 
terminal later this year. The rest are currently available for work in shuttle, mother-ship or conventional tanker roles. We intend 
to convert one of the existing conventional vessels to an FSRU for the West Java terminal with the 125,003 m3 Khannur, built 
1977, currently earmarked for the project. 

FSRUs can have some potential disadvantages. While FSRUs can have comparable ability to offload cargo from LNG 
carriers relative to land based terminals, land based terminals typically have greater storage capacity which can facilitate faster 
cargo offload in a situation when storage tanks are partially full. The storage capacity of an FSRU is typically similar to the 
volume of an LNG carrier cargo, whereas a land based terminal typically has a higher level of storage. Land based terminals are 
also  potentially  better  suited  for  large  gas  send  out  capacity  requirements  in  excess  of  the  capacity  of  the  largest  FSRUs. 
Additionally, onshore regasification terminals often incorporate nitrogen injection facilities to ensure that the regasified LNG 
meets the local heating value standards, while existing FSRUs do not usually have this capability and are, therefore, restricted 
to  destinations  with  significant pipeline  infrastructure  carrying  a  blend  of  natural  gas  types,  or  having  nitrogen  injection 
capabilities. 

Competition – LNG carriers and FSRUs 

While the majority of the existing world LNG carrier fleet is employed on long-term charters, there is competition for the 
employment of vessels whose charters are expiring and for the employment of vessels which are not dedicated to a long-term 
contract.  Competition for long-term LNG charters is based primarily on price, vessel availability, size, age and condition of the 
vessel, relationships with LNG carrier users and the quality, LNG experience and reputation of the operator.  In addition, vessels 
may operate in the emerging LNG carrier spot market that covers short-term charters of one year or less where until recently 
there  has  been  significant  competition  due  to  an  oversupply  of  LNG  carriers.  Recent  market  developments  have  seen  a 
considerable tightening in the supply/demand balance leading to a sharp increase in employment and hire rates. 

We believe that we are the only independent LNG carrier and FSRU owner and operator that focuses solely on LNG, 
other independent shipping companies also own and operate LNG carriers and have new vessels under construction including 
BW Gas Limited, Exmar S.A.,  Höegh LNG and three Japanese ship owning groups, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha 
and K Line, which traditionally provided LNG shipping services exclusively to Japanese LNG companies, are now aggressively 
competing in western markets.  In addition, new competitors that have recently entered the LNG shipping market include Teekay 
LNG Partners, L.P., Maran Gas Maritime and Dynagas Ltd of Greece, A P Moller of Denmark, Overseas Shipholding Group of 
USA  and  Knutsen  O.A.S  Shipping  AS  of  Norway.  There  are  other  owners  who  may  also  attempt  to  participate  in  the  LNG 
market if possible. 

In addition to independent LNG operators, some of the major oil and gas producers, including Royal Dutch Shell, BP, 
and BG own LNG carriers and have in the recent past contracted for the construction of new LNG carriers.  National gas and 
shipping companies also have large fleets of LNG vessels that have expanded and will likely continue to expand.  These include 
Malaysian International shipping Company, or MISC, National Gas Shipping Company located in Abu Dhabi and Qatar Gas 
Transport Company, or Nakilat. 

34

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
FSRUs are in an early stage of their commercial development and thus there is less competition in that market than in 
the  more  mature  commercial  market  of  LNG  carriers.  However,  interest  in  the  sector  is  expected  to  increase.  Currently,  the 
Company,  Excelerate  Energy,  Höegh  LNG,  Exmar,  Mitsui  O.S.K.  lines  and  MISC  Berhad  are  among  the  companies  actively 
competing for FSRU projects. Only Excelerate Energy in conjunction with Exmar, Höegh LNG and us currently own and operate 
FSRU vessels. 

Our Business Strategy 

We are one of the world's largest independent owners and operators of LNG carriers with over 35 years of experience 
and we developed the world's first FSRU based on the conversion of existing LNG carriers. Our strategy is to grow our business 
and to provide competitive returns to our shareholders with regular dividends while providing safe, reliable and efficient LNG 
shipping and FSRU service to our customers. 

We plan to further grow our LNG shipping and FSRU business and we are developing opportunities to diversify into 
other  areas  of  the  mid-stream LNG supply chain to enhance our margins. Our main focus in our development of further mid-
stream LNG business is maritime based and relatively small scale and low cost solutions. 

In respect of our shipping operations we intend to build on our relationships with existing customers and continue to 
develop new relationships.  We aim to earn higher margins through maintaining strong service-based relationships combined 
with  flexible  and  innovative  LNG  shipping  solutions.  We  will  also  seek  long-term employment for our LNG carriers and our 
recently ordered newbuildings within integrated LNG projects that we may be involved in and will look to participate in LNG 
trading opportunities to maximise the utilization and returns from our vessels operating in the spot market. 

In 2008, 2009 and 2010 we delivered the world's first, second and third FSRUs that were converted from LNG carriers. 
We  intend  to  take  advantage  of  our  leading  position  in  this  relatively  new  market,  as  well  as  our  LNG  experience  and  our 
shipping assets to grow our FSRU business. 

In furtherance of our strategy and maximize our business and maximise returns for our shareholders we are actively 
seeking opportunities to invest upstream and downstream in the LNG supply chain, where our shipping assets and over 35 
years of industry experience can add value.  We believe we can achieve this aim while at the same time diversifying our sources 
of income and thereby strengthening the Company. 

We are investing in both established LNG operations and technologies and newly developing technologies; including 
floating  regasification  operations,  floating  LNG  production  and  floating  power  production  from  natural  gas.  We  expect  to 
continue our focus on these LNG solutions and related shipping services as a major area for our business development. 

We established a wholly owned new subsidiary, Golar Commodities which positioned us in the market for managing 
and  trading  LNG  cargoes.  Activities  will  include  structured  services  to  outside  customers,  physical  trading  of  LNG  cargos, 
proprietary trading as well as trading in its own right. Golar Commodities provides physical and financial risk management in 
LNG and gas markets for its customers around the world and strives to provide risk management expertise to help customers 
improve profitability. 

In April 2011, we completed an initial public offering of our subsidiary Golar Partners. Golar Partners will be focused on 

providing FSRU and LNG carrier services under long-term contracts of greater than five years. 

Specific projects we are actively pursuing include the following: 

In  October  2010,  we  were  selected  as  the  successful  bidder  for  the  West  Java  FSRU  project  and  have  commenced 
discussions with Pertamina for the conversion of the Khannur into an FSRU.  The FSRU time charter party was signed between 
the Company and Nusantara Regas (a joint venture between Pertamina and Progress Energy, Inc., or PGN) in April 2011. The 
project represents the Company's fourth FSRU project and is for a period of approximately 11 years.  The project involves the 
conversion of an LNG carrier, the Khannur, into an FSRU and the provision of associated mooring infrastructure. 

35

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
We are actively pursuing other similar project opportunities, which include the provision of technical marine and LNG 

expertise for other technically innovative projects. 

Since June 2002, we have been involved in an Italian offshore floating storage and regasification project off the coast 
of Livorno, Italy.  In November 2006, we acquired 20% of shares in OLT-O, at a cost of $5 million.  In December 2007, we entered 
into an agreement with OLT-O for the sale of and conversion into a FSRU of the Golar Frost, for $231 million and the sale was 
completed in July 2008.  In March 2008, OLT-O signed a contract with Saipem S.p.A. for the conversion of the Golar Frost at a 
cost of € 390 million (approximately $500 million) and also signed an agreement with SNAM RETE Gas for the construction of the 
pipeline connecting the terminal to the national grid.  In January 2008, the board of directors of OLT-O agreed a capital increase 
of  € 200 million (approximately $260 million).  We did not contribute to the capital increase and we have not committed to any 
further contributions.  The current OLT-O shareholding positions are as follows: Group Iride 46.79% (subdivided between Iride 
Mercato 41.71% and ASA Livorno 5.08%), E.ON Ruhrgas 46.79%, OLT Energy 3.73% and we own 2.69%.  The Golar Frost is 
currently undergoing conversion in Dubai under the contract with Saipem. First commercial gas delivery is expected in 2012. 

In 2008, the Company and Bluewater formed a joint venture company Bluewater Gandria for the purposes of bidding to 
develop an offshore LNG FSRU opportunity with South Africa's national oil company, PetroSA.  In connection with this bid, 
Bluewater Gandria acquired the 1977 built Moss type 126,000 m3 LNG Carrier, Hoegh Gandria (renamed Gandria).  The vessel 
was intended to be used as a converted offshore FSRU.  The bid for the offshore LNG FSRU opportunity with PetroSA was not 
successful. We  and  Bluewater  continue  to  pursue  other  opportunities  to  develop  an  offshore  FSRU  project  that  could 
potentially utilize the Gandria. 

We  own  a  1.1%  ownership  interest  in  TORP  Technology  AS,  or  TORP,  which  we  acquired  in  2005  at  a  cost  of  $3 
million.  TORP is a Norwegian registered unlisted company, which is involved in the construction of an offshore regasification 
terminal  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  In  December  2010,  we  identified  events  and  changes  in  circumstances  which  indicated  the 
carrying value of its unlisted investment in TORP was not recoverable. We therefore fully impaired our investment in TORP, 
which resulted in an impairment charge of $3 million in 2010. 

In December 2005, we entered into an agreement with The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, or EGAS, and HK 
Petroleum  Services  to  establish  a  jointly  owned  company  named  Egyptian  Company  for  Gas  Services  S.A.E.,  or  ECGS,  to 
develop  hydrocarbon  businesses  in  Egypt  and  in  particular  LNG  related  businesses.  In  ECGS,  we  have  50%  of  the  voting 
rights,  a  45%  economic  interest  in  ECGS  and  we  would  share  in  50%  of  ECGS's  losses.  In  2008,  the  company  established 
administrative  offices  in  Cairo.  In  addition  our  activities  have  been  registered  with  EGAS  and  Egyptian  General  Petroleum 
Corporation, or EGPC, which allows for ECGS to participate and compete in EGAS and EGPC sponsored tenders.  In 2009, ECGS 
was awarded a contract to provide anchor handling and towing services and to support a two well drilling program with options 
for extension. ECGS continues to make positive progress in developing its capability as a provider of offshore marine services in 
conjunction with its objective to develop its business foothold in the Egyptian LNG market. The ultimate size of our potential 
investment has yet to be determined. 

 In  January  2010,  we  and  PTT  Exploration  and  Production  Public  Company  Limited,  or  PTTEP  announced  the  joint 
termination of the Heads of Agreement and Joint Study Agreement governing their joint development of a floating liquefied 
natural  gas,  or  FLNG  project  based  on  the  gas  fields  in  North  West  Australia  owned  by  PTTEP.  We  both  announced  the 
termination of a Memorandum of Understanding covering global cooperation to identify and develop FLNG projects. 

In 2006, we subscribed for 23 million shares in Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, or LNGL an Australian publicly-listed 
company  at  a  cost  of  $8.6  million.   We  subsequently  sold  the  shares  in  2009  and  2010  for  cash  proceeds  of  $17.3 
million  realizing  gains  of  approximately  $12.6  million.  We  are  not  actively  pursuing  any  participation  in  LNGL's  projects 
although our original collaboration agreement with LNGL remains in place. 

In April 2011, we entered into newbuilding contracts with Samsung for the construction of six newbuild LNG carriers 

and have options for an additional two vessels. Vessel deliveries are expected in 2013 and 2014. 

We will consider the acquisition of new assets through third party acquisition or through newbuilding contracts to 

support our business expansion. 

36

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Seasonality 

Historically, LNG trade and therefore charter rates increased in the winter months and eased in the summer 
months as demand for LNG in the Northern Hemisphere rose in colder weather and fell in warmer weather.  The tanker industry 
in  general  has  become  less  dependent  on  the  seasonal  transport  of  LNG  than  a  decade  ago  as  new  uses  for  LNG  have 
developed, spreading consumption more evenly over the year.  There is a higher seasonal demand during the summer months 
due to energy requirements for air conditioning in some markets and a pronounced higher seasonal demand during the winter 
months for heating in other markets. 

Customers 

We received a substantial majority of our revenue from long-term charter agreements with the following customers, BG, 

Shell, Pertamina, Petrobras and DUSUP. 

Since  1989,  we  have  chartered  vessels  to  Pertamina.  Our  revenues  from  Pertamina  were  $36.9  million  (15.0%),  $40.4 
million (18.0%) and $37.1 million (16.2%) for the years ended 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Pertamina currently charters one 
vessel from us. 

Since 2000, we have chartered vessels to BG.  Our revenues from BG were $49.1 million (20.0%), $61.3 million (27.0%), 

and $75.1 million (33.0%) for the years ended 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. BG currently charters one vessel from us. 

Since  2006,  we  have  chartered  vessels  to  Shell.  Our  revenues  from  Shell  were  $25.4  million  (10.3%),  $45.6  million 
(20.0%) and $85.3 million (37.3%) for the years ended 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our vessel charter with Shell expires in 
2011. 

Since July 2008, we have chartered vessels to Petrobras under 10-year charters. Our revenues from Petrobras for the 
years ended 2010 and 2009 were $90.6 million (37.0%) and $61.3 million (27.0%) respectively. Petrobras currently charters two 
vessels from us. 

We continue to develop relationships with other major players in the LNG industry and with new customers. 

Our Fleet 

Current Fleet 

As of March 31, 2011, we operated a fleet of 12 vessels, consisting of eight LNG carriers, four FSRU's and and a 50% 
equity interest in another vessel. Our current fleet represents approximately 5% of the worldwide LNG carrier fleet (of vessels 
larger than 100,000 cbm) by number.  We lease three LNG carriers under long-term financial leases, we own eight vessels and we 
have a 60% ownership interest in another LNG carrier through a joint arrangement with the Chinese Petroleum Corporation, the 
Taiwanese state oil and gas company. 

37

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The following table lists the LNG carriers in our current fleet: 

Vessel Name

Hilli

Gimi

Year of
Delivery

Capacity 
cbm.

Flag

1975

1976

125,000

125,000

Golar Freeze

1977

125,000

Khannur

1977

125,000

Golar Spirit

1981

128,000

MI

MI

MI

MI

MI

Type

Moss

Moss

Moss
(FSRU (2) ) 

Moss

Moss
(FSRU (2) ) 

Charterer
n/a (1) 
n/a (1) 

Current 
Charter 
Expiration

n/a

n/a

Charter Extension 
Options

n/a

n/a

DUSUP

2020

Terms extending 
up to 2025

Nusantara Regas (3) 

2021

2026

Petrobras

2018

Golar Mazo (4) 

2000

135,000

LIB

Moss

Pertamina

Methane Princess 
(6) 
Golar Winter (6) 

2003

138,000

2004

138,000

MI

MI

Membrane

BG

Membrane
(FSRU (2) ) 

Petrobras

Golar Viking

2005

140,000

MI Membrane

Qatar Gas Transport
(Nikilat)

Golar Grand (6) 

2006

145,700

MI Membrane

Gas Natural

Golar Maria

2006

145,700

MI Membrane

Golar Arctic

2003

140,000

MI Membrane

Gandria (5) 

1977

126,000

NIS Moss

Qatar Gas Transport
(Nikilat)

BP

n/a(1) 

2017

2024

2019

2012

2012

2012

2012

n/a

A three-year term 
and an additional 
two-year term 

Two additional 
five-year terms 

Two additional 
five-year terms 

A three-year term 
and an additional 
two-year term 

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Key to Flags: 
LIB – Liberian, MI – Marshall Islands, NIS – Netherlands Antilles 

(1) Currently, the Hilli and the Gandria are layed-up in Labuan, Malaysia and the Gimi is layed up in Haugesund, Norway 
In  2008,  we  entered  into  an  agreement  to  convert  the Golar Freeze into a FSRU.  Following its delivery to us in the 
(2)
second quarter of 2010, the Golar Freeze has now commenced a 10-year time charter with DUSUP. 

(3) Nusantara Regas is a joint venture between Pertamina and PGN. The final charter party contract was signed with Golar 

in April 2011 

(4) We  have  a  60%  ownership  interest  in  the Golar  Mazo  with  the  remaining  40%  owned  by  Chinese  Petroleum 

(5)

Corporation. 
In  connection  with  our  joint  venture  Bluewater  Gandria  we  have  a  50%  equity  interest  in  the Gandria  with  the 
remaining 50% owned by Bluewater. 

(6) We  have  entered  into  lease  financing  arrangements  in  respect  of  three  of  our  vessels,  the Golar Grand,  the Golar 
Winter and the Methane Princess, which are classified as capital leases.  Under these arrangements, we borrow under 
term loans and deposit the proceeds into restricted cash accounts.  These restricted cash deposits, plus the interest 
earned  on 
lease 
arrangements.  When we enter into capital leases for our vessels, the vessels are recorded as assets on our balance 
sheet. 

the  approximate  remaining  amounts  we  owe  under 

those  deposits,  equal 

the  capital 

38

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Our Charters 

Our vessels transport LNG from and to various facilities around the world and provide FSRU services.  Four of our 
vessels,  the Golar Viking,  the Golar Grand,  the Golar Maria and the Golar Arctic, are on short-term charters. Three of our 
vessels,  the Hilli, the Gandria and the Gimi are layed-up.  The remaining six vessels are on or are scheduled to be on long-term 
charters. 

The Long-Term Charters 

 The  Golar  Mazo, which we jointly own with the Chinese Petroleum Corporation, transports LNG from Indonesia to 
Taiwan under an 18-year time charter with Pertamina, the state owned oil and gas company of Indonesia. The contract expires at 
the end of 2017.  Pertamina has options to extend the Golar Mazo charter for two additional periods of five years each. 

The Methane Princess is currently under a long-term charter with BG to transport LNG worldwide. The contract expires 

in 2024.  BG has the option to extend the Methane Princess charter for two, five-year periods. 

The  Golar  Spirit  and  the Golar  Winter are  currently  under  long-term  charters  with  Petrobras  to  provide  FSRU 
services.  These contracts expire in 2018 and 2017, respectively.  Petrobras has the option to purchase the vessel(s) after the 
second anniversary of delivery to Petrobras and they also have the option to terminate the charter after the fifth anniversary of 
delivery to Petrobras for a termination fee.  Petrobras has the option to extend the charter period for both vessels for up to five 
years. 

The Golar Freeze is currently under a long-term charter with DUSUP to provide FSRU services. The contract expires in 
2020.  DUSUP has an option to terminate the charter in 2015 upon payment of a termination fee. DUSUP also has the option to 
extend this charter until October 2025. 

The long-term charters for the Khannur and Gimi expired in 2010. The Gimi  and Hilli and our 50% equity interest in 
the Gandria are currently layed-up and all three of these vessels are LNG carriers and are considered by us as candidates for 
conversion  for  FSRU  projects.  The Khannur  having  recently  been  awarded  the  FSRU  project  in  West  Java  has  recently 
commenced  its  FSRU  conversion  at  the  shipyard  in  Singapore  and  is  expected  to  commence  its  long-term  charter  upon 
redelivery in 2012. 

The Short-Term Charters 

The  Golar Arctic, Golar Maria, Golar Viking  and Golar Grand are all on short-term charters of between 12 and 18 

months all ending during 2012. 

Our charterers may suspend their payment obligations under the charter agreements for periods when the vessels are 
not able to transport cargo for various reasons.  These periods, which are also called off-hire periods, may result from, among 
other  causes,  mechanical  breakdown  or  other  accidents,  the  inability  of  the  crew  to  operate  the  vessel,  the  arrest  or  other 
detention of the vessel as the result of a claim against us, or the cancellation of the vessel's class certification.  The charters 
automatically terminate in the event of the loss of a vessel. 

Golar Management Limited and Ship Management 

Golar Management Limited, or Golar Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of ours which has offices in London and 

Oslo provides commercial, operational and technical support and supervision and accounting and treasury services to us. 

Since February 2005, Golar Management has subcontracted to internationally recognized third party ship management 
companies the day-to-day vessel management activities including routine maintenance and repairs; arranging supply of stores 
and  equipment;  ensuring  compliance  with  applicable  regulations,  including  licensing  and  certification  requirements  and 
engagement and provision of qualified crews.  Ultimate responsibility for the management of our vessels, however, remains with 
Golar Management. 

For  the  first  nine  months  of  2010,  we  subcontracted  the  management  of  our  vessels  to  Thome  Ship  Management 
(Singapore),  or  Thome  and  Wilhelmsen  Ship  Management  (Norway).  In  September  2010,  Golar  Wilhelmsen  Management,  or 
GWM was established as a joint venture between the company (60%) and Wilhelmsen (40%).  GWM office staff consists of 
existing Wilhelmsen Ship Management personnel and Golar employees.  The office is located at Wilhelmsen office facilities at 
Lysaker close to Oslo.  The four vessels managed by Thome were transferred to GWM in the fourth quarter of 2010. 

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Vessel Maintenance

We are focused on operating and maintaining our LNG carriers to the highest safety and industry standards and at the 
same time maximizing revenue from each vessel.  It is our policy to have our crews perform planned maintenance on our vessels 
while underway, to reduce time required for repairs during drydocking.  This will reduce the overall off-hire period required for 
dockings and repairs.  Since we generally do not earn hire from a vessel while it is in drydocking we believe that the additional 
revenue earned from reduced off-hire periods outweighs the expense of the additional crewmembers or subcontractors. 

Insurance 

The operation of any vessel, including LNG carriers and FSRUs, 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.  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 believe that our present insurance coverage is adequate to protect us against the accident related risks involved in 
the conduct of our business and that we maintain appropriate levels of environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage 
consistent  with  standard  industry  practice.  However,  not  all  risks  can  be  insured,  and  there  can  be  no  guarantee  that  any 
specific claim will be paid, or that we will always be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates. 

Our insurers treat the FSRUs as vessels and the term "vessel" also covers FSRUs in the following. 

We have obtained hull and machinery insurance on all our vessels against marine and war risks, which include the 
risks of damage to our vessels, salvage or towing costs, and also insure against actual or constructive total loss of any of our 
vessels.  However, our insurance policies contain deductible amounts for which we will be responsible.  We have also arranged 
additional  total  loss  coverage  for  each  vessel.  This  coverage,  which  is  called  hull  interest  and  freight  interest  coverage, 
provides us additional coverage in the event of the total loss of a vessel. 

We have also obtained loss of hire insurance to protect us against loss of income in the event one of our vessels 
cannot be employed due to damage that is covered under the terms of our hull and machinery insurance.  Under our loss of hire 
policies, our insurer will pay us the daily rate agreed in respect of each vessel for each day, in excess of a certain number of 
deductible days, for the time that the vessel is out of service as a result of damage, for a maximum of 240 days.  The number of 
deductible days varies from 14 days for the new ships to 30 days for the older ships, also depending on the type of damage; 
machinery or hull damage. 

Protection  and  indemnity  insurance,  which  covers  our  third-party  legal  liabilities  in  connection  with  our  shipping 
activities,  is  provided  by  a  mutual  protection  and  indemnity  association,  or  P&I  club.  This  includes  third-party liability and 
other  expenses  related  to  the  injury  or  death  of  crew  members,  passengers  and  other  third-party persons, loss or damage to 
cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels or from contact with jetties or wharves and other damage to other third-
party  property,  including  pollution  arising  from  oil  or  other  substances,  and  other  related  costs,  including  wreck 
removal.  Subject to the capping discussed below, our coverage, except for pollution, is unlimited. 

Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is $1 billion per vessel per incident. The thirteen 
P&I clubs that comprise the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs insure approximately 90% of the world's 
commercial  tonnage  and  have  entered  into  a  pooling  agreement  to  reinsure  each  association's  liabilities.  Each  P&I  club  has 
capped its exposure in this pooling agreement so that the maximum claim covered by the pool and its reinsurance would be 
approximately $5.45 billion per accident or occurrence.  We are a member of Gard and Skuld P&I Clubs.  As a member of these 
P&I clubs, we are subject to a call for additional premiums based on the clubs' claims record, as well as the claims record of all 
other  members  of  the  P&I  clubs  comprising  the  International  Group.  However,  our  P&I  clubs  have  reinsured  the  risk  of 
additional premium calls to limit our additional exposure.  This reinsurance is subject to a cap, and there is the risk that the full 
amount of the additional call would not be covered by this reinsurance. 

For  our  operating  FSRUs  we  have,  due  to  formulations  in  their  Time  Charter  Party  contracts,  also  placed 
Comprehensive General Liability ("CGL") insurance.  This type of insurance is common for offshore operations and is additional 
to  the  P&I  insurance.  Our  cover  under  the  CGL  insurance  is  $150  million  per  unit  for  Golar  Spirit  and  Golar  Winter  and  $15 
million for Golar Freeze. 

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Environmental and Other Regulations 

General 

Governmental and international agencies extensively regulate the carriage, handling, storage and regasification of LNG. 
These regulations include international conventions and national, state and local laws and regulations in the countries where 
our  vessels  now  or,  in  the  future,  will  operate  or  where  our  vessels  are  registered.  We  cannot  predict  the  ultimate  cost  of 
complying  with  these  regulations,  or  the  impact  that  these  regulations  will  have  on  the  resale  value  or  useful  lives  of  our 
vessels. In addition, any serious marine incident that results in significant oil pollution or otherwise causes significant adverse 
environmental impact, including the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, could result in additional legislation 
or regulation that could negatively affect our profitability. Various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies require us to 
obtain permits, licenses and certificates for the operation of our vessels. 

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 operation of one or more of our vessels. 
A variety of governmental and private entities inspect our vessels on both a scheduled and unscheduled basis. These entities, 
each of which may have unique requirements and each of which conducts frequent inspections, include local port authorities, 
such  as  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard,  harbor  master  or  equivalent,  classification  societies,  flag  state,  or  the  administration  of  the 
country  of  registry,  charterers,  terminal  operators  and  LNG  producers.  We  expect  that  our  FSRUs  will  also  be  subject  to 
inspection by these governmental and private entities on both a scheduled and unscheduled basis. 

GWM  our  Ship  Manager,  is  operating  in  compliance  with  the  International  Standards  Organization,  or  ISO, 
Environmental  Standard  for  the  management  of  the  significant  environmental  aspects  associated  with  the  ownership  and 
operation of a fleet of LNG carriers, and is in the process of receiving certification to the ISO Environmental Standard. This 
certification requires that we and GWM commit managerial resources to act on our environmental policy through an effective 
management system. 

International Maritime Regulations of LNG Vessels

 The IMO is the United Nations agency that provides international regulations governing shipping and international 
maritime  trade.  The  requirements  contained  in  the  International  Management  Code  for  the  Safe  Operation  of  Ships  and  for 
Pollution Prevention, or the ISM Code, promulgated by the IMO, govern our operations. Among other requirements, the ISM 
Code requires the party with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, 
among  other  things,  the  adoption  of  a  policy  for  safety  and  environmental  protection  policy  setting  forth  instructions  and 
procedures for operating its vessels safely and also describing procedures for responding to emergencies. Our Ship Manager 
holds a Document of Compliance under the ISM Code for operation of Gas Carriers. 

Vessels that transport gas, including LNG carriers and FSRUs, are also subject to regulation under the International 
Gas Carrier Code, or the IGC Code, published by the IMO. The IGC Code provides a standard for the safe carriage of LNG and 
certain  other  liquid  gases  by  prescribing  the  design  and  construction  standards  of  vessels  involved  in  such  carriage. 
Compliance with the IGC Code must be evidenced by a Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases of Bulk. Each of 
our  vessels  is  in  compliance  with  the  IGC  Code  and  each  of  our  newbuilding/conversion  contracts  requires  that  the  vessel 
receive certification that it is in compliance with applicable regulations before it is delivered. Non-compliance with the IGC Code 
or  other  applicable  IMO  regulations  may  subject  a  shipowner  or  a  bareboat  charterer  to  increased  liability,  may  lead  to 
decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some 
ports. 

The IMO also promulgates ongoing amendments to the international convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 and 
its protocol of 1988, otherwise known as SOLAS. SOLAS provides rules for the construction of and equipment required for 
commercial  vessels  and  includes  regulations  for  safe  operation.  It  requires  the  provision  of  lifeboats  and  other  life-saving 
appliances, requires the use of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System which is an international radio equipment and 
watchkeeping standard, afloat and at shore stations, and relates to the Treaty on the Standards of Training and Certification of 
Watchkeeping Officers, or STCW, also promulgated by the IMO. Flag states that have ratified SOLAS and STCW generally 
employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS and STCW requirements into their class rules, to undertake 
surveys to confirm compliance. 

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                SOLAS  and  other  IMO  regulations  concerning  safety,  including  those  relating  to  treaties  on  training  of  shipboard 
personnel,  lifesaving  appliances,  radio  equipment  and  the  global  maritime  distress  and  safety  system,  are  applicable  to  our 
operations. Non-compliance with these types of IMO regulations may subject us to increased liability or penalties, may lead to 
decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to or detention in some 
ports. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the 
ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports. 

                In the wake of increased worldwide security concerns, the IMO amended SOLAS and added the ISPS Code as a new 
chapter to that convention. The objective of the ISPS, which came into effect on July 1, 2004, is to detect security threats and 
take preventive measures against security incidents affecting ships or port facilities. Our Ship Manager has developed Security 
Plans, appointed and trained Ship and Office Security Officers and all of our vessels have been certified to meet the ISPS Code. 
See "Vessel Security Regulations" for a more detailed discussion about these requirements. 

                The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if 
any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulation may have on our operations. 

Air Emissions

                The  International  Convention  for  the  Prevention  of  Marine  Pollution  from  Ships,  or  MARPOL,  is  the  principal 
international  convention  negotiated  by  the  IMO  governing  marine  pollution  prevention  and  response.  MARPOL  imposes 
environmental standards on the shipping industry relating to oil spills, management of garbage, the handling and disposal of 
noxious  liquids,  sewage  and  air  emissions.  MARPOL  73/78  Annex VI  "Regulations  for  the  prevention  of  Air  Pollution,"  or 
Annex VI,  entered  into  force  on  May 19,  2005,  and  applies  to  all  ships,  fixed  and  floating  drilling  rigs  and  other  floating 
platforms.  Annex VI  sets  limits  on  sulfur  oxide  and  nitrogen  oxide  emissions  from  ship  exhausts,  emissions  of  volatile 
compounds  from  cargo  tanks,  incineration  of  specific  substances,  and  prohibits  deliberate  emissions  of  ozone  depleting 
substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with 
more stringent controls on sulfur emissions. The certification requirements for Annex VI depend on size of the vessel and time 
of periodical classification survey. Ships weighing more than 400 gross tons and engaged in international voyages involving 
countries that have ratified the conventions, or ships flying the flag of those countries, are required to have an International Air 
Pollution Certificate (or an IAPP Certificate). Annex VI came into force in the United States on January 8, 2009. As of the current 
date, all our ships delivered or drydocked since May 19, 2005 have all been issued with IAPP Certificates. 

In March 2006, the IMO amended Annex I to MARPOL, including a new regulation relating to oil fuel tank protection, 
which became effective August 1, 2007. The new regulation applies to various ships delivered on or after August 1, 2010. It 
includes requirements for the protected location of the fuel tanks, performance standards for accidental oil fuel outflow, a tank 
capacity limit and certain other maintenance, inspection and engineering standards. IMO regulations also require owners and 
operators of vessels to adopt Ship Oil Pollution Emergency Plans. Periodic training and drills for response personnel and for 
vessels and their crews are required. 

On July 1, 2010, amendments proposed by the United States, Norway and other IMO member states to Annex VI to the 
MARPOL  Convention  took  effect  that  require  progressively  stricter  limitations  on  sulfur  emissions  from  ships.  In  Emission 
Control  Areas,  or  ECAs,  limitations  on  sulfur  emissions  require  that  fuels  contain  no  more  than  1%  sulfur.  Beginning  on 
January 1, 2012, fuel used to power ships may contain no more than 3.5% sulfur. This cap will then decrease progressively until 
it reaches 0.5% by January 1, 2020. The amendments all establish new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for 
new  marine  engines,  depending  on  their  date  of  installation.  The  European  directive  2005/33/EU,  which  is  effective  from 
January 1, 2010, bans the use of fuel oils containing more than 0.1% sulfur by mass by any merchant vessel while at berth in any 
EU country. Our vessels have achieved compliance, where necessary, by being arranged to burn gas only in their boilers when 
alongside. Low sulfur marine diesel oil (or LSDO) has been purchased as the only fuel for the Diesel Generators. In addition we 
are in the process modifying the boilers on some of our vessels to also allow operation on LSDO. 

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                Additionally, more stringent emission standards could apply in coastal areas designated as ECAs, such as the United 
States and Canadian coastal areas designated by the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee, as discussed in "—U.S. 
Clean  Air  Act"  below.  U.S.  air  emissions  standards  are  now  equivalent  to  these  amended  Annex VI  requirements,  and  once 
these  amendments  become  effective,  we  may  incur  costs  to  comply  with  these  revised  standards.  Additional  or  new 
conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission control systems. 
Because our vessels are largely powered by means other than fuel oil we do not anticipate that any emission limits that may be 
promulgated will require us to incur any material costs for the operation of our vessels but that possibility cannot be eliminated. 

Ballast Water Management Convention

The IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for pollution in international waters and the 
territorial waters of the signatories to such conventions. For example, IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control 
and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, in February 2004. The BWM Convention's 
implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in 
time with mandatory concentration limits. The BWM Convention will not become effective until 12 months after it has been 
adopted by 30 states, the combined merchant fleets of which represent not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world's 
merchant shipping. The Convention has not yet entered into force because a sufficient number of states have failed to adopt it. 
The U.S. Coast Guard is also expected to finalize ballast water management rules in April 2011, and we may face additional costs 
in complying with these rules. Under the requirements of the BWM Convention for units with ballast water capacity more than 
5000 cubic meters that were constructed in 2011 or before, ballast water management exchange or treatment will be accepted 
until 2016. From 2016 (or not later than the first intermediate or renewal survey after 2016), only ballast water treatment will be 
accepted by the Convention. If ballast water treatment requirements become mandatory, the cost of compliance could increase 
for ocean carriers, and these costs may be material. 

Bunkers Convention / CLC State Certificate 

The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution 2001, or the Bunker Convention, entered into 
force  in  State  Parties  to  the  Convention  on  November  21,  2008.  The  Convention  provides  a  liability,  compensation  and 
compulsory insurance system for the victims of oil pollution damage caused by spills of bunker oil.  The Convention makes the 
ship owner liable to pay compensation for pollution damage (including the cost of preventive measures) caused in the territory, 
including the territorial sea of a State Party, as well as its economic zone or equivalent area.  Registered owners of any sea going 
vessel  and  seaborne  craft  over  1,000  gross  tonnage,  of  any  type  whatsoever,  and  registered  in  a  State  Party,  or  entering  or 
leaving  a  port  in  the  territory  of  a  State  Party,  will  be  required  to  maintain  insurance  which  meets  the  requirements  of  the 
Convention  and  to  obtain  a  certificate  issued  by  a  State  Party  attesting  that  such  insurance  is  in  force.  The  State  issued 
certificate must be carried on board at all times. 

P&I Clubs in the International Group issue the required Bunkers Convention "Blue Cards" to enable signatory states 
to issue certificates.  All of our vessels have received "Blue Cards" from their P&I Club and are in possession of a CLC State-
issued certificate attesting that the required insurance cover is in force. 

The  flag  state,  as  defined  by  the  United  Nations  Convention  on  Law  of  the  Sea,  has  overall  responsibility  for  the 
implementation  and  enforcement  of  international  maritime  regulations  for  all  ships  granted  the  right  to  fly  its  flag.  The 
"Shipping  Industry  Guidelines  on  Flag  State  Performance"  evaluates  flag  states  based  on  factors  such  as  sufficiency  of 
infrastructure,  ratification  of  international  maritime  treaties,  implementation  and  enforcement  of  international  maritime 
regulations, supervision of surveys, casualty investigations and participation at the IMO meetings. 

United States Environmental Regulation of LNG Vessels

                Our vessels operating in U.S. waters now or, in the future, will be subject to various federal, state and local laws and 
regulations  lating  to  protection  of  the  environment.  In  some  cases,  these  laws  and  regulations  require  us  to  obtain 
governmental permits and authorizations before we may conduct 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. As with the industry generally, our operations 
will entail risks in these areas, and compliance with these laws and regulations, which may be subject to frequent revisions and 
reinterpretation, increases our overall cost of business. 

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Oil Pollution Act and CERCLA

                OPA 90 established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for environmental protection and clean up of oil spills. 
OPA 90 affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade with the United States or its territories or possessions, or whose 
vessels operate in the waters of the United States, which include the U.S. territorial waters and the 200 nautical mile exclusive 
economic  zone  of  the  United  States.  CERCLA  applies  to  the  discharge  of  hazardous  substances  whether  on  land  or  at  sea. 
While OPA 90 and CERCLA would not apply to the discharge of LNG, they may affect us because we carry oil as fuel and 
lubricants for our engines, and the discharge of these could cause an environmental hazard. Under OPA 90, vessel operators, 
including vessel owners, managers and bareboat or "demise" charterers, are "responsible parties" who are all liable regardless 
of fault, individually and as a group, for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from oil spills from their 
vessels. These "responsible parties" would not be liable if the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act 
of God or an act of war. The other damages aside from clean-up and containment costs are defined broadly to include: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

natural resource damages and related assessment costs;  

real and personal property damages;  

net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, profits or earnings capacity;  

net  cost  of  public  services  necessitated  by  a  spill  response,  such  as  protection  from  fire,  safety  or  health 
hazards; and  

loss of subsistence use of natural resources. 

Effective July 31, 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard adjusted the limits of OPA liability to the greater of $2,000 per gross ton or 
$17.088 million for any double-hull tanker that is over 3,000 gross tons (subject to possible adjustment for inflation) (relevant to 
the  Company's  LNG  carriers).  These  limits  of  liability  do  not  apply,  however,  where  the  incident  is  caused  by  violation  of 
applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulations, or by the responsible party's gross negligence or willful 
misconduct. These limits likewise do not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and 
assist in connection with the substance removal activities. OPA 90 specifically permits individual states to impose their own 
liability  regimes  with  regard  to  oil  pollution  incidents  occurring  within  their  boundaries,  and  some  states  have  enacted 
legislation  providing  for  unlimited  liability  for  discharge  of  pollutants  within  their  waters.  In  some  cases,  states,  which  have 
enacted their own legislation, have not yet issued implementing regulations defining shipowners' responsibilities under these 
laws. 

CERCLA, which also applies to owners and operators of vessels, contains a similar liability regime and provides for 
cleanup, removal and natural resource damages for releases of "hazardous substances." Liability under CERCLA is limited to 
the greater of $300 per gross ton or $0.5 million for each release from vessels not carrying hazardous substances as cargo or 
residue, and $300 per gross ton or $5 million for each release from vessels carrying hazardous substances as cargo or residue. 
As with OPA 90, these limits of liability do not apply where the incident is caused by violation of applicable U.S. federal safety, 
construction or operating regulations, or by the responsible party's gross negligence or willful misconduct or if the responsible 
party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with the substance removal activities. OPA 
90 and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort law. We believe that we 
are in substantial compliance with OPA 90, CERCLA and all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call. 

OPA 90 requires owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of 
financial responsibility sufficient to meet the limit of their potential strict liability under OPA 90/CERCLA. Under the regulations, 
evidence of financial responsibility may be demonstrated by insurance, surety bond, self-insurance or guaranty. Under OPA 90 
regulations, an owner or operator of more than one vessel is required to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility for the 
entire  fleet  in  an  amount  equal  only  to  the  financial  responsibility  requirement  of  the  vessel  having  the  greatest  maximum 
liability under OPA 90/CERCLA. Each of our shipowning subsidiaries that has vessels trading in U.S. waters has applied for, 
and obtained from the 

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U.S. Coast Guard National Pollution Funds Center, three-year certificates of financial responsibility, supported by guarantees 
which  we  purchased  from  an  insurance  based  provider.  We  believe  that  we  will  be  able  to  continue  to  obtain  the  requisite 
guarantees and that we will continue to be granted certificates of financial responsibility from the U.S. Coast Guard for each of 
our vessels that is required to have one. 

                In response to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the U.S. Congress is currently considering a number of bills that 
could potentially increase or even eliminate the limits of liability under OPA 90. Compliance with any new requirements of OPA 
90 may substantially impact our cost of operations or require us to incur additional expenses to comply with any new regulatory 
initiatives or statutes. Additional legislation or regulation applicable to the operation of our vessels that may be implemented in 
the future as a result of the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico could adversely affect our business and 
ability to make distributions to our unitholders. 

Clean Water Act

                The United States Clean Water Act, or CWA, prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in United States 
navigable  waters  unless  authorized  by  a  permit  or  exemption,  and  imposes  strict  liability  in  the  form  of  penalties  for 
unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and 
complements the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA. Furthermore, most U.S. states that border a navigable waterway 
have enacted environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for removal costs and damages resulting from 
a  discharge  of  oil  or  a  release  of  a  hazardous  substance.  These  laws  may  be  more  stringent  than  U.S.  federal  law.  The  U.S. 
Environmental  Protection  Agency,  or  the  EPA,  regulates  the  discharge  of  ballast  water  and  other  substances  in  U.S.  waters 
under the CWA.  Effective February 6, 2009, EPA regulations require vessels 79 feet in length or longer (other than commercial 
fishing  and  recreational  vessels)  to  comply  with  a  Vessel  General  Permit  authorizing  ballast  water  discharges  and  other 
discharges  incidental  to  the  operation  of  vessels.  The  Vessel  General  Permit  imposes  technology  and  water-quality  based 
effluent  limits  for  certain  types  of  discharges  and  establishes  specific  inspection,  monitoring,  recordkeeping  and  reporting 
requirements to ensure the effluent limits are met. U.S. Coast Guard regulations adopted and proposed for adoption under the 
U.S.  National  Invasive  Species  Act,  or  NISA,  also  impose  mandatory  ballast  water  management  practices  for  all  vessels 
equipped  with  ballast  water  tanks  entering  or  operating  in  U.S.  waters.  Compliance  with  the  EPA  and  the  U.S.  Coast  Guard 
regulations  could  require  the  installation  of  equipment  on  our  vessels  to  treat  ballast  water  before  it  is  discharged  or  the 
implementation  of  other  port  facility  disposal  arrangements  or  procedures  at  potentially  substantial  cost,  and/or  otherwise 
restrict our vessels from entering U.S. waters. 

Clean Air Act

The  U.S.  Clean  Air  Act  of  1970,  as  amended,  or  the  CAA,  requires  the  EPA  to  promulgate  standards  applicable  to 
emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. Our vessels are subject to vapor control and recovery 
requirements for certain cargoes when loading, unloading, ballasting, cleaning and conducting other operations in regulated 
port areas and emission standards for so-called "Category 3" marine diesel engines operating in U.S. waters. The marine diesel 
engine emission standards are currently limited to new engines beginning with the 2004 model year. On April 30, 2010, the EPA 
promulgated final emission standards for Category 3 marine diesel engines equivalent to those adopted in the amendments to 
Annex VI to MARPOL. The emission standards apply in two stages: near-term standards for newly-built engines will apply from 
2011, and long-term standards requiring an 80% reduction in nitrogen dioxides, or NOx, will apply from 2016. Compliance with 
these standards may cause us to incur costs to install control equipment on our vessels in the future. 

Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

The IMO is evaluating mandatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, which 
may  include  market-based  instruments  or  a  carbon  tax.  The  European  Union  has  indicated  that  it  intends  to  propose  an 
expansion  of  the  existing  European  Union  emissions  trading  scheme  to  include  emissions  of  greenhouse  gases  from  marine 
vessels. In the United States, the EPA has issued a proposed finding that greenhouse gases threaten the public health and 
safety.  In  addition,  climate  change  initiatives  are  being  considered  in  the  U.S.  Congress.  Any  passage  of  climate  control 
legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, EU, the U.S. or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at 
the  international  level  to  succeed  the  Kyoto  Protocol,  that  restrict  emissions  of  greenhouse  gases  could  require  us  to  make 
significant financial expenditures that we cannot predict with certainty at this time. 

45

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Vessel Security Regulations

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel 
security.  On  November 25,  2002,  the  Maritime  Transportation  Act  of  2002,  or  MTSA,  came  into  effect.  To  implement  certain 
portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security 
requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, 
amendments to SOLAS created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter 
became effective in July 2004 and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which 
are contained in the ISPS Code. The ISPS Code is designed to protect ports and international shipping against terrorism. After 
July 1, 2004, to trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate, or ISSC, from a recognized 
security organization approved by the vessel's flag state. 

        Among the various requirements are:

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

on-board installation of automatic identification systems to provide a means for the automatic transmission of 
safety-related information from among similarly equipped ships and shore stations, including information on a 
ship's identity, position, course, speed and navigational status;  

on-board  installation  of  ship  security  alert  systems,  which  do  not  sound  on  the  vessel  but  only  alerts  the 
authorities on shore;  

the development of vessel security plans;  

ship identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel's hull;  

a continuous synopsis record kept onboard showing a vessel's history including, the name of the ship and of 
the state whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, the date on which the ship was registered with that state, the 
ship's identification number, the port at which the ship is registered and the name of the registered owner(s) 
and their registered address; and  

compliance with flag state security certification requirements. 

The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. 
vessels from obtaining U.S. Coast Guard-approved MTSA vessel security plans provided such vessels have on board an ISSC 
that attests to the vessel's compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. 

Our vessel managers have developed Security Plans, appointed and trained Ship and Office Security Officers and each 

of our vessels in our fleet complies with the requirements of the ISPS Code, SOLAS and the MTSA. 

Other Regulation 

Our LNG vessels may also become subject to the 2010 HNS Convention, if it is entered into force. The Convention 
creates a regime of liability and compensation for damage from hazardous and noxious substances (or HNS), including liquefied 
gases. The 2010 HNS Convention sets up a two-tier system of compensation composed of compulsory insurance taken out by 
shipowners and an HNS Fund which comes into play when the insurance is insufficient to satisfy a claim or does not cover the 
incident. Under the 2010 HNS Convention, if damage is caused by bulk HNS, claims for compensation will first be sought from 
the shipowner up to a maximum of 100 million Special Drawing Rights (or SDR). If the damage is caused by packaged HNS or by 
both bulk and packaged HNS, the maximum liability is 115 million SDR. Once the limit is reached, compensation will be paid from 
the HNS Fund up to a maximum of 250 million SDR. The 2010 HNS Convention has not been ratified by a sufficient number of 
countries to enter into force, and we cannot estimate the costs that may be needed to comply with any such requirements that 
may be adopted with any certainty at this time. 

46

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Inspection by Classification Societies 

Every large, commercial seagoing vessel must be "classed" by a classification society. A classification society certifies 
that a vessel is "in class," signifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules of the vessel's 
country of registry and the international conventions of which that country is a member. In addition, where surveys are required 
by international conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances of a flag state, the classification society will undertake 
them on application or by official order, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned. 

Our  FSRUs  are  "classed"  as  vessels  and  have  obtained  the  additional  class  notation  REGAS-2 signifying that the 
regasification installations are designed and approved for continuous operation. The reference to "vessels" in the following, 
also apply to our FSRUs. For maintenance of the class certificate, regular and special surveys of hull, machinery, including the 
electrical  plant  and  any  special  equipment  classed,  are  required  to  be  performed  by  the  classification  society,  to  ensure 
continuing compliance. Vessels are drydocked at least once during a five-year class cycle for inspection of the underwater parts 
and for repairs related to inspections. If any defects are found, the classification surveyor will issue a "recommendation" which 
must be rectified by the shipowner within prescribed time limits. The classification society also undertakes on request of the 
flag state other surveys and checks that are required by the regulations and requirements of that flag state. These surveys are 
subject to agreements made in each individual case and/or to the regulations of the country concerned. 

Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel be certified as "in class" by a 
classification society, which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies.  All of our vessels have 
been certified as being "in class."  The Golar  Mazo and Golar Arctic is certified by Lloyds Register, and our other vessels are 
each certified by Det Norske Veritas. Both being members of the International Association of Classification Societies. 

In-House Inspections 

Our ship manager carries out inspections of the ships on a regular basis; both at sea and while the vessels are in port, 
while we carry out inspection and ship audits to verify conformity with manager's reports.  The results of these inspections, 
which are conducted both in port and underway, 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 for our vessels and their systems. 

C.            Organizational Structure 

See the section of this annual report entitled Item 19, "Exhibits - Exhibit 8.1" for a list of our significant subsidiaries. 

D.            Property, Plant and Equipment 

For information on our fleet, please see the section of this item entitled "Our Fleet." 

We do not own any interest in real property.  We sublease approximately 7,000 square feet of office space in London 

for our ship management operations. 

ITEM 4A.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 

None. 

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ITEM 5.  OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 

A. Operating Results 

Overview and Background 

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  3,  "Key  Information –  Selected  Financial  Data,"  Item  4,  "Information  on  the 
Company" and our audited financial statements and notes thereto.  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.  Please read the section of this annual report entitled "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements" 
for more information.  You should also review the section of this annual report entitled Item 3, "Key Information - 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 the forward-looking statements. 

Market Overview and Trends 

Our principal focus and expertise is the transportation and regasification of LNG and liquefaction of natural gas.  We 
are engaged in the acquisition, ownership, operation and chartering of LNG carriers and FSRUs through our subsidiaries and 
the development of liquefaction projects.  As of April 2011, our fleet consisted of 12 vessels and a 50% equity interest in a 
further LNG carrier.  Our full fleet list is provided in Item 4.D, "Information on the Company - Our Fleet". 

The short term chartering market or the "spot" market for LNG vessels over the last five years has been highly volatile 
resulting significant variability in our earnings. Total operating costs for off-hire LNG carriers are significantly higher than in 
other shipping markets due to high fuel consumption during idling, cool down requirements and positioning and repositioning 
costs. 

Rates payable in the market for LNG carriers have been uncertain and volatile as has the supply and demand for LNG 
carriers.   In  the  period  from  2004,  the  supply  of  vessels  in  excess  of  demand  negatively  impacted  our  results,  however  this 
oversupply  has  reduced  during  the  second  half  of  2010  and  into  2011  and  we  expect  the  market  to  maintain  an  improved 
supply/demand balance for most of 2011. However there is some tendency towards a seasonal trend in that rates earned in the 
summer months tend to be lower, due to lower demand, than rates earned in the winter. We cannot be sure this will continue in 
the future. The market for trading LNG cargos is highly volatile and is highly dependent upon the supply and demand for LNG 
and LNG carriers. 

We have entered into agreements to time charter four of our modern LNG carriers for periods of between 12 and 18 

months to various charterers. The commencement of the different charters ranges from February 2011 to April 2011. 

One  of  our  vessels, Khannur,  is  currently  undergoing  conversion  to  a  FSRU  for  the  provision  of  the  West  Java 
Floating Storage Regasification Terminal. The duration of the contract is until the end of 2022 and further provides automatic 
extension options to 2025, subject to certain contract terms. 

We currently have two vessels, the Hilli and Gimi and a third vessel, our 50% equity interest vessel, the Gandria, not 
committed to contracts for the balance of 2011. These vessels are currently in lay-up and viewed as conversion candidates in 
our  expanding  project  portfolio.   Our  current  expectation  is  that  they  will  ultimately  be  converted  to  FSRU's.  The  market  for 
FSRU's has experienced significant growth in recent years and we expect this to continue for the foreseeable future. 

Please see the section of this annual report entitled Item 4, "Information on the Company – Business Overview – the 

LNG industry" for further discussion of the LNG market in 2010 and 2009. 

48

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Future Results

Our historical results of operations and cash flows are not indicative of results of operations and cash flows to be 

expected in the future, principally for the following reasons: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

In 2010, we commenced a LNG trading business. We expect this to impact our results in future periods. In 
May 2010, we announced we had established a new subsidiary, Golar Commodities which positions us in the 
market for managing and trading LNG cargoes.  Activities include structured services to outside customers 
(such as risk management services), arbitrage activities as well as proprietary trading.  

The Golar Spirit, the Golar Winter and the Golar Freeze did not generate revenues during the period of 
their retrofitting and are being operated in a substantially different manner than they have in the past.  In 
July 2008, the Golar  Spirit commenced FSRU service under its long-term charter with Petrobras.  The Golar 
Winter has operated in the spot market under short-term time charters since its delivery in 2004 until its entry 
into  the  shipyard  for  retrofitting  for  FSRU  service  in  September  2008.  The  vessel  completed  its  FSRU 
conversion and was redelivered from the shipyard in May 2009 and commenced FSRU service in September 
2009.The  Golar  Freeze  has  operated  under  a  long-term  charter  with  BG  since  2003,  which  expired  in  June 
2009.  Following  the  end  of  its  BG  charter,  it  entered  the  shipyard  for retrofitting  for  FSRU  service  in 
September 2009.  In May 2010, the Golar Freeze was delivered and commenced operating as a FSRU under its 
10-year  time  charter  with  DUSUP.  The Golar  Winter,  the Golar  Spirit  and  the Golar  Freeze  generated 
revenue of $125.1 million in 2010. While these three vessels were in the shipyard, they did not generate any 
revenue. 

The Hilli, Gimi and Khannur have come to the end of their charters and may also operate differently in the 
future. In March 2011, the Khannur entered the shipyard to commence conversion to a FSRU vessel for use 
in  the  West  Java  FSRU  project.  We  anticipate  that in  the  future  we  will  convert  either  the Gimi  or Hilli or 
both for FSRU service. 

FSRU  operating  expenses  are  higher  than  the  operating  expenses  for  LNG  carriers  and  increase  our 
exposure  to  foreign  exchange  rates.  Our  historical  operating  expenses  reflect  the  operation  of  the Golar 
Spirit, the Golar Winter and the Golar Freeze (until the commencement of their respective FSRU services), as 
LNG carriers.  Following the completion of their retrofitting to FSRUs, we incurred generally higher operating 
expenses on the vessels as compared to when we operated these vessels as conventional LNG carriers.  In 
addition,  in  the  past,  the  majority  of  our  expenses  and  revenues  have  been  denominated  in  U.S. 
Dollars.  Under  the  Petrobras  charters,  we  incur  a  portion  of  our  expenses  and  receive  a  portion  of  our 
revenues in Brazilian Reais and, therefore, we have increased exposure to foreign exchange rates. 

We expect continued inflationary pressure on crew costs.  Due to the specialized nature of operating FSRUs 
and  LNG  carriers,  the  increase  in  size  of  the  worldwide  LNG  carrier  fleet  and  the  limited  pool  of  qualified 
officers, we believe that crewing and labor related costs will experience significant increases. 

In 2008, we began to incur additional Brazilian taxes in connection with our operation of the FSRUs in 
Brazil.  Our operation of the Golar Spirit and the Golar Winter results in our being subject to Brazilian taxes 
on the revenue we receive under the operation and services agreement with Petrobras.  For the years ended 
December  31,  2010,  2009  and  2008  we  incurred  $1.6  million,  $1.1  million  and  $0.8  million,  respectively  of 
Brazilian taxes in connection with the Golar Spirit and Golar Winter FSRU charters. 

We may enter into different financing arrangements. Our financing arrangements currently in place may not 
be representative of the arrangements we will enter into in the future. For example we may amend our existing 
credit facilities or enter into other financing arrangements, which may be more expensive. 

49

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
·  

·  

·  

Investment in projects.  We are continuing to invest in and develop our various projects. The costs we have 
incurred historically may not be indicative of future costs. 

Expansion  of  our  fleet. In April 2011 we entered into a contract to build six LNG carriers with the Korean 
shipbuilder Samsung. The newbuilding contracts were originally entered into by companies affiliated with our 
largest shareholder World Shipholding. We acquired the newbuilding contracts from those affiliated parties 
based on the original contracting terms. Four vessels are scheduled to be delivered in 2013 and two vessels 
are scheduled to be delivered in early 2014. The total cost of the four vessels is approximately $1.2 billion. In 
addition  we  have  an  option  to  acquire  an  additional two  vessels  for  deliveries  scheduled in  2013  and 
thereafter. 

Golar  LNG  Partners  LP.  In  April  2011,  we  completed  a  public  offering  of  13.8  million  common  units 
(including 1.8 million units issued due to the exercising of the over allotment option) of our subsidiary, Golar 
Partners,  which  is  listed on  the  NASDAQ  stock  exchange  under  the  symbol  "GMLP".  As  a  result  of  the 
offering  our  ownership  of  Golar  Partners  was  reduced  to  65%  (including  our  2%  general  partner 
interest).  Golar Partners is a Marshall Islands Partnership formed by us in 2008, which owns and operates a 
fleet of two LNG carriers and two FSRUs each under long-term charters. The 13.8 million units were priced at 
$22.50 per unit resulting in gross proceeds of $310.5 million. 

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations 

We believe the principal factors that will affect our future results of operations include: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

the number of vessels in our fleet including our ability to deliver the Khannur successfully to its charter; 

whether Petrobras exercises its options to acquire the Golar Spirit or the Golar Winter and, if so, whether we 
can effectively redeploy the proceeds from any such exercise; 

whether  Petrobras  exercises  its  option  to  terminate  the Golar  Spirit  or  the Golar  Winter  charters  upon 
payment of a termination fee; 

whether DUSUP exercises its option to terminate the Golar Freeze charter upon payment of a termination fee; 

our ability to maintain good relationships with our key existing customers and to increase the number of our 
customer relationships; 

our ability to successfully enter into contracts at attractive rates, through Golar Commodities; 

increased  demand  for  LNG  shipping  services,  including  FSRU  services,  and  in  connection  with  this 
underlying demand and supply for natural gas and specifically LNG; 

our ability to employ our vessels operating in the spot market and rates and levels of utilization achieved by 
our vessels under charter to Shell; 

the success or failure of the LNG infrastructure projects that we are working on or may work on in the future; 

our ability to successfully employ our vessels at economically attractive rates, as our charters expire or are 
otherwise terminated; 

our ability to obtain debt financing in respect of our capital commitments in the current difficult credit markets 
and the likely increase in margins payable to our banks for new debt; 

50

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
·  

·  

·  

the effective and efficient technical management of our vessels; 

our ability to obtain and maintain major international energy company approvals and to satisfy their technical, 
health, safety and compliance standards; and 

economic, regulatory, political and governmental conditions that affect the shipping industry. This includes 
changes  in  the  number  of  new  LNG  importing  countries  and  regions  and  availability  of  surplus  LNG  from 
projects around the world, as well as structural LNG market changes allowing greater flexibility and enhanced 
competition with other energy sources. 

In  addition  to  the  factors  discussed  above,  we  believe  certain  specific  factors  have  impacted,  and  will  continue  to 

impact, our results of operations.  These factors include: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

the hire rate earned by our vessels and unscheduled off-hire days; 

non-utilization for vessels not subject to fixed rate charters; 

pension and share option expense; 

mark-to-market charges in interest rate, equity swaps and foreign currency derivatives; 

foreign currency exchange gains and losses; 

our access to capital required to acquire additional vessels and/or to implement our business strategy; 

the performance of our equity interests; 

increases in operating costs; and 

our level of debt and the related interest expense and amortization of principal. 

Please see the section of this annual report entitled Item 3, "Key Information - Risk Factors" for a discussion of certain 

risks inherent in our business. 

Important Financial and Operational Terms and Concepts

We use a variety of financial and operational terms and concepts when analyzing our performance.  These include the 

following: 

Total  Operating  Revenues. Total  operating  revenues  refers  to  time  charter  revenues.  We  recognize  revenues  from 
time charters over the term of the charter as the applicable vessel operates under the charter.  We do not recognize revenue 
during days when the vessel is off-hire, unless the charter agreement makes a specific exception. 

Off-hire  (Including  Commercial  Waiting  Time).  Our vessels may be out of service, that is, off-hire, for three main 
reasons:  scheduled drydocking or special survey or maintenance, which we refer to as scheduled off-hire; days spent waiting 
for  a  charter,  which  we  refer  to  as  commercial  waiting  time;  and  unscheduled  repairs  or  maintenance,  which  we  refer  to  as 
unscheduled off-hire. 

Voyage  and  charterhire  Expenses.  Voyage  expenses,  which  are  primarily  fuel  costs  but  which  also  include  other 
costs such as port charges, are paid by our customers under our time charters.  However, we may incur voyage related expenses 
during off-hire periods when positioning or repositioning vessels before or after the period of a time charter or before or after 
drydocking,  which  expenses  will  be  payable  by  us.  We  also  incur  some  voyage  expenses,  principally  fuel  costs,  when  our 
vessels are in periods of commercial waiting time. Charterhire expenses being the cost of chartering in vessels to our fleet. 

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Time  Charter  Equivalent  Earnings.  In  order  to  compare  vessels  trading  under  different  types  of  charters,  it  is 
standard industry practice to measure the revenue performance of a vessel in terms of average daily time charter equivalent 
earnings, or "TCE."  For our time charters, this is calculated by dividing time charter revenues by the number of calendar days 
minus days for scheduled off-hire.  Where we are paid a fee to position or reposition a vessel before or after a time charter, this 
additional  revenue,  less  voyage  expenses,  is  included  in  the  calculation  of  TCE.  For  shipping  companies  utilizing  voyage 
charters (where the vessel owner pays voyage costs instead of the charterer), TCE is calculated by dividing voyage revenues, 
net of vessel voyage costs, by the number of calendar days minus days for scheduled off-hire.  TCE is a non-GAAP financial 
measure.  Please  see  the  section  of  this  annual  report  entitled  Item  3,  "Key  Information -  Selected  Financial  Data"  for  a 
reconciliation of TCE to our total operating revenues. 

Vessel  Operating  Expenses.  Vessel  operating  expenses  include  direct  vessel  operating  costs  associated  with 
operating  a  vessel,  such  as  crew  wages,  which  are  the  most  significant  component,  vessel  supplies,  routine  repairs, 
maintenance,  lubricating  oils,  insurance  and  management  fees  for  the  provision  of  commercial  and  technical  management 
services. 

Depreciation  and  Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense, or the periodic cost charged to our income 
for the reduction in usefulness and long-term value of our ships, is related to the number of vessels we own or operate under 
long-term  capital  leases.  We  depreciate  the  cost  of  our  owned  vessels,  less  their  estimated  residual  value,  and  amortize  the 
amount of our capital lease assets over their estimated economic useful lives, on a straight-line basis.  We amortize our deferred 
drydocking  costs  over  two  to  five  years  based  on  each  vessel's  next  anticipated  drydocking.  Income  derived  from  sale  and 
subsequently leased assets is deferred and amortized in proportion to the amortization of the leased assets. 

Administrative  Expenses.  Administrative  expenses  are  composed  of  general  overhead,  including  personnel  costs, 
legal  and  professional  fees,  costs  associated  with  project  development,  property  costs  and  other  general  administration 
expenses.  Included  within  administrative  expenses  are  pension  and  share  option  expenses.  Pension  expense  includes  costs 
associated  with  a  defined  benefit  pension  plan  we  maintain  for  some  of  our  office-based  employees  (the  U.K. 
Scheme).  Although this scheme is now closed to new entrants the cost of provision of this benefit will vary with the movement 
of actuarial variables and the value of the pension fund assets. 

Interest  Expense  and  Interest  Income.  Interest  expense  depends  on  our  overall  level  of  borrowings  and  may 
significantly increase when we acquire or lease ships.  During a newbuilding construction or FSRU retrofitting period, interest 
expense  incurred  is  capitalized  in  the  cost  of  the  newbuilding  or  vessel.  Interest  expense  may  also  change  with  prevailing 
interest  rates,  although  interest  rate  swaps  or  other  derivative  instruments  may  reduce  the  effect  of  these  changes.  Interest 
income will depend on prevailing interest rates and the level of our cash deposits and restricted cash deposits. 

Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets.  Our  vessels  are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of our vessels' carrying 
amounts, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and estimates in respect of residual or scrap value. 
We estimate those future cash flows based on the existing service potential of our vessels. Following expiration of our time 
charter contracts, our estimate of market charter rates assumes that we will be able to renew our time charter contracts at their 
existing or lower rates rather than at escalated rates, and that the costs of operating those vessels reflects our average operating 
costs  experienced  historically.  We  follow  a  traditional  present  value  approach,  whereby  a  single  set  of  future  cash  flows  is 
estimated. If the carrying value of a vessel were to exceed the undiscounted future cash flows, we would write the vessel down 
to its fair value, which is calculated by using a risk-adjusted rate of interest. 

Other  Financial  Items.  Other  financial  items  include  financing  fee  arrangement  costs,  amortization  of  deferred 
financing costs, market valuation adjustments for interest rate swap, interest rate cash settlements, foreign currency swap and 
equity swap derivatives and foreign exchange gains/losses.  The market valuation adjustment for our derivatives may have a 
significant  impact  on  our  results  of  operations  and  financial  position  although  it  does  not  impact  our  liquidity.  Foreign 
exchange gains or losses arise primarily due to the retranslation of our capital lease obligations and the cash deposits securing 
those obligations that are denominated in GBP.  Any gain or loss represents an unrealized gain or loss and will arise over time 
as a result of exchange rate movements.  Our liquidity position will only be affected to the extent that we choose or are required 
to withdraw monies from or pay additional monies into the deposits securing our capital lease obligations or if the leases are 
terminated. 

52

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Inflation and Cost Increases

Although  inflation  has  had  a  moderate  impact  on  operating  expenses,  interest  costs,  drydocking  expenses  and 
overhead,  we  do  not  expect  inflation  to  have  a  significant  impact  on  direct  costs  in  the  current  and  foreseeable  economic 
environment other than potentially in relation to insurance costs and crew costs.  It is anticipated that insurance costs, which 
have  risen  over  the  last  three  years,  will  continue  to  rise  over  the  next  few  years  and  rates  may  exceed  the  general  level  of 
inflation.  LNG transportation is a specialized area and the number of vessels has increased rapidly.  Therefore, there has been 
an increased demand for qualified crews, which has and will continue to the same extent to put inflationary pressure on crew 
costs.  Only vessels on full cost, pass-through charters would be protected from any crew cost increases.  The impact of these 
increases will be mitigated to some extent by the following provisions in our charters: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

The  Golar  Mazo's charter provides for operating cost and insurance cost pass-throughs and so we will be 
protected from the impact of the vast majority of such increases. 

The  Methane  Princess'  charter  provides  that  the  operating  cost  component  of  the  charter  hire  rate, 
established  at  the  beginning  of  the  charter,  will  increase  by  a  fixed  percentage  per  annum,  except  for 
insurance, which is covered at cost. 

Under  the  OSAs  for  both  the Golar Spirit and the Golar Winter, the hire amounts are payable in Brazilian 
Reais.  The  hire  payable  under  the  OSAs  covers  all  vessel  operating  expenses,  other  than  drydocking  and 
insurance which are covered under the Time Charter Party.  The hire amounts payable under the OSAs were 
established  between  the  parties  at  the  time  the  charter  was  entered  into  and  will  be  adjusted  based  on  a 
specified mix of consumer price and U.S. Dollar foreign exchange rate indices on an annual basis. 

The  Golar  Freeze  charter  adjusts  for  the  operating  expenses  element  annually  to  take  into  account  cost 
increases. 

Results of Operations 

Our results for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were affected by several key factors: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

realized  losses  of  $6.2  million  within  other  operating  gains  and  losses  relate  to  trades  transacted  by  Golar 
Commodities in 2010; 

financing arrangement fees and other costs of $6.7 million and a further $7.7 million loss on termination in 2010 
in respect of termination of certain lease financing arrangements; 

an impairment charge of $4.5 million in 2010 against our long term investments and assets represents a write 
down of our cost of investment in TORP Technology and a write down in respect of certain FSRU equipment 
originally acquired in 2007 and prior; 

the piecemeal disposal of our interest in LNGL resulting in a gain of $4.2 million and $8.4 million in 2010 and 
2009, respectively; 

a realized gain arising on the termination of the Company's equity swap in respect of Arrow Energy which 
resulted in a net gain of approximately $7.8 million in 2009; 

the  movement  in  mark-to-market valuations of our derivative instruments and the impact of the adoption of 
hedge accounting, effective from October 1, 2008 for certain of our interest rate swap derivatives; and 

bank loan and other financing arrangements that we have entered; 

the acquisition of the Golar Arctic in January 2008; 

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·  

·  

·  

·  

the gain on disposal of the Golar Frost in 2008 realizing a gain of $78.1 million; 

our vessels not on long-term charters affected by commercial waiting time.  During 2010, the Golar Arctic and 
the  Ebisu  operated  in  the  spot  market;  and  the Hilli  was  in  lay-up.  Also  the  three  vessels  on  five-year 
charters  with  Shell;  the Grand,  the Golar Viking  and the Golar Maria, or the Shell vessels, are subject to 
variable (market) charter rates and commercial waiting time; 

the periods of time three of our vessels spent in shipyards undergoing retrofitting for FSRU service; 

share options expense. 

The impact of these factors is discussed in more detail below. 

Year ended December 31, 2010, compared with the year ended December 31, 2009.

As of 2010, we manage our business and analyze and report our results of operations on the basis of two segments: 
vessel operations and commodity trading.  In order to provide investors with additional information we have provided analysis 
divided between these two segments. 

Vessel Operations 

Operating revenues, voyage and charter-hire expenses and average daily time charter equivalent 

(in thousands of $) 
Total operating revenues 
Voyage and charter-hire expenses 

2010 
244,045 
(32,311)   

2009 
216,495 
(39,463)   

Change 
27,550 
(7,152)   

Change 

13%
(18%)

The increase in total operating revenues in 2010 compared to 2009 can primarily be explained by: 

·  

·  

A  full  year's  revenue  of  the Golar  Winter in 2010 as compared to approximately four months in 2009. The 
Golar Winter commenced its 10-year charter with Petrobras in September 2009 following its FSRU retrofitting. 

The Golar Freeze was delivered under its 10 year time charter to DUSUP and was onhire commencing May 
16, 2010 following its successful conversion to a FSRU vessel. The vessel earned approximately five months 
of revenue in 2009 prior to entering the shipyard. 

Partially offset by a decrease in operating revenues arising from: 

·  

·  

An overall decline in charter rates and lower utilization levels of our vessels trading on the spot market or in 
lay-up  in  2010  for  the Golar Arctic and the Ebisu. This also includes our vessels operating under the Shell 
five-year  charters  subject  to  variable  (market)  charter  rates  and  commercial  waiting  time for  the  Grand, the 
Maria and the Viking. The chartered-in vessel, the Ebisu, was returned to its owners in September 2010. 

The Gimi and the Khannur completed their long term charters with BG during the third quarter of 2010. These 
vessels were inactive during the last quarter of 2010. 

Voyage  and  charter-hire  expenses  largely  relate  to  fuel  costs  associated  with  commercial  waiting  time,  vessel 

positioning costs and charterhire expenses. 

The decrease of $7.2 million in 2010 compared to 2009 was principally as a result of the decreased charterhire costs on 
the Ebisu which was on charter to us until late September 2010, thus incurring approximately nine months of charterhire costs in 
2010 as compared to a full year in 2009. Furthermore during 2009 the Golar Winter incurred positioning costs from Singapore to 
Brazil at our cost following the completion of its FSRU conversion. 

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This is partially offset by increased fuel costs on a number of the spot hire vessels as a result of lower utilization in 
2010 compared with 2009.  While a vessel is on-hire, fuel costs are typically borne by the charterer, whereas during periods of 
commercial waiting time, fuel costs are borne by us. 

Calendar days less scheduled off-hire days 

3,901     

4,145     

(244)    

Average daily TCE (to the closest $100)

  $

57,200    $

47,400    $

9,800 

(6%)

21%

2010

2009

    Change

Change 

Average daily TCE is calculated as $57,200 and $47,400 in 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase in average daily 
TCE can be explained by the reasons described above and primarily as a result of higher charterhire rates received for the FSRU 
vessels. 

The available trading days of our vessels trading in the spot market during 2010 and the vessels under the Shell five 
year charters was 1,724 and 1,957 days in 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Commercial waiting days in 2010 and 2009 were 56% and 
38% of available trading days for these vessels, respectively. 

Vessel Operating Expenses

(in  thousands  of  $,  except  for  average  daily  vessel  operating 
costs) 
Vessel operating expenses 

2010 
52,910 

2009 
60,709 

Change 

(7,799)   

Average daily vessel operating costs 

12,080 

13,410 

(1,330)   

Change 

(13%)

(10%)

The decrease in vessel operating expenses is mainly due to the Gimi and Khannur being in lay-up during the whole of 
2010 as compared to only part of 2009 and therefore incurring reduced operating costs. The Golar Frost was redelivered to its 
new owners in May 2009 thus incurring no operating costs in 2010. 

This  decrease  is  partially  offset  by  increased  operating  costs  of  the Golar  Winter  and  the Golar  Freeze  due  to 

increased costs for operating FSRU vessels. 

Administrative Expenses

(in thousands of $) 
Administrative expenses 

2010 
16,580 

2009 
19,958 

Change 

(3,378)   

Change 

(17%)

The decrease in administrative expenses was primarily due to a significant decrease in project related administrative 

costs in 2010 compared to 2009. 

Depreciation and Amortization

(in thousands of $) 
Depreciation and amortization 

2010 
65,038 

2009 
63,482 

Change 
1,556 

Change 

3%

Depreciation and amortization has increased mainly due to a full year's depreciation for the Golar Winter FSRU capital 
expenditure in 2010 compared with approximately four months in 2009 and also the commencement of depreciation for the Golar 
Freeze FSRU retrofitting expenditure pursuant to the completion of its retrofitting in May 2010. 

Impairment of long-term assets 

(in thousands of $) 
Impairment of long lived asset 
Impairment of unlisted investment 
Impairment of long-term assets 

2010 
1,500 
3,000 
4,500 

2009 
1,500 
- 
1,500 

Change 
- 
3,000 
3,000 

Change 
- 
100%
200%

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The impairment charge of long-lived assets of $1.5 million in both 2010 and 2009 relates to parts ordered for the FSRU 
conversion  project  that  were  not  required  for  the  conversion  of  the Golar  Spirit  and  therefore  reflects  a  lower  recoverable 
amount for these parts. Some of these parts were used in the retrofitting of the Golar Freeze during 2009. As of December 31, 
2010, the total carrying value of the remaining equipment is $12.0 million. Of these parts, $8 million have been earmarked for use 
in the conversion of the Khannur. 

During  2010,  we  identified  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  that  indicated  the  carrying  value  of  our  unlisted 

investment in TORP Technology was not recoverable and wrote off $3 million. 

Net Financial Expenses

(in thousands of $) 
Interest income from capital lease restricted cash deposits
Other interest income 
Interest Income 
Capital lease interest expense 
Other debt related interest expense 

2010 
4,135 
156 
4,291 
(9,705)   

2009 
11,464 
246 
11,710 
(19,730)   

Change 

Change 

(7,329)   
(90)   
(7,419)   
10,025 

Interest Expense 
Mark-to-market adjustments for interest  rate swap derivatives 
Interest rate swap cash settlements
Loss on termination of lease financing arrangements
Net foreign currency adjustments for re-translation of lease related 
balances and mark-to-market adjustments for the Winter Lease 
related currency swap derivative
Mark-to-market adjustments for foreign currency derivatives 
(excluding the Winter Lease related currency swap derivative)
Mark-to-market adjustments for equity swap derivatives including 
gain on termination
Other 
Other Financial Items, net 

(22,949)   
(32,654)   
(5,295)   
(13,018)   
(7,777)   

(24,168)   
(43,898)   
17,385 
(13,976)   

- 

1,219 
11,244 
(22,680)   
958 
(7,777)   

(2,989)   

8,387 

(11,376)   

(136%)

574 

- 

(9,907)   
(38,412)   

9,699 

(9,125)   

(94%)

17,603 
(8,602)   
30,496 

(17,603)   
(1,305)   
(68,908)   

(100%)
(15%)
(226%)

(64%)
(37%)
(63%)
51%

5%
26%
(130%)
7%
(100%)

Lease deposit interest income decreased by $7.3 million in 2010 compared to 2009 due mainly to a substantial decrease 
in  interest  rates  in  2010  compared  to  2009.  This  was  also  due  to  a  lower  requirement  in  certain  of  our  capital  lease  related 
restricted cash deposits in lieu of the additional security afforded to the lessors as a result of our entry into long-term charters 
with the respective vessel.  The depreciation of GBP against the U.S. Dollar also impacted our interest income earned on our 
restricted cash deposits, or LC deposits, denominated in GBP. 

Capital lease interest expense decreased to $9.7 million in 2010 compared to $19.7 million in 2009 as a result primarily of 
the  decrease  in  interest  rates  in  2010  compared  with  2009.  Some  of  the  decrease  can  also  be  attributed  to  the  effect  of  the 
depreciation of GBP against the U.S. Dollar on interest expense on our lease balances denominated in GBP. 

The decrease in other debt related interest expense by $1.2 million was for the most part driven by lower USD LIBOR 

interest rates in 2010. 

Mark-to-market adjustments for interest rate swap derivatives resulted in a loss of $5.3 million in 2010 compared to a 
gain  of  $17.4  million  in  2009.  In  2009,  long-term interest rate swap costs increased from 2008 levels resulting in a gain for the 
year. In 2010, long term interest rate swap rates declined for the first nine months of the year and, although rising in the fourth 
quarter, still declined over the year. This resulted in a loss for 2010. We hedge account for certain of our interest rate swaps. 
Accordingly, a further $8.6 million loss which would otherwise have been recognized in earnings in 2010 has been accounted for 
as a change in other comprehensive income. 

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Loss on termination of lease financing arrangements of $7.7 million in 2010 relates to the settlement of the Five Ship 
Leases obligations in 2010.  The five ship leases, or Five Ship Leases, refer to leasing transactions that took place in April 2003 
during the sale of five 100 percent owned subsidiaries to a financial institution in the UK.  The subsidiaries were established in 
Bermuda, to each own and operate one LNG vessel as their sole asset.  Simultaneous with the sale of the five entities, we leased 
each of the five vessels under five separate lease agreements. 

Foreign  exchange  gains  and  losses  arise  as  a  result  of  the  retranslation  of  our  capital  lease  obligations,  the  cash 
deposits securing those obligations and the movement in the fair value of the currency swap used to hedge the Golar Winter 
lease obligation.  The loss of $3 million in 2010 was mainly due to the appreciation of the U.S. Dollar against GBP.  Of the $3 
million net foreign exchange loss in 2010, a loss of $7.6 million (2009: $21 million gain) arose in respect of the mark-to-market 
valuation of the Golar Winter currency swap representing the movement in the fair value.  This swap hedges the currency risk 
arising from lease rentals due in respect of the Golar Winter GBP lease rental obligation, by translating GBP payments into U.S. 
Dollar payments at a fixed GBP/USD exchange rate (i.e. Golar receives GBP and pays U.S. Dollars).  The loss arose due to the 
appreciation of the U.S Dollar against the GBP during the year and represents an unrealized loss.  The gain on retranslation of 
the  lease  obligation  in  respect  of  the  Golar  Winter  Lease,  which  this  swap  hedges,  was  $4.3  million  (2009:  $12.8  million 
gain).  This gain represents an unrealized gain. 

Mark-to-market  adjustments  for  currency  swap  derivatives  resulting  in  a  gain  of  $0.5  million  (excluding  the  Winter 
Lease related currency swaps as already discussed above) refers to currency forward contracts entered into in connection with 
our various FSRU conversion projects. 

Mark-to-market  adjustments  for  equity  swap  derivatives  resulting  in  a  gain  of  $17.6  million  in  2009  refers  to  equity 
swap, or Total Return Swap, transactions linked to our own shares and that of Arrow Energy Limited, a company listed on the 
Australian stock exchange, under short-term arrangements.  There was no obligation by us to acquire any shares from either of 
the counterparties.  Both equity swaps were terminated during the year ended December 31, 2009. 

Other items represent, amongst other things, bank charges, the amortization of debt related expenses,  foreign currency 

differences arising on retranslation of foreign currency and gains or losses on short term foreign currency forward contracts. 

Income Taxes

(in thousands of $) 
Income taxes 

2010 
1,427 

2009 
1,643 

Change 

Change 

(216)   

(13%)

Income taxes relate primarily to the taxation of our U.K. based vessel operating companies and our Brazilian subsidiary 

established in 2008 in connection with our Petrobras long-term charters. 

Equity in Net Losses of Investees including Gain on Sale of Investee and Available-for-sale Securities 

(in thousands of $) 
Equity in net losses of investees 

2010 
(1,435)   

2009 
(4,902)   

Change 
3,467 

Change 

71%

Gain on sale of investee 

- 

8,355 

(8,355)   

(100%)

Gain on sale of available for sale securities 

4,196 

- 

4,196 

100%

The  decline  in  equity  in  net  losses  of  investees,  gain  on  sale  of  investees  and  gain  on  sale  of  available-for-sale 
securities  relates  to  the  disposal  of  our  investment  in  LNGL.  LNGL  is  an  Australian  listed  company.  From  April  2006  to 
November 2009, we equity accounted for our investment in LNGL. In November 2009, we disposed of 9.6 million shares in LNGL 
for  a  net  gain  of  $8.4  million  as  presented  in  the  line  "Gain  on  sale  of  investee",  which  reduced  our  interest  to 
6.3%.  Accordingly, as of the date of disposal we ceased to equity account for our share of LNGL's net losses.  In 2010, we 
disposed of the balance of our shareholding realizing a net gain of $4.2 million, which has been shown in the line "Gain on sale 
of available-for-sale securities". 

57

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, we recognized net income of $13.1 million in 2010, compared to $31.5 million in 2009. 

Noncontrolling Interest

(in thousands of $) 
Noncontrolling interest 

2010 
5,825 

2009 
(8,419)   

Change 
14,244 

Change 

169%

Noncontrolling interest refers to the 40% ownership interest held by Chinese Petroleum Corporation in the Golar Mazo 

and a 39% interest held by private investors in our listed subsidiary Golar Energy, a subsidiary formed in 2009. 

The movement of $14.2 million in 2010 relates primarily to the noncontrolling interest portion of the net loss of $15.1 
million in our listed subsidiary Golar Energy to December 31, 2010. This is partially offset by the non controlling interest portion 
of the Golar Mazo 2010 profit of $9.3 million. 

LNG Trading

In 2010, we started up a new LNG trading business. Accordingly, there is no comparative information for this segment 

in 2009 as it was not in existence at that time. 

 (in thousands of $) 
Administrative expenses 
Depreciation 
Other operating gains and losses 
Other financial items 
Net loss 

2010 
6,252 
38 
6,230 
186 
12,706 

2009 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Change 
6,252 
38 
6,230 
186 
12,706 

Change 

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

The administrative costs for Golar Commodities primarily relate to start up and other general administrative costs for 
this division. In particular this comprises costs such as general overhead, personnel costs, legal and professional fees and other 
general and administrative costs. 

Other operating gains and losses represents realized losses on physical cargo trades, financial derivative contracts and 

proprietary trades entered into in 2010. 

Year ended December 31, 2009, compared with the year ended December 31, 2008

Vessel Operations 

In 2010, we started up a new LNG commodity trading business. Accordingly, there is no comparative information for this 
segment in 2009 as it was not in existence at that time. Therefore the results below represent solely the results for the vessel 
operations segment for 2009 compared with 2008. 

Operating revenues, voyage and charter-hire expenses and average daily time charter equivalent 

(in thousands of $) 
Total operating revenues 
Voyage and charter-hire expenses 

2009 
216,495 
(39,463)   

2008 
228,779 
(33,126)   

Change 
(12,284)   
6,337 

Change 

(5%)
19%

58

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
The decrease in total operating revenues in 2009 compared to 2008 can primarily be explained by: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

off-hire  time  incurred  by  the Golar Freeze upon entering the shipyard to commence its FSRU retrofitting in 
September 2009. The vessel earned approximately five months of revenue in 2009 as opposed to a full year of 
earnings in 2008. 

An overall decline in charter rates and lower utilization levels of our vessels trading on the spot market or in 
lay-up in 2009 for the Golar Frost, the Golar Arctic and the Ebisu, including our vessels operating under the 
Shell five-year charters subject to variable (market) charter rates and commercial waiting time for the Grand, 
the Maria and the Viking.  The total operating revenues generated by these vessels in 2009 were $63.9 million 
as compared to $79.6 million in 2008. 

the  Golar  Arctic  which  was  acquired  in  January  2008  went  on  charter  to  Shell  for  the  remainder  of  2008 
whereas the vessel had a considerable period of off-hire during 2009. 

the Hilli did not earn revenue in 2009 compared to four months of 2008 after entering into lay-up in April 2008. 

Partially offset by an increase in operating revenues arising from: 

·  

A full year's revenue of the Golar Spirit in 2009 as opposed to approximately six months in 2008. 

Voyage  and  charter-hire expenses, which largely relate to fuel costs associated with commercial waiting time, vessel 
positioning costs and charterhire expenses increased by $6.3 million in 2009 compared to 2008, principally as a result of reduced 
levels of utilization in 2009 which resulted in higher fuel costs payable by us. While a vessel is on-hire, fuel costs are typically 
borne by the charterer, whereas during periods of commercial waiting time, fuel costs are borne by us. This increase is also as a 
result  of  the  increased  charterhire  costs  on  the  Ebisu  which  we  chartered  in  late  September  2008,  thus  we  incurred 
approximately three months of charterhire costs in 2008 as opposed to a full year in 2009. 

Calendar days less scheduled off-hire days 

2009

2008

    Change

  Change

4,145     

4,298     

(153)    

Average daily TCE (to the closest $100)

  $

47,400    $

45,700    $

1,700 

(4%)

4%

Average daily TCE is calculated as $47,400 and $45,700 in 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The increase in average daily 
TCE can be explained by the reasons described above and primarily as a result of higher charterhire rates received for the FSRU 
vessels. 

The available trading days of our vessels trading in the spot market during 2009 and the vessels under the Shell five 
year charters was 1,957 and 2,640 days in 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Commercial waiting days in 2009 and 2008 were 38% and 
26% of available trading days for these vessels, respectively. 

Gain on sale of vessel

(in thousands of $) 
Gain on sale of vessel 

2009 
- 

2008 
78,108 

Change 
(78,108)   

Change 

(100%)

In July 2008, we sold the Golar Frost to OLT-O for $231.0 million, recognizing a gain on sale of $78.1 million. 

Vessel Operating Expenses

(in  thousands  of  $,  except  for  average  daily  vessel  operating 
costs) 
Vessel operating expenses 

2009 
60,709 

2008 
61,868 

Change 

(1,159)   

Average daily vessel operating costs 

13,410 

13,041 

383 

Change 

(2%)

3%

59

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
 
 
   
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
The  decrease  in  vessel  operating  expenses  is  mainly  due  to  the Hilli  being  in  lay-up  for  the  entirety  of  2009  and 

therefore incurring reduced operating costs as well as the fact that the Golar Frost redelivered to its new owners in May 2009 

This  decrease  is  partially  offset  by  increased  operating  costs  of  the Golar  Spirit  and  the Golar  Winter  due  to 

increased costs for operating FSRU vessels, in particular increased crew costs as well as general operating cost increases. 

Administrative Expenses

(in thousands of $) 
Administrative expenses 

2009 
19,958 

2008 
17,815 

Change 
2,143 

Change 

12%

The increase in administrative expenses in 2009 compared to 2008 was mainly due to: 

·  

an increase of $3.5 million in expenses relating to project business development. These costs include legal fees 
consultants and professional expenses, contractor costs and travel expenses; 

This is partially offset by a decrease of $2.4 million in the charge relating to share options. 

Depreciation and Amortization

(in thousands of $) 
Depreciation and amortization 

2009 
63,482 

2008 
62,005 

Change 
1,477 

Change 

2%

Depreciation  and  amortization  has  increased  mainly  due  to  a  full  year's  depreciation  for  the Golar Spirit capitalized 
FSRU assets in 2009 compared with approximately six months in 2008 and also the commencement of depreciation of the costs 
arising from completion of the Golar Winter FSRU retrofitting in July 2009. 

This  is  partially  offset  by  the  depreciation  cost  for  the Golar  Frost  for  three  months  in  2008  compared  to  no 

depreciation in 2009. 

Impairment and gain on long-lived assets 

(in thousands of $) 
Impairment of long-lived assets 
Gain on sale of long-lived assets 

2009 
1,500 
- 

2008 
110 
430 

Change 
1,390 
(430)   

Change 

1,263%
(100%)

The impairment charge in 2009 and 2008 relates to parts ordered for the FSRU conversion project that were not required 
for  the  conversion  of  the Golar Spirit and therefore reflects a lower recoverable amount for these parts. Some of these parts 
were used in the retrofitting of the Golar Freeze during 2009. In mid 2008, we sold some of these parts recognizing a gain on 
sale of $0.4 million.  As of December 31, 2009, the total carrying value of the remaining equipment is $13.6 million. 

60

  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Net Financial Expenses

(in thousands of $) 
Interest income from capital lease restricted cash deposits
Other interest income 
Interest Income 
Capital lease interest expense 
Other debt related interest expense 
Interest Expense 
Mark-to-market adjustments for interest  rate swap derivatives 
Interest rate swap cash settlements
Net foreign currency adjustments for re-translation of lease related 
balances and mark-to-market adjustments for the Winter lease 
related currency swap derivative
Mark-to-market adjustments for foreign currency derivatives 
(excluding the Winter lease related currency swap derivative)
Mark-to-market adjustments for equity swap derivatives including 
gain on termination
Fixed-rate debt settlement costs 
Finance transaction-related costs previously capitalized 
Other than temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities 
Other 
Other Financial Items, net 

2009 
11,464 
246 
11,710 
(19,730)   
(24,168)   
(43,898)   
17,385 
(13,976)   

8,387 

9,699 

17,603 
- 
- 
- 

(8,602)   
30,496 

2008 
42,869 
2,959 
45,828 
(53,157)   
(43,332)   
(96,489)   
(30,459)   
(4,922)   

Change 
(31,405)   
(2,713)   
(34,118)   
33,427 
5,188 
38,615 
47,844 
(9,054)   

(7,964)   

16,351 

(9,520)   

19,219 

(8,748)   
(8,998)   
(4,189)   
(1,871)   
(10,351)   
(87,022)   

26,351 
8,998 
4,189 
1,871 
1,749 
117,518 

Change 

(73%)
(92%)
(74%)
63%
12%
40%
157%
184%

205%

202%

301%
100%
100%
100%
17%
385%

Lease deposit interest income decreased by $31 million in 2009 compared to 2008 due mainly to a substantial decrease 
in  interest  rates  in  2009  compared  to  2008.  This  was  also  due  to  a  lower  requirement  in  certain  of  our  capital  lease  related 
restricted cash deposits in lieu of the additional security afforded to the lessors as a result of our entry into long-term charters 
with the respective vessel.  The depreciation of GBP against the U.S. Dollar also impacted our interest income earned on our 
letters of credit, or LC deposits, denominated in GBP. 

Capital lease interest expense decreased to $19.7 million in 2009 compared to $53.2 million in 2008 as a result primarily of 
the  decrease  in  interest  rates  in  2009  compared  with  2008.  Some  of  the  decrease  can  also  be  attributed  to  the  effect  of  the 
depreciation of GBP against the U.S. Dollar on interest expense on our lease balances denominated in GBP. 

The decrease in other debt related interest expense by $5.2 million was for the most part driven by lower USD LIBOR 

interest rates in 2009. 

Mark-to-market adjustments for interest rate swap derivatives resulted in a gain of $17.4 million in 2009 compared to a 
loss of $30.5 million in 2008. In the year ended 2008, there was a persistent decline in long-term swap rates however throughout 
the year ended December 31, 2009 interest rate swap rates began to level out and in some cases began to increase thus in effect, 
cancelling  out  some  of  the  loss  incurred  in  2008.  During  2008  we  adopted  hedge  accounting  for  certain  of  our  interest  rate 
swaps, effective as of October 1, 2008. Accordingly, a further $11.6 million gain (2008: $26 million loss), which would have been 
recognized in current earnings have been accounted for as a movement in other comprehensive income. 

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Interest  rate  cash  settlement  costs  represent  the  net  period  settlement  costs  relating  to  the  interest  rate  swaps  not 
currently hedged. These costs have increased by $9 million due primarily to the increase in the number of swaps entered into by 
us in 2009 compared with 2008. 

Foreign  exchange  gains  and  losses  arise  as  a  result  of  the  retranslation  of  our  capital  lease  obligations,  the  cash 
deposits securing those obligations and the movement in the fair value of the currency swap used to hedge the Golar Winter 
lease obligation.  The gain in 2009 was mainly due to the appreciation of the U.S. Dollar against GBP.  Of the $8.4 million net 
foreign exchange gain in 2009, a gain of $21.0 million (2008: $51 million loss) arose in respect of the mark-to-market valuation of 
the Golar Winter currency swap representing the movement in the fair value.  This swap hedges the currency risk arising from 
lease  rentals  due  in  respect  of  the  Golar  Winter  GBP  lease  rental  obligation,  by  translating  GBP  payments  into  U.S.  Dollar 
payments  at  a  fixed  GBP/USD  exchange  rate  (i.e.  Golar  receives  GBP  and  pays  U.S.  Dollars).  The  gain  arose  due  to  the 
appreciation of the U.S Dollar against the GBP during the year and represents an unrealized gain.  The loss on retranslation of 
the  lease  obligation  in  respect  of  the  Golar  Winter  lease,  which  this  swap  hedges,  was  $12.8  million  (2008:  $44.5  million 
gain).  This loss represents an unrealized loss. 

 Mark-to-market  adjustments  for  currency  swap  derivatives  resulting  in  a  gain  of  $9.7  million  (excluding  the  Winter 
lease related currency swaps as already discussed above) refers to currency forward contracts entered into in 2008 and 2009 in 
connection with our various FSRU conversion projects. 

Mark-to-market  adjustments  for  equity  swap  derivatives  resulting  in  a  gain  of  $17.6  million  in  2009  refers  to  equity 
swap, or Total Return Swap, transactions linked to our own shares and that of Arrow Energy Limited, a company listed on the 
Australian stock exchange, under short-term arrangements.  There was no obligation by us to acquire any shares from either of 
the counterparties.  Both equity swaps were terminated during the year ended December 31, 2009. 

In 2008 the fixed-rate debt settlement costs of $9.0 million arose from the refinancing of the Methane Princess loan in 
connection with the Golar LNG Partners credit revolving facility entered into in November 2008.  At the time of the refinancing, 
$125 million of the Methane Princess loan was fixed-rate debt.  Accordingly, simultaneous with the refinancing of the original 
debt the fixed-rate debt portion was cancelled resulting in the charge. However, we immediately entered into interest rate swaps 
for a similar amount of debt at a lower interest rate. 

Finance transaction-related costs of $4.2 million in 2008 previously capitalized associated with our plans for a corporate 

restructuring and financing were written-off in 2008 due to the passage of time since these costs were initially incurred. 

The  other-than-temporary  impairment  charge  in  2008  of  $1.9  million  relates  to  our  investment  in  BW  Gas  Limited 
originally acquired at a cost of $2.4 million in 2008, which is listed on the Oslo stock exchange.  During the fourth quarter of 
2008, we concluded that unrealized losses on the investment were other-than-temporary by virtue of the severity of the decline 
in the market value versus the cost basis.  Accordingly, amounts previously recognized as unrealized losses amounting to $0.4 
million were reclassified from the statement of equity and recognized within the income statement.  In addition, the Company 
recognized losses from impairment from available-for-sale securities totalling $1.5 million immediately in the income statement in 
the fourth quarter of 2008. There was no other-than-temporary impairment charge in 2009. 

Other items represent, amongst other things, bank charges, the amortization of debt related expenses,  foreign currency 
differences  arising  on  retranslation  of  foreign  currency  and  gain  or  losses  on  short  term  foreign  currency  forward 
contracts.  The  difference  is  mainly  due  to  a  write-off  of  $1.5  million  financing  fees  that  occurred  in  2008  as  a  result  of  the 
refinancing of the Methane Princess loan and the portion of the Golar Gas Holding loan relating to the Golar Spirit, that were 
replaced by the Golar LNG Partners revolving credit facility. 

Income Taxes

(in thousands of $) 
Income taxes 

2009 
1,643 

2008 
510 

Change 
1,133 

Change 

222%

Income taxes relate primarily to the taxation of our U.K. based vessel operating companies and our Brazilian subsidiary 
recently established in connection with our Petrobras long-term charters.  The increase in income taxes from $0.5 million in 2008 
to  a  $1.6  million  charge  in  2009  was  mainly  due  to  Brazilian  taxes  of  $1.1  million  arising  from  the Golar  Spirit and  also 
the commencement of the Golar Winter charter with Petrobras during 2009. 

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Equity in Net Losses of Investees including Gain on Sale of Investee and Available-for-sale Securities 

(in thousands of $) 
Equity in net losses of investees 

2009 
(4,902)   

2008 
(2,406)   

Change 
(2,496)   

Change 

104%

Gain on sale of investee 

8,355 

- 

8,355 

100%

Equity in net losses of investees relates mainly to the company's 50% investment in Bluewater, the owner of the vessel 
Gandria, and the Company's investment in LNGL. The increase in our share of the loss from $2.4 million in 2008 to $4.9 million in 
2009 relates principally to our share of the losses incurred by LNGL, as a result of expenditure incurred in relation to LNGL's 
primary project, the Gladstone project and also our share of Bluewaters' loss for a full year in 2009 as opposed to approximately 
six months in 2008. 

In November 2009, we sold a block of 9.6 million LNGL shares which reduced our shareholding to approximately 6.3% 
of LNGL's issued share capital. Accordingly as of the date of disposal we ceased to equity account for our share of LNGL's 
losses. The sale realized funds of approximately $11 million and resulted in an accounting profit of $8.4 million. 

Net Income

As a result of the foregoing, we recognized net income of $31.5 million in 2009, representing an increase from a net loss 

of $3.3 million in 2008. 

Noncontrolling Interest

(in thousands of $) 
Noncontrolling interest 

2009 
8,419 

2008 
6,705 

Change 
1,714 

Change 

26%

Noncontrolling interest refers to the 40% ownership interest held by Chinese Petroleum Corporation in the Golar Mazo 
and a 26.21% interest held by private investors in the Golar Energy a subsidiary newly formed in 2009.   The movement of $1.7 
million in 2009 relates primarily to the Golar Mazo 2009 profit. The remainder relates to the noncontrolling interest portion of the 
net loss of $2.2 million in Golar Energy from inception to December 31, 2009. 

B.      Liquidity and Capital Resources 

Liquidity and cash requirements 

We  operate  in  a  capital  intensive  industry  and  we  have  historically  financed  our  purchase  of  LNG  carriers,  FSRU 
conversion projects and other capital expenditures through a combination of borrowings from and leasing arrangements with 
commercial banks, cash generated from operations and equity capital.  Our liquidity requirements relate to servicing our debt, 
funding investments, including the equity portion of investments in vessels and investment in the development of our project 
portfolio, funding working capital, payment of dividends and maintaining cash reserves against fluctuations in operating cash 
flows. 

Our short-term liquidity requirements relate to servicing our debt and funding working capital requirements, including 
required payments under our management agreements and administrative services agreements. Sources of short-term liquidity 
include cash balances, restricted cash balances, short-term investments, available amounts under revolving credit facilities and 
receipts from our charters. We believe that our cash flow from the charters will be sufficient to fund our anticipated debt service 
and working capital requirements for the short and medium term. 

In April 2011, we made the final balloon payment of $30.1 million on our Golar Gas Holding facility and terminated the 
facility. This facility was originally entered into in May 2001 in connection with the financing of five of our vessels. The facility 
has now been terminated. 

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The  majority  of  our  revenues  from  our  time  charters  are  received  monthly  in  advance.  Inventory  requirements, 
consisting primarily of fuel, lubricating oil and spare parts, are low due to fuel costs, which represent the majority of these costs, 
being  paid  for  by  the  charterer  under  time  charters.  Although  many  of  our  vessels  are  on  long-term time charters, we may 
require additional working capital in relation to our vessels operating in the spot market depending on their employment and 
possibly in respect of the three ships we have chartered to Shell, as these charters are at market related rates. 

We believe our current financial resources, together with cash generated from operations are sufficient to meet our 
working capital requirements for our current business, for at least the next 12 months.  As of December 31, 2010 our working 
capital which is defined as current assets less current liabilities was showing net liabilities of $42.8 million (2009: $23.6 million). 
However,  within  current  liabilities  we  include  our  mark-to market valuations of our swap derivatives which represented $76.3 
million of these net liabilities (2009: $55.4 million). In 2010, long term interest rates declined for the first nine months of the year 
and, although rising in the fourth quarter still declined over the year. We have no current intention of terminating these swaps 
and realising these liabilities. For further information refer to Note 20 and 26 of the Company's audited Consolidated Financial 
Statements included herein for detail. 

Long Term Liquidity and Cash Requirements 

Our newbuildings and FSRU conversion projects (in respect of initial capital outlays and loss of earnings of the vessel 
during modification) will result in increased working capital and funding requirements.  Additional facilities are required to meet 
our capital commitments in connection with the West Java Floating Storage Regasification Terminal.  The vessel entered the 
shipyard for its conversion in March 2011 and it is expected to be redelivered in the first quarter of 2012. In addition, in April 
2011, we entered into newbuilding agreements with Samsung for the construction of six LNG carriers with expected delivery of 
four vessels in 2013 and two in 2014. The total cost of the six vessels is approximately $1.2 billion. In addition we have purchase 
options for an additional two vessels for delivery in 2013 and onwards. 

It is intended that the funding for our commitments under the newbuilding construction program and FSRU conversion 
projects will come from a combination of existing cash resources, debt finance, cash flow from operations and potentially cash 
raised from equity issuance. As of April, 2011, additional cash facilities of approximately $900 million will be needed to meet our 
capital commitments. As is standard in the shipping industry we expect to finance between 50 to 70 per cent, and potentially 
more, of the construction cost of the newbuilds and FSRU retrofittings through traditional bank financing. 

During April 2011, our subsidiary, Golar Partners completed a public offering of 13.8 million common units at a price of 
$22.50  per  unit,  for  gross  proceeds  of  $310.5  million  which  includes  the  1.8  million  common  units  exercised  under  the  over-
allotment option by the underwriters. As a result of the offering, our ownership of Golar Partners was reduced to 65% which 
includes our 2% general partner interest. In line with our future strategy we intend to use these proceeds for the expansion of 
our fleet and other projects in addition to other short and long term liquidity requirements as discussed above. Furthermore 
Golar Partners intends to make minimum quarterly distributions of $0.3850 per common unit which will equal a $1.54 per unit 
distribution on an annualized basis, to the extent it has sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves and 
payment of fees and expenses. 

In April 2011, we entered into a new $80 million revolving credit facility a company related to our major shareholder 
World Shipholding. The facility accrues floating interest at a rate per annum of LIBOR plus 3.5% together with a commitment fee 
of 0.75% of any undrawn portion of the credit facility. The facility is available until September 2013; all amounts due under the 
facility must be repaid by then. We drew down an initial amount of $35 million in April 2011. The facility is currently unsecured. 
However, in order to draw down amounts in excess of $35 million, we will be required to provide additional security over our 
three  vessels Hilli, Gimi  and Khannur. At the same time we terminated our existing World Shipholding facility and repaid the 
$10 million outstanding. 

As at December 31, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash of $372.6 million. Subsequent to the 

yearend we have made the following significant payments and receipts: 

·  

·  

We paid a final cash dividend of $0.30 per share, amounting to $20.4 million in March 2011 in respect of the 
year ended December 31, 2010; 

We repaid $10 million of the $80 million World Shipholding revolving loan credit facility in March 2011 and 
received $35 million in proceeds as a result of entering into a new $80 million revolving credit facility with 
World Shipholding; 

64

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
·  

·  

·  

In April 2011, we received $310.5 million gross cash proceeds from the public offering of Golar Partners;

In April 2011, we repaid the final balloon payment of $30.1 million on the Golar Gas Holding facility; 

we paid approximately $115.4 million being the first instalments relating to the newbuildings. 

Our  funding  and  treasury  activities  are  conducted  within  corporate  policies  to  maximize  investment  returns  while 
maintaining appropriate liquidity for our requirements.  Cash and cash equivalents are held primarily in U.S. dollars with some 
balances held in GBPs, Singapore Dollars, Norwegian Krones and Euros.  We have not made use of derivative instruments other 
than for interest rate and currency risk management purposes, except in the case of our equity swaps and natural gas forward 
contracts, which are discussed further, please see the section of this item entitled "Derivatives." 

Acquisition of Golar Energy Shares

On  April  26,  2011,  we  increased  our  ownership  of Golar Energy from 61.1% to 90.5% by entering into agreements to 
acquire an additional 69,841,044 Golar Energy shares. The sellers will receive one newly-issued Golar LNG share for every 6.06 
Golar Energy shares. The new Golar LNG shares will be issued at $30.30. 

The share acquisitions have been organized into two transactions. In the first transaction, we have acquired 36,300,891 
shares  from  international  institutional  investors  and,  in  the  second  transaction,  we  have  acquired  33,540,153  from  World 
Shipholding Limited, our major shareholder. In the first transaction, shares will be issued immediately. In the second transaction, 
the shares will be issued upon the filing with the SEC and effectiveness of a registration statement covering such shares. The 
two transactions will increase our capital by 11,524,911 shares. 

On April 27, we further increased our ownership of Golar Energy by acquiring an additional 10,536,287 shares at $5 per 

share.  This increases our ownerhip of Golar Energy to 95.1% and the number of shares held to 226,346,347. 

Cash flows 

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities: 

Year Ended December 31,
2009

2010

2008

(in millions of ) 

Net cash provided by operating activities 
Net cash provided (used in) by investing activities 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

51.7 
364.7 
(374.0)   
42.5 
122.2 
164.7 

43.8 
(56.5)   
78.8 
66.1 
56.1 
122.2 

48.5 
(83.5)
(94.6)
(129.6)
185.7 
56.1 

In addition to our cash and cash equivalents noted above, as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, we had short-term 
restricted cash and investments of $21.8 million, $40.7 million and $60.4 million, respectively, that represents balances retained 
on restricted accounts in accordance with certain lease, loan and equity swap requirements.  These balances act as security for 
and over time are used to repay lease and loan obligations and for settlement of obligations (if any) under our equity swaps. As 
of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, our long-term restricted cash balances were $186 million, $594.2 million and $557.1 million, 
respectively.  These balances act as security for our capital lease obligations and the majority is released over time in line with 
the repayment of our lease obligations. 

Net cash provided by operating activities 

Cash generated from operations increased by $7.9 million in 2010 compared to 2009, primarily as a result of the increase 
in operating revenues and a decrease in voyage and operating costs in 2010. The Golar Winter operated under its charter for all 
of 2010 as opposed to only part of 2009. The Golar Freeze also operated under its new charter with DUSUP for seven months of 
2010 following its completion to an FSRU. This was partially offset by an increase in administrative expenses and costs relating 
to Golar Commodities and lower spot vessel earnings. 

Cash generated from operations decreased by $4.7 million in 2009 compared to 2008, primarily as a result of the lower 
earnings  from  our  vessels  operating  on  the  spot  market  arising  both  from  a  decline  in  spot  rates  and  lower  utilization,  in 
addition,  to  the  fact  that Golar Freeze was undergoing conversion for approximately six months of 2009.  This was offset by 
higher earnings from the Golar Spirit following its successful FSRU retrofitting and commencement of its long-term charter with 
Petrobras in 2008. 

Net cash  provided by investing activities 

Net cash provided by investing activities of $364.9 million increased considerably primarily due to the release of the 
restricted  cash  deposits  that  were  security  for  the  Five  Ships  Lease  obligations  which  were  settled  during  the  year.  This  is 
partially  offset  by  additions  to  vessels  and  equipment  in  2010  of  $33.9  million  primarily  relating  to  the Golar  Freeze  FSRU 
conversion. 

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
   
 
   
     
     
 
  
   
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
65

Net cash used in investing activities of $56.5 million in 2009 was mainly due to the following: 

·  

Additions  to  vessels  and  equipment  of  $113  million  comprising  payments  in  respect  of  our  various  FSRU 
conversion projects; 

Partially offset by: 

·  

·  

Release of $15 million from our deposits held as security for our capital lease obligations mainly in recognition 
of the additional security afforded to the lessors from our entry into long-term charters with the respective 
vessels. 

Proceeds of $11 million from the sale of the LNGL shares. 

Net cash used in investing activities of $83.5 million in 2008 was mainly due to additions to vessels and equipment of 
$322 million comprising the acquisition of the Golar Arctic for consideration of $185 million with the balance primarily relating to 
payment in respect of our various FSRU conversion projects. This was partially offset by proceeds of £231 million from the sale 
of the Golar Frost. 

Net cash provided by financing activities 

Net cash provided by financing activities is principally generated from funds from new debt and lease finance offset by 

debt repayments and new equity issuances. 

Net cash used in financing activities in 2010 was $374.0 million and was primarily a result of a number of items. 

·  

·  

We made repayments of $110 million on our long term debt. In December 2010 we also made a repayment of 
our  Five  Ships  Leases  obligations  of  $354.9  million  which  was  funded  by  restricted  cash  deposits  held  to 
secure the lease obligations. 

The payment of dividends during the year of $45.8 million. 

 This is partially offset by the draw down on the Golar Freeze facility of $125 million in 2010, in addition to the receipt 

of $18.7 million of proceeds arising from the exercise of warrants in Golar Energy. 

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2009 of $78.8 million was primarily as a 
result  of  the  proceeds  of  $115.4  million  from  the  issuance  of  equity  in  Golar  Energy  which  occurred  during  2009.  This  was 
partially offset by the repayment of $71.4 million of long term debt and proceeds from long term debt of $45 million of which $10 
million relates to the Greenwich facility and $35 million relates to the final drawdown of the Golar LNG Partners credit facility in 
the first quarter of 2009. 

Net  cash  used  in  financing  activities  during  the  year  ended  December  31,  2008  of  $94.6  million  was  a  result  of  the 
payment of cash dividends of $1.00 per common share, or a total of $67.4 million and borrowings in the aggregate of $370.0 
million, of which $120.0 million related to the financing for the Golar Arctic and $250 million was in respect of the refinancing of 
existing loans under the new credit facility.  We made debt repayments of $377.0 million of which $202.2 million related to the 
refinancing in connection with the Golar LNG Partners credit facility and $94.9 million related to the repayment of the Golar Frost 
facility upon receipt of proceeds from its sale. 

Borrowing activities 

Long-Term Debt 

The following is a summary of our long-term debt facilities.  Please see Note 22 to the Company's audited Consolidated 

Financial Statements included herein for detail. 

Golar Gas Holding facility 

In May 2001, we entered into a secured loan facility with a banking consortium for an amount of $325 million and in 
October 2002 entered into a secured subordinated loan facility for an amount of $60 million. These loans were refinanced in 
March  2005  for  an  amount  of  $300  million.  The  facility  was  originally  secured  against  five  vessels.  In  2008,  one  vessel  was 
refinanced under the Golar LNG Partners credit facility and another in June 2010 under the Golar Freeze facility. The facility now 
relates to the remaining three vessels. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable in quarterly installments 
over a term of six years ending in April 2011. As of December 31, 2010, the balance outstanding on the loan facility was $30.1 
million. This loan was repaid in April 2011. 

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World Shipholding facility 

In June 2009, we entered into an $80 million revolving credit facility with a related party, World Shipholding, to provide 
short-term  bridge  financing.  The  facility  accrues  fixed  interest  at  a  rate  per  annum  of  8%  together  with  a  commitment  fee  of 
0.75%  of  any  undrawn  portion  of  the  credit  facility.  The  revolving  credit  facility  is  available  for  a  period  of  two  years.  All 
amounts due under the facility must be repaid within two years from the date of the first draw down. The Company drew down 
an initial amount of $20 million in June 2009. As at December 31, 2010, the balance outstanding on the facility was $10 million, 
which was repaid in March 2011. 

In April 2011, we entered into another $80 million revolving credit facility with World Shipholding. The facility accrues 
floating interest at a rate per annum of LIBOR plus 3.5% together with a commitment fee of 0.75% of any undrawn portion of the 
credit facility. The facility is available until September 2013; all amounts due under the facility must be repaid by then. We drew 
down an initial amount of $35 million on April 13, 2011. The facility is currently unsecured. However, in order to draw down 
amounts in excess of $35 million, we will be required to provide additional security over our three vessels the Hilli, the Gimi and 
the Khannur. 

Mazo facility 

The Mazo facility was assumed by us in May 2001 and the amount originally drawn down under the facility totalled 
$214.5  million.  The  loan  is  secured  on  the  vessel Golar  Mazo.  The  facility  bears  interest  at  LIBOR  plus  a  margin  and 
repayments  are  due  bi-annually  over  the  term  until  June  2013.  The  debt  agreement  requires  that  certain  cash  balances, 
representing interest and principal repayments for defined future periods, be held by a trust company during the period of the 
loan.  These balances are referred to in these consolidated financial statements as restricted cash. 

Golar Maria facility (formerly Granosa facility) 

In April 2006 we entered into a $120 million secured loan facility with a bank for the purpose of financing the Golar 
Maria.  The facility bears floating interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable in quarterly instalments and had an 
initial term of five years.  In March 2008, the facility was restructured to lower the margin and to extend the term of the facility to 
December 2014, with a revised final balloon payment of $80.8 million due in December 2014. 

Golar Arctic facility 

In January 2008, we entered into a secured loan facility for an amount of $120 million, for the purpose of financing the 
purchase of  the Golar Arctic, which we refer to as the Golar Arctic facility.  The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin 
and is repayable in quarterly instalments over a term of seven years with a final balloon payment of $86.3 million due in January 
2015. 

Golar Viking (formerly Gracilis facility) 

In  January  2005  we  entered  into  a  $120  million  secured  loan  facility  with  a  bank  for  the  purpose  of  financing  the 

newbuilding, the Golar Viking.  This facility was refinanced in August 2007 for an amount of $120 million. 

The  structure  of  the  Golar  Viking  facility  is  such  that  the  bank  loaned  funds  of  $120  million  to  Golar,  which  the 
Company  then  re-loaned  to  a  newly  created  entity  of  the  bank,  ("Investor  Bank").  With  the  proceeds,  Investor  Bank  then 
subscribed  for  preference  shares  in  a  Golar  group  company.  Another  Golar  company  issued  a  put  option  in  respect  of  the 
preference  shares.  The  effect  of  these  transactions  is  that  Golar  is  required  to  pay  out  fixed  preference  dividends  to  the 
Investor Bank and the Investor Bank is required to pay fixed interest due on the loan from Golar to Investor Bank.  The interest 
payments to Golar by Investor Bank are contingent upon receipt of these preference dividends.  In the event these dividends 
are  not  paid,  the  preference  dividends  will  accumulate  until  such  time  as  there  are  sufficient  cash  proceeds  to  settle  all 
outstanding  arrearages.  Applying  ASC  810  to  this  arrangement,  we  have  concluded  that  we  are  the  primary  beneficiary  of 
Investor  Bank  and  accordingly  have  consolidated  it  into  the  Golar  group.  Accordingly,  as  at  December  31,  2010,  the 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheet  and  Consolidated  Statement  of  Operations  includes  Investor  Bank's  net  assets  of  $nil  and  net 
income  of  $nil,  respectively,  due  to  elimination  on  consolidation,  of  accounts  and  transactions  arising  between  us  and  the 
Investor Bank. 

67

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The Golar Viking facility accrues floating interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin.  The loan has a term of 10 years and 
is repayable in quarterly instalments with a final balloon payment of $71.0 million due in August 2017.  The loan is secured by a 
mortgage on this vessel. 

Golar LNG Partners credit facility 

In September 2008, we refinanced existing loan facilities in respect of two vessels, the Methane Princess and the Golar 
Spirit and entered into a new $285 million credit facility with a banking consortium.  The loan is secured against the Golar Spirit 
and the assignment to the lending bank of a mortgage given to us by the lessor of the Methane Princess, with a second priority 
charge over the Golar Mazo. 

The facility accrues floating interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a margin. The initial draw down amounted 
to $250.0 million in November 2008.  The total amount outstanding in respect of the two vessels' refinanced facilities was $202.3 
million.  As of December 31, 2010, the revolving credit facility provided for available borrowings of up to $267.5 million, of which 
$267.5  million  was  outstanding.  The  total  amount  available  for  borrowing  under  such  facility  decreases  by  $2.5  million  per 
quarter from June 30, 2009 through December 31, 2012 and by $5.5 million per quarter from March 31, 2013 through March 31, 
2018, its maturity date. Accordingly, we have no ability to draw additional amounts under this facility. The loan has a term of ten 
years and is repayable in quarterly instalments commencing in May 2009 with a final balloon payment of $137.5 million due in 
March 2018. 

Golar Freeze facility 

In June 2010, we completed the refinancing of the Golar Freeze with a syndicate of banks and financial institutions for 
an amount of $125 million. The new facility (the "Golar Freeze facility") bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin. The facility is split 
into two tranches, the Commercial Loan facility and the Exportfinans ASA Loan facility. Exportfinans ASA acted a lender with a 
guarantee  from  GIEK  (Garanti-institute  for  Eksportkredit).  Repayments  under  the  Commercial  Loan  facility  tranche  are  due 
quarterly based on an annuity profile with a final balloon payment of $38.8 million payable in April 2015. The Exportfinans ASA 
loan  facility  tranche  is  for  $50  million  with  a  term  of  eight  years  and  repayable  in  equal  quarterly  instalments  with  the  final 
payment in June 2018. This has to be repaid if the commercial tranche is not refinanced. The Golar Freeze facility requires certain 
cash balances to be held on deposit during the period of the loan.  These balances are referred to in these consolidated financial 
statements as restricted cash. 

As  of  December  31,  2010  and  2009,  we  had  total  long-term  debt  outstanding  of  $797.2  million  and  $782.2  million, 

respectively. 

The outstanding debt of $797.2 million as of December 31, 2010, was repayable as follows: 

Year ending December 31, 
(in millions of $) 

2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 and thereafter 

105.6 
64.3 
64.9 
130.2 
157.4 
274.8 
797.2 

 The  margins  we  pay  under  our  current  loan  agreements  are  over  and  above  LIBOR  at  a  fixed  or  floating  rate  and 

currently range from 0.7% to 3.25%. 

Capital Lease Obligations 

The following is a summary of our Capital Lease Obligations.  Refer to Note 23 to the Company's audited Consolidated 

Financial Statements included herein for detail. 

68

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
   
 
  
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Methane Princess Lease

In  August  2003,  we  novated  the Methane  Princess  newbuilding  contract  prior  to  completion  of  construction  and 
subsequently  leased  the  vessel  from  the  same  financial  institution  in  the  U.K.,  which  we  refer  to  as  the  U.K.  Lessor.  Our 
obligation to the U.K. Lessor is primarily secured by a LC which is itself secured by a cash deposit which since June 2008 is 
now placed with the Lessor.  Lease rentals are payable quarterly.  At the end of each quarter the required value of the LC to 
secure the present value of rentals due under the lease will be recalculated taking into account the rental payment due at the 
end of the quarter.  The surplus funds, in our cash deposits securing the LC, released as a result of the reduction in the required 
LC amount are available to pay the lease rentals due at the end of the same quarter. 

The profile of the Methane Princess Lease is such that the lease liability continues to increase until 2014 and thereafter 
decreases over the period to 2034 being the primary term of the lease.  The value of the deposit used to obtain a LC to secure 
the lease obligation as of December 31, 2010, was $147.8 million. 

Golar Winter Lease 

In April 2004, we signed a lease agreement in respect of our newbuilding the Golar Winter, to which we refer to as the 
Golar Winter lease, with another U.K. bank (the "Lessor") for a primary period of 28 years.  Under the agreement we received an 
amount of $166 million.  Our obligations to the Lessor under the lease were originally secured by (inter alia) a LC provided by 
another  U.K.  bank  (the  "LC  Bank").  During  2008  and  2009,  an  aggregate  amount  of  $52.3  million  was  released  from  the  LC 
deposit to us in consideration of the additional security afforded to the Lessor by the entry of the Golar Winter into a long-term 
time charter with Petrobras. As of December 31, 2010, the LC deposit to secure the lease obligation was $nil. 

The Golar Winter Lease is denominated in GBP while its cash deposit is denominated in USD.  In order to hedge the 
currency risk arising from the GBP lease rental obligation we have entered into a 28 year currency swap, to swap all lease rental 
payments into U.S. Dollars at a fixed GBP/USD exchange rate, (i.e. Golar receives GBP and pays U.S. Dollars). 

Grand Lease (formerly Grandis Lease) 

In April 2005, we signed a lease agreement in respect of our newbuilding, the Golar Grand, to which we refer to as the 
Grand lease, with another U.K. bank (the "Grand Lessor") for a primary period of 30 years.  Under the agreement we received an 
amount of $150 million.  Our obligations to the lessor under the lease are secured by (inter alia) a LC provided by another U.K. 
bank.  This LC is secured by a cash deposit of $45 million, which we deposited at the same time as entering into the lease.  The 
Grand Lease obligation and associated cash deposit are both denominated in USD.  

As of December 31, 2010, the Company is committed to make minimum rental payments under capital leases, as follows: 

Year ending December 31, 
(in millions of $) 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 and thereafter 
Total minimum lease payments 
Less: Imputed interest 
Present value of minimum lease payments 

Methane
Princess
Lease 

Golar
Winter
Lease 

7.0 
7.2 
7.5 
7.8 
8.1 
260.4 
298.0 
(149.6)   
148.4 

10.0 
10.0 
10.0 
10.0 
10.0 
166.0 
216.0 
(93.0)   
123.0 

Grand
Lease 

9.3 
9.3 
9.3 
9.3 
9.3 
203.4 
249.9 
(109.5)   
140.4 

Total 

26.3 
26.5 
26.8 
27.1 
27.4 
629.8 
763.9 
(352.1)
411.8 

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For all our leases other than the Grand Lease, lease rentals include an interest element that is accrued at a rate based 
upon GBP LIBOR.  In relation to the Winter Lease, we have converted our GBP LIBOR interest obligation to USD LIBOR by 
entering into the cross currency swap referred to above.  We receive interest income on our restricted cash deposits at a rate 
based  upon  GBP  LIBOR  for  the  Methane  Princess  Lease,  and  based  upon  USD  LIBOR  for  the  Winter  lease.  Our  lease 
obligation in respect of the Grand and the associated cash deposit are denominated in USD.  Two of our leases are therefore 
denominated  in  GBPs.  The  majority  of  this  GBP  capital  lease  obligation  is  hedged  by  GBP  cash  deposits  securing  the  lease 
obligations or by currency swap.  This is not however a perfect hedge and so the movement in currency exchange rate between 
the  U.S.  Dollar  and  the  GBP  will  affect  our  results  (please  see  the  section  of  this  annual  report  entitled  "Item  11-  Foreign 
currency risk"). 

Three of our vessels are currently financed by U.K. tax leases.  In the event of any adverse tax changes or a successful 
challenge  by  the  U.K.  Revenue  authorities  with  regard  to  the  initial  tax  basis  of  the  transactions,  or  in  relation  to  the 
terminations we have entered into in 2010 or in the event of an early termination of our remaining leases, we may be required to 
make additional payments to the U.K. vessel lessors or the UK revenue authorities which could adversely affect our earnings 
and financial position.  We would be required to return all or a portion of, or in certain circumstances significantly more than, 
the upfront cash benefits that we have received or accrued over time, together with fees that were incurred together with our 
lease  financing  transactions  including  our  recent  termination  transactions  or  post  additional  security  or  make  additional 
payments  to  the  U.K.  vessel  lessors.  The  upfront  benefits  we  have  received  equates  to  the  cash  inflow  we  received  in 
connection  with  the  six  leases  we  entered  into  during  2003  which  in  total  is  a  gross  amount,  before  deduction  of  fees,  of 
approximately £41 million GBP. Two of our U.K. tax leases accrue benefit over the term of the leases. The remaining six UK tax 
leases were structured so that a cash benefit was received up front. 

Debt and lease restrictions 

Our  existing  financing  agreements  (debt  and  leases)  impose  operating  and  financing  restrictions  on  us  which  may 
significantly limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, sell capital shares of 
subsidiaries,  make  certain  investments,  engage  in  mergers  and  acquisitions,  purchase  and  sell  vessels,  transfer  funds  from 
subsidiary companies to us, enter into time or consecutive voyage charters or pay dividends without the consent of our lenders 
and lessors.  In addition, our lenders and lessors may accelerate the maturity of indebtedness under our financing agreements 
and foreclose upon the collateral securing the indebtedness upon the occurrence of certain events of default, including our 
failure to comply with any of the covenants contained in our financing agreements.  Our various debt and lease agreements of 
the Company contain covenants that require compliance with certain financial ratios.  Such ratios include equity ratios, working 
capital ratios and earnings to net debt ratio covenants, debt service coverage ratios, minimum net worth covenants, minimum 
value clauses, minimum free cash restrictions in respect of our subsidiaries and us.  With regards to minimum levels of free cash 
we have covenanted to maintain at least $25 million of cash and cash equivalents on a consolidated group basis. 

As of December 31, 2010, we complied with all covenants of our various debt and lease agreements. 

In  addition  to  mortgage  security,  some  of  our  debt  is  also  collateralized  through  pledges  of  shares  by  guarantor 

subsidiaries of ours. 

Derivatives 

We  use  financial  instruments  to  reduce  the  risk  associated  with  fluctuations  in  interest  rates  and  foreign  currency 
exchange rates.  We have a portfolio of interest rate swaps that exchange or swap floating rate interest to fixed rates, which from 
a  financial  perspective,  hedges  our  obligations  to  make  payments  based  on  floating  interest  rates.  We  will  also  enter  into 
derivative instruments for trading purposes, in order to manage our exposure to the risk of movements in the price of natural gas 
and LNG and for speculative purposes within our LNG trading subsidiary. 

As of December 31, 2010, our interest rate swap agreements effectively fixed our net floating interest rate exposure on 
$620.3  million  of  floating  rate  debt,  leaving  $412.2  million  exposed  to  a  floating  rate  of  interest.  Our  swap  agreements  have 
expiration dates between 2011 and 2015 and have fixed rates of between 1.99% and 5.04%. 

As noted above, we have entered into a currency swap to hedge an exposure to GBPs in respect of the Golar Winter 

Lease. 

We enter into foreign currency forward contracts in order to manage our exposure to the risk of movements in foreign 
currency  exchange  rate  fluctuations.  We  also  receive  some  of  the  revenue  in  respect  of  the Golar Spirit  and Golar Winter 
charters in Brazilian Reais.  We are affected by foreign currency fluctuations primarily through our FSRU projects, expenditure 
in respect of our ships drydocking, some operating expenses including the effect of paying the majority of our seafaring officers 
in Euros and the administrative costs of our UK office.  The currencies which impact us the most include, but are not limited to, 
Euros, Norwegian Krone, Singaporean Dollars and, to a lesser extent, GBPs. 

70

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
In April 2011, we entered into additional interest swap agreements, which fix an additional $138.5 million of our floating 

rate debt at fixed rates of 2.47%, with an expiration date of December 2015. 

Capital Commitments 

Vessel Conversion 

In  April  2011,  we  signed  the  time  charter  party  to  provide  a  FSRU  to  PT  Nusantara  Regas.  The Khannur  will  be 
converted  into  a  FSRU  to  fulfil  this  requirement.  In  March  2011,  the  vessel  entered  the  shipyard  for  its  retrofitting  and 
accordingly, as of April 21, 2011, we are committed to incurring costs in connection with the retrofitting of the Khannur into a 
FSRU.  As of these dates, the estimated timing of the remaining commitments under our present contracts in connection with 
these conversions is below: 

 (in millions of $) 
2011 
2012 

Newbuilding contracts 

April 21, 
2011 
105.0 
45.3 
150.3 

December 
31, 2010 
114.9 
61.2 
176.1 

 In April 2011, we entered into newbuilding agreements for six LNG carriers.  The following table sets out as of 
December 31, 2010 and April 21, 2011 the estimated timing of the remaining commitments under our present newbuilding 
contracts. Actual dates for the payment of instalments may vary due to progress of the construction.

(in millions of $) 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 

Critical Accounting Estimates 

April 21, 
2011 
115.4 
76.9 
723.2 
284.6 
1,200.0 

December 
31, 2010 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

The preparation of our Company's financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires that management make 
estimates  and  assumptions  affecting  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and 
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. 
The  following  is  a  discussion  of  the  accounting  policies  applied  by  us  that  are  considered  to  involve  a  higher  degree  of 
judgment in their application. Please read Note 2 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to our Consolidated Financial 
Statements. 

Revenue and Expense Recognition 

Our  revenues  include  minimum  lease  payments  under  time  charters,  fees  for  repositioning  vessels  as  well  as  the 
reimbursement of certain vessel operating and drydocking costs. We record revenues generated from time charters, which we 
classify  as  operating  leases,  over  the  term  of  the  charter  as  service  is  provided.  However,  the  Company  does  not  recognize 
revenue if a charter has not been contractually committed to by a customer and the Company, even if the vessel has discharged 
its cargo and is sailing to the anticipated load port on its next voyage. 

We  recognize  the  reimbursement  for  drydocking  costs  evenly  over  the  period  to  the  next  drydocking,  which  is 
generally between two to five years. We recognize repositioning fees (which are included in time charter revenue) received in 
respect of time charters at the end of the charter when the fee becomes fixed and determinable. However, where there is a fixed 
amount specified in the charter, which is not dependent upon redelivery location, we will recognize the fee evenly over the term 
of  the  charter.  Where  a  vessel  undertakes  multiple  single  voyage  time  charters,  revenue  is  recognized,  including  the 
repositioning fee if fixed and determinable, on a discharge-to-discharge basis. Under this basis, revenue is recognized evenly 
over  the  period  from  departure  of  the  vessel  from  its  last  discharge  port  to  departure  from  the  next  discharge  port.  For 
arrangements where operating costs are borne by the charterer on a pass through basis, the pass through of operating costs is 
reflected in revenue and expenses. 

71

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Under  time  charters,  voyage  expenses  are  paid  by  our  customers.  We  may  also  incur  voyage  related  expenses, 
principally fuel, when positioning or repositioning a vessel before or after the period of time charter and during periods when 
the vessel is not under charter or is offhire, for example when the vessel is undergoing repairs. We recognize these expenses as 
they are incurred. 

Vessel  operating  expenses,  which  we  recognize  when  they  are  incurred,  include  crewing,  repairs  and  maintenance, 

insurance, stores, lube oils, communication expenses and third party management fees. 

Vessels and Impairment 

Our  vessels  are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of our vessels' carrying amounts, we must make assumptions 
regarding estimated future cash flows and estimates in respect of residual or scrap value. Factors we consider important which 
could affect recoverability and trigger impairment include significant underperformance relative to expected operating results 
and significant negative industry or economic trends. 

We follow a traditional present value approach, whereby a single set of future cash flows is estimated. If the carrying 
value of a vessel were to exceed the undiscounted future cash flows, we would write the vessel down to its fair value, which is 
calculated  by  using  a  risk-adjusted  rate  of  interest. No impairment test was undertaken by us in 2010 since no triggers were 
identified.  The  test  in  2009  considered  future  cash  flows  by  vessel  and  considered  the  deterioration  in  the  economic 
environment as a potential indicator of impairment of our vessels which was not the case for 2010 given the strengthening of 
the LNG shipping market.  During the fourth quarter of 2009 we assessed the potential impairment of our vessels by comparing 
the  undiscounted  cash  flows  of  our  vessels  to  their  carrying  values  over  the  existing  service  potential  of  our  vessels.  The 
projected  net  operating  cash  flows  for  each  vessel  were  determined  by  considering  the  charter  revenues  from  existing  time 
charters for their fixed contracted term and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for vessels operating in the spot market or 
at the end of their time charter (based on historical average trends as well as future expectations available for each vessel) over 
the vessels' remaining estimated life, which on average for our fleet extends over a 26-year period.  Expected outflows for vessel 
drydockings and vessel operating expenses are based on our historical average operating costs and assume an average annual 
inflation rate of 2%.  Operating days take into account the periods when each vessel is expected to undergo their drydocking, 
the frequency of which depends on factors such as their age and whether operating as an FSRU.  Assumptions are in line with 
the Company's historical performance.  Our assessment concluded that step two of the impairment analysis was not required 
and no impairment of vessels existed, as the undiscounted projected net operating cash flows exceeded their carrying value. 

In 2010, 2009 and 2008 impairment charges of $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, were recognized in 

respect of parts ordered for the FSRU conversion project that were not required for the conversion of the Golar Spirit. These 
parts will be utilized by us in future projects.

Vessel Market Values 

In  "–  Vessels  and  Impairment,"  we  discuss  our  policy  for  assessing  impairment  of  the  carrying  values  of  our 
vessels.   During  the  past  few  years,  the  market  values  of  certain  vessels  in  the  worldwide  fleet  have  experienced  particular 
volatility, with substantial declines in many vessel classes. There is a future risk that the sale value of certain of our vessels 
could decline below those vessels' carrying value, even though we would not impair those vessels' carrying value under our 
accounting impairment policy, due to our belief that future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by such vessels 
over their operating lives would exceed such vessels' carrying amounts. 

With respect to ascertaining the fair market value of our owned vessels, we believe that the LNG carrier and FSRU 
markets are illiquid, difficult to observe and therefore judgmental. Our valuation approach is to make an estimate of future net 
cash flows, with particular respect to cash flows derived from preexisting contracts with counterparties from our vessels on long 
term charters. The principal assumptions we have used are in this regards are: 

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·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

·  

Cash  flows  are  assumed  to  be  in  line  with  pre-existing  contracts  and  are  utilized  based  on  historical 
performance levels; 

For our LNG carriers, once the initial contract period expires, we have estimated cash flows at the  lower of our 
estimated current long-term charter rate or option renewal rate with the existing counterparty; where offhire, 
we have considered estimated future utilization levels based on historical knowledge 

For our FSRUs, once the initial contract period expires, we have estimated cash flows at the existing contract 
option renewal rate, given the lack of pricing transparency in the market as a whole; 

We have used a discount rate applied to future cash flows equivalent to our estimated incremental borrowing 
rate, assuming 10 year interest rate swap rates plus a market risk premium; and 

We have made certain assumptions in relation to the scrap values of our vessels at the end of their useful 
lives. 

We have applied the same assumption and methodology for our vessels which are in lay-up or in the short 
term spot market. 

Based on the (i) carrying values of each of our vessels as of December 31, 2010 and what we believe is the  market 
value  of  each  of  our  vessels  as  of  December  31,  2010,  the  aggregate  carrying  value  of  two  of  the  vessels  in  our  fleet  as  of 
December 31, 2010 exceeded the market value by approximately $14 million, as noted in the table below. Our estimates of fair 
market values assume that we would sell each of our owned vessels in the current environment, on industry standard terms, in 
cash transactions, and to a willing buyer where we are not under any compulsion to sell, and where the buyer is not under any 
compulsion to buy.  For purposes of this calculation, we have assumed that each owned vessel would be sold at a price that 
reflects our estimate of its current fair market value. However, we are not holding any of our vessels for sale.  Our estimates of 
fair market values assume that our vessels are all in good and seaworthy condition without need for repair and if inspected 
would be certified in class without notations of any kind.  As we obtain information from various sources of objective data and 
internal assumptions, our estimates of fair market value are inherently uncertain In addition, vessel values are highly volatile; as 
such, our estimates may not be indicative of the current or future fair market value of our vessels or prices that we could achieve 
if we were to sell them. 

Vessel Name

   Hilli
   Gimi
   Golar Freeze
   Khannur (1) 
   Golar Spirit
   Golar Mazo (2) 
   Golar Viking
   Golar Maria
   Golar Arctic

Total 

Year of  
Delivery   

1975     
1976     
1977     
1977     
1981     
2000     
2005     
2006     
2003     

Capacity 

cbm.   
125,000     
125,000     
125,000     
125,000     
128,000     
135,000     
140,000     
145,700     
140,000     

Carrying 
Value (in 
millions US 
dollars) 
41.0*
46.3*
173.1 
50.0 
157.3 
174.7 
151.4 
135.5 
171.9 
1,101.2 

(*)

Indicates vessels for which we believe, as of December 31, 2010, the market value was lower than the vessels carrying 
value.  We  believe  that  the  aggregate  carrying  value  of  these  vessels  exceed  their  aggregate  market  value  by 
approximately $14 million. 

(1) The Khannur has recently commenced its FSRU conversion at the shipyard in Singapore after being awared the FSRU 

project in West Java. 

(2) We  have  a  60%  ownership  interest  in  the Golar  Mazo  with  the  remaining  40%  owned  by  Chinese  Petroleum 

Corporation. 

(3) Please note the Golar Winter, Golar Grand and the Methane Princess have been excluded from the above table given 

these vessels are not owned by us and we cannot influence the sale. 

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Time Charters 

We  account  for  time  charters  of  vessels  to  our  customers  as  operating  leases  and  record  the  customers'  lease 
payments as time charter revenues. We evaluate each contract to determine whether or not the time charter should be treated as 
an operating or capital lease, which involves estimates about our vessels' remaining economic useful lives, the fair value of our 
vessels, the likelihood of a lessee renewal or extension, incremental borrowing rates and other factors. 

Our estimate of the remaining economic useful lives of our vessels is based on the common life expectancy applied to 
similar vessels in the FSRU and LNG shipping industries. The fair value of our vessels is derived from our estimate of expected 
present  value,  and  is  also  benchmarked  against  open  market  values  considering  the  point  of  view  of  a  potential  buyer.  The 
likelihood of a lessee renewal or extension is based on current and projected demand and prices for similar vessels, which is 
based  on  our  knowledge  of  trends  in  the  industry,  historic  experience  with  customers  in  addition  to  knowledge  of  our 
customers' requirements. The incremental borrowing rate we use to discount expected lease payments and time charter revenues 
are based on the rates at the time of entering into the agreement. 

A  change  in  our  estimates  might  impact  the  evaluation  of  our  time  charters,  and  require  that  we  classify  our  time 
charters as capital leases, which would include recording an asset similar to a loan receivable and removing the vessel from our 
balance sheet. The lease payments to us would reflect a declining revenue stream to take into account our interest carrying 
costs, which would impact the timing of our revenue stream. 

Capital Leases 

As of December 31, 2010 we have sold three of our vessels to, and subsequently leased the vessels from, UK financial 
institutions that routinely enter into finance leasing arrangements. We have accounted for these arrangements as capital leases. 
As  identified  in  our  critical  accounting  policy  for  time  charters,  we  make  estimates  and  assumptions  in  determining  the 
classification of our leases. In addition, these estimates, such as incremental borrowing rates and the fair value or remaining 
economic lives of the vessels, impact the measurement of our vessels and liabilities subject to the capital leases. Changes to our 
estimates could affect the carrying value of our lease assets and liabilities, which could impact our results of operations. To 
illustrate, if the incremental borrowing rate had been lower than our initial estimate this would result in a higher lease liability 
being recorded due to a lower discount rate being applied to its future lease rental payments. 

One  of  our  capital  leases  is  'funded'  via  a  long  term  cash  deposit  which  closely  matches  the  lease  liability.  Future 
changes in the lease liability arising from interest rate changes are only partially offset by changes in interest income on the 
cash deposit, and where differences arise, this is funded by, or released to, available working capital. 

Pension Benefits 

The determination of our defined benefit pension obligations and expense for pension benefits is dependent on our 
selection of certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts.  Those assumptions are described in Note 21 of 
the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report and include, among others, the discount rate, 
expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and rates of increase in compensation.  In accordance with U.S. GAAP, actual 
results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and therefore, generally affect our 
recognized  expense  and  recorded  obligation  in  such  future  periods.  We  are  guided  in  selecting  our  assumptions  by  our 
independent  actuaries  and,  while  we  believe  that  our  assumptions  are  appropriate,  significant  differences  in  our  actual 
experience  or  significant  changes  in  our  assumptions  may  materially  affect  our  pension  obligations  and  our  future  pension 
expense. 

74

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Securities and Exchange Commission Rules 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards 

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) issued amended guidance requiring companies to 
qualitatively  assess  the  determination  of  the  primary  beneficiary  of  a  variable-interest  entity  (or  VIE)  based  on  whether  the 
entity (1) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and 
(2)  has  the  obligation  to  absorb  losses  of  the  entity  that  could  potentially  be  significant  to  the  VIE  or  the  right  to  receive 
benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. It also requires additional disclosures for any enterprise 
that holds a variable interest in a VIE. The new accounting and disclosure requirements became effective for us on January 1, 
2010. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. 

In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that amends earlier guidance addressing the accounting for 
contractual  arrangements  in  which  an  entity  provides  multiple  products  or  services  (deliverables)  to  a  customer.  The 
amendments  address  the  unit  of  accounting  for  arrangements  involving  multiple  deliverables  and  how  arrangement 
consideration should be allocated to the separate units of accounting, when applicable, by establishing a selling price hierarchy 
for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The selling price used for each deliverable will be based on vendor-specific 
objective evidence if available, third-party evidence if vendor-specific objective evidence is not available, or estimated selling 
price  if  neither  vendor-specific  nor  third-party  evidence  is  available.  The  amendments  also  require  that  arrangement 
consideration  be  allocated  at  the  inception  of  an  arrangement  to  all  deliverables  using  the  relative  selling  price  method.  We 
adopted  this  guidance  in  the  first  quarter  of  2011,  and  adoption  of  this  guidance  will  not  have  a  material  effect  on  our 
consolidated financial statements. 

In  January  2010,  the  FASB  issued  authoritative  guidance  that  changes  the  disclosure  requirements  for  fair  value 
measurements. Specifically, the changes require a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in 
and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers. The changes also clarify 
existing disclosure requirements related to how assets and liabilities should be grouped by class and valuation techniques used 
for recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. We adopted the guidance in the first quarter 2010, which did not have 
an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

In January 2010 the FASB issued authoritative guidance in order to eliminate diversity in the way different enterprises 
reflect new shares issued as part of a distribution in their calculation of Earnings Per Share. The provisions of this new guidance 
are effective on a retrospective basis and their adoption had no impact on our reported earnings per share. 

In  January  2010,  the  FASB  issued  authoritative  guidance  to  amend  the  accounting  and  reporting  requirements  for 
decreases in ownership of a subsidiary. This guidance requires that a decrease in the ownership interest of a subsidiary that 
does  not  result  in  a  change  of  control  be  treated  as  an  equity  transaction.  The  guidance  also  expands  the  disclosure 
requirements about the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2010, which did not 
have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In February 2010, the FASB amended guidance on subsequent events to alleviate potential conflicts between FASB 
guidance and SEC requirements. Under this amended guidance, SEC filers are no longer required to disclose the date through 
which  subsequent  events  have  been  evaluated  in  originally  issued  and  revised  financial  statements.  This  guidance  was 
effective immediately and we adopted these new requirements in the first quarter of 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not 
have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

In July 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires expanded disclosures about the credit quality of 
an entity's financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses on a disaggregated basis. Our adoption of this guidance, 
effective January 1, 2010 did not have any material effect on our consolidated financial statements. 

In  December  2010,  the  FASB  issued  authoritative  guidance  which  modifies  the  requirements  of  step  1  of  the  goodwill 
impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. We will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of 
fiscal  2011.  We  do  not  believe  that  adoption  of  this  guidance  will  have  a  material  effect  on  our  consolidated financial 
statements. 

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C.            Research and Development, Patents and Licenses 

Not Applicable 

D.           Trend Information 

Please see the section of this item entitled "Market Overview and Trends." 

E.             Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

We are also committed to make rental payments under operating leases for office premises under operating leases.  The 
future  minimum  rental  payments  under  our  non-cancellable  operating  leases  for  office  premises  are  disclosed  below  in  the 
tabular disclosure of contractual obligations. 

F.             Contractual Obligations 

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations for the periods indicated as at December 31, 2010: 

(in millions of $) 
Long-Term Debt (1) 
Interest Commitments on Long-Term Debt (2) 
Capital Lease Obligations (3)
Interest  Commitments 
Obligations 
Operating Lease Obligations 
Purchase Obligations: 

on  Capital  Lease 

FSRU Conversion (4) 
Egyptian Venture (5) 
Other Long-Term Liabilities (6) 
Total 

Total
Obligation 
797.2 
147.5 
411.9 

  Due in 2011 
105.6 
31.7 
5.0 

Due in 2012 
- 2013  
129.2 
53.7 
11.7 

Due in
2014 – 2015  
287.6 
37.6 
14.3 

Due 
Thereafter 
274.8 
24.5 
380.9 

352.0 
1.2 

176.1 
3.7 
51.1 
1,940.7 

21.3 
0.5 

114.9 
- 
- 
279.0 

41.8 
0.7 

61.2 
3.7 
51.1 
353.1 

40.4 
- 

- 
- 
- 
379.9 

248.5 
- 

- 
- 
- 
928.7 

(1) As of December 31, 2010, taking into account the hedging effect of our interest rate swaps, $412.2 million of 
our  long-term  debt  and  capital  lease  obligations  (net  of  restricted  cash  deposits),  was  floating  rate 
debt ,which accrued interest based on USD LIBOR. 

(2) Our  interest  commitment  on  our  long-term debt is calculated based on an assumed average USD LIBOR of 
2.82% and taking into account our various margin rates and interest rate swaps associated with each debt. 

(3)

In the event of any adverse tax rate changes or rulings our lease obligations could increase significantly (see 
discussion above under "Capital Lease Obligations"). 

(4) This refers to the contracted costs for the retrofitting of the Khannur into a FSRU. As at December 31, 2010, 
we had a contract with various suppliers to commence the engineering, design and procurement process for 
the conversion of the Khannur into a FSRU. 

(5)

In December 2005, we signed a shareholders' agreement in connection with the setting up of a jointly owned 
company,  ECGS,  established  to  develop  hydrocarbon  business  and  in  particular  LNG  related  business  in 
Egypt.  As at December 31, 2010, we were committed to subscribe for common shares in ECGS for a further 
consideration of $3.7 million payable within five years of incorporation, at dates to be determined by ECGS's 
board of directors. 

Furthermore, as at December 31, 2010, we had a commitment to pay $1.0 million to an unrelated third party, 
contingent upon the conclusion of a material commercial business transaction by ECGS as consideration for 
work performed in connection with the setting up and incorporation of ECGS.  This liability has been excluded 
from the above table, as the timing of any cash payment is uncertain. 

(6) Our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010, includes $134.8 million classified as "Other long-
term  liabilities"  of  which  $51.1  million  relates  to  the  termination  of  the  Five  Ships  Leases.  As  part  of  the 
agreement to terminate these agreements, we took on responsibility for payment of certain tax liabilities which 
had accrued during the period of the leases. We expect to settle these obligations in 2012. A further $29.2 
million refers to tax benefits arising under the Five Ships Leases in respect of transactions between controlled 
entities that generated a permanent tax benefit. These lease arrangements have now been terminated and the 
tax benefits which arose are being amortized through the tax line of the income statement over the remaining 
lives of the vessels. 

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In addition $19.8 million represents deferred credits related to our capital lease transactions and $34.6 million 
represents liabilities under our pension plans.  These liabilities have been excluded from the above table as 
the timing and/or the amount of any cash payment is uncertain. See Note 24 of the Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information regarding our other long-term liabilities. 

G.      Safe harbor 

Forward-looking information discussed in this Item 5 includes assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and 
beliefs  about  future  events.  These  statements  are  intended  as  "forward-looking statements."  We caution that assumptions, 
expectations,  projections,  intentions  and  beliefs  about  future  events  may  and  often  do  vary  from  actual  results  and  the 
differences can be material.  Please see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in this report. 

ITEM 6.  DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A.      Directors and Senior Management 

           Information  concerning  each  of  our  directors  and  executive  officers  and  certain  key  officers  of  our  subsidiary 
management companies who are responsible for overseeing our management as at March 31, 2011 is set forth below. 

Name 

Age 

Position 

John Fredriksen 
Kate Blankenship 
Hans Petter Aas 
Katherine Fredriksen 
Georgina Sousa 
Graham Robjohns 
Doug Arnell 
Graeme McDonald

66 
46 
65 
27 
61 
46 
45 
54

Chairman of our board of directors, President and Director 
Director and Audit Committee member 
Director 
Director 
Company Secretary 
Chief Executive Officer - Golar LNG Management 
Chief Executive Officer - Golar Energy Management 
Executive Vice-President Business Development  - Golar Management 

John  Fredriksen  has  served  as  the  Chairman  of  our  board  of  directors,  President  and  a  director  of  the  company  since  our 
inception in May 2001.  He has been the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of our board of directors, President and a director of 
Frontline  Ltd  since  1997.  Frontline  is  a  Bermuda  based  tanker  owner  and  operator  listed  on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange 
(NYSE), the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE). Mr Fredriksen has established Trusts for the 
benefit of his immediate family which indirectly control World Shipholding, our largest shareholder. He has been a director of 
Golden Ocean Group Limited, a Bermuda company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, since November 2004 and has also served 
as a director and the Chairman of Seadrill Limited, a Bermuda company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and recently NYSE, 
since May 2005. 

Kate  Blankenship  has  served  as  a  director  since  July  2003  and  was  Company  Secretary  from  our  inception  in  2001  until 
November 2005.  She served as our Chief Accounting Officer from May 2001 until May 31, 2003.  She has been a director of 
Frontline  since  August  2003  and  served  as  Chief  Accounting  Officer  and  Secretary  of  Frontline  between  1994  and  October 
2005.  Mrs. Blankenship has served as Chief Financial Officer of Knightsbridge Tankers Limited from April 2000 until September 
2007 and was Secretary of Knightsbridge from December 2000 until March 2007.  Mrs. Blankenship has served as a director of 
Ship  Finance  since  July  2003,  Seadrill  since  May  2005,  Golden  Ocean  since  November  2004  and  Independent  Tankers 
Corporation since February 2008.  She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. 

Hans Petter Aas has served as a director since September 2008.  Mr. Aas has had a long career as a banker in the international 
shipping and offshore market, and retired from his position as Global Head of the Shipping, Offshore and Logistics Division of 
DnB  NOR  in  August  2008.  He  joined  DnB  NOR  (then  Bergen  Bank)  in  1989,  and  has  previously  worked  for  the  Petroleum 
Division  of  the  Norwegian  Ministry  of  Industry  and  the  Ministry  of  Energy,  as  well  as  for  Vesta  Insurance  and  Nevi 
Finance.  Mr.  Aas  is  also  a  director  and  Chairman  of  Ship  Finance  and  Knutsen  Offshore  Tanker  Co  ASA  and  has  recently 
become a director of the Norwegian Export Credit Guaranty Institute. 

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Katherine  Fredriksen has  served  as  a  director  since  September  2008.  Ms.  Fredriksen  is  a  graduate  of  the  Wang  Handels 
Gymnas in Norway and has studied at the European Business School in London.  Ms. Fredriksen is the daughter of Mr. John 
Fredriksen our Chairman. Ms. Fredriksen is also a director of Frontline, Seadrill and Independent Tankers Corporation Limited. 

Georgina E. Sousa has served as Secretary of the company and its subsidiaries since November 30, 2005.  She is also Head of 
Corporate  Administration  for  Frontline.  Up  until  January  2007,  she  was  Vice-President-Corporate  Services  of  Consolidated 
Services  Limited,  a  Bermuda  Management  Company  having  joined  the  firm  in  1993  as  Manager  of  Corporate 
Administration.  From 1976 to 1982 she was employed by the Bermuda law firm of Appleby, Spurling & Kempe as a Company 
Secretary and from 1982 to 1993 she was employed by the Bermuda law firm of Cox & Wilkinson as Senior Company Secretary. 

Graham Robjohns has served as Chief Executive Officer of Golar Management since November 2009. He served as our Group 
Financial  Controller  since  May  2001,  as  our  Chief  Accounting  Officer  since  June  2003  and  is  also  currently  Chief  Financial 
Officer  of  Golar  Management,  a  position  he  has  held  since  November  2005.  He  was  financial  controller  of  Osprey  Maritime 
(Europe) Ltd from March 2000 to May 2001.  From 1992 to March 2000 he worked for Associated British Foods Plc. and then 
Case Technology Ltd (Case), both manufacturing businesses, in various financial management positions and as a director of 
Case.  Prior to 1992, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in their corporation tax department.  He is a member of the Institute 
of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. 

Doug Arnell joined Golar Energy Management as Chief Commercial Officer & Deputy Chief Executive Officer in September 2010 
and became Chief Executive Officer of Golar Energy Management in February 2011. He previously worked for BG Group since 
2003 in leadership roles in the areas of LNG, downstream natural gas marketing and upstream exploration and development. Prior 
to that he held positions of Managing Director for El Paso's European natural gas division and Senior Business Development 
Director for Enron International's LNG business. In total, Doug has worked in the global natural gas industry for over 21 years. 

Graeme  McDonald is  Executive  Vice  President  of  Business  Development  of  Golar  Management.  He  was  previously  Chief 
Technical  Officer  and  prior  to  that  he  was  general  manager  of  the  fleet,  a  position  he  held  with  Osprey,  since  1998.  He  has 
worked in the shipping industry since 1973 and held various positions with Royal Dutch Shell companies, including manager of 
LNG shipping services at Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Ltd. and manager of LNG marine operations at 
Shell Japan Ltd. 

During 2011, Mr. Oscar Spieler resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer of Golar Energy Management and Doug 
Arnell has replaced him. In 2010, Mr Frixos Savvides also resigned from his position as director and audit committee member of 
the company to pursue other opportunities outside of the Company. No replacement for him has been appointed. 

B.      Compensation

For the year ended December 31, 2010, we paid to our directors and executive officers aggregate cash compensation of 
$1,118,104 and an aggregate amount of $52,584 for pension and retirement benefits.  For a description of our stock option plan 
please refer to the section of this item entitled "Option Plan" below. 

In addition to cash compensation, during 2010 we also recognized an expense of $1.9 million relating to stock options 
issued  to  certain  of  our  directors  and  employees.  During  2010,  2,158,000  options  were  awarded,  and  531,000  were  exercised 
bringing  the  total  outstanding  options  at  December  31,  2010  to  7,114,000  of  which  1,016,000  related  to  Golar  shares  and  the 
balance 6,098,000 related to Golar Energy shares. 

C.      Board Practices 

Our  directors  do  not  have  service  contracts  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 financial statements and its accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices, our compliance 
with  legal  and  regulatory  requirements,  the  independent  auditor's  qualifications,  independence  and  performance  and  our 
internal audit function.  Our audit committee consists of one member, Kate Blankenship who is also a Company Director.  Except 
for an audit committee the Board does not have any other committees. 

As  a  foreign  private  issuer  we  are  exempt  from  certain  requirements  of  the  NASDAQ  Global  Select  Market  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 
Global Select Market. 

78

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
D.      Employees 

                      As  of  December  31,  2010,  we  employed  approximately  33  people  in  our  offices  in  London,  Oslo  and  Tulsa.  We 
contract  with  independent  ship  managers  to  manage,  operate  and  to  provide  crew  for  our  vessels.  We  also  employ 
approximately 500 seagoing employees, of which approximately 28 are employed directly by us and 472 are employed through 
our independent ship managers. 

E.      Share ownership 

The following table sets forth information as of March 31, 2011, regarding the total amount of common shares owned 

by all of our directors and officers on an individual basis. 

Director or Officer

John Fredriksen* 
Kate Blankenship 
Graham Robjohns 

Common 
Shares of
$1.00 each 

Percentage 
of Common 
Shares 
Outstanding 

   31,203,900 
** 
** 

45.80%
** 
** 

* Mr. Fredriksen may be deemed to beneficially own 31,203,900 shares of our common stock through his indirect influence over 
World Shipholding Ltd., the shares of which are indirectly held in trusts, or the "Trusts". The beneficiaries of the Trusts are 
certain  members  of  Mr.  Fredriksen's  family.  Mr.  Fredriksen  disclaims  beneficial  ownership  of  the  31,203,900  Common  Shares 
except to the extent of his voting and dispositive interests in such Common Shares. Mr. Fredriksen has no pecuniary interest in 
the 31,203,900 shares listed above. 

   ** Less than 1 % 

Our directors and executive officers have the same voting rights as all other holders of our Common Shares. 

Option Plans 

Our  board  of  directors  adopted  the  Golar  LNG  Ltd's  Employee  Share  Option  Plan  ("Golar  LNG  Plan")  in  February 
2002.  The Plan authorizes our Board to award, at its discretion, options to purchase our common shares to employees of the 
Company, who are contracted to work more than 20 hours per week and to any director of the Company. 

In August 2009 the board of directors of Golar Energy adopted the Golar Energy share option plan ("Energy Plan") 
with  similar  terms  to  the  Company's  share  option  plan.  The  terms  of  the  Energy  Plan  follow  that  of  the  Golar  LNG  Plan 
(collectively referred to as the "Plans"). 

Under the terms of these plans, the Boards may determine the exercise price of the options, provided that the exercise 
price  per  share  is  not  lower  than  the  then  current  market  value.  Options  that  have  not  lapsed  will  become  immediately 
exercisable at the earlier of the vesting date, the option holder's death or change of control of the Company.  All options will 
expire on the tenth anniversary of the option's grant or at such earlier date as the board may from time to time prescribe.  The 
Plan will expire 10 years from their date of adoption. 

As of December 31, 2010, 7.1 million of the authorized and unissued common shares were reserved for issue pursuant 
to  subscription  under  options  granted  under  the  Company's  share  option  plans  (1.0  million  in  respect  of  Golar  LNG  and  6.1 
million in respect of Golar Energy).  For further detail on share options please read Item 18 - Consolidated Financial Statements: 
Note 25 – Share Capital and Share Options. 

Details of share options held by our directors and officers as of March 31, 2011 in both Golar LNG and Golar Energy are 

set out in the following tables below: 

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Golar LNG Limited 

Director or Officer

John Fredriksen 
Kate Blankenship 
Graeme McDonald 

Graham Robjohns 
Hans Petter Aas 
Katherine Fredriksen 

Number of 
Common 
Shares 
Subject to 
Option 

Exercise 
Price per 
Ordinary 
Share 

- 
75,000 
- 

175,000 
75,000 
75,000 

 $
 $
 $

 $
 $
 $

- 
11.07 
- 
11.07- 
$11.32 
11.07 
11.07 

Expiration 
Date 

- 
2011 
- 

   2011 - 2014 
2014 
2014 

share basis.  Accordingly, the above figures show the reduced exercise price as of December 31, 2010. 

The exercise price of options, granted in 2006 and later, are reduced by the value of dividends paid, on a per 

Golar LNG Energy Limited 

Director or Officer

John Fredriksen 
Kate Blankenship 
Graeme McDonald 
Graham Robjohns 
Doug Arnell 

Number of 
Common 
Shares 
Subject to 
Option 

Exercise 
Price per 
Ordinary 
Share 

66,667 
66,667 
336,333 
400,000 
750,000 

 $ 1.54 - $2.20 
 $ 1.54 - $2.20 
 $ 1.54 - $2.20 
 $ 1.54 - $2.20 
1.54 
 $

Expiration 
Date 

2014-2015 
2014-2015 
2014-2015 
2014-2015 
2015 

ITEM 7.  MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

A.      Major shareholders 

The  following  table  presents  certain  information  as  of  March  31,  2011  regarding  the  beneficial  ownership  of  our 
common shares with respect to each shareholder that we know to beneficially own more than 5% of our issued and outstanding 
common shares 

Owner 

World Shipholding. (1) 
Steinberg Asset Management, LLC (2) 

Common Shares

  Amount

    Per cent

   31,203,900 
9,520,489 

45.80%
14.09%

(1) Information derived from the Schedule 13G/A of World Shipholding., a company indirectly influenced by our chairman, John 
Fredriksen, which was filed with the Commission on February 11, 2011. 
(2) Information derived from the Schedule 13G/A of Steinberg Asset Management, LLC filed with the Commission on February 
14, 2011. 

Our  major  shareholders  have  the  same  voting  rights  as  all  of  our  other  common  shareholders.  No  corporation  or 
foreign government owns more than 50% of issued and outstanding common shares. We are not aware of any arrangements, 
the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company. 

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B.      Related party transactions 

There  are  no  provisions 

in  our  Memorandum  of  Association  or  Bye-Laws 

related  party 
transactions.  However,  our  management's  policy  is  to  enter  into  related  party  transactions  solely  on  terms  that  are  at  least 
equivalent to terms we would be able to obtain from unrelated third parties.  The Bermuda Companies Act of 1981 provides that 
a company, or one of its subsidiaries, may enter into a contract with an officer of the company, or an entity in which an officer 
has a material interest, if the officer notifies the Directors of its interest in the contract or proposed contract.  The related party 
transactions that we have entered into during the year ended December 31, 2010 are discussed below. 

regarding 

Net (expenses) income from related parties: 
(in thousands of $) 
Frontline Ltd. and subsidiaries ("Frontline") 
Seatankers Management Company Limited ("Seatankers")
Ship Finance AS ("Ship Finance") 
World Shipholding 

2010 
(984)
161 
(62)
(532)

Frontline,  Seatankers,  Ship  Finance  and  World  Shipholding  are  each  subject  to  the  indirect  control  of  Trusts 

established by our chairman, John Fredriksen, for the benefit of his immediate family. 

Net expense/ income from Frontline, Seatankers and Ship Finance comprise fees for management support, corporate 
and insurance administrative services, net of income from supplier rebates and income from the provision of serviced offices 
and facilities. 

 Expenses from World Shipholding refer to the commitment fee calculated on the undrawn portion of the the World 

Shipholding $80 million revolving credit facility entered into June 2009, which is discussed further below. 

Receivables(payables) from related parties: 

(in thousands of $) 
Frontline 
Seatankers 
Ship Finance 
World Shipholding 

2010 
(278)
(62)
124 
(134)
(350)

Receivables  and  payables  with  related  parties  comprise  primarily  of  unpaid  management  fees,  advisory  and 
administrative services.  In addition, certain receivables and payables arise when the Company pays an invoice on behalf of a 
related party and vice versa.  Receivables and payables are generally settled quarterly in arrears. 

In 2010,  Faraway  Maritime  Shipping  Company  which  is  60%  owned  by  us  and  40%  owned  by  China  Petroleum 

Corporation, or CPC, paid dividends totalling $7.8 million of which 60% was paid to CPC. 

In  June  2009,  the  Company  entered  into  an  $80  million  revolving  credit  facility  with  World  Shipholding,  to  provide 
short-term  bridge  financing.  The  facility  accrues  fixed  interest  at  a  rate  per  annum  of  8%  together  with  a  commitment  fee  of 
0.75%  of  any  undrawn  portion  of  the  credit  facility.  The  revolving  credit  facility  is  available  for  a  period  of  two  years.  All 
amounts due under the facility must be repaid within two years from the date of the first draw down. The Company drew down 
an initial amount of $20 million in June 2009.  In April 2011, this facility was terminated and the $10 million outstanding was 
repaid.   At  the  same  time,  we  entered  into  a  new  $80  million  revolving  credit  facility  with a  company  related  to  our  major 
shareholder, World Shipholding.  The facility accrues floating interest at a rate per annum of LIBOR plus 3.5% together with a 
commitment fee of 0.75% of any undrawn portion of the credit facility.  The facility is available until September 2018; all amounts 
due  under  the  facility  must  be  repaid  by  then.   We  drew  down  an  initial  amount  of  $35  million  in  April  2011.   The  facility  is 
currently  unsecured.   However,  in  order  to  drawdown  amounts  in  excess  of  $35  million,  we will  need to  provide  additional 
security over our three vessels Hilli, Gimi and Khannur. 

C.      Interests of Experts and Counsel 

Not Applicable 

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ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information 

See Item 18 

Legal Proceedings 

There are no legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse 
effect on us, our financial condition, profitability, liquidity or our results of operations.  From time to time in the future we or our 
subsidiaries may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. 

Dividend Distribution Policy 

Our  long-term  objective  is  to  pay  a  regular  dividend  in  support  of  our  main  objective  to  maximise  returns  to 
shareholders.  The level of our dividends will be guided by current earnings, market prospects, capital expenditure requirements 
and investment opportunities. 

Any future dividends declared will be at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend upon our financial 
condition, earnings and other factors.  Our ability to declare dividends is also regulated by Bermuda law, which prohibits us 
from paying dividends if, at the time of distribution, we will not be able to pay our liabilities as they fall due or the value of our 
assets is less than the sum of our liabilities, issued share capital and share premium. 

In addition, since we are a holding company with no material assets other than the shares of our subsidiaries through 
which we conduct our operations, our ability to pay dividends will depend on our subsidiaries' distributing to us their earnings 
and cash flow.  Some of our loan agreements limit or prohibit our and our subsidiaries' ability to make distributions to us without 
the consent of our lenders. 

For  2010,  our  board  of  directors  declared  four  quarterly  dividends  and  an  extraordinary  dividend  in  the  aggregate 
amount  of  $0.75  per  share  on  our  common  stocks  in  May  2010,  August  2010,  November  2010  and  March  2011.  Aggregate 
payments were $50.8 million for cash dividends with respect to 2010. 

In 2010, our board of directors also declared three special dividends. These dividends comprised the distribution of 
one Golar Energy share for every seven of the Company's shares held. Two of these special dividends were in respect of the 
third and fourth quarter of 2009 with a monetary equivalent of $0.25 per share and $0.23 per share, respectively. The third special 
dividend was in respect of the third quarter 2010 with a monetary equivalent of $0.25 per share. 

In 2009, no dividend payments were made. Our board of directors wanted to increase the cash flow and strengthen the 

balance sheet for near term project opportunities. 

In 2008, our board of directors declared four quarterly dividends in the aggregate amount of $1.00 per share on our 
common stock in February, May, August and November. Aggregate payments were $67.4 million for dividends declared in 2008. 

B. Significant Changes 

None 

ITEM 9.  THE OFFER AND LISTING

A.      Listing Details and Markets 

Our common shares have traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange, or OSE since July 12, 2001 under the symbol "GOL" and 

on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since December 12, 2002 under the symbol "GLNG." 

The following table sets forth, for the five most recent fiscal years from January 1, 2005 and for the period ended March 

31, 2011, the high and low prices for the common shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Global Select. 

82

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Three months ended March 31, 2011 

First quarter 

NOK144.00 NOK86.25

 $

25.96 

 $

14.77 

OSE

High

Low 

High   

Low 

NASDAQ

Fiscal years ended December 31 

2010 
2009 
2008 
2007 
2006 

NOK98.50 NOK59.00
NOK77.75 NOK23.00
NOK123.00 NOK29.00
NOK154.50 NOK76.25
NOK102.00 NOK71.00

 $
 $
 $
 $
 $

15.94 
13.90 
22.79 
27.70 
15.29 

 $
 $
 $
 $
 $

9.42 
2.63 
3.96 
12.00 
12.00 

The following table sets forth, for each full financial quarter for the two most recent fiscal years from January 1, 2009, 

the high and low prices of the common shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ Global Select Market. 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 

First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 

First quarter 
Second quarter 
Third quarter 
Fourth quarter 

OSE

High

Low 

High   

Low 

NASDAQ

NOK75.75 NOK63.00
NOK88.75 NOK63.00
NOK78.00 NOK59.00
NOK98.50 NOK70.00

 $
 $
 $
 $

13.40 
13.98 
12.78 
15.94 

 $
 $
 $
 $

10.60 
9.68 
9.42 
12.08 

OSE

High

Low 

High   

Low 

NASDAQ

NOK58.00 NOK18.80
NOK57.00 NOK23.00
NOK67.00 NOK48.10
NOK77.75 NOK62.00

 $
 $
 $
 $

8.35 
8.82 
11.45 
13.90 

 $
 $
 $
 $

2.63 
3.02 
7.52 
10.59 

The following table sets forth, for the most recent six months, the high and low prices for our common shares on the 

OSE and the NASDAQ Global Select Market. 

March 2011 
February 2011 
January 2011 
December 2010 
November 2010 
October 2010 

OSE

High

Low 

High   

NASDAQ

NOK144.00 NOK98.75
NOK111.50 NOK100.00
NOK106.00 NOK86.25
NOK93.75 NOK92.00
NOK98.50 NOK91.00
NOK82.00 NOK78.50

 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $

25.96 
19.47 
17.73 
15.55 
15.94 
13.75 

 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $

Low 

17.42 
17.44 
14.77 
13.81 
12.84 
12.36 

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On March 31, 2011, the exchange rate between the Norwegian Kroner and the U.S. Dollar was NOK5.59 to one U.S. 

Dollar. 

ITEM 10.    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

           This section summarizes our share capital and the material provisions of our Memorandum of Association and Bye-
Laws, including rights of holders of our common shares.  The description is only a summary and does not describe everything 
that our Articles of Association and Bye-Laws contain.  The Memorandum of Association and the Bye-Laws of the Company 
have previously been filed as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2, respectively to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 20-F, (File No. 
000-50113) filed with the Commission on November 27, 2002, and are hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. 

At the 2007 Annual General Meeting of the Company, our shareholders voted to amend the Company's Bye-laws to 
ensure  conformity  with  recent  revisions  to  the  Bermuda  Companies  Act  1981,  as  amended.  These  amended  Bye-laws of the 
Company as adopted on September 28, 2007, were filed as Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 
ended  December  31,  2007,  (File  No.  001-50113)  filed  with  the  Commission  on  May  12,  2008,  and  is  hereby  incorporated  by 
reference into this Annual Report. 

A.      Share capital

Not Applicable 

B.      Memorandum of Association and Bye-laws 

Our  Memorandum  of  Association  and  Bye-laws.  The  object  of  our  business,  as  stated  in  Section  Six  of  our 
Memorandum  of  Association,  is  to  engage  in  any  lawful  act  or  activity  for  which  companies  may  be  organized  under  The 
Companies Act, 1981 of Bermuda, or the Companies Act, other than to issue insurance or re-insurance, to act as a technical 
advisor to any other enterprise or business or to carry on the business of a mutual fund. Our Memorandum of Association and 
Bye-laws do not impose any limitations on the ownership rights of our shareholders. 

Under  our  Bye-laws, annual shareholder meetings will be held in accordance with the Companies Act at a time and 
place selected by our board of directors.  The quorum at any annual or general meeting is equal to one or more shareholders, 
either present in person or represented by proxy, holding in the aggregate shares carrying 33 1/3% of the exercisable voting 
rights.  The meetings may be held at any place, in or outside of Bermuda that is not a jurisdiction which applies a controlled 
foreign company tax legislation or similar regime.  Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the board of directors and 
at  the  request  of  shareholders  holding  at  least  one-tenth  of  all  outstanding  shares  entitled  to  vote  at  a  meeting.  Annual 
shareholder meetings and special meetings must be called by not less than seven days' prior written notice specifying the place, 
day and time of the meeting.  The board of directors may fix any date as the record date for determining those shareholders 
eligible to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting. 

Directors.  Our  directors  are  elected  by  a  majority  of  the  votes  cast  by  the  shareholders  in  the  annual  general 
meeting.  The  quorum  necessary  for  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  the  board  of  directors  may  be  fixed  by  the  board  of 
directors  but  unless  so  fixed,  equals  those  individuals  constituting  a  majority  of  the  board  of  directors  who  are  present  in 
person or by proxy.  Executive directors serve at the discretion of the board of directors. 

The minimum number of directors comprising the board of directors at any time shall be two. The board of directors 
currently consists of four directors.  The minimum and maximum number of directors comprising the board of directors from time 
to time shall be determined by way of an ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company. The shareholders may, at the 
annual general meeting by ordinary resolution, determine that one or more vacancies in the board of directors be deemed casual 
vacancies.  The  board  of  directors,  so  long  as  a  quorum  remains  in  office,  shall  have  the  power  to  fill  such  casual 
vacancies.  Each director will hold office until the next annual general meeting or until his successor is appointed or elected. The 
shareholders may call a Special General Meeting for the purpose of removing a director, provided notice is served upon the 
concerned director 14 days prior to the meeting and he is entitled to be heard.  Any vacancy created by such a removal may be 
filled at the meeting by the election of another person by the shareholders or in the absence of such election, by the board of 
directors. 

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Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, a director of a company may, notwithstanding his office, be a party to 
or be otherwise interested in any transaction or arrangement with that company, and may act as director, officer, or employee of 
any party to a transaction in which the company is interested.  Under our Bye-Laws, provided an interested director declares 
the nature of his or her interest immediately or thereafter at a meeting of the board of directors, or by writing to the directors as 
required by the Companies Act, a director shall not by reason of his office be held accountable for any benefit derived from any 
outside office or employment.  The vote of an interested director, provided he or she has complied with the provisions of the 
Companies Act and our Bye-Laws with regard to disclosure of his or her interest, shall be counted for purposes of determining 
the existence of a quorum. 

Dividends.  Holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividend and distribution payments, pro rata based on 
the  number  of  common  shares  held,  when,  as  and  if  declared  by  the  board  of  directors,  in  its  sole  discretion.  Any  future 
dividends declared will be at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, earnings and 
other factors. 

As a Bermuda exempted company, we are subject to Bermuda law relating to the payment of dividends.  We may not 
pay any dividends if, at the time the dividend is declared or at the time the dividend is paid, there are reasonable grounds for 
believing that, after giving effect to that payment; 

·  

·  

we will not be able to pay our liabilities as they fall due; or 

the realizable value of our assets, is less than an amount that is equal to the sum of our 

(a)

liabilities, 

(b)

(c)

issued share capital, which equals the product of the par value of each common share and the number of 
common shares then outstanding, and 

share premium, which equals the aggregate amount of consideration paid to us for such common shares in 
excess of their par value. 

In addition, since we are a holding company with no material assets, and conduct our operations through subsidiaries, 
our  ability  to  pay  any  dividends  to  shareholders  will  depend  on  our  subsidiaries'  distributing  to  us  their  earnings  and  cash 
flow.  Some of our loan agreements currently limit or prohibit our subsidiaries' ability to make distributions to us and our ability 
to make distributions to our shareholders. 

C.            Material contracts 

None 

D.           Exchange Controls 

The Bermudan Monetary Authority, or the BMA, must give permission for all issuances and transfers of securities of a 
Bermuda  exempted  company  like  us.  We  have  received  a  general  permission  from  the  BMA  to  issue  any  unissued  common 
shares, and for the free transferability of the common shares as long as our common shares are listed on the NASDAQ or Oslo 
Bors. Our common shares may therefore be freely transferred among persons who are residents or non-residents of Bermuda. 

Although we are incorporated in Bermuda, we are classified as non-resident of Bermuda for exchange control purposes 
by the BMA. Other than transferring Bermuda Dollars out of Bermuda, there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds 
into or out of Bermuda to pay dividends to U.S. residents who are holders of our common shares or other non-resident holders 
of our common shares in currency other than Bermuda Dollars. 

E.            Taxation 

The following discussion is based upon the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the 
"Code", existing and proposed U.S. Treasury Department regulations, or the "Treasury Regulations", administrative rulings and 
pronouncements, and judicial decisions, all as of the date of this Annual Report. 

85

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Taxation of Operating Income 

U.S. Taxation of our Company 

Shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the 
United  States  will  be  considered  to  be  50%  derived  from  sources  within  the  United  States.  Shipping  income  attributable  to 
transportation that both begins and ends in the United States will be considered to be 100% derived from sources within the 
United States.  We are not permitted by law to engage in transportation that gives rise to 100% U.S. source income. 

Shipping  income  attributable  to  transportation  exclusively  between  non-U.S.  ports  will  be  considered  to  be  100% 
derived from sources outside of the United States.  Shipping income derived from sources outside of the United States will not 
be subject to U.S. federal income tax. 

Unless exempt from U.S. federal income tax under section 883 of the Code, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, 

in the manner discussed below, to the extent our shipping income is derived from sources within the United States. 

Based upon our current and anticipated shipping operations, our vessels are and will be operated in various parts of 
the world, including to or from U.S. ports.  For the 2010, 2009, and 2008 taxable years, the U.S. source gross income that we 
derived from our vessels trading to or from U.S. ports was $2,755,244, $5,489,000 and $6,321,000 respectively, and the potential 
U.S.  federal  income  tax  liability  resulting  from  this  income,  in  the  absence  of  our  qualification  for  exemption  from  tax  under 
section 883 of the Code, or an applicable U.S. income tax treaty, as described below, would have been $110,210, $219,000 and 
$253,000, respectively. 

Application of Section 883 of the Code 

We have made special U.S. federal tax elections in respect of all our vessel-owning or vessel-operating subsidiaries 
incorporated in the United Kingdom that are potentially subject to U.S. federal income tax on shipping income derived from 
sources within the United States.  The effect of such elections is to disregard the subsidiaries for which such elections have 
been made as separate taxable entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. 

Under section 883 of the Code and the final regulations promulgated thereunder, we, and each of our subsidiaries, will 

be exempt from U.S. taxation on our respective U.S. source shipping income, if both of the following conditions are met: 

·  

we  and  each  subsidiary  are  organized  in  a  "qualified  foreign  country,"  defined  as  a  country  that  grants  an 
equivalent exemption from tax to corporations organized in the United States in respect of the shipping income 
for  which  exemption  is  being  claimed  under  section  883  of  the  Code,  this  is  also  known  as  the  "Country  of 
Organization Requirement"; and 

·  

either 

- more than 50% of the value of our stock is treated as owned, directly or indirectly, by individuals who are 

"residents" of qualified foreign countries, this is also known as the "Ownership Requirement"; or 

-

our stock is "primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market" in the United States or 
any qualified foreign country, this is also known as the "Publicly-Traded Requirement". 

The  U.S.  Treasury  Department  has  recognized  (i)  Bermuda,  our  country  of  incorporation,  and  (ii)  the  countries  of 
incorporation of each of our subsidiaries that has earned shipping income from sources within the United States as a qualified 
foreign country.  Accordingly, we and each such subsidiary satisfy the Country of Organization Requirement. 

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Due to the public nature of our shareholdings, we do not believe that we will be able to substantiate that we satisfy the 
Ownership  Requirement.  However,  as  described  below,  we  believe  that  we  will  be  able  to  satisfy  the  Publicly-Traded 
Requirement. 

The  Treasury  Regulations  under  section  883  of  the  Code  provide  that  the  stock  of  a  foreign  corporation  will  be 
considered to be "primarily traded" on an "established securities market" if the number of shares of each class of stock that are 
traded during any taxable year on all "established securities markets" in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such 
class that are traded during that year on "established securities markets" in any other single country. Our stock was "primarily 
traded" on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, an "established securities market" in the United States, during 2010. 

Under  the  Treasury  Regulations,  our  common  stock  will  be  considered  to  be  "regularly  traded"  on  an  "established 
securities market" if one or more classes of our stock representing more than 50% of our outstanding shares, by total combined 
voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and total value, is listed on the market, this is also known as the "Listing 
Requirement".  Since  our  common  shares  are  listed  on  the  NASDAQ  Global  Select  Market,  we  will  satisfy  the  Listing 
Requirement. 

The  Treasury  Regulations  further  require  that  with  respect  to  each  class  of  stock  relied  upon  to  meet  the  Listing 
Requirement: (i) such class of stock is traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the 
taxable year or 1/6 of the days in a short taxable year, this is also known as the "Trading Frequency Test", and (ii) the aggregate 
number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market is at least 10% of the average number of shares of such class of 
stock outstanding during such year, or as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year, this is also known as the 
"Trading Volume Test".  We believe that our common shares satisfied the Trading Frequency Test and the Trading Volume 
Test in 2010.  Even if this were not the case, the Treasury Regulations provide that the Trading Frequency Test and the Trading 
Volume Test will be deemed satisfied by a class of stock if, as we expect to be the case with our common shares, such class of 
stock is traded on an "established securities market" in the United States and such class of stock is regularly quoted by dealers 
making a market in such stock. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Treasury Regulations provide that our common shares will not be considered to be 
"regularly traded" on an "established securities market" for any taxable year in which 50% or more of the outstanding common 
shares, by vote and value, are owned, for more than half the days of the taxable year, by persons who each own 5% or more of 
the vote and value of the outstanding common shares this is also known as the "5% Override Rule".  The 5% Override Rule will 
not apply, however, if in respect of each category of shipping income for which exemption is being claimed, we can establish 
that individual residents of qualified foreign countries or "Qualified Shareholders" own sufficient common shares to preclude 
non-Qualified Shareholders from owning 50% or more of the total vote and value of our common shares for more than half the 
number of days during the taxable year, this is also known as the "5% Override Exception". 

Based on our public shareholdings for 2010, we were not subject to the 5% Override Rule for 2010 in respect of all U.S. 
source  shipping  income.  Therefore,  we  believe  that  we  satisfy  the  Publicly-Traded  Requirement  and  we  and  each  of  our 
subsidiaries are entitled to exemption from U.S. federal income tax under section 883 of the Code in respect of our U.S. source 
shipping income.  To the extent that we become subject to the 5% Override Rule in future years (as a result of changes in the 
ownership of our common shares), it may be difficult for us to establish that we qualify for the 5% Override Exception. 

If we were not eligible for the exemption under section 883 of the Code, our U.S. source shipping income would be 

subject to U.S. federal income tax as described in more detail below. 

Taxation in Absence of Section 883 of the Code 

To the extent the benefits of section 883 of the Code are unavailable with respect to any item of U.S. source shipping 
income earned by us or by our subsidiaries, such U.S. source shipping income would be subject to a 4% tax imposed by section 
887 of the Code on a gross basis, without benefit of deductions.  Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 
50% of the shipping income earned by us or our subsidiaries would be derived from U.S. sources, the maximum effective rate of 
U.S.  federal  income  tax  on  such  gross  shipping  income  would  never  exceed  2%.  For  the  calendar  year  2010,  we  and  our 
subsidiaries would be subject to tax under section 887 of the Code in the aggregate amount of $110,210. 

87

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Gain on Sale of Vessels 

If we and our subsidiaries qualify for exemption from tax under section 883 of the Code in respect of our U.S. source 
shipping income, the gain on the sale of any vessel earning such U.S. source shipping income should likewise be exempt from 
U.S. federal income tax.  Even if we and our subsidiaries are unable to qualify for exemption from tax under section 883 of the 
Code and we or any of our subsidiaries, as the seller of such vessel, is considered to be engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade 
or business, gain on the sale of such vessel would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax provided the sale is considered to 
occur  outside  of  the  United  States  under  United  States  federal  income  tax  principles.  In  general,  a  sale  of  a  vessel  will  be 
considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, 
pass to the buyer outside of the United States.  If the sale is considered to occur within the United States, any gain such sale 
may be subject to U.S. federal income tax as "effectively connected" income at a combined rate of up to 54.5%.  To the extent 
circumstances permit, we intend to structure sales of our vessels in such a manner, including effecting the sale and delivery of 
vessels outside of the United States, so as to not give rise to "effectively connected" income. 

U.S. Taxation of U.S. Holders 

The  term  "U.S.  Holder"  means  a  beneficial  owner  of  our  common  shares  that  is  a  U.S.  citizen  or  resident,  U.S. 
corporation or other U.S. entity taxable as a corporation, an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax 
regardless  of  its  source,  or  a  trust  if  a  court  within  the  United  States  is  able  to  exercise  primary  jurisdiction  over  the 
administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, and 
owns our common shares as a capital asset, generally, for investment purposes. 

If a partnership holds our common shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the 
partner and upon the activities of the partnership.  If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common shares, you are 
encouraged to consult your tax advisor. 

Distributions 

Any distributions made by us with respect to our common shares to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends, 
to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.  We 
expect  that  dividends  paid  by  us  to  a  non-corporate U.S. Holder will be eligible for preferential U.S. federal income tax rates 
(through 2012) provided that the non-corporate U.S. Holder has owned the common shares for more than 60 days in the 121-day 
period beginning 60 days before the date on which our common shares becomes ex-dividend and certain other conditions are 
satisfied.  However, there is no assurance that any dividends paid by us will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands 
of a non-corporate U.S. Holder.  Legislation has been previously introduced in the U.S. Congress which, if enacted in its present 
form,  would  preclude  our  dividends  from  qualifying  for  such  preferential  rates  prospectively  from  the  date  of  its 
enactment.  Any dividends paid by us, which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a 
non-corporate U.S. Holder.  Because we are not a U.S. corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will not be entitled to 
claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. 

Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of 

the U.S. Holder's tax basis in his or her common shares, and thereafter as a taxable capital gain. 

Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Our Common Shares 

Subject to the discussion below under "Passive Foreign Investment Company," a U.S. Holder generally will recognize 
taxable  gain  or  loss  upon  a  sale,  exchange  or  other  disposition  of  our  common  shares  in  an  amount  equal  to  the  difference 
between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in 
the common shares.  Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period in such 
common shares is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Otherwise, such gain or loss will 
be  treated  as  short-term capital gain or loss.  An individual U.S. Holder's ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain 
limitations. 

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Passive Foreign Investment Company 

Notwithstanding the above rules regarding distributions and dispositions, special rules may apply to U.S. Holders (or, 
in  some  cases,  U.S.  persons  who  are  treated  as  owning  our  common  shares  under  constructive  ownership  rules)  if  we  are 
treated as a "passive foreign investment company" (a "PFIC") for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  We will be a PFIC if either: 

·  

·  

at least 75% of our gross income in a taxable year is "passive income"; or 

at least 50% of our assets in a taxable year (averaged over the year and generally determined based upon value) 
are held for the production of, or produce, "passive income." 

For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, we will be treated as earning and owning the income and assets, 
respectively, of any of our subsidiary corporations in which we own 25% or more of the value of the subsidiary's stock, which 
includes Golar Energy.  To date, our subsidiaries and we have derived most of our income from time and voyage charters, and 
we expect to continue to do so.  This income should be treated as services income, which is not "passive income" for PFIC 
purposes.  We  believe  there  is  substantial  legal  authority  supporting  our  position  consisting  of  case  law  and  U.S.  Internal 
Revenue  Service,  also  known  as  the  "IRS"  pronouncements  concerning  the  characterization  of  income  derived  from  time 
charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes.  However, there is also authority which characterizes 
time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. 

Based on the foregoing, we believe that we are not currently a PFIC and do not expect to be a PFIC in the foreseeable 
future.  However, in the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the Code provisions governing PFICs, the IRS or 
a  court  could  disagree  with  our  position.  In  addition,  there  can  be  no  assurance  that  we  will  not  become  a  PFIC  if  our 
operations change in the future. 

If we become a PFIC (and regardless of whether we remain a PFIC), each U.S. Holder who owns or is treated as owning 
our common shares during any period in which we are so classified, would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, at the then 
highest applicable income tax rates on ordinary income, plus interest, upon certain "excess distributions" and upon disposition 
of our common shares including, under certain circumstances, a disposition pursuant to an otherwise tax free reorganization, as 
if the distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the U.S. Holder's entire holding period of our common shares.  An 
"excess  distribution"  generally  includes  dividends  or  other  distributions  received  from  a  PFIC  in  any  taxable  year  of  a  U.S. 
Holder to the extent that the amount of those distributions exceeds 125% of the average distributions made by the PFIC during 
a specified base period.  The tax at ordinary rates and interest resulting from an excess distribution would not be imposed if the 
U.S. Holder makes a "mark-to-market" election, as discussed below. 

In some circumstances, a shareholder in a PFIC may avoid the unfavorable consequences of the PFIC rules by making 
a "qualified electing fund" election.  However, a U.S. Holder cannot make a "qualified electing fund" election with respect to us 
unless such U.S. Holder complies with certain reporting requirements.  We do not intend to provide the information necessary 
to meet such reporting requirements. 

If we become a PFIC and, provided that, as is currently the case, our common shares are treated as "marketable stock," 
a U.S. Holder may make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our common shares.  Under this election, any excess of the 
fair market value of the common shares at the close of any tax year over the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in the common shares 
is included in the U.S. Holder's income as ordinary income.  In addition, the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis at 
the close of any taxable year over the fair market value is deductible in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of the excess 
or  the  net  "mark-to-market" gains on the common shares that the U.S. Holder included in income in previous years.  If a U.S. 
Holder makes a "mark-to-market" election after the beginning of its holding period of our common shares, the U.S. Holder does 
not  avoid  the  PFIC  rules  described  above  with  respect  to  the  inclusion  of  ordinary  income,  and  the  imposition  of  interest 
thereon, attributable to periods before the election. 

In addition to the above consequences, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year after 2010, a U.S. Holder 

would be required to file an annual report with the IRS for that year with respect to such holder's common stock. 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting 

In  general,  dividend  payments,  or  other  taxable  distributions,  made  within  the  United  States  will  be  subject  to 
information reporting requirements.  Such payments will also be subject to "backup withholding" if made to a non-corporate 
U.S. Holder and such U.S. Holder: 

·  

·  

·  

·  

fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; 

provides us with an incorrect taxpayer identification number; 

is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on its U.S. federal 
income tax returns; or 

in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. 

If a shareholder sells our common shares to or through a U.S. office or broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject 
to  both  U.S.  information  reporting  and  "backup  withholding"  unless  the  shareholder  establishes  an  exemption.  If  the 
shareholder  sells  our  common  shares  through  a  non-U.S.  office  of  a  non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to the 
shareholder outside the United States, then information reporting and "backup withholding" generally will not apply to that 
payment.  However, U.S. information reporting requirements, but not "backup withholding," will apply to a payment of sales 
proceeds, including a payment made to a shareholder outside the United States, if the shareholder sells the common shares 
through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. person or has some other contacts with the United States. 

"Backup  withholding"  is  not  an  additional  tax.  Rather,  a  taxpayer  generally  may  obtain  a  refund  of  any  amounts 
withheld under "backup withholding" rules that exceed such taxpayer's U.S. federal income tax liability by filing a refund claim 
with the IRS, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. 

Bermuda Taxation 

Bermuda currently imposes no tax (including a tax in the nature of an income, estate, duty, inheritance, capital transfer 
or withholding tax) on profits, income, capital gains or appreciations derived by us, or dividends or other distributions paid by 
us to shareholders of our common shares.  Bermuda has undertaken not to impose any such Bermuda taxes on shareholders of 
our common shares prior to the year 2016 except in so far as such tax applies to persons ordinarily resident in Bermuda. 

The Minister of Finance in Bermuda has granted the Company a tax exempt status until March 28, 2016, under which 
no income taxes or other taxes (other than duty on goods imported into Bermuda and payroll tax in respect of any Bermuda-
resident  employees)  are  payable  by the  Company  in  Bermuda.  If  the  Minister  of  Finance  in  Bermuda  does  not  grant  a  new 
exemption or extend the current tax exemption, and if the Bermudian Parliament passes legislation imposing taxes on exempted 
companies, the Company may become subject to taxation in Bermuda after March 2016. 

Liberian Taxation 

The Republic of Liberia enacted a new income tax act effective as of January 1, 2001, or the "New Act".  In contrast to 
the income tax law previously in effect since 1977 (the "Prior Law"), which the New Act repealed in its entirety, the New Act 
does  not  distinguish  between  the  taxation  of  a  non-resident  Liberian  corporation,  such  as  our  Liberian  subsidiaries,  which 
conduct no business in Liberia and were wholly exempted from tax under the Prior Law, and the taxation of ordinary resident 
Liberian corporations. 

In  2004,  the  Liberian  Ministry  of  Finance  issued  regulations  pursuant  to  which  a  non-resident Liberian corporation 
engaged in international shipping, such as our Liberian subsidiaries, will not be subject to tax under the New Act retroactive to 
January  1,  2001,  or  the  "New  Regulations".  In  addition,  the  Liberian  Ministry  of  Justice  issued  an  opinion  that  the  New 
Regulations  were  a  valid  exercise  of  the  regulatory  authority  of  the  Ministry  of  Finance.  Therefore,  assuming  that  the  New 
Regulations are valid, our Liberian subsidiaries will be wholly exempt from Liberian income tax as under the Prior Law. 

90

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
If our Liberian subsidiaries were subject to Liberian income tax under the New Act, such subsidiaries would be subject 
to tax at a rate of 35% on their worldwide income.  As a result, their, and subsequently our, net income and cash flow would be 
materially reduced by the amount of the applicable tax.  In addition, we, as shareholder of the Liberian subsidiaries, would be 
subject to Liberian withholding tax on dividends paid by such subsidiaries at rates ranging from 15% to 20%. 

In 2009, the Liberian Congress enacted the Economic Stimulus Taxation Act of 2009, which reinstates the treatment of 
non-resident  Liberian  corporation,  such  as  our  Liberian  subsidiaries,  under  Prior  Law  retroactive  to  January  1,  2001.  This 
legislation will become effective when it is finally published by the Liberian government. 

F.            Dividends and Paying Agents

Not Applicable 

G.            Statements by Experts

Not Applicable 

H.            Documents on display

Our  Registration  Statement  became  effective  on  November  29,  2002,  and  we  are  now  subject  to  the  informational 
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with these requirements we will file reports and 
other information with the SEC.  These materials, including this document and the accompanying exhibits, may be inspected and 
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 Fifth Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 
20549.  You  may  obtain  information  on  the  operation  of  the  public  reference  room  by  calling  1  (800)  SEC-0330, and you may 
obtain copies at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at its principal office in Washington, D.C. 
20549.  The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other 
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. 

I.             Subsidiary Information

Not Applicable 

  ITEM 11.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to various market risks, including interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks.  We enter into a 

variety of derivative instruments and contracts to maintain the desired level of exposure arising from these risks. 

Our policy is to hedge our exposure to risks, where possible, within boundaries deemed appropriate by management. 

A  discussion  of  our  accounting  policies  for  derivative  financial  instruments  is  included  in  Note 2  to  our  audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements.  Further information on our exposure to market risk is included in Note 27 to our audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements. 

The following analyses provide quantitative information regarding our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk 
and  interest  rate  risk.  There  are  certain  shortcomings  inherent  in  the  sensitivity  analyses  presented,  primarily  due  to  the 
assumption that exchange rates change in a parallel fashion and that interest rates change instantaneously. 

Interest  rate  risk.  A  significant  portion  of  our  long-term  debt  and  capital  lease  obligations  is  subject  to  adverse 
movements in interest rates.  Our interest rate risk management policy permits economic hedge relationships in order to reduce 
the risk associated with adverse fluctuations in interest rates.  We use interest rate swaps and fixed rate debt to manage the 
exposure to adverse movements in interest rates.  Interest rate swaps are used to convert floating rate debt obligations to a fixed 
rate  in  order  to  achieve  an  overall  desired  position  of  fixed  and  floating  rate  debt.  Credit  exposures  are  monitored  on  a 
counterparty basis, with all new transactions subject to senior management approval. 

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As of December 31, 2010, the notional amount of the interest rate swaps outstanding in respect of our debt and net 
capital lease obligation was $620.3 million (2009: $643.4 million).  The principal of the loans and net capital lease obligations (net 
of restricted cash) outstanding as of December 31, 2010 was $1,016.2 million (2009: $1,011.6 million).  Based on our floating rate 
debt at December 31, 2010, a one-percentage point increase in the floating interest rate would increase interest expense by $6.0 
million per annum.  For disclosure of the fair value of the derivatives and debt obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2010, 
see Note 26 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Foreign  currency  risk.  Except  in  the  case  of  our  vessel  leases  and  FSRU  conversions,  the  majority  of  our 
transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. Dollars, our functional currency.  Periodically, we may be exposed to 
foreign currency exchange fluctuations as a result of expenses paid by certain subsidiaries in currencies other than U.S. Dollars, 
such  as  GBPs,  in  relation  to  our  administrative  office  in  the  UK  and  operating  expenses  incurred  in  a  variety  of  foreign 
currencies  and  Brazilian  Reals  in  respect  of  our  Brazilian  subsidiary  which  receives  income  and  pays  expenses  in  Brazilian 
Reals.  Based on our ongoing GBP expenses for 2010, a 10% depreciation of the U.S. Dollar against GBP would increase our 
expenses by approximately $1.4 million. 

 We are exposed to some extent in respect of the lease transaction entered into with respect to the Methane Princess, 
which is denominated in GBP, although it is hedged by a British Pound cash deposit that secures this obligation.  We use cash 
from the deposit to make payments in respect of our lease.  Gains or losses that we incur are unrealized unless we choose or are 
required to withdraw monies from or pay additional monies into the deposit securing our capital lease obligations.  Among other 
things,  movements  in  interest  rates  give  rise  to  a  requirement  for  us  to  make  adjustments  to  the  amount  of  the  GBP  cash 
deposit.  Based on the lease obligations and related cash deposit as of December 31, 2010, a 10% appreciation in the U.S. Dollar 
against GBP would give rise to an increase in our foreign exchange losses of approximately $0.1 million. 

In April 2004, we entered into a lease arrangement in respect of the Golar  Winter (as noted above), the obligation in 
respect of which is also denominated in GBP.  There is currently no cash deposit securing the lease obligation. We refer to this 
as a "funded" lease.  We are therefore exposed to currency movements on the lease obligation of $123.1 million as at December 
31, 2010.  In order to hedge this exposure we entered into a currency swap with a bank, which is also our lessor, to exchange our 
GBP  payment  obligations  into  U.S.  Dollar  payment  obligations.  We  could  be  exposed  to  a  currency  fluctuation  risk  if  we 
terminated this lease. 

We  are  exposed  to  some  extent  in  respect  of  FSRU  conversion  projects  we  are  undertaking.  The  costs  of  these 
conversions  are  mainly  denominated  in  Euros,  Singapore  Dollars  and  Norwegian  Kroners.  In  order  to  limit  our  exposure  to 
foreign currency fluctuations, we have entered into foreign currency forward contracts.  As of December 31, 2010, we have fixed 
the exchange rate of approximately 45% of the expected total foreign currency denominated cost of our conversion projects.  A 
10%  depreciation  of  the  U.S.  Dollar  against  the  currencies  we  have  not  hedged  would  increase  our  remaining  expected 
conversion cost by approximately $4.7 million. 

The base currency of the majority of our seafaring officers' remuneration was the Euro.  Based on the crew costs for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2010,  a  10%  depreciation  of  the  U.S.  Dollar  against  the  Euro  would  increase  our  crew  cost  by 
approximately $1.8 million. 

ITEM 12.   DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

A.            Debt securities

Not Applicable 

B.            Warrants and rights

Not Applicable 

C.           Other securities

Not Applicable 

D.            American depository shares

Not Applicable 

92

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
ITEM 13.   DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None 

 ITEM 14.   MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None 

 ITEM 15.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)           Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

Management  assessed  the  effectiveness  of  the  design  and  operation  of  the  Company's  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures  pursuant  to  Rule  13a-15(e)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  of  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  this 
annual  report  as  of  December  31,  2010.  Based  upon  that  evaluation,  the  Principal  Executive  Officer  and  Principal  Financial 
Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the evaluation date. 

 (b)           Management's annual report on internal controls over financial reporting 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as 

defined in Rules 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

Internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  defined  in  Rule  13a-15(f)  or  15d-15(f)  promulgated  under  the  Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company's principal executive and principal 
financial officers and effected by the Company's board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable 
assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that; 

·  

·  

·  

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 
dispositions of the assets of the Company; 

Provide  reasonable  assurance  that  transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures 
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of Company's management and directors; and 

Provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use  or 
disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect 
misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may 
become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance with the policies or procedures may 
deteriorate. 

Management conducted the evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting using the 
control  criteria  framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (COSO) 
published in its report entitled Internal Control-Integrated Framework. 

Our management with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer assessed the 
effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of December 31, 2010.  Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and 
Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company's internal controls over financial reporting are effective as of December 
31, 2010. 

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The  Company's  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm  has  issued  an  attestation  report  on  the  Company's 

internal control over financial reporting. 

(c)           Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm 

The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 has been audited 
by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears on 
page F-2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements. 

(d)           Changes in internal control over financial reporting 

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this 
annual  report  that  have  materially  affected,  or  are  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  Company's  internal  control  over 
financial reporting. 

ITEM 16 A.  AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT 

Our board of directors has determined that Kate Blankenship, a director, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert 

and is independent, in accordance with SEC Rule 10a-3 pursuant to Section 10A of the Exchange Act. 

ITEM 16 B.  CODE OF ETHICS 

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all the employees of the company and its subsidiaries.  A copy of 

our Code of Ethics may be found on our website www.golarlng.com. 

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ITEM 16 C.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 

(a)  Audit Fees 

The following table sets forth, for the two most recent fiscal years, the aggregate fees billed for professional services 
rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements and services provided by the 
principal accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the two most recent fiscal years. 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 

 (b)  Audit –Related Fees 

 $
 $

1,212,214 
955,221 

The following table sets forth, for the two most recent fiscal years, the aggregate fees billed for professional services in 
respect of assurance and related services rendered by the principal accountant related to the performance of the audit or review 
of  the  Company's  financial  statements  which  have  not  been  reported  under  Audit  Fees  above.  These  services  comprise 
assurance work in connection with financing and other agreements. 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 

 (c)  Tax Fees 

 $
 $

319,591 
446,998 

The following table sets forth, for the two most recent fiscal years, the aggregate fees billed for professional services 

rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 

 (d)  All Other Fees 

 $
 $

27,480 
11,955 

The following table sets forth, for the two most recent fiscal years, the aggregate fees billed for professional services 

rendered by the principal accountant for other services. 

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 

 (e)  Audit Committee's Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures 

 $
 $

- 
- 

The Company's board of directors has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures in compliance with paragraph (c)
(7)(i) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X that require our board of directors to approve the appointment of the independent auditor 
of the Company before such auditor is engaged and approve each of the audit and non-audit related services to be provided by 
such auditor under such engagement by the Company.  All services provided by the principal auditor in 2010 were approved by 
our board of directors pursuant to the pre-approval policy. 

ITEM 16 D.  EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Not Applicable 

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ITEM 16 E.  PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

In November 2007, we announced that the board of directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 of our 

common stock in the open market. 

Month of repurchase

November 2007 
December 2007 
November 2009 

Total 
number of 
Shares 
purchased 
as part of 
publicly 
announced 
plans or 
programme 

200,000 
200,000 
300,000 
700,000 

Maximum 
Number of 
shares that 
may be 
purchased 
under the 
plans or 
program 

800,000 
600,000 
300,000 
300,000 

Total 
number of 
shares 
purchased 

Average 
price paid 
per share 

200,000 
200,000 
300,000 
700,000 

 $
 $
 $
 $

20.33 
20.68 
13.04 
17.31 

For further detail on our treasury shares refer to note 25 of our Consolidated Financial Statements. 

ITEM 16 F.  CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not Applicable.

ITEM 16 G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to follow home country practices in lieu of certain NASDAQ Global Select 
Market  corporate  governance  requirements.  We  have  certified  to  the  NASDAQ  Global  Select  Market  that  our  corporate 
governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of Bermuda.  We are exempt from many of the 
NASDAQ  Global  Select  Market's  corporate  governance  practices  other  than  the  requirements  regarding  the  disclosure  of  a 
going concern audit opinion, submission of a listing agreement, notification of material non-compliance with NASDAQ Global 
Select  Market  corporate  governance  practices  and  the  establishment  and  composition  of  an  audit  committee  and  a  formal 
written audit committee charter. The practices we follow in lieu of the NASDAQ Global Select Market's corporate governance 
requirements are as follows: 

Independence  of  directors. Consistent with Bermuda law, we are exempt from the NASDAQ Global Select Market's 
requirement to maintain three independent directors.  We currently have two members of the board of directors, Kate 
Blankenship and Hans Petter Aas, who are independent according to NASDAQ Global Select Market's standards for 
independence. 

Audit  Committee.  Consistent  with  Bermuda  law,  we  are  exempt  from  certain  NASDAQ  Global  Select  Market 
requirements  regarding  our  audit  committee.  The  Company's  management  is  responsible  for  the  proper  and  timely 
preparation of the Company's annual reports, which are audited by independent auditors. 

Compensation Committee. In lieu of a compensation committee comprised of independent directors, the full board of 
directors determines compensation. 

Nomination  Committee.  In  lieu  of  a  nomination  committee  comprised  of  independent  directors,  the  full  board  of 
directors regulates nominations. 

Share  Issuance. In lieu of obtaining shareholder approval prior to the issuance of designated securities, consistent 
with Bermuda law, the Company's board of directors approves share issuances. 

96

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
ITEM 17.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

Not Applicable. 

ITEM 18.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We specifically incorporate by reference in response to this item the report of the independent registered public 
accounting firm, the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements 
appearing on pages F-1 through F-50. 

97

  
  
  
  
ITEM 19.  EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual report: 

Number 

    Description of Exhibit 

1.1 

1.2 

1.3 

1.4 

2.1 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

4.4 

8.1 

11.1 

12.1 

12.2 

13.1 

13.2 

Memorandum of Association of Golar LNG Limited as adopted on May 9, 2001, incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 1.1 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form 20-F, filed with the SEC on November 27, 2002, 
File No. 00050113, or the Original Registration Statement. 

Amended Bye-Laws of Golar LNG Limited dated September 28, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 
of the Company's Annual report on Form 20-F for fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. 

Certificate  of  Incorporation  as  adopted  on  May  11,  2001,  incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  1.3  of  the 
Company's Original Registration Statement. 

Articles  of  Amendment  of  Memorandum  of  Association  of  Golar  LNG  Limited  as  adopted  by  our 
shareholders  on  June  1,  2001  (increasing  the  Company's  authorized  capital),  incorporated  by  reference  to 
Exhibit 1.4 of the Company's Original Registration Statement. 

Form of share certificate. 

Golar  LNG  Limited  Stock  Option  Plan,  incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  4.6  of  the  Company's  Original 
Registration Statement. 

Management  Agreement  between  Golar  LNG  Limited  and  Frontline  Management  (Bermuda)  Limited,  dated 
February 21, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of the Company's Original Registration Statement. 

Loan  Agreement,  between  Golar  Gas  Holding  Company,  Inc.  and  Citibank  N.A,  Nordea  Bank  Norge  ASA, 
Den norske Bank ASA and Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V, dated March 21, 2005, incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 4.6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. 

Bermuda  Tax  Assurance,  dated  May  22,  2001,  incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  4.5  of  the  Company's 
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 

Golar LNG Limited subsidiaries. 

Golar LNG Limited Code of Ethics, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of the Company's Annual Report 
on Form 20-F for the fiscal ended December 31, 2003. 

Certification of the Principal Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

Certification of the Principal Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 of the Principal Executive Officer. 

Certification under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley act of 2002 of the Principal Financial Officer. 

98

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all of the 
requirements  for  filing  on  Form  20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, 
thereunto duly authorized. 

SIGNATURES

Date 

April 28, 2011 

By 

99

Golar LNG Limited
(Registrant)

/s/ Graham Robjohns
Graham Robjohns
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
GOLAR LNG LIMITED
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
Audited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 
and 2008
Audited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and  2008
Audited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009
Audited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 
2009 and 2008
Audited Consolidated Statements of Changes in  Equity for the years ended December 31, 
2010, 2009 and 2008
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page
F-2 
F-4 

F-5 
F-6 
F-7 

F-9 

F-10 

 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and shareholders of Golar LNG Limited 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes 
in  equity and comprehensive income and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Golar LNG 
Ltd and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for 
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in 
the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control 
over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2010,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control—Integrated 
Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (COSO).  The  Company's 
management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and 
for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included under Item 15 of the Form 20-F. Our 
responsibility  is  to  express  opinions  on  these  financial  statements,  and  on  the  Company's  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company 
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable 
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over 
financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test 
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used 
and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal 
control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the 
risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based 
on  the  assessed  risk.  Our  audits  also  included  performing  such  other  procedures  as  we  considered  necessary  in  the 
circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions. 

A  company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures 
that  (i)  pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail,  accurately  and  fairly  reflect  the  transactions  and 
dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to 
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and 
expenditures  of  the  company  are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the 
company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or 
disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

F-2

 
  
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Continued) 

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements.  Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
London, United Kingdom 
April 28, 2011 

F-3

 
  
  
Golar LNG Limited 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 
(in thousands of $, except per share data) 

Operating revenues 
Time charter revenues 
Total operating revenues

Gain on sale of vessel 

Operating expenses 
Vessel operating expenses 
Voyage and charter-hire expenses 
Administrative expenses 
Depreciation and amortization 
Gain on sale of long-lived asset 
Impairment of long-term assets 
Total operating expenses

Other operating gains and losses 

Operating income 

Note 

2010 

2009 

2008 

244,045 
244,045 

216,495 
216,495 

228,779 
228,779 

- 

- 

78,108 

52,910 
32,311 
22,832 
65,076 
- 
4,500 
177,629 

60,709 
39,463 
19,958 
63,482 
- 
1,500 
185,112 

61,868 
33,126 
17,815 
62,005 
(430)
110 
174,494 

(6,230)   

- 

- 

60,186 

31,383 

132,393 

6 

5 

Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities 

18 

4,196 

- 

- 

Financial income (expenses) 
Interest income 
Interest expense 
Other financial items, net 
Net financial expenses 
(Loss) income before equity in net losses of investees, income 
taxes and noncontrolling interests
Income taxes 
Equity in net losses of investees 
Gain on sale of investee 
Net (loss) income 
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests 
Net income (loss) attributable to Golar LNG Ltd 

Earnings per share attributable to Golar LNG Ltd stockholders: 
Per common share amounts: 
Earnings (loss) – Basic and diluted 
Cash dividends declared and paid 

7 

8 
11 

4,290 
(32,654)   
(38,597)   
(66,961)   

11,710 
(43,898)   
30,496 
(1,692)   

45,828 
(91,566)
(87,023)
(132,761)

(2,579)   
(1,427)   
(1,435)   
- 

(5,441)   
5,825 
384 

 29,691 

(1,643)   
(4,902)   
8,355 
31,501 

(8,419)   

23,082 

(368)
(510)
(2,406)
- 
(3,284)
(6,705)
(9,989)

9 

 $
 $

 $

0.01 
0.45 

0.34 
- 

 $
 $

(0.15)
1.00 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-4

  
  
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
 
  
  
  
   
 
  
  
  
  
   
     
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
   
      
      
      
  
  
   
  
  
  
Golar LNG Limited
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008  
(in thousands of $) 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 

Net (loss) income 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 

Losses associated with pensions
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable   securities held by the 
Company and investee
Other-than-temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities 
reclassified to the income statement
Unrealized net (loss) gain on qualifying cash flow hedging 
instruments

Other comprehensive (loss) income 
Comprehensive (loss) income 

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to:
    Stockholders of Golar LNG Limited

Non-controlling interests 

Note 

2010 

2009 

2008 

(5,441)   

31,501 

(3,284)

21 

(95)   

(3,455)   

(1,821)

(9,942)   

9,942 

- 

- 

26 

(8,578)   
(18,615)   
(24,056)   

11,615 
18,102 
49,603 

(399)

399 

(25,916)
(27,737)
(31,021)

(14,108)   
(9,948)   
(24,056)   

38,902 
10,701 
49,603 

(37,726)
6,705 
(31,021)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-5

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
   
 
  
  
   
     
      
      
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Golar LNG Limited
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 
(in thousands of $) 

ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and short-term investments 
Trade accounts receivable 
Other receivables, prepaid expenses and accrued income 
Amounts due from related parties 
Inventories 
Total current assets 
Long-term assets 
Restricted cash
Equity in net assets of non-consolidated investees 
Vessels and equipment, net 
Vessels under capital leases, net 
Deferred charges 
Other non-current assets 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 
Current liabilities 
Current portion of long-term debt 
Current portion of obligations under capital leases 
Trade accounts payable 
Accrued expenses 
Amounts due to related parties 
Other current liabilities 
Total current liabilities 
Long-term liabilities 
Long-term debt 
Obligations under capital leases 
Other long-term liabilities 
Total liabilities 

Commitments And Contingencies (see note 29) 

EQUITY 
Share capital 67,808,200 (2009: 67,576,808) common shares
of $1.00 each  issued and outstanding
Treasury shares 
Additional paid-in capital 
Contributed surplus 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 
Retained earnings
Total stockholder's equity 
Noncontrolling interests 
Total equity 

Total liabilities and equity 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6

Note 

2010 

2009 

17 
12 
13 

17 
11 
14 
15 
16 
18 

22 
23 

19 

20 

164,717 
21,815 
7,889 
4,025 
222 
5,664 
204,332 

122,231 
40,651 
5,879 
5,690 
795 
6,882 
182,128 

186,041 
20,276 
1,103,137 
515,666 
9,798 
38,522 
   2,077,772 

594,154 
21,243 
653,496 
992,563 
8,979 
39,873 
   2,492,436 

105,629 
5,766 
16,308 
22,588 
438 
96,427 
247,156 

74,504 
8,588 
23,529 
22,257 
298 
76,586 
205,762 

 22
23 
24 

691,549 
406,109 
133,636 
   1,478,450 

707,722 
844,355 
76,413 
   1,834,252 

25 
25 

67,808 
(2,280)   

100,285 
200,000 
(33,311)   
78,086 
410,588 
188,734 
599,322 
   2,077,772 

67,577 
(6,841)
96,518 
200,000 
(18,819)
157,076 
495,511 
162,673 
658,184 
   2,492,436 

  
  
  
 
 
 
   
     
     
 
   
     
     
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
      
      
  
 
   
      
      
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
Golar LNG Limited
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 
(in thousands of $) 

Operating activities 
Net (loss) income 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by operating activities: 
Depreciation and amortization 
Amortization of deferred charges 
Undistributed earnings of non-consolidated investees 
Loss on termination of lease financing arrangements
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities 
Gain on sale of long-lived assets 
Gain on sale of investee
Gain on termination of equity swaps
Compensation cost related to stock options
Unrealized foreign exchange (gains) losses
Fixed-rate debt settlement costs 
Other than temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities 
Impairment of long-term assets 
Drydocking expenditure
Trade accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses, accrued income and other assets
Amount due from/to related companies
Trade accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Interest element included in obligations under capital leases
Other current liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities

Investing activities

Additions to vessels and equipment
Investment in non-consolidated investees 
Investment in available-for-sale securities 
Proceeds from disposal of long-lived assets 
Proceeds from sale of investments in available-for-sale securities 
Proceeds from sale of investments in investees
Settlement on termination of equity swaps
Restricted cash and short-term investments 
Net cash provided (used in) by investing activities

F-7

Note 

2010 

2009 

2008 

(5,441)   

31,501 

(3,284)

65,076 
1,494 
1,435 
7,777 
(4,196)   
- 
- 
- 
1,869 
(5,180)   
- 
- 
4,500 
 (7,369)   
(2,010)    
1,166 
(17,629)    
713 
(7,221)    
409 
762 
15,555 
51,710 

(33,927)    
(469)    
- 
- 
7,711 
- 
- 
391,421 
364,736 

63,483 
1,280 
4,559 
- 
- 
- 
(8,355)   
(15,904)   
1,689 
12,955 
- 
- 
(1,500)    
 (9,807)   
5,473 
(2,238)    
7,145 

(99)    

2,075 
(3,671)    
1,182 
(46,005)    
43,763 

(112,945)    
(85)    
- 
- 
- 
11,010 
7,691 
37,869 
(56,460)    

62,005 
2,773 
2,406 
- 
- 
(78,538)
- 
(832)
3,092 
(42,767)
8,998 
1,871 
110 
 (19,598)
2,133 
(725) 
4,715 
138 
12,778 
(2,158) 
1,908 
93,470 
48,495 

(322,183) 
(25,970) 
(2,372) 
233,244 
165 
- 
(538) 
34,106 
(83,548)

  
  
  
 
 
 
 
     
     
 
  
  
 
 
      
      
  
 
 
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Golar LNG Limited
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 (Continued) 

Financing activities

Proceeds from long-term debt 
Repayments of obligations under capital leases
Repayments of long-term debt 
Financing costs paid
Cash dividends paid
Noncontrolling interest capital contribution
Payments to acquire treasury shares
Proceeds from disposal of treasury shares on exercise of stock 
options (including receipt of dividends)
Proceeds from sales of shares in noncontrolling interest
Proceeds from  issuance of equity
Proceeds from  issuance of equity in subsidiaries to 
noncontrolling interest (1)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests
Proceeds arising from exercise of warrants
  Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Net  increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for: 

Interest paid, net of capitalized interest 
Income taxes paid 

Non cash investing activities include the following:

Dividends (2) 

Note 

2010 

2009 

2008 

22 
23 
22 

27 

125,000 
(354,881)   
(110,037)   

- 

(45,761)   
(3,120)   
- 

2,985 
5,549 
3,304 

- 

(15,741)   
18,742 
(373,960)   
42,486 
122,231 
164,717 

44,999 
(6,883)   
(71,396)   

- 
- 
(1,360)   
(3,912)   

1,974 
- 
- 

115,392 
- 
- 
78,814 
66,117 
56,114 
122,231 

370,000 
(5,497)
(377,044)
(13,600)
(67,438)
(2,000)
- 

1,007 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
(94,572)
(129,625)
185,739 
56,114 

47,962 
1,493 

30,410 

51,145 
950 

62,768 
575 

- 

- 

Footnote: 

(1) Following  the  successful  completion  of  the  Private  Placement  Offering  in  August  2009,  Golar  Energy  received  total 
cash proceeds of USD 115.4 million, net of fees and offering expenses, from the issuance and sale of 59,843,000 shares 
to the private institutional investors, at a subscription price of USD 2 per share. This included USD 9.7 million of cash 
proceeds relating to 4,843,000 additional shares issued under the "Green Shoe" option. 

(2)

In 2010, the Company issued stock dividends in its subsidiary, Golar Energy. 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-8

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
   
  
 
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
 
   
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
Golar LNG Limited
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended 
 December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 
(in thousands of $) 

Share 
Capital

Treasury 
Shares

Additional
Paid in 
Capital

Contributed
Surplus

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive
Loss

Accumulated 
Earnings

Non-
controlling 
Interest

Total 
Equity

Balance at December 31, 
2007

Net (loss) income
Cash dividends
Grant of share options
Disposal of treasury shares 
on exercise of share options   
Gain on issuance of shares by 
investees
Non-controlling interest 
capital contribution
Other comprehensive loss

Balance at December 31, 
2008

Net income
Grant of share options
Share options cancelled
Exercise of share options
Disposal of treasury shares

Gain on issuance of shares by 
investees
Non-controlling interest's 
purchase price paid in excess 
of net assets acquired from 
parent
Transfer to contributed 
surplus (1)
Non-controlling interest 
capital contribution
Other comprehensive 
income

Balance at December 31, 
2009

Net income (loss)
Grant of share options
Exercise of share options
Exercise of warrants
Stock and cash dividends
Incorporation costs
Disposal of treasury shares
Non-controlling interest's 
purchase price paid in excess 
of net assets acquired from 
parent
Non-controlling interest 
capital contribution
Acquisition of non-
controlling interests
Disposal of shares in non-
controlling interest
Other comprehensive 
income

Balance at December 31, 
2010

Footnote: 

67,577 

(8,201)   

288,672 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
348 
- 

- 
- 
3,092 

1,019 

(479)   

- 

- 
- 

667 

- 
- 

67,577 

(6,834)   

291,952 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
(7)    

- 
1,689 
(181)   
(1,655)   

- 

- 

965 

3,748 

- 

   (200,000)   

200,000 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

(6,902)   

211,386 

36,983 

589,515 

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

(27,737)   

(9,989)   
(67,438)   

- 

130 

- 

- 
- 

6,705 
- 
- 

(3,284)
(67,090)
3,092 

- 

- 

670 

667 

(2,000)    

- 

(2,000) 
(27,737)

(34,639)   

134,089 

41,688 

493,833 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

15,820 

23,082 
- 
181 
985 
(1,261)   

8,419 
- 
- 
- 
- 

31,501 
1,689 
- 
(670)
(1,268)

965 

3,748 

- 

- 

- 

- 

110,284 

110,284 

2,282 

18,102 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

67,577 

(6,841)   

96,518 

200,000 

(18,819)   

157,076 

162,673 

658,184 

- 
- 
231 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4,561 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
1,869 
(1,081)   
18,742 
- 
(40)   
- 

(56)   

- 

(15,667)   

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(14,492)   

384 
- 
610 
- 

(79,815)   

- 
(169)   

(5,825)   

- 
- 
- 
34,052 

(528)   
- 

(5,441)
1,869 
(240)
18,742 
(45,763)
(568)
4,392 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(56)

(3,120)   

(3,120)

- 

(15,667)

5,605 

5,605 

(4,123)   

(18,615)

67,808 

(2,280)   

100,285 

200,000 

(33,311)   

78,086 

188,734 

599,322 

(1) Contributed  Surplus  is  'capital'  that  can  be  returned  to  shareholders  without  the  need  to  reduce  share  capital.  This 
change  took  place  in  the  third  quarter  of  2009  thereby  giving  Golar  greater  flexibility  when  it  comes  to  declaring 
dividends. 

  
  
  
  
  
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
  
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-9

  
Golar LNG Limited
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

1.

GENERAL 

Golar  LNG  Limited  (the  "Company"  or  "Golar")  was  incorporated  in  Hamilton,  Bermuda  on  May  10,  2001  for  the  purpose  of 
acquiring the liquefied natural gas ("LNG") shipping interests of Osprey Maritime Limited ("Osprey"), which was owned by 
World Shipholding Limited ("World Shipholding"), a company indirectly controlled by trusts established by John Fredriksen 
for the benefit of his immediate family. Mr. Fredriksen is a Director, the Chairman and President of Golar. As of December 31, 
2010, World Shipholding owned 45.80% (2009: 46.18%) of Golar. 

As  of  December  31,  2010,  the  Company  operated  a  fleet  of  twelve  LNG  carriers  and  Floating  Storage  Regasification  Units 
("FSRUs").  The  Company leases  three  LNG  carriers  under  long-term  financial  leases, owns  eight  vessels  and has  a  60% 
ownership interest in another LNG carrier, the Golar Mazo through a joint arrangement with the CPC Corporation, Taiwan, the 
Taiwanese state oil and gas company. The Company also has a 50% equity interest in a thirteenth vessel. 

In connection with a corporate restructuring of Golar and a private placement offering in 2009, Golar LNG Energy Limited ("Golar 
Energy")  was  incorporated  in  June  2009,  under  the  laws  of  Bermuda.  As  part  of  this  reorganization,  Golar  established  Golar 
Energy  as  a  wholly-owned subsidiary, and transferred interests in eight LNG vessels, a 50% equity interest in another LNG 
carrier  and  certain  other  investments.  Golar  Energy  is  a  publicly  listed  Bermudan  company,  specializing  in  the  acquisition, 
ownership, operation and chartering of LNG carriers and FSRUs and the development of liquefaction projects. 

Through the reorganization on August 12, 2009, Golar retained the assets with long-term secured employment and steady cash 
flow.  Golar Energy acquired assets with significantly less contract exposure than the assets being retained by Golar. 

Further detail of the corporate restructuring and private placement offering are provided below: 

·

·

·

Golar  transferred  to  Golar  Energy  capital  stock  in  its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries  and  other  equity  interests  in 
investments, in exchange for 168.5 million new common shares in Golar Energy at a subscription price of $2 per share, 
gave rise to consideration of $337 million and deferred consideration ("seller's credit") in respect of the Golar Freeze. 
The  seller's  credit  was  extinguished  in  December  2010  pursuant  to  Golar's  exercise  of  the  purchase  option  for  the 
vessel. 
Immediately subsequent to the corporate restructuring described above, Golar Energy issued 59.8 million new common 
shares to private institutional investors at a subscription price of $2 per share as part of the private placement resulting 
in aggregate gross proceeds to Golar Energy of $119.7 million. This includes $9.7 million of proceeds relating to the 4.8 
million additional shares issued under the "Green Shoe" option which were exercised in September 2009 in connection 
with the private placement. 
In connection with the private placement 12 million warrants were also issued by Golar Energy to private investors. 
Each warrant gives the holder the right to subscribe for one new share in Golar Energy at a subscription price of $2 per 
share. On December 15, 2010, 9.4 million warrants were exercised and the remainder cancelled. After the issuance of 
these new shares, the total number of shares outstanding in Golar Energy is 237.8 million. 

Golar Energy's ordinary shares are listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. 

2.            ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

F-10

  
  
  
Basis of accounting 

The  financial  statements  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of 
America.  Investments in companies in which the Company directly or indirectly holds more than 50% of the voting control are 
consolidated  in  the  financial  statements,  as  well  as  certain  variable  interest  entities  in  which  the  Company  is  deemed  to  be 
subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's 
residual returns, or both. All inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated. The non-controlling interests of the above 
mentioned  subsidiaries  are  included  in  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  and  Statements  of  Operations  as  "Non-controlling 
interests". 

A variable interest entity is defined by the accounting standard as a legal entity where either (a) equity interest holders as a 
group lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, including decision making ability and an interest in the entity's 
residual  risks  and  rewards,  or  (b)  the  equity  holders  have  not  provided  sufficient  equity  investment  to  permit  the  entity  to 
finance  its  activities  without  additional  subordinated  financial  support,  or  (c)  the  voting  rights  of  some  investors  are  not 
proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns 
of the entity, or both and substantially all of the entity's activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that 
has disproportionately few voting rights. 

Investments in companies over which the Company exercises significant influence but, does not consolidate are accounted for 
using the equity method.  The Company records its investments in equity-method investees on the consolidated balance sheets 
as "Equity in net assets of non-consolidated investees" and its share of the investees' earnings or losses in the Consolidated 
Statements of Operations as "Equity in net earnings of investees."  The difference, if any, between the purchase price and the 
book value of the Company's investments in equity method investees is included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance 
Sheets in "Equity in net assets of non-consolidated investees." 

Investments  in  which  the  Company  has  a  majority  interest  but  it  does  not  control,  due  to  the  participating  rights  of 
noncontrolling interests, are accounted for using the equity method. 

Certain amounts reported in prior periods have been revised to be consistent with the current year's presentation. The Company 
identified line items in the statement of operations with respect to economic hedges that were not presented in accordance with 
current guidance. In prior periods the company entered into a number of interest rate swaps as economic hedges of its debt but 
elected not to account for the relationships as an effective hedging instrument. Since the swaps are an economic hedge of the 
debt, the company presented the periodic net settlement on the swaps as "Interest expense" and the remaining changes in the 
swaps fair value as "Other financial items". The Company should have presented the entire change in fair value of the swaps 
(including the periodic net settlement amounts) within "other financial items" to reflect its economic hedging relationship with 
the debt as speculative/non-hedging in nature. As a result of this misclassification, interest expense has been overstated and 
correspondingly  other  financial  items  understated  in  respect  of  prior  years  (2009:  $14.0  million  and  2008:  $5.8  million).  The 
misclassification  however  nets  off  within  the  financial  expenses  category  leaving  no  impact  to  net  income.  There  is  also  no 
impact on the balance sheet, statement of changes in equity or the statement of cash flows. 

The  prior  year's  Consolidated  Statements  of  Comprehensive  Income  has  been  revised  to  conform  with  the  current  year's 
presentation. 

Revenue and expense recognition 

Revenues include minimum lease payments under time charters, fees for repositioning vessels as well as the reimbursement of 
certain vessel operating and drydocking costs.  Revenues generated from time charters, which are classified as operating leases 
by the Company, are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided. However, the Company does not recognize 
revenue if a charter has not been contractually committed to by a customer and the Company, even if the vessel has discharged 
its cargo and is sailing to the anticipated load port on its next voyage. 

F-11

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Reimbursement for drydocking costs is recognized evenly over the period to the next drydocking, which is generally between 
two  to  five  years.  Repositioning  fees  (which  are  included  in  time  charter  revenue)  received  in  respect  of  time  charters  are 
recognized  at  the  end  of  the  charter  when  the  fee  becomes  fixed  and  determinable.  However,  where  there  is  a  fixed  amount 
specified in the charter, which is not dependent upon redelivery location, the fee will be recognized evenly over the term of the 
charter. Where a vessel undertakes multiple single voyage time charters, revenue is recognized, including the repositioning fee 
if  fixed  and  determinable,  on  a  discharge-to-discharge basis.  Under this basis, revenue is recognized evenly over the period 
from  departure  of  the  vessel  from  its  last  discharge  port  to  departure  from  the  next  discharge  port.  For  arrangements  where 
operating costs are borne by the charterer on a pass through basis, the pass through of operating costs is reflected in revenue 
and expenses. 

Under time charters, voyage expenses are paid by the Company's customers.  Voyage related expenses, principally fuel, may 
also be incurred when positioning or repositioning the vessel before or after the period of time charter and during periods when 
the vessel is not under charter or is offhire, for example when the vessel is undergoing repairs.  These expenses are recognized 
as incurred. 

Revenue includes amounts receivable from loss of hire insurance, which is recognized on an accruals basis, to the value of $0.3 
million, $nil and $0.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. 

Vessel operating expenses, which are recognized when incurred, include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, 
lube oils, communication expenses and third party management fees. 

Gain on sale of vessels 

Gain on sale of vessels is recognized when all risks have been transferred and are determined by comparing proceeds received 
with the carrying value of the vessel. 

Cash and cash equivalents 

The Company considers all demand and time deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or 
less to be equivalent to cash. 

Restricted cash and short-term investments 

Restricted  cash  and  short-term investments consist of bank deposits, which may only be used to settle certain pre-arranged 
loan  or  lease  payments.  The  Company  considers  all  short-term investments as held to maturity in accordance with guidance 
"Accounting  for  Certain  Investments  in  Debt  and  Equity  Securities".  These  investments  are  carried  at  amortized  cost.  The 
Company places its short-term investments primarily in fixed term deposits with high credit quality financial institutions. 

Inventories 

Inventories, which are comprised principally of fuel, lubricating oils and ship spares, are stated at the lower of cost or market 
value.  Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. 

Vessels and equipment 

Vessels and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  The cost of vessels and equipment less the estimated 
residual value is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the assets' remaining useful economic lives. 

F-12

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Refurbishment  costs  incurred  during  the  period  are  capitalized  as  part  of  vessels  and  equipment  and  depreciated  over  the 
vessels' remaining useful economic lives.  Refurbishment costs are costs that appreciably increase the capacity, or improve the 
efficiency or safety of vessels and equipment. Drydocking expenditures are capitalized when incurred and amortized over the 
period until the next anticipated drydocking, which is generally between two and five years.  For vessels that are newly built or 
acquired, the Company has adopted the "built-in overhaul" method of accounting.  The built-in overhaul method is based on 
the segregation of vessel costs into those that should be depreciated over the useful life of the vessel and those that require 
drydocking at periodic intervals to reflect the different useful lives of the components of the assets.  The estimated cost of the 
drydocking  component  is  amortized  until  the  date  of  the  first  drydocking  following  acquisition,  upon  which  the  cost  is 
capitalized and the process is repeated. 

Useful lives applied in depreciation are as follows: 

Vessels                                                                                             40 to 50 years 
Deferred drydocking expenditure                                                two to five years 
Office equipment and fittings                                                       three to six years 

Interest costs capitalized in connection with the conversion of vessels into FSRUs for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 
and 2008 were $0.5 million, $1.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively. 

Vessels under capital lease 

The Company leases certain vessels under agreements that have been accounted for as capital leases in accordance with the 
guidance "Accounting for Leases". Obligations under capital leases are carried at the present value of future minimum lease 
payments,  and  the  asset  balance  is  amortized  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  remaining  economic  useful  lives  of  the 
vessels.   Interest expense is calculated at a constant rate over the term of the lease. 

Depreciation  of  vessels  under  capital  lease  is  included  within  depreciation  and  amortization  expense  in  the  statement  of 
operations.  Vessels  under  capital  lease  are  depreciated  on  a  straight-line basis over the vessels' remaining useful economic 
lives, based on a useful life of 40-50 years. 

Certain of our capital leases are 'funded' via long term cash deposits which closely match the lease liability. Future changes in 
the lease liability arising from interest rate changes are only partially offset by changes in interest income on the cash deposits, 
and where differences arise, this is funded by, or released to, available working capital. 

Refurbishment costs incurred during the period are capitalized as part of vessels under capital leases and depreciated over the 
vessels' remaining useful economic lives. Refurbishment costs are costs that appreciably increase the capacity, or improve the 
efficiency or safety of vessels under capital lease. Drydocking expenditures for vessels under capital lease are capitalized when 
incurred and amortized over the period until the next anticipated drydocking, which is generally between two and five years. For 
vessels that are newly built or acquired, the Company has adopted the "built-in overhaul" method of accounting. The built-in 
overhaul method is based on the segregation of vessel costs into those that should be depreciated over the useful life of the 
vessel  and  those  that  require  drydocking  at  periodic  intervals  to  reflect  the  different  useful  lives  of  the  components  of  the 
assets.  The  estimated  cost  of  the  drydocking component  is  amortized  until  the  date  of  the  first  drydocking  following 
acquisition, upon which the cost is capitalized and the process is repeated. 

F-13

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Deferred credit from capital leases 

In accordance with the guidance, "Accounting for Sales with Leasebacks", income derived from the sale of subsequently leased 
assets is deferred and amortized in proportion to the amortization of the leased assets (see note 24).  Amortization of deferred 
income is offset against depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 

Impairment of long-lived assets 

In accordance with the guidance, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets", the Company continually 
monitors  events  and  changes  in  circumstances  that  could  indicate  carrying  amounts  of  long-lived  assets  may  not  be 
recoverable.  When such events or changes in circumstances are present, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-
lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future 
cash flows.  If the total of the future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, the Company recognizes an 
impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. 

Deferred charges 

Costs  associated  with  long-term financing, including debt arrangement fees, are deferred and amortized over the term of the 
relevant  loan.  Amortization  of  deferred  loan  costs  is  included  in  "Other  financial  items,"  in  the  Consolidated  Statement  of 
Operations.  If a loan is repaid early, any unamortized portion of the related deferred charges is charged against income in the 
period in which the loan is repaid. 

Marketable securities 

In  accordance  with  the  guidance  "Accounting  for  Certain  Investments  in  Debt  and  Equity",  the  Company's  investments  in 
marketable securities in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee are 
classified  as  available-for-sale  securities  and  are  carried  at  fair  value.  Net  unrealized  gains  or  losses  on  available-for-sale 
securities are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses on available-for-
sale securities are computed based upon the historical cost of these securities applied using the weighted-average historical 
cost method. The Company records these investments within "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

Unlisted investments 

Unlisted investments in which the Company holds less than a 20% interest and in which it does not have the ability to exercise 
significant influence over the investee are initially recorded at cost and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  The Company records these investments 
within "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

Derivatives 

The Company uses derivatives to reduce market risks associated with its operations.  The Company uses interest rate swaps for 
the management of interest rate risk exposure.  The interest rate swaps effectively convert a portion of the Company's debt from 
a floating to a fixed rate over the life of the transactions without an exchange of underlying principal. 

The  Company  seeks  to  reduce  its  exposure  to  fluctuations  in  foreign  exchange  rates  through  the  use  of  foreign  currency 
forward contracts. 

F-14

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
From  time  to  time  the  Company  enters  into  equity  swaps.  Under  these  facilities  the  Company  swaps  with  its  counterparty 
(usually a major bank) the risk of fluctuations in the Company's share price and the benefit of any dividends, for a fixed payment 
of LIBOR plus margin.  The counterparty may acquire shares in the Company to hedge its own position.  However, there is no 
obligation by the Company to purchase any shares from the counterparty.   

All derivative instruments are initially recorded at cost as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance 
Sheet and subsequently remeasured to fair value, regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the derivative.   Where the fair 
value  of  a  derivative  instrument  is  a  net  liability,  the  derivative  instrument  is  classified  in  "Other  current  liabilities"  in  the 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheet.  Where  the  fair  value  of  a  derivative  instrument  is  a  net  asset,  the  derivative  instrument  is 
classified in "Other non-current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, except if the current portion is a liability, in which 
case  the  current  portion  is  included  in  "Other  current  liabilities."  The  method  of  recognizing  the  resulting  gain  or  loss  is 
dependent  on  whether  the  derivative  contract  is  designed  to  hedge  a  specific  risk  and  also  qualifies  for  hedge 
accounting.  Effective  October  1,  2008,  the  Company  commenced  hedge  accounting  for  certain  of  its  interest  rate  swap 
arrangements designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with the guidance on "Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging 
Activities".  For derivative instruments that are not designated or do not qualify as hedges under the guidance, the changes in 
fair value of the derivative financial instrument are recognized each period in current earnings in "Other financial items". 

When  a  derivative  is  designated  as  a  cash  flow  hedge,  the  Company  formally  documents  the  relationship  between  the 
derivative and the hedged item.  This documentation includes the strategy risk and risk management for undertaking the hedge 
and the method that will be used to assess effectiveness of the hedge.  If the derivative is an effective hedge changes in the fair 
value are initially recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in equity.  The ineffective portion of 
the  hedge  is  recognized  immediately  in  earnings,  as  are  any  gains  or  losses  on  the  derivative  that  are  excluded  from  the 
assessment of hedge effectiveness.  The Company does not apply hedge accounting if it is determined that the hedge was not 
effective or will no longer be effective, the derivative was sold or exercised, or the hedged item was sold or repaid. 

In  the  periods  when  the  hedged  items  affect  earnings,  the  associated  fair  value  changes  on  the  hedged  derivatives  are 
transferred from equity to the corresponding earnings line item on the settlement of a derivative.  The ineffective portion of the 
change  in  fair  value  of  the  derivative  financial  instrument  is  immediately  recognized  in  earnings.  If  a  cash  flow  hedge  is 
terminated and the originally hedged item is still considered probable of occurring, the gains and losses initially recognized in 
equity remain there until the hedged item impacts earnings at which point they are transferred to the corresponding earnings 
line  item  (i.e.  interest  expense).  If  the  hedged  items  are  no  longer  probable  of  occurring,  amounts  recognized  in  equity  are 
immediately reclassified to earnings. 

Cash flows from derivative instruments that are accounted for as cash flow hedges are classified in the same category as the 
cash flows from the items being hedged. 

LNG trading 

The  company  trades  in  physical  cargoes,  futures,  swaps  and  options,  all  of  which  are  traded  on  and  recognized  in  liquid 
markets. Purchase and sales are recognized on the trade date. Open trading positions are stated at fair value based on closing 
market  price  on  the  balance  sheet  date.  The  market  value  of  open  positions  are  shown  in  debtors  if  positive  or  creditors  if 
negative. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in current earnings in "Other operating gains and losses". 
The gross transaction value of energy trading contracts that are physically settled for the year ending December 31, 2010 and 
2009, was $5.3 million loss and $nil, respectively. 

F-15

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Contracts to buy and sell physical cargoes for future delivery settled on the bill of lading date are recognized at their fair value 
at the balance sheet date. 

Foreign currencies 

The  Company's  and  its  subsidiaries'  functional  currency  is  the  U.S.  dollar  as  all  revenues  are  received  in  U.S.  dollars  and  a 
majority of the Company's expenditures are made in U.S. dollars.  The Company's reporting currency is U.S. dollars. 

Transactions in foreign currencies during the year are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the date of 
the transaction.  Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are translated using rates of exchange at the balance sheet 
date.  Foreign currency non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated using historical rates of exchange.  Foreign currency 
transaction and translation gains or losses are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

Fair value measurements 

In accordance with the guidance on "Fair Value Measurements", the Company uses fair value to measure assets and liabilities. 
The  guidance  provides  a  single  definition  of  fair  value,  together  with  a  framework  for  measuring  it,  and  requires  additional 
disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. 

Stock-based compensation 

In accordance with the guidance on "Share Based Payment" the Company is required to expense the fair value of stock options 
issued  to  employees  over  the  period  the  options  vest.  The  Company  amortizes  stock-based compensation for awards on a 
straight-line  basis  over  the  period  during  which  the  employee  is  required  to  provide  service  in  exchange  for  the  award - the 
requisite service (vesting) period.  No compensation cost is recognized for stock options for which employees do not render the 
requisite service.  The fair value of employee share options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. 

Earnings per share

In accordance with the guidance on "Earnings per Share", basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed based on the income 
available to common stockholders and the weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic EPS.  Treasury shares are 
not  included  in  the  calculation.  Diluted  EPS  includes  the  effect  of  the  assumed  conversion  of  potentially  dilutive 
instruments.  Such potentially dilutive common shares are excluded when the effect would be to increase earnings per share or 
reduce a loss per share. 

Pensions 

Defined  benefit  pension  costs,  assets  and  liabilities  are  recognized  in  accordance  with  the  guidance  on  "Accounting  for 
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans", which requires adjustment of the significant actuarial assumptions 
annually to reflect current market and economic conditions.  The guidance states that full recognition of the funded status of 
defined benefit pension plans to be included within a Company's balance sheet. The pension benefit obligation is calculated by 
using a projected unit credit method. 

Defined contribution pension costs represent the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of the accounting period. 

F-16

  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Operating leases 

In  accordance  with  the  guidance  on  "Operating  Leases",  initial  direct  costs  (those  directly  related  to  the  negotiation  and 
consummation  of  the  lease)  are  deferred  and  allocated  to  earnings  over  the  lease  term.   Rental  income  and  expense  are 
amortized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. 

Income taxes 

Income taxes are based on a separate return basis.  The guidance on "Accounting for Income Taxes" prescribes a recognition 
threshold  and  measurement  attributes  for  the  financial  statement  recognition  and  measurement  of  a  tax  position  taken  or 
expected to be taken in a tax return. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized principally for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between 
the  tax  bases  of  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  reported  amounts.  Deferred  tax  assets  are  reduced  by  a  valuation  allowance 
when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be 
realized.  Realization of the deferred income tax asset is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future years. 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 

The Company follows the relevant guidance on "Reporting Comprehensive Income" and its components in the Consolidated 
Financial Statements. 

As at December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company's accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax consisted of the following 
components: 

(in thousands of $) 
Unrealized net loss on qualifying cash flow hedging instruments 
Losses associated with pensions
Unrealized gains on marketable securities 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 

2010 
(20,964)   
(12,347)    

- 

(33,311)   

2009 
(16,509)
(12,252) 
9,942 
(18,819)

F-17

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Gain on issuance of shares by subsidiaries/investees 

The Company recognizes a gain or loss when a subsidiary or an equity method investee issues its stock to third parties at a 
price  per  share  in  excess  or  below  its  carrying  value  resulting  in  a  reduction  in  the  Company's  ownership  interest  in  the 
subsidiary/investee.  The gain or loss is recorded in the line "Additional paid-in capital." 

Segment reporting 

A segment is a distinguishable component of the Company that is engaged in business activities from which it earns revenues 
and incurs expenses whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, and which is subject 
to  risks  and  rewards  that  are  different  from  those  of  other  segments.  The  Company  has  identified  two  reportable  industry 
segments; vessel operations and LNG trading. The Company does not provide geographic analysis as vessel operations and 
LNG trading are global in nature and constantly changing. 

Treasury shares 

Treasury shares are recognized as a separate component of equity at cost.  Upon subsequent disposal of treasury shares, any 
consideration is recognized directly in equity. 

Use of estimates 

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  U.S.  GAAP  requires  that  management  make  estimates  and 
assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the 
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results 
could differ from those estimates. 

Reclassifications 

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. 

3.            SUBSIDIARIES AND INVESTMENTS

The  following  table  lists  the  Company's  principal  subsidiaries  and  their  purpose  as  at  December  31,  2010.  Unless  otherwise 
indicated, we own a controlling interest in each of the following subsidiaries. 

Name 

Jurisdiction of 
Incorporation

Purpose

Golar Gas Holding Company Inc. 

Marshall Islands 

Republic of Liberia 

Golar Maritime (Asia) Inc. 
Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Corporation  Marshall Islands 
Oxbow Holdings Inc. 
Faraway Maritime Shipping Company
Golar LNG 1444 Corporation 
Golar LNG 1460 Corporation 

British Virgin Islands
Republic of Liberia 
Republic of Liberia
Marshall Islands 

Holding Company and leased four vessels from within the 
group 
Holding Company 
Holding Company 
Holding Company
Owns Golar Mazo 
Previously owned the Golar Frost 
Owns Golar Viking (formerly known as Gracilis)

F-18

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
Name 

Jurisdiction of Incorporation Purpose

Golar LNG 2215 Corporation 
Golar LNG 2216 Corporation 
Golar LNG 2220 Corporation 
Golar LNG 2226 Corporation 
Golar LNG 2234 Corporation 

Golar International Ltd. 
Gotaas-Larsen International Ltd. 
Golar Maritime Limited
Golar Management  Limited 
Golar Freeze (UK) Limited 
Golar Khannur (UK) Limited 
Golar Gimi (UK) Limited 
Golar Hilli (UK) Limited 
Golar Spirit (UK) Limited
Golar Winter (UK) Limited
Golar 2215 (UK) Limited
Golar 2226 (UK) Limited
Golar Servicos de Operacao de Embaracaoes 
Limited
Golar Trading Corporation
Golar FSRU 1 Corporation

Golar FSRU 2 Corporation

Golar FSRU 3 Corporation

Golar FSRU 4 Corporation

Golar FSRU 5 Corporation

Golar Energy Limited

Golar Offshore Toscana Limited

Marshall Islands 
Marshall Islands 
Marshall Islands 
Marshall Islands 
Republic of Liberia 

Republic of Liberia 
Republic of Liberia 
Bermuda 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom 
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Brazil

Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands

Cyprus

Cyprus

Golar GP LLC – Limited Liability Company 

Marshall Islands

F-19

Leases Methane Princess 
Owns Golar Arctic 
Leases Golar Winter 
Leases Grand (formerly known as Grandis)
Owns  Golar  Maria  (formerly  known  as 
Granosa) 
Vessel management 
Vessel management 
Management 
Management 
Operates Golar Freeze 
Operates Khannur 
Operates Gimi 
Operates Hilli 
Operates and leases Golar Spirit
Operates Golar Winter
Operates Methane Princess
Operates Grand
Management company

Charters-in vessels under operating leases 
Contracted for the conversion of the Golar 
Spirit to a FSRU
Agent for the conversion of the Golar Freeze 
into a FSRU
Contracted for the conversion of the Golar 
Winter into a FSRU
Provided funding contribution for the 
conversion of the Golar Freeze
Contracted for the conversion of the Khannur 
to a FSRU
Holds licence for the construction of a floating 
power station for the generation of electricity
Holds investment in OLT Offshore LNG 
Toscana S.p.A ("OLT-O") 
Holding company

 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
Name 

Jurisdiction of Incorporation Purpose

Marshall Islands

Golar Partners Operating LLC – Limited Liability 
Company
Golar LNG Partners LP – Limited Partnership  Marshall Islands
Golar LNG Management
Golar Energy Management
Golar LNG Energy Limited
Golar Commodities Limited
Golar Freeze Limited
Golar Gimi Limited
Golar Hilli Limited
Golar Khannur Limited
Golar GHK Lessor Limited
Golar LNG Lessor Limited

Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
Marshal Islands
Marshall Islands

Holding company

Holding company
Management company
Management company
Holding  company
Trading company
Owns Golar Freeze and Golar Spirit
Owns Gimi
Owns Hilli
Owns Khannur
Holding company
Holding company

4.            RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS 

In June 2009, the FASB issued amended guidance requiring companies to qualitatively assess the determination of the primary 
beneficiary of a variable-interest entity ("VIE") based on whether the entity (1) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE 
that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that 
could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to 
the VIE. It also requires additional disclosures for any enterprise that holds a variable interest in a VIE. The new accounting and 
disclosure requirements became effective for the Company from January 1, 2010. The adoption of this amended guidance did 
not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. 

In  October  2009,  the  FASB  issued  authoritative  guidance  that  amends  earlier  guidance  addressing  the  accounting  for 
contractual  arrangements  in  which  an  entity  provides  multiple  products  or  services  (deliverables)  to  a  customer.  The 
amendments  address  the  unit  of  accounting  for  arrangements  involving  multiple  deliverables  and  how  arrangement 
consideration should be allocated to the separate units of accounting, when applicable, by establishing a selling price hierarchy 
for determining the selling price of a deliverable. The selling price used for each deliverable will be based on vendor-specific 
objective evidence if available, third-party evidence if vendor-specific objective evidence is not available, or estimated selling 
price  if  neither  vendor-specific  nor  third-party  evidence  is  available.  The  amendments  also  require  that  arrangement 
consideration be allocated at the inception of an arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method. The 
Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2011, and adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on the 
consolidated financial statements. 

In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that changes the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. 
Specifically,  the  changes  require  a  reporting  entity  to  disclose  separately  the  amounts  of  significant  transfers  in  and  out  of 
Level  1  and  Level  2  fair  value  measurements  and  describe  the  reasons  for  the  transfers.  The  changes  also  clarify  existing 
disclosure  requirements  related  to  how  assets  and  liabilities  should  be  grouped  by  class  and  valuation  techniques  used  for 
recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. The Company adopted the guidance in the first quarter 2010, which did not 
have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

In January 2010 the FASB issued authoritative guidance in order to eliminate diversity in the way different enterprises reflect 
new shares issued as part of a distribution in their calculation of Earnings Per Share. The provisions of this new guidance are 
effective on a retrospective basis and their adoption had no impact on the Company's reported earnings per share. 

F-20

 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to amend the accounting and reporting requirements for decreases in 
ownership of a subsidiary. This guidance requires that a decrease in the ownership interest of a subsidiary that does not result 
in a change of control be treated as an equity transaction. The guidance also expands the disclosure requirements about the 
deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2010 and it did not have a material 
impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In February 2010, the FASB amended guidance on subsequent events to alleviate potential conflicts between FASB guidance 
and  SEC  requirements.  Under  this  amended  guidance,  SEC  filers  are  no  longer  required  to  disclose  the  date  through  which 
subsequent  events  have  been  evaluated  in  originally  issued  and  revised  financial  statements.  This  guidance  was  effective 
immediately and the Company adopted these new requirements in the first quarter of 2010. The adoption of this guidance did 
not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. 

In July 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires expanded disclosures about the credit quality of an entity's 
financing  receivables  and  its  allowance  for  credit  losses  on  a  disaggregated  basis.  The  adoption  of  this  guidance  by  the 
Company with effect from January 1, 2010 did not have any material effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

In  December  2010,  the  FASB  issued  authoritative  guidance  which  modifies  the  requirements  of  step  1  of  the  goodwill 
impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first 
quarter of 2011. The Company does not believe that adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

5.            SEGMENTAL INFORMATION 

The  Company  provides  vessel  operations  on  charters,  including  time  charters  and  spot  rentals,  and  trades  in  physical  and 
future LNG contracts. Golar's reportable segments consist of the primary services it provides. Although Golar's segments are 
generally influenced by the same economic factors, each represents a distinct product in the LNG industry. There have not been 
any  intersegment  sales  during  the  periods  presented.  Segment  results  are  evaluated  based  on  operating  income.  The 
accounting principles for the segments are the same as for the Company's consolidated financial statements. Indirect general 
and administrative expenses are allocated to each segment based on estimated use. 

The  split  of  the  organization  of  the  business  into  two  segments  was  based  on  differences  in  management  structure  and 
reporting, economic characteristics, customer base, asset class and contract structure. As of December 31, 2010, the Company 
operates in the following two segments: 

Ÿ  Vessel  Operations – The Company owns or leases, and subsequently charters out LNG vessels and FSRUs for fixed 

terms to customers. 

Ÿ  LNG Trading  – Provides physical and financial risk management in LNG and gas markets for its customers around the 
world. Activities include structured services to outside customers, arbitrage service as well as proprietary trading 

Prior to the creation of the LNG trading business in September 2010, the Company had not presented segmental information as it 
considered it operated in one reportable segment, the LNG vessel market. The LNG trading operations meets the definition of an 
operating  segment  as  the  business  is  a  financial  trading  business  and  its  financial  results  are  reported  directly  to  the  chief 
operating  decision  maker.  The LNG  trading  segment  is  a  distinguishable  component  of  the  Company  from  which  it  earns 
revenues and incurs expenses and whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, and 
which is subject to risks and rewards different from the vessel operations segment. 

F-21

 
  
  
  
  
(in thousands of $) 

Revenue from external customers 
Vessel and voyage operating expenses 
Administrative expenses 
Impairment of long-term assets 
Depreciation and amortization 
Other operating gains and losses 
Operating income (loss) 
Gain on sale of available for sale securities 
Net financial expenses 
Income taxes 
Equity in net losses of investees 
Net income (loss) 
Non-controlling interests 
Net income attributable to Golar LNG Ltd 
Total assets 

Vessel
operations    

244,045 
(85,221)   
(16,580)   
(4,500)   
(65,038)   

- 
72,706 
4,196 
(66,775)   
(1,427)   
(1,435)   
7,265 
5,825 
13,090 
2,038,384 

2010

LNG
Trading  
- 
- 
(6,252)   
- 
(38)   
(6,230)   
(12,520)   

- 
(186)   
- 
- 

(12,706)   

- 

(12,706)   
39,388 

Total 
244,045 
(85,221)
(22,832)
(4,500)
(65,076)
(6,230)
60,186 
4,196 
(66,961)
(1,427)
(1,435)
(5,441)
5,825 
384 
2,077,772 

LNG trading commenced operations in the third quarter of 2010 for this reason no comparative segmental information is 
provided as it all relates to vessel operations. 

Revenues from external customers 

During 2010, 2009 and 2008, the vast majority of the Company's Vessel Operations operated under time charters and in particular 
with five charterers, Pertamina, Petrobras, BG Group plc, Shell and Dubai Supply Authority. Pertamina is the state-owned oil and 
gas company of Indonesia.  Petrobras is a Brazilian energy company.  BG Group plc and Shell are both headquartered in the 
United Kingdom.  Dubai Supply Authority, or DUSUP is a government entity which is the sole supplier of natural gas to the 
Emirate.  In  time  charters,  the  charterer,  not  the  Company,  controls  the  choice  of  which  routes  the  Company's  vessel  will 
serve.  These routes can be worldwide.  Accordingly, the Company's management, including the chief operating decision maker, 
does not evaluate the Company's performance either according to customer or geographical region. 

In the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, revenues from the following customers accounted for over 10% of the 
Company's consolidated revenues: 

(in thousands of $) 
Petrobras 
BG Group plc 
Pertamina 
DUSUP 
Shell 

2010

90,652
49,147
36,944
29,893
25,440

37%
20%
15%
12%
10%

2009

61,261
61,299
40,449
-
45,564

27%
27%
18%
-
20%

2008
-
75,119
37,066
-
85,323

-
33%
16%
-
37%

F-22

  
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
6.            IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-TERM ASSETS 

Impairment of long-term assets as at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Cost method investment (unlisted) 
FSRU conversion parts 

2010
3,000
1,500
4,500

2009
-
1,500
1,500

2008
-
110
110

The  Company  continually  monitors  events  and  changes  in  circumstances  that  could  indicate  carrying  amounts  of  long-term 
assets may not be recoverable. 

In  respect  of  parts  ordered  for  the  FSRU  conversion  project  that  were  deemed  not  necessary  for  the  completion  of  the 
conversion of the Golar Spirit, the Company incurred impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 
totalling $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  During the fourth quarter of 2009, some of the assets were used 
in the conversion of the Golar Freeze. In 2008, some of these parts were sold recognizing a gain on sale of $0.4 million.  As of 
December  31,  2010,  the  total  carrying  value  of  the  remaining  equipment  is  $12.0  million.  Of  these  parts  $8  million  have  been 
earmarked for use in the conversion of the Khannur. 

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company identified events and changes in circumstances that indicated that the 
carrying  value  of 
("TORP  Technology")  was  not 
recoverable.  Accordingly, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $3 million resulting in a $nil carrying value (see 
note 18). 

in  TORP  Technology  AS 

its  cost  method 

investment 

7.            OTHER FINANCIAL ITEMS, NET

(in thousands of $) 
Amortization of deferred financing costs 
Financing arrangement fees and other costs 
Finance transaction-related costs previously capitalized 
Other than temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities 
Mark-to-market adjustment for interest rate swap derivatives (see note 26) 
Interest rate swap cash settlements (see note 26)
Mark-to-market adjustment for foreign currency derivatives (see note 26) 
Gain (loss) on termination of equity swap  derivatives (net mark-to-market 
adjustment) (see note 26)
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on capital lease obligations and related restricted 
cash, net
Foreign exchange (loss) gain on operations 
Loss on termination of lease financing arrangements
Other

2010 
(1,348)   
(6,743)   
- 
- 
(5,295)   
(13,018)   
(6,996)   

2009 
(1,287)   
(1,305)   
- 
- 
17,385 
(13,976)   
31,045 

2008 
(2,773)
(9,265)
(4,189)
(1,871)
(30,459)
(4,923)
(60,531)

- 

17,603 

(8,748)

4,581 
(1,473)   
(7,777)   
(528)   
(38,597)   

(12,959)   
(6,010)   
- 
- 
30,496 

43,047 
(7,688)
- 
377 
(87,023)

Amortization of deferred financing costs amounts to $1.3 million for both the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.  The 
higher 2008 charge included a write-off of deferred finance charges relating to the refinancing of the Methane Princess loan and 
the Golar Spirit portion of the Golar Gas Holdings loan in November 2008. 

F-23

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Finance arrangement fees and other costs amounting to $6.7 milllion in 2010 arose as a result of restructuring the lease financing 
arrangements of the Five Ships Leases (refer to note 23 for further details of the Five Ships Leases). The $9.3 million charge 
arising in 2008 was primarily due to fixed-rate debt settlement costs of $9.0 million arising from the refinancing of the Methane 
Princess loan in connection with the Golar LNG Partners revolving credit facility entered into in September 2008.  At the time of 
the  refinancing  $125  million  of  the  Methane  Princess  loan  facility  was  fixed-rate  debt.  Accordingly,  simultaneous  with  the 
refinancing  of  the  original  debt  the  fixed  rate  debt  portion  was  cancelled  resulting  in  the  charge.  However,  the  Company 
immediately entered into interest rate swaps for a similar amount of debt at a lower interest rate. 

Finance  transaction-related costs of $4.2 million refer to costs previously capitalized associated with the Company's plans to 
separate the Company's long-term charters from other business opportunities.  These costs were written-off in 2008. 

In 2008, the Company recognized other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities totalling $1.9 million.  During 
the  first  three  quarters  of  2008,  the  Company  recognized  unrealized  losses  on  available-for-sale  securities  totalling  $0.4 
million.  These unrealized losses were recognized and presented as a component of other comprehensive income.  During the 
fourth  quarter  of  2008,  the  Company  concluded  unrealized  losses  on  available-for-sale  securities  were  other-than-temporary 
based on the severity of the decline in the market value versus the cost basis.  Consequently, amounts previously recognized 
as unrealized losses and presented as a component of other comprehensive income, were reclassified and recognized within the 
income  statement.  In  addition,  the  Company  recognized  losses  from  impairment  on  available-for-sale securities totalling $1.5 
million immediately in the income statement in the fourth quarter of 2008. 

The foreign exchange loss on capital leases and related restricted cash arises as a result of the retranslation of the capital lease 
obligations and related restricted cash securing those obligations. 

The loss on termination on lease financing arrangements is in respect of the loss arising on the settlement of the Five Ships 
Leases obligations in 2010. 

8.            TAXATION 

The components of income tax expense are as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Current tax expense (income): 
  U.S. 
  U.K. 
  Brazil 
Total current expense 
Deferred tax (income) expense: 
  U.K. 
Total income tax expense 

Bermuda 

2010 

- 
1,030 
1,595 
2,625 

2009 

- 
(218)   
1,098 
880 

(1,198)   
1,427 

763 
1,643 

2008 

- 
433 
805 
1,238 

(728)
510 

Under current Bermuda law, The Minister of Finance in Bermuda has granted the Company a tax exempt status until March 28, 
2016, under which no income taxes or other taxes (other than duty on goods imported into Bermuda and payroll tax in respect of 
any  Bermuda-resident  employees)  are  payable  by  the Company in Bermuda. If the Minister of Finance in Bermuda does not 
grant a new exemption or extend the current tax exemption, and if the Bermudian Parliament passes legislation imposing taxes on 
exempted companies, the Company may become subject to taxation in Bermuda after March 2016. 

F-24

  
  
  
  
 
 
 
   
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
United States 

Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of the United States (the "Code"), U.S. source income from the international operations 
of ships is generally exempt from U.S. tax if the Company operating the ships meets certain requirements.  Among other things, 
in  order  to  qualify  for  this  exemption,  the  company  operating  the  ships  must  be  incorporated  in  a  country  which  grants  an 
equivalent exemption from income taxes to U.S. citizens and U.S. corporations and must be more than 50% owned by individuals 
who are residents, as defined, in such country or another foreign country that grants an equivalent exemption to U.S. citizens 
and U.S. corporations.  The management of the Company believes that it satisfied these requirements and therefore by virtue of 
the above provisions, it was not subject to tax on its U.S. source income. 

A reconciliation between the income tax expense resulting from applying either the U.S. Federal or Bermudan statutory income 
tax rate and the reported income tax expense has not been presented herein as it would not provide additional useful information 
to users of the consolidated financial statements as the Company's net income is subject to neither Bermuda nor U.S. tax. 

United Kingdom 

Current taxation charge of $1.0 million, income of $0.2 million and charge of $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 
2009 and 2008, respectively, relates to taxation of the operations of the Company's United Kingdom subsidiaries, which includes 
amounts  paid  by  one  of  the  U.K.  subsidiary's  branch  office  in  Oslo.  Taxable  revenues  in  the  U.K.  are  generated  by  U.K. 
subsidiary companies of Golar and are comprised of management fees received from Golar group companies as well as revenues 
from the operation of eight of Golar's vessels.  These vessels are sub-leased from other non-U.K. Golar companies, which in turn 
are leased from financial institutions.  As at December 31, 2010 the statutory rate in the U.K. was 28%. 

In December 2007, the U.K. tax authorities commenced an examination of the Company's U.K. income tax returns for 2006.  As of 
December 31, 2010, the examination remains ongoing.  The Company does not anticipate that this examination will result in a 
significant change to its financial position.  As at December 31, 2010, the 2010 and 2009 U.K. income tax returns have not been 
filed. Upto the date of signing all but one of the 2009 UK tax returns have now been filed. Accordingly, once filed the tax years 
2004 to 2010 remain open for examination by the U.K. tax authorities. 

The Company records deferred income taxes to reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount 
of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  The Company recorded 
deferred tax assets of $1.2 million and $0.1 million at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively which have been classified as 
non-current  and  included  within  other  long-term assets (see note 18).  These assets relate to differences for depreciation and 
net operating losses carried forward. 

Brazil 

Current  taxation  charge  of  $1.6  million,  $1.1  million  and  $0.8  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2010,  2009  and  2008, 
respectively, refers to taxation levied on the operations of the Company's Brazilian subsidiary commencing in 2008. 

F-25

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Other jurisdictions 

No tax has been levied on income derived from the Company's subsidiaries registered in Liberia, the Marshall Islands and the 
British Virgin Islands. 

Deferred income tax assets are summarized as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Deferred tax assets, gross 
Valuation allowances 
Deferred tax assets, net 

2010 
1,630 
(399)    
1,231 

2009 
1,083 
(956)
127 

Valuation  allowances  have  decreased  by  $0.6  million  during  2010.  In  future  periods,  depending  upon  the  financial  results, 
managements'  estimate  of  the  amount  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  considered  realizable  may  change,  and  hence  the  valuation 
allowances may increase or decrease. 

9.          EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share are calculated with reference to the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during 
the year.  Treasury shares are not included in the calculation.  The computation of diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 
2010, 2009 and 2008, assumes the conversion of potentially dilutive instruments. 

The components of the numerator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Net income (loss) attributable to Golar LNG Ltd available to stockholders – basic 
and diluted 

2010 

384 
384 

2009 

23,082 
23,082 

2008

(9,989)
(9,989)

The components of the denominator for the calculation of basic and diluted EPS are as follows: 

(in thousands) 
Basic earnings per share: 
Weighted average number of shares 
Weighted average number of treasury shares 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 

Diluted earnings per share: 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Effect of dilutive share options 
Common stock and common stock equivalents 

2010 

2009 

2008 

67,597 

(424)   

67,173 

67,577   
(347)  
67,230   

67,173 
220 
67,393 

67,230   
105   
67,335   

67,577 
(363)
67,214 

67,214 
- 
67,214 

F-26

  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
   
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
   
     
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
  
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Earnings (Loss) per share are as follows:

Basic and Diluted 

 $

2010   
0.01 

 $

2009   
0.34 

 $

2008
(0.15)

For the year ended December, 31 2008, stock options representing rights to acquire 2.7 million of common stock were excluded 
from  the  calculation  of  diluted  loss  or  earnings  per  share  because  the  effect  was  antidilutive.  Stock  options  are  antidilutive 
when the exercise price of the stock option is greater than the average market price of the common stock or when the results 
from operations are a net loss. 

10.          OPERATING LEASES 

Rental income 

The minimum contractual future revenues to be received on time charters as of December 31, 2010, were as follows: 

Year ending December 31, 
(in thousands of $) 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 and thereafter 
Total 

Total

283,081
230,557
190,935
189,310
194,236
757,039
1,845,158

The long-term contract for one of the Company's vessels is a time charter but the operating costs are borne by the charterer on 
a pass through basis.  The pass through of operating costs is not reflected in the minimum lease revenues set out above. 

Petrobras has an option to purchase the Golar Spirit and the Golar Winter after the second anniversary of the commencement 
of operations under their charters until the tenth anniversary of such commencement, at prices in accordance with the option 
agreements.  The Company has assumed that these options will not be exercised.  Accordingly, the minimum lease revenues set 
out above include revenues arising within the option period. 

The cost and accumulated depreciation of vessels leased to third parties at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $1,776 million and 
$297 million; and $1,572 million and $273 million, respectively. 

Rental expense 

Charter  hire  payments  to  third  parties  for  certain  contracted-in vessels commencing in 2009 were accounted for as operating 
leases.  These were terminated in September 2010. The Company is also committed to making rental payments under operating 
leases for office premises.  The future minimum rental payments under the Company's non-cancellable operating leases are as 
follows: 

Year ending December 31, 
(in thousands of $) 
2011 
2012 
2013 
Total minimum lease payments 

F-27

Total

534
534
223
1,291

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
Total rental expense for operating leases was $12.1 million,  $19.9 million and $9.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 
2009 and 2008, respectively. 

11.          EQUITY IN NET ASSETS OF NON-CONSOLIDATED INVESTEES 

At December 31, 2010, the Company has the following participation in investments that are recorded using the equity method: 

Bluewater Gandria NV ("Bluewater Gandria") 
Egyptian Company for Gas Services S.A.E ("ECGS") 

2010  
50%   
50%   

2009
50%
50%

The carrying amounts of the Company's investments in its equity method investments as at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as 
follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Bluewater Gandria 
ECGS 
Equity in net assets of non-consolidated investees 

The components of equity in net assets of non-consolidated investees are as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Cost 
Equity in net earnings of investees 
Equity in net assets of non-consolidated investees 

2010 
18,702 
1,574 
20,276 

2009 
20,142 
1,101 
21,243 

2010 
24,715 
(4,439)   
20,276 

2009 
24,248 
(3,005)
21,243 

Quoted market prices for ECGS and Bluewater Gandria are not available because shares in ECGS and Bluewater Gandria are not 
publicly traded. 

Bluewater Gandria 
In July 2008, the Company acquired a 50% interest in the voting rights of Bluewater Gandria for an initial equity sum of $22.0 
million.  Bluewater  Gandria  is  a  incorporated  unlisted  company,  which  has  been  formed  for  the  purposes  of  pursuing 
opportunities to develop offshore LNG FSRU projects.  Bluewater Gandria is jointly owned and operated together with a third 
party.  Accordingly, the Company has adopted the equity method of accounting for its 50% investment in Bluewater Gandria, as 
it considers it has joint significant influence. 

ECGS 
In December 2005, we entered into an agreement with The Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company, or EGAS, and HK Petroleum 
Services  to  establish  a  jointly  owned  company  ECGS,  to  develop  hydrocarbon  businesses  in  Egypt  and  in  particular  LNG 
related businesses.  In March 2006, the Company acquired 0.5 million common shares in ECGS at a subscription price of $1 per 
share.  This represents a 50% interest in the voting rights of ECGS. ECGS is a incorporated unlisted company, which has been 
set up to develop hydrocarbon business and in particular LNG related business in Egypt. ECGS is jointly owned and operated 
together with other third parties.  Therefore the Company has adopted the equity method of accounting for its 50% investment 
in ECGS, as it considers it has joint significant influence. 

F-28

 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
12.          TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Trade accounts receivable are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts.  The provision for doubtful debts was $nil for 
both the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. 

13.          OTHER RECEIVABLES, PREPAID EXPENSES AND ACCRUED INCOME

(in thousands of $) 
Other receivables 
Prepaid expenses 
Accrued interest income 

14.          VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT, NET 

(in thousands of $) 
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation 
Net book value 

2010 
879 
2,840 
306 
4,025 

2009 
2,619 
1,531 
1,540 
5,690 

2010 
1,446,457 
(343,320)   
1,103,137 

2009 
748,372 
(94,876)
653,496 

As of December 31, 2010, the Company owned nine (2009: four) vessels.

The vessels acquired during 2010 arose from the termination of the Five Ships Leases, and therefore are now included within 
vessels. These assets were previously included within vessels under capital leases as at December 31, 2009 (see note 15). 

Drydocking costs of $37.4 million and $12.1 million are included in the cost amounts above as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, 
respectively.  Accumulated amortization of those costs as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $21.7 million and $4.4 million, 
respectively. 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $52.4 million, $21.1 million and 
$21.1 million, respectively. 

As at December 31, 2010 and 2009, included in the above amounts is equipment with a net book value of $15.7 million and $1.3 
million, respectively. 

As at December 31, 2010 and 2009, vessels with a net book value of $1.101 million and $652.2 million respectively were pledged 
as security for certain debt facilities (see note 22). 

15.          VESSELS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES, NET

(in thousands of $) 
Cost 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization 
Net book value 

2010 
599,671 
(84,005)   
515,666 

2009 
1,261,876 
(269,313)
992,563 

As of December 31, 2010, the Company operated three (2009: eight) vessels under capital leases. These leases are in respect of a 
refinancing transaction undertaken during 2003, a lease financing transaction during 2004 and another in 2005, as described in 
note 23. The decrease in vessels under capital leases is as a result of the termination of the Five Ships Leases during 2010. As at 
December 31, 2010, these assets are now included within vessels, net (see note 14). 

F-29

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Drydocking costs of $9.1 million and $32.4 million are included in the cost amounts above as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, 
respectively.  Accumulated  amortization  of  those  costs  at  December  31,  2010  and  2009  were  $5.2  million  and  $19.5  million, 
respectively. 

Depreciation and amortization expense for vessels under capital leases for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 
was $ 16.1 million, $45.9 million and $44.6 million, respectively. 

16.          DEFERRED CHARGES 

Deferred charges represent financing costs, principally bank fees that are capitalized and amortized to other financial items over 
the  life  of  the  debt  instrument.  If  a  loan  is  repaid  early  any  unamortized  portion  of  the  related  deferred  charges  is  charged 
against income in the period in which the loan is repaid.  The deferred charges are comprised of the following amounts: 

(in thousands of $) 
Debt arrangement fees and other deferred financing charges 
Accumulated amortization 

2010 
16,015 
(6,217)   
9,798 

2009 
13,784 
(4,805)
8,979 

Amortization expense of deferred charges, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $1.4 million, $1.3 million 
and $1.2 million, respectively. 

17.          RESTRICTED CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 

The Company's restricted cash and short-term investment balances in respect of its debt and lease obligations are as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Total security lease deposits for lease obligations
Restricted cash and short-term investments relating to the Mazo facility 
Restricted cash relating to the Freeze facility 

2010 
192,833 
9,700 
5,323 
207,856 

2009 
623,605 
11,200 
- 
634,805 

Restricted  cash  does  not  include  minimum  consolidated  cash  balances  required  to  be  maintained  as  part  of  the  financial 
covenants in some of the Company's loan facilities, as these amounts are included in "Cash and cash equivalents". 

As  at  December  31,  2010,  the  value  of  deposits  used  to  obtain  letters  of  credit  to  secure  the  obligations  for  the  lease 
arrangements  described  in  note  23  was  $192.8  million  (2009:  $623.6  million).  These  security  deposits  are  referred  to  in  these 
consolidated financial statements as restricted cash and earn interest based upon GBP LIBOR for the Methane Princess Lease 
and based upon USD LIBOR for the Grand Lease.  The Company's restricted cash balances in respect of its lease obligations are 
as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Five Ship Leases security deposits 
Methane Princess Lease security deposits 
Grand Lease security deposits 
Total security deposits for lease obligations 
Included in short-term restricted cash and short-term investments 
Long-term restricted cash 

2010 
- 
147,761 
45,072 
192,833 

(6,792)   

186,041 

2009 
426,821 
151,776 
45,008 
623,605 
(29,451)
594,154 

F-30

  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The Five Ship Leases security deposit was released in the period in connection with the settlement of the lease obligations at 
the end of 2010. 

The analysis of short-term restricted cash and short-term investments at December 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Lease security deposits 
Restricted cash and short-term investments relating to the Mazo facility (see note 22) 
Restricted cash relating to the Freeze facility (see note 22)
Short-term restricted cash and short-term investments 

18.          OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS 

(in thousands of $) 
Deferred tax asset (See note 8) 
Other investments 
Other long-term assets 

2010 
6,792 
9,700 
5,323 
21,815 

2010 
1,231 
7,347 
29,944 
38,522 

2009 
29,451 
11,200 
- 
40,651 

2009 
127 
23,805 
15,941 
39,873 

Other investments refer to the Company's investment in Liquefied Natural Gas Limited ("LNGL"), TORP Technology and OLT 
Offshore LNG Toscana S.p. A ("OLT–O"). 

LNGL  is  an  Australian  publicly  listed  company.  As  at  December  31,  2009,  the  carrying  value  of  this  available-for-sale 
investment was $13.5 million. During 2010, the company sold its entire equity interest in LNGL, resulting in a gain of $4.2 million. 

TORP  Technology,  is  a  Norwegian  registered  unlisted  company,  which  is  involved  in  the  construction  of  an  offshore 
regasification terminal in the US Gulf of Mexico.  As at December 31, 2010, the Company held a 1.1% equity interest in TORP 
Technology.  During December 2010, the Company identified events and changes in circumstances which indicated the carrying 
value  of  this  investment  was  not  recoverable.  Therefore  the  company  fully  impaired  its  investment  in  TORP  Technology 
resulting in an impairment charge of $3 million in 2010. 

OLT-O  is  an  Italian  incorporated  unlisted  company,  which  is  involved  in  the  construction,  development,  operation  and 
maintenance  of  a  FSRU  terminal  to  be  situated  off  the  Livorno  coast  of  Italy.  As  at  December  31,  2010,  the  Company's 
investment in OLT-O was $7.3 million amounting to a 2.7% interest in OLT–O's issued share capital. 

As  at  December  31,  2010,  other  long-term  assets  principally  relates  to  payments  made  to  suppliers  for  equipment  and 
engineering in respect of the conversion of the Khannur into a FSRU amounting to $17.9 milllion.  In addition, as at December 
31, 2009, $13.5 million of the balance related to parts ordered for the Golar Spirit FSRU conversion following changes to the 
original  specification.  After  recording  further  impairments  of  $1.5  million  in  respect  of  these  parts  in  2010,  of  the  $12  million 
balance, $8 million of these parts have been earmarked for use in the conversion of the Khannur (bringing the total in respect of 
the Khannur conversion to $25.9 million). 

F-31

 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
19.          ACCRUED EXPENSES 

(in thousands of $) 
Vessel operating and drydocking expenses 
Administrative expenses 
Interest expense 
Provision for taxes (see note 8) 

2010 
5,747 
8,925 
6,699 
1,217 
22,588 

2009 
7,405 
6,151 
8,536 
165 
22,257 

Vessel operating and drydocking expense related accruals are composed of vessel operating expenses including direct vessel 
operating  costs  associated  with  operating  a  vessel,  such  as  crew  wages,  vessel  supplies,  routine  repairs,  maintenance, 
drydocking,  lubricating  oils,  insurances  and  management  fees  for  the  provision  of  commercial  and  technical  management 
services. 

Administrative expense related accruals are composed of general overhead, including personnel costs, legal and professional 
fees, costs associated with project development, property costs and other general expenses. 

20.          OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES 

(in thousands of $) 
Deferred drydocking, operating cost and charterhire revenue 
Mark-to-market interest rate swaps valuation (see note 26) 
Mark-to-market currency swaps valuation (see note 26) 
Deferred credits from capital lease transactions (see note 24) 
Other 

21.          PENSIONS 

2010 
18,281 
50,051 
26,205 
625 
1,265 
96,427 

2009 
17,225 
36,354 
19,043 
3,964 
- 
76,586 

Defined contribution scheme 
The Company operates a defined contribution scheme.  The pension cost for the period represents contributions payable by 
the Company to the scheme.  The charge to net income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $0.5 million, 
$0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively. 

Defined benefit schemes 
The Company has two defined benefit pension plans both of which are closed to new entrants but which still cover certain 
employees of the Company.  Benefits are based on the employee's years of service and compensation.  Net periodic pension 
plan costs are determined using the Projected Unit Credit Cost method.  The Company's plans are funded by the Company in 
conformity with the funding requirements of the applicable government regulations.  Plan assets consist of both fixed income 
and equity funds managed by professional fund managers. 

The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 for its pension plans. 

F-32

  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The components of net periodic benefit costs are as follows:

(in thousands of $) 
Service cost 
Interest cost 
Expected return on plan assets 
Recognized actuarial loss 
Net periodic benefit cost 

2010 
485 
2,891 
(1,197)   
954 
3,133 

2009 
480 
2,742 
(1,130)   
718 
2,810 

2008 
491 
2,945 
(1,564)
444 
2,316 

The  estimated  net  loss  for  the  defined  benefit  pension  plans  that  will  be  amortized  from  accumulated  other  comprehensive 
income into net periodic pension benefit cost during the year ending December 31, 2011 is $1 million. 

The change in benefit obligation and plan assets and reconciliation of funded status as of December 31 are as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Reconciliation of benefit obligation: 
Benefit obligation at January 1 
    Service cost 
    Interest cost 
    Actuarial loss (gain) 
    Foreign currency exchange rate changes 
    Benefit payments 
Benefit obligation at December 31 

The accumulated benefit obligation at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $49.5 million. 

 (in thousands of $) 
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets: 
Fair value of plan assets at January 1 
     Actual return on plan assets 
     Employer contributions 
     Foreign currency exchange rate changes 
     Benefit payments 
 Fair value of plan assets at December 31 

 (in thousands of $) 
Funded status at end of year (1) 
Unrecognized actuarial loss 
Net amount recognized 

2010 

2009 

51,233 
485 
2,891 
1,492 
(358)   
(4,687)   
51,056 

45,135 
480 
2,742 
5,410 
815 
(3,349)
51,233 

2010 

2009 

18,644 
1,508 
2,419 
(279)   
(4,687)   
17,605 

2010 
(33,451)   

- 

(33,451)   

16,341 
2,587 
2,358 
707 
(3,349)
18,644 

2009 
(32,589)
- 
(32,589)

Employer contributions and benefits paid under the pension plans include $2.4 million paid from employer assets for each of the 
years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. 

(1) The Company's plans are composed of two plans that are both underfunded at December 31, 2010 and 2009. 

F-33

  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
The details of these plans are as follows: 

December 31,2010

December 31, 2009

(in thousands of $) 
Projected benefit obligation 
Fair value of plan assets 
Funded status at end of year 

  UK Scheme 

(10,083)   
8,658 
(1,425)   

Marine 
Scheme 
(40,973)   
8,947 
(32,026)   

Total 
(51,056)   
17,605 
(33,451)   

  UK Scheme 

(10,419)   
8,286 
(2,133)   

Marine 
Scheme 
(40,814)   
10,358 
(30,456)   

The fair value of the Company's plan assets, by category, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
Equity securities 
Debt securites 
Cash 

2010 
12,758 
2,420 
2,427 
17,605 

Total 
(51,233)
18,644 
(32,589)

2009 
11,311 
3,882 
3,451 
18,644 

The  Company's  plan  assets  are  primarily  invested  in  funds  holding  equity  and  debt  securities,  which  are  valued  at  quoted 
market price. These plan assets are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. 

The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of: 

(in thousands of $) 
Net actuarial loss 

2010 
12,347 

2009 
12,252 

The asset allocation for the Company's Marine scheme at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the target allocation for 2011, by 
asset category are as follows: 

Marine scheme 

Equity 
Bonds 
Other 
Total 

Target allocation 
2011 (%)
30-65 
10-50 
20-40 
100

2010 (%)
30-65 
10-50 
20-40 
100

2009 (%)
30-65 
10-50 
20-40 
100

The asset allocation for the Company's UK scheme at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the target allocation for 2011, by asset 
category are as follows: 

UK scheme 

Equity 
Bonds 
Cash 
Total 

Target allocation 
2011 (%)
72.5
22.5
 5.0
100

2010 (%)
80
20
-
100

2009 (%)
80
20
-
100

The Company's investment strategy is to balance risk and reward through the selection of professional investment managers 
and investing in pooled funds. 

F-34

  
  
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
The Company is expected to make the following contributions to the schemes during the year ended December 31, 2011, as 
follows:

(in thousands of $) 
Employer contributions 

UK scheme

624

Marine scheme
1,800

The Company is expected to make the following pension disbursements as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016 - 2020 

UK scheme
234 
234 
234 
234 
234 
2,342

Marine scheme
3,000 
3,000 
3,000 
3,000 
3,000 
15,000

The weighted average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation for the Company's plans at December 31 are as 
follows: 

Discount rate 
Rate of compensation increase 

2010
5.48%
3.48%

2009
6.02%
4.00%

The weighted average assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the Company's plans for the year ended 
December 31 are as follows: 

Discount rate 
Expected return on plan assets 
Rate of compensation increase 

2010
5.48%
6.75%
3.48%

2009
6.10%
6.94%
4.23%

The  overall  expected  long-term  rate  of  return  on  assets  assumption  used  to  determine  the  net  periodic  benefit  cost  for  the 
Company's  plans  for  the  years  ending  December  31,  2010  and  2009  is  based  on  the  weighted  average  of  various  returns  on 
assets using the asset allocation as at the beginning of 2010 and 2009.  For equities and other asset classes, the Company has 
applied an equity risk premium over ten year governmental bonds. 

22.          DEBT 

(in thousands of $) 
Total long-term debt due to third parties 
Less: current portion of long-term debt due to third parties 
Long-term debt 

2010
797,178
(105,629)
691,549

2009
782,226
(74,504)
707,722

F-35

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
The outstanding debt as of December 31, 2010 is repayable as follows: 

Year ending December 31, 
(in thousands of $) 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 and thereafter 
Total 

105,629
64,306
64,923
130,213
157,382
274,725
797,178

The Company's debt is denominated in U.S. dollars and bears floating interest rates.  The weighted average interest rate for the 
years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was 2.60% and 2.90%, respectively. 

As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the margins Golar pays under its loan agreements are over and above LIBOR at a fixed or 
floating rate range from 0.70% to 3.25% and  0.70% to 1.15%, respectively. 

At December 31, 2010, the Company's debt was as follows: 

 (in thousands of $) 
Golar Gas Holding facility 
World Shipholding facility 
Mazo facility 
Golar Maria facility (formerly Granosa facility) 
Golar Arctic facility 
Golar Viking facility (formerly Gracilis facility) 
Golar LNG Partners credit facility 
Golar Freeze facility 

Maturity date
2011
2011
2013
2014
2015
2017
2018
2018

33,839
10,000
62,314
99,525
106,250
99,600
267,500
118,150
797,178  

Golar Gas Holding facility 
In May 2001, the Company entered into a secured loan facility with a banking consortium for an amount of $325 million and in 
October 2002 entered into a secured subordinated loan facility for an amount of $60 million. These loans were refinanced in 
March  2005  for  an  amount  of  $300  million.  The  facility  was  originally  secured  against  five  vessels.  In  2008,  one  vessel  was 
refinanced under the "Golar LNG Partners credit facility" and another in June 2010 under the "Golar Freeze Facility".  The facility 
now  relates  to  the  remaining  three  vessels.  The  loan  bears  interest  at  LIBOR  plus  a  margin  and  is  repayable  in  quarterly 
installments over a term of six years ending in April 2011. As of December 31, 2010, the balance outstanding on the loan facility 
was $33.8 million. 

World Shipholding facility 
In  June  2009,  the  Company  entered  into  an  $80  million  revolving  credit  facility  with  a  related  party,  World  Shipholding,  to 
provide short-term bridge financing. The facility accrues fixed interest at a rate per annum of 8% together with a commitment fee 
of 0.75% of any undrawn portion of the credit facility. The revolving credit facility is available for a period of two years. All 
amounts due under the facility must be repaid within two years from the date of the first draw down. The Company drew down 
an initial amount of $20 million in June 2009. As at December 31, 2010, the balance outstanding on the facility was $10 million. 
The  facility  is  currently  unsecured.  However,  in  order  to  draw  down  amounts  in  excess  of  $35 million the Company will be 
required to provide security to the satisfaction of World Shipholding, which is envisaged to take the form of a second priority 
lien over cash generating assets. 

F-36

  
  
  
  
  
  
Mazo facility 
The Mazo facility was assumed by the Company in May 2001 and the amount originally drawn down under the facility totalled 
$214.5  million.  The  loan  is  secured  on  the  vessel Golar  Mazo.  The  facility  bears  interest  at  LIBOR  plus  a  margin  and 
repayments  are  due  bi-annually  over  the  term  until  June  2013.  The  debt  agreement  requires  that  certain  cash  balances, 
representing interest and principal repayments for defined future periods, be held by a trust company during the period of the 
loan.  These balances are referred to in these consolidated financial statements as restricted cash. 

Golar Maria facility (formerly Granosa facility)
In April 2006 the Company entered into a $120 million secured loan facility with a bank for the purpose of financing the Golar 
Maria.  The facility bears floating interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin and is repayable in quarterly instalments and had an 
initial term of five years.  In March 2008, the facility was restructured to lower the margin and to extend the term of the facility to 
December 2014, with a revised final balloon payment of $80.8 million due in December 2014. 

Golar Arctic facility 
In January 2008, the Company entered into a secured loan facility for an amount of $120 million, for the purpose of financing the 
purchase  of  the Golar Arctic, which we refer to as the Golar Arctic facility.  The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin 
and is repayable in quarterly instalments over a term of seven years with a final balloon payment of $86.3 million due in January 
2015. 

Golar Viking (formerly Gracilis facility) 
In  January  2005  the  Company  entered  into  a  $120  million  secured  loan  facility  with  a  bank  for  the  purpose  of  financing  the 
newbuilding, the Golar Viking.  This facility was refinanced in August 2007 for an amount of $120 million. 

The structure of the Golar Viking facility is such that the bank loaned funds of $120 million to Golar, which the Company then re-
loaned  to  a  newly  created  entity  of  the  bank,  ("Investor  Bank").  With  the  proceeds,  Investor  Bank  then  subscribed  for 
preference  shares  in  a  Golar  group  company.  Another  Golar  company  issued  a  put  option  in  respect  of  the  preference 
shares.  The effect of these transactions is that investor bank is required to pay fixed interest to Golar.  The interest payments to 
Golar by Investor Bank are contingent upon receipt of these preference dividends.  In the event these dividends are not paid, 
the  preference  dividends  will  accumulate  until  such  time  as  there  are  sufficient  cash  proceeds  to  settle  all  outstanding 
arrearages.  Applying  ASC  810  to  this  arrangement,  the  Company  has  concluded  that  Golar  is  the  primary  beneficiary  of 
Investor  Bank  and  accordingly  has  consolidated  it  into  the  Golar  group.  Accordingly,  as  at  December  31,  2010,  the 
Consolidated  Balance  Sheet  and  Consolidated  Statement  of  Operations  includes  Investor  Bank's  net  assets  of  $nil  and  net 
income of $nil, respectively, due to elimination on consolidation, of accounts and transactions arising between Golar and the 
Investor Bank. 

The  Golar  Viking  facility  accrues  floating  interest  at  a  rate  of  LIBOR  plus  a  margin.  The  loan  has  a  term  of  10  years  and  is 
repayable in quarterly installments with a final balloon payment of $71.0 million due in August 2017.  The loan is secured by a 
mortgage on this vessel. 

Golar LNG Partners credit facility
In  September  2008,  the  Company  refinanced  existing  loan  facilities  in  respect  of  two  vessels,  the Methane Princess and the 
Golar  Spirit  and  entered  into  a  new  $285  million  credit  facility  with  a  banking  consortium.  The  loan  is  secured  against  the 
Golar  Spirit  and  the  assignment  to  the  lending  bank  of  a mortgage  given  to  the  Company  by  the  lessor  of  the Methane 
Princess, with a second priority charge over the Golar Mazo. 

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The facility accrues floating interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a margin. As of December 31, 2010, the revolving 
credit  facility  provided  for  available  borrowings  of  up  to  $267.5  million,  of  which  $267.5  million  was  outstanding.  The  total 
amount available for borrowing under such facility decreases by $2.5 million per quarter from June 30, 2009 through December 
31,  2012  and  by  $5.5  million  per  quarter  from  March  31,  2013  through  March  31,  2018,  its  maturity  date.  Accordingly,  the 
Company has no ability to draw additional amounts under this facility. The loan has a term of ten years and is repayable in 
quarterly installments commencing in May 2009 with a final balloon payment of $137.5 million due in March 2018. 

Golar Freeze facility 
In June 2010, the company completed the refinancing of the Golar Freeze with a syndicate of banks and financial institutions 
for an amount of $125 million. The new facility (the "Golar Freeze facility") bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin. The facility is 
split into two tranches, the Commercial Loan facility and the Exportfinans Loan facility. Repayments under the Commercial Loan 
facility tranche are due quarterly based on an annuity profile with a final balloon payment of $38.8 million payable in April 2015. 
The Exportfinans loan facility tranche is for $50 million with a term of eight years and repayable in equal quarterly instalments 
with the final payment in June 2018. The Golar Freeze facility requires certain cash balances to be held on deposit during the 
period of the loan.  These balances are referred to in these consolidated financial statements as restricted cash. 

Certain of the Company's debt are collateralized by ship mortgages and, in the case of some debt, pledges of shares by each 
guarantor subsidiary.  The existing financing agreements impose operating and financing restrictions which may significantly 
limit or prohibit, among other things, the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, sell capital shares of 
subsidiaries,  make  certain  investments,  engage  in  mergers  and  acquisitions,  purchase  and  sell  vessels,  enter  into  time  or 
consecutive  voyage  charters  or  pay  dividends  without  the  consent  of  the  Lenders.  In  addition,  Lenders  may  accelerate  the 
maturity  of  indebtedness  under  financing  agreements  and  foreclose  upon  the  collateral  securing  the  indebtedness  upon  the 
occurrence  of  certain  events  of  default,  including  a  failure  to  comply  with  any  of  the  covenants  contained  in  the  financing 
agreements.  Various  debt  agreements  of  the  Company  contain  certain  covenants,  which  require  compliance  with  certain 
financial ratios. Such ratios include equity ratio covenants and minimum free cash restrictions.  With regards to cash restrictions 
Golar has covenanted to retain at least $25 million of cash and cash equivalents on a consolidated group basis.  As of December 
31, 2010, the Company complied with the debt covenants of its various debt agreements. 

23.          CAPITAL LEASES 

(in thousands of $) 
Total long-term obligations under capital leases 
Less: current portion of obligations under capital leases 
Long term obligations under capital leases 

2010 
411,875 

(5,766)   

406,109 

2009 
852,943 
(8,588)
844,355 

As  at  December  31,  2010,  Golar  operated  three  (2009:  eight)  vessels  under  capital  leases.  These  leases  are  in  respect  of  a 
refinancing transaction undertaken during 2003, a lease financing transaction during 2004 and another in 2005. 

The first leasing transaction, which took place in April 2003, was the sale of five 100 per cent owned subsidiaries to a financial 
institution in the United Kingdom (UK).  The subsidiaries were established in Bermuda specifically to own and operate one LNG 
vessel as their sole asset.  Simultaneous to the sale of the five entities, Golar leased each of the five vessels under five separate 
lease agreements ("Five Ship Leases").  During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Five Ship Leases liability was settled using the 
related lease security deposits.  These assets are now included within vessels and equipment (see note 14). 

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The second leasing transaction, which occurred in August 2003, was in relation to the newbuilding, the Methane Princess.  The 
Company novated the Methane Princess newbuilding contract prior to completion of construction and leased the vessel from 
the same financial institution in the UK ("Methane Princess Lease"). 

The third leasing transaction, which occurred in April 2004, was in relation to the newbuilding, the Golar Winter. The Company 
novated  the Golar  Winter  newbuilding  contract  prior  to  completion  of  construction  and  leased  the  vessel  from  a  financial 
institution in the UK ("Golar Winter Lease"). 

The  fourth  leasing  transaction,  which  occurred  in  April  2005,  was  in  relation  to  the  newbuilding,  the Golar  Grand.  The 
Company  novated  the  Golar  Grand newbuilding contract prior to completion of construction and leased the vessel from the 
same financial institution in the UK ("Grand Lease"). 

Golar's obligations to the lessors under the Methane Princess Lease is primarily secured by letters of credit ("LC") provided by 
other banks.  Details of the security deposits provided by Golar to the banks providing the LC's are given in Note 17. 

As  at  December  31,  2010,  the  Company  is  committed  to  make  quarterly  minimum  rental  payments  under  capital  leases,  as 
follows: 

Year ending December 31, 
(in thousands of $) 
2011 
2012 
2013 
2014 
2015 
2016 and thereafter 
Total minimum lease payments 
Less: Imputed interest 
Present value of minimum lease payments

Methane
Princess 
Lease 
6,972 
7,241 
7,539 
7,828 
8,132 
260,301 
298,013 
(149,576)   
148,437 

Golar Winter
Lease 
10,043 
10,043 
10,043 
10,043 
10,043 
165,796 
216,011 
(92,955)   
123,056 

Grand
Lease  
9,324 
9,324 
9,324 
9,324 
9,324 
203,232 
249,852 
(109,470)   
140,382 

Total 
26,339 
26,608 
26,906 
27,195 
27,499 
629,329 
763,876 
(352,001)
411,875 

The  profile  of  the  Methane  Princess  Lease  is  such  that  the  lease  liability  continues  to  increase  until  2014  and  thereafter 
decreases over the period to 2034 being the primary term of the lease.  The interest element of the lease rentals is accrued at a 
rate based upon floating British Pound (GBP) LIBOR. 

The Golar Winter Lease is for a primary period of 28 years, expiring in April 2032. The lease liability is reduced by lease rentals 
from  inception.  The  interest  element  of  the  lease  rentals  is  accrued  at  a  rate  based  upon  floating  rate  British  Pound  (GBP) 
LIBOR. The lease with respect to the Golar  Winter contains a minimum value clause that is applicable only if the Golar Winter 
is  not  chartered  under  a  time  charter  acceptable  to  the  lessor  for  this  purpose,  such  as  the  current  time  charter.  The  Golar 
Winter Lease generally provides that, in the event that the Golar Winter charter is terminated and is not replaced with a similar 
charter, the amount of any obligations outstanding under the Golar Winter Lease shall be equal to or less than 80% of the value 
of the vessel at the time of any such charter termination. In the event that the minimum value clause becomes applicable and is 
not satisfied, the lessee shall either procure a letter of credit in an amount sufficient to cover any deficiency between the amount 
that is equal to 80% of the value of the vessel at the time of any such charter termination and the amount of any obligations 
outstanding under the Golar Winter Lease or, if the lessor agrees, provide alternative additional security to the lessor. 

F-39

  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
The Grand Lease is for a primary period of 30 years, expiring January 2036.  The lease liability is reduced by lease rentals from 
inception.  The interest element of the lease rentals is accrued at a rate based upon floating rate USD LIBOR.  In contrast to the 
Company's  other  leases  the  Grand  Lease  obligation  and  the  cash  deposits  securing  the  lease  obligation  are  denominated  in 
USD.  However, in common with the Golar Winter Lease, the cash deposits securing the lease obligation are significantly less 
than the lease obligation itself.  As of December 31, 2010, the Company had entered into interest rate swaps of $66 million (2009: 
$72 million) to fix the interest rate in respect of its Grand Lease obligations which matures in April 2012. 

The Company determined that the entities that owned the vessels were variable interest entities in which Golar had a variable 
interest  and  was  the  primary  beneficiary.  Upon  transferring  the  vessels  to  the  financial  institutions,  Golar  measured  the 
subsequently  leased  vessels  at  the  same  amounts  as  if  the  transfer  had  not  occurred,  which  was  cost  less  accumulated 
depreciation at the time of transfer. 

24.          OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 

(in thousands of $) 
Liabilities in respect of the termination of the Five Ship Leases 
Tax benefits arising under the Five Ships Leases 
Pension obligations (See note 21) 
Deferred credits from capital lease transactions 
Other 

2010 
51,089 
29,184 
33,451 
19,780 
132 
133,636 

2009 
- 
- 
32,589 
43,692 
132 
76,413 

The  liabilities  in  respect  of  the  termination  of  the  Five  Ships  Leases  arose  from  the  settlement  of  the  Five  Ships  lease 
obligations,  in  respect  of  the Golar  Freeze  and Golar  Spirit  during  2010.  As  part  of  the  agreement  to  terminate  these 
agreements,  the  Company  agreed  to  take  responsibility  for  payment  of  certain  tax liabilities  which  had  accrued  to  the  lessor 
bank during the period of the lease. The company expects to settle these liabilities in 2012.  The tax benefits arising under the 
Five Ships Leases arose from transactions between controlled entities in respect of the Gimi, Hilli and Khannur that generated 
a permanent tax benefit for the Company. These lease arrangements have now been terminated and the tax benefits which arose 
are being amortized through the tax line of the income statement over the remaining lives of the vessels. 

Deferred credits from capital lease transactions 

(in thousands of $) 
Deferred credits from capital lease transactions 
Less: Accumulated amortization 

Short-term (See note 20) 
Long-term 

F-40

2010 
24,691 
(4,286)   
20,405 

625 
19,780 
20,405 

2009 
74,121 
(26,465)
47,656 

3,964 
43,692 
47,656 

 
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
In connection with the Five Ships Leases and the Methane Princess Lease (see note 20), the Company recorded an amount 
representing  the  difference  between  the  net  cash  proceeds  received  upon  sale  of  the  vessels  and  the  present  value  of  the 
minimum  lease  payments.  The  amortization  of  the  deferred  credit  for  the  year  is  offset  against  depreciation  and  amortization 
expense in the statement of operations. The deferred credits represent the upfront benefits derived from undertaking finance in 
the form of UK leases. The deferred credits are amortized over the remaining estimated useful economic lives of the vessels to 
which the leases relate on a straight-line basis. 

25.          SHARE CAPITAL AND SHARE OPTIONS 

The Company's ordinary shares are listed on both the Nasdaq and Oslo Bors Stock Exchanges. 

As at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, authorized and issued share capital is as follows: 

Authorized share capital: 

(in thousands of $, except per share data) 
100,000,000 common shares of $1.00 each 

Issued share capital: 

2010
100,000

2009
100,000

(in thousands of $, except per share data) 
67,808,200 (2009: 67,576,866) outstanding issued common shares of $1.00 each 

2010
67,808

2009
67,577

During 2010, the Company issued 0.2 million common shares upon the exercise of stock options. 

Treasury shares 
In November 2007, the Company's board of directors approved the buyback of up to a maximum of 1.0 million shares in the 
Company. As at December 31, 2010, a further 0.3 million shares in the Company maybe repurchased. The holding of treasury 
shares is held in connection with the Company's share options plans. 

The number of treasury shares held by the Company is as follows: 

(Number of shares in thousands) 
At January 1 
Acquired during the year 
Disposed of during the year 
At December 31 

(In thousands of $) 
At December 31: 
Book value of treasury shares 
Market value of treasury shares 

2010 
450 
- 
(300)   
150 

2010 

2,280 
2,245 

2009 
350 
300 
(200)   
450 

2009 

6,841 
5,769 

2008 
400 
- 
(50)
350 

2008 

6,834 
2,366 

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Share options 
In July 2001, the Company's board of directors approved the grant of options to eligible employees to acquire an aggregate 2.0 
million shares in the Company. In July 2001, the Company granted 0.4 million share options to certain directors and officers. The 
options vested in July 2002, and have a ten year term. 

In February 2002, the Company's board of directors approved the Golar LNG Limited Share Option Scheme ("Golar Scheme"). 
The  Golar  scheme  permits  the  board  of  directors,  at  its  discretion,  to  grant  options  to  acquire  shares  in  the  Company  to 
employees and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries.  Options granted under the scheme will vest at a date determined 
by the board at the date of the grant. The options granted under the plan to date have five year terms and vest equally over a 
period of three to four years. There is no maximum number of shares authorized for awards of equity share options, and either 
authorized unissued shares or treasury shares in the Company may be used to satisfy exercised options. 

In August 2009, the board of directors of the Company's subsidiary, Golar Energy approved the Golar LNG Energy Share option 
Scheme ("Energy Scheme"). The terms of the Energy Scheme follow that of the Golar Scheme (collectively referred to as the 
"Schemes"). 

Previously granted options for 1.1 million shares in Golar were cancelled in October 2009 and concurrently replaced with 3.9 
million new options in Golar Energy and  0.3 million new options in Golar. This has been accounted for as a modification of 
previous awards of equity instruments. The total incremental cost of the options modified in 2009 was $1.4 million, which is 
being recognized over the revised vesting period of 2.7 years. 

As at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the number of options outstanding in respect of Golar shares was 1.0 million, 1.5 million 
and 2.7 million, respectively. 

As at December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, the number of options outstanding in respect of Golar Energy shares was 6.1 million, 
3.9 million and nil, respectively. 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the grant date or modification date using the Black-Scholes option pricing 
model. The weighted average assumptions used are noted in the table below: 

Risk free interest rate 
Expected volatility of common stock 
Expected dividend yield 
Expected life of options (in years) 

2010
2.0%
56.7% 
0.0%
   3.5 years

2009
2.4%
54.4% 
0.0%
   3.5 years

2008
4.0%
33.6% 
0.0%
    3.6 years

The assumption for expected future volatility is based primarily on an analysis of historical volatility of the Company's common 
stock.  The Company uses the simplified method for making estimates as to the expected term of options, based on the vesting 
period of the award and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.  The dividend yield 
has been estimated at 0% as the exercise price of the options, granted in 2006 and later, are reduced by the value of dividends, 
declared and paid on a per share basis. 

A summary of option activity (including both the Golar and Golar Energy options) as at December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and 
changes during the years then ended are presented below: 

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(in thousands of $, except per share data) 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2007 
  Granted during the year 
  Exercised during the year 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2008 
  Granted during the year 
  Exercised during the year 
  Forfeited during the year 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2009 
  Granted during the year 
  Exercised during the year 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2010 

Options exercisable at: 
  December 31, 2010 
  December 31, 2009 
  December 31, 2008 

Weighted 
average 
exercise 
price 
14.31 
18.20     
12.43     
14.51 
2.77     
9.89     
20.16     
4.51 
1.59     
7.81     
2.98 

Shares
(In '000s) 
 $
2,078 
 $
642 
(50)  $
 $
2,670 
4,190 
 $
(200)  $
(1,173)  $
 $
5,487 
2,158 
 $
(531)  $
 $
7,114 

2,217 
1,272 
1,240 

 $
 $
 $

4.66 
10.12 
11.59 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
term
(years) 
3.7 

3.2 

2.2 

2.0 

1.1 
1.2 
2.5 

The exercise price of all options except for those issued in 2001, is reduced by the amount of the dividends declared and paid; 
the above figures for options granted, exercised and forfeited show the average of the prices at the time of granting, exercising 
and  forfeiting  of  the  options,  and  for  options  outstanding  at  the  beginning  and  end  of  the  year  the  average  of  the  reduced 
option prices is shown. 

The intrinsic value of share options exercised in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $3.5 million, $0.7 million 
and $0.3 million, respectively. 

As  at  December  31,  2010,  the  intrinsic  value  of  both  outstanding  and  exercisable  share  options  was $7.3  million  (2009:  $3.8 
million). 

The total fair value of share options vested in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $1.8 million, $3.9 million 
and $5.1 million, respectively. 

Compensation cost of $1.9 million, $1.7 million and $3.1 million has been recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations 
for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. 

As of December 31, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation cost amounting to $7.0 million (2009: $7.5 million) relating to 
options outstanding is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. Of the $7.0 million, $1.2 million 
relates to non-vested options. This cost will be recognized over the remaining vesting periods, which average 1.1 years. 

F-43

 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
26.          FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

Interest rate risk management 

In certain situations, the Company may enter into financial instruments to reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in interest 
rates.  The  Company  has  entered  into  swaps  that  convert  floating  rate  interest  obligations  to  fixed  rates,  which  from  an 
economic perspective hedge the interest rate exposure.  The Company does not hold or issue instruments for speculative or 
trading purposes.  The counterparties to such contracts are major banking and financial institutions.  Credit risk exists to the 
extent  that  the  counterparties  are  unable  to  perform  under  the  contracts;  however  the  Company  does  not  anticipate  non-
performance by any of its counterparties. 

The  Company  manages  its  debt  and  capital  lease  portfolio  with  interest  rate  swap  agreements  in  U.S.  dollars  to  achieve  an 
overall  desired  position  of  fixed  and  floating  interest  rates.  Effective  October  1,  2008,  the  Company  commenced  hedge 
accounting for certain of its interest rate swap arrangements designated as cash flow hedges.  The net gains and losses have 
been reported in a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income to the extent the hedges are effective.  The 
amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income will subsequently be reclassified into earnings in the same period 
as  the  hedged  items  affect  earnings.  As  at  December  31,  2010,  the  Company  does  not  expect  any  material  amounts  to  be 
reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next twelve months. 

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized a net loss of $0.4 million, $0.6 million and 
$0.1 million, respectively, in earnings relating to the ineffective portion of its interest rate swap agreements. 

As of December 31, 2010, the Company has entered into the following interest rate swap transactions involving the payment of 
fixed rates in exchange for LIBOR as summarized below.  The summary also includes those that are designated as cash flow 
hedges: 

Instrument
(in thousands of $)
Interest rate swaps:
   Receiving floating, pay fixed

Notional value

Maturity Dates

Fixed Interest Rates

620,271

2011-2015 

1.99% to 5.04%

At December 31, 2010, the notional principal amount of the debt and capital lease obligations outstanding subject to such swap 
agreements was $620.3 million (2009: $643.9 million). 

The  effect  of  cash  flow  hedging  relationships  relating  to  interest  rate  swap  agreements  on  the  consolidated  statements  of 
operations is as follows: 

Derivatives designated as hedging 
instruments
Interest rate swaps

Effective portion Gain/(loss) 
reclassified from Accumulated 
Other Comprehensive Loss
2009

2010

Ineffective Portion
2009
2010

Location

Other financial items, net

-

-

$(427)

$(552)

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The  effect  of  cash  flow  hedging  relationships  relating  to  interest  rate  swap  agreements  to  the  consolidated  statements  of 
changes in  equity is as follows: 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate swaps

Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in OCI on 
derivative (effective portion)

2010
(8,578)

2009
11,615

As of December 31, 2010, the Company's accumulated other comprehensive loss included $21.0 million of unrealized losses on 
interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges. 

Foreign currency risk 
The majority of the vessels' gross earnings are receivable in U.S. dollars.  The majority of the Company's transactions, assets 
and  liabilities  are  denominated  in  U.S.  dollars,  the  functional  currency  of  the  Company.  However,  the  Company  incurs 
expenditure  in  other  currencies.  Certain  capital  lease  obligations  and  related  restricted  cash  deposits  of  the  Company  are 
denominated  in  British  Pounds.  There  is  a  risk  that  currency  fluctuations  will  have  a  negative  effect  on  the  value  of  the 
Company's cash flows. 

A net foreign exchange loss of $3.0 million and $8.4 million arose in the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. 
The net foreign exchange loss of $3.0 million arose in the year ended December 31, 2010 as a result of the retranslation of the 
Company's  capital  lease  obligations  and  the  cash  deposits  securing  those  obligations  net  of  the  loss  (2009:gain)  on  the 
currency swap referred to below. The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 arose due to the depreciation of the British 
Pound against the U.S. Dollar during the year. This net loss represents an unrealized loss and does not therefore materially 
impact the Company's liquidity. Further foreign exchange gains or losses will arise over time in relation to the Company's capital 
lease obligations as a result of exchange rate movements. Gains or losses will only be realized to the extent that monies are, or 
are required to be withdrawn or paid into the deposits securing our capital lease obligations or if the leases are terminated. 

As  described  in  note  23,  in  April  2004,  the  Company  entered  into  a  lease  arrangement  in  respect  of  the Golar  Winter,  the 
obligation in respect of which is denominated in GBP.  In this transaction the restricted cash deposit, which secured the letter of 
credit given to the lessor to secure part of Golar's obligations to the lessor was, much less than the obligation and is currently 
nil, and  therefore,  unlike  the  Methane  Princess  Lease,  does  not  provide  a  natural  hedge.  In  order  therefore  to  hedge  this 
exposure the Company entered into a currency swap with a bank, who is also the lessor, to exchange GBP payment obligations 
into U.S. dollar payment obligations as set out in the table below.  The swap hedges the full amount of the GBP lease obligation 
and the restricted cash deposit is denominated in U.S dollars.  The Company could be exposed to currency risk if the lease was 
terminated. 

In  addition,  to  limit  the  Company's  exposure  to  foreign  currency  fluctuations  from  its  obligations  under  its  various  FSRU 
conversion projects the Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts. The Company has not designated its foreign 
currency forward contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. 

F-45

 
  
  
  
  
  
As of December 31, 2010, the Company has entered into the following foreign currency forward contracts as summarized below: 

Instrument
(in thousands)
Currency rate swaps:
  British Pounds
  Norwegian Kroner
  Singapore Dollar

Notional amount

Receiving in 
foreign 
currency 

  Pay in USD 

62,886 
118,000 
22,200 

98,178 
19,494 
17,047 

Average
forward rate 
USD foreign 
currency 

1.5612 
0.1665 
0.7677 

Maturity 
dates 

2032 
2011-2010 
2011-2010 

The counterparties to the foreign currency swap contracts are major banking institutions. Credit risk exists to the extent that the 
counterparty is unable to perform under the contract; however the Company does not anticipate non-performance by any of its 
swap counterparties. 

Fair values
The Company recognizes its fair value estimates using a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. 
The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on reliability of inputs used to determine fair value as follows: 

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; 
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. 
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. 

(in thousands of $)
Non-Derivatives: 
 Cash and cash equivalents
 Restricted cash and short-term investments 
 Long-term unlisted investments – TORP (1) 
 Long-term unlisted investments  - Other (1)    
 Marketable securities
 Long-term debt – fixed (1) 
 Long-term debt – floating (1) 
 Obligations under capital leases(1)

Derivatives:
 Commodity contracts asset
 Interest rate swaps liability
 Foreign currency swaps liability

Fair value  

Hierachy(1)  

2010 
Carrying 
Value 

2010 

Fair Value 

2009 
Carrying 
Value 

2009 

Fair Value 

Level 1   
Level 1   
Level 3   

Level 1   

164,717 
207,856 
- 
7,347 
- 
10,000 
787,078 
411,875 

Level 2   
Level 2   
Level 2   

111 
50,051 
26,205 

164,717 
207,856 
- 
N/a 
- 
10,000 
787,078 
411,875 

111 
50,051 
26,205 

122,231 
634,805 
3,000 
7,347 
13,458 
10,000 
772,226 
852,943 

- 
36,354 
19,043 

122,231 
634,805 
N/a 
N/a 
13,458 
10,000 
772,226 
852,943 

- 
36,354 
19,043 

1) The  fair  value  hierachy  is  only  applicable  to  each  financial  instrument  on  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  that  are 

recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. 

(2) The fair value/ carrying value of interest rate swap agreements that qualify and are designated as a cash flow hedge as 
at December 31, 2010 and 2009, was $24 million and $15 million, respectively. The expected maturity of these interest 
rate agreements is in April 2015. 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument. 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, which are highly liquid, is a reasonable estimate of fair value. 

F-46

  
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
The estimated fair value for restricted cash and short-term investments is considered to be equal to the carrying value since  
restricted cash bears variable interest rates which are rest on a quarterly basis and short-term investments are placed for periods 
of less than six months. 

The fair value of the Company's marketable securities was determined using the closing quoted market price. 

The carrying value of unlisted investments refers to the Company's holdings in OLT-O and TORP Technology. As at December 
31, 2010, the Company did not identify any events or changes in circumstances that would indicate the carrying value of its 
unlisted  investment  in  OLT–O  were  not  recoverable.  Accordingly,  the  Company  did  not  estimate  the  fair  value  of  this 
investment  as  at  December  31,  2010.  However,  in  December  2010,  the  Company  considered  that  its  investment  in  TORP 
Technology was not recoverable resulting in a full write down of its investment.  A reconciliation of the carrying value of the 
Company's investment in TORP Technology as of December 31 is as follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
At January 1 
Impairment charge recognized in earnings (see note 6) 
At December 31 

2010 
3,000 
(3,000)   
- 

2009 
3,000 
- 
3,000 

The estimated fair value for floating long-term debt is considered to be equal to the carrying value since it bears variable interest 
rates, which are reset on a quarterly or six monthly basis.  The fair value of the fixed rate short-term debt is estimated to be equal 
to the carrying value. 

The estimated fair values of obligations under capital leases are considered to be equal to the carrying value since they bear 
interest at rates, which are reset on a quarterly basis. 

The  fair  value  of  the  Company's  derivative  instruments  is  the  estimated  amount  that  the  Company  would  receive  or  pay  to 
terminate the agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates, foreign exchange rates, closing quoted 
market prices and the creditworthiness of the Company and its swap counterparties. 

Concentrations of risk 
There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments to 
the extent that substantially all of the amounts are carried with Nordea Bank of Finland PLC, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Lloyds 
TSB Bank plc, The Bank of New York, Bank of Scotland and Fokus Bank.  However, the Company believes this risk is remote as 
these banks are high credit quality financial institutions. 

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  2010,  five  customers  accounted  for  the  majority  of  total  operating  revenues  of  the 
company.  These revenues and associated accounts receivable are derived from one time charter with BG Group plc, one time 
charter  with  Pertamina,  three  time  charters  with  Shell,  two  time  charters  with  Petrobras  and  one  time  charter  with  DUSUP. 
Pertamina is a state enterprise of the Republic of Indonesia.  DUSUP is a government entity which is the sole supplier of natural 
gas to the Emirate.  Credit risk is mitigated by the long-term contracts with Pertamina being on a ship-or-pay basis.  Also, under 
the  various  contracts  the  Company's  vessel  hire  charges  are  paid  by  the  trustee and paying agent from the immediate sale 
proceeds of the delivered gas.  The trustee must pay the ship owner before Pertamina and the gas sales contracts are with the 
CPC.  The Company considers the credit risk of BG Group plc, Petrobas, Shell and DUSUP to be low. 

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, DUSUP (2010 only) Petrobras, BG Group plc, Pertamina and Shell 
each accounted for more than 10% of gross revenue (see note 5). 

During  2008,  Pertamina,  BG  Group  plc  and  Shell  accounted  for  revenues  of  $37.1  million,  $75.1  million  and  $85.3  million, 
respectively. 

F-47

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
During 2009, Petrobras, Pertamina, BG Group plc and Shell accounted for revenues of $61.3 million, $40.4 million, $61.3 million 
and $45.6 million, respectively. 

During 2010, Petrobras, Pertamina, BG Group plc, Shell and DUSUP accounted for revenues of $90.7 million, $36.9 million, $49.1 
million, $25.4 and $29.9 million, respectively. 

27.          RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Net (expenses) income from related parties: 

(in thousands of $) 
Frontline Ltd. and subsidiaries ("Frontline") 
Seatankers Management Company Limited ("Seatankers")
Ship Finance AS ("Ship Finance") 
World Shipholding 

2010 
(984)   
(62)   
161 
(532)   

2009 
(261)   
(82)   
195 
- 

2008 
95 
(35)
37 
- 

Frontline, Seatankers, Ship Finance and World Shipholding are each subject to significant influence or the indirect control of 
Trusts established by our chairman, John Fredriksen, for the benefit of his immediate family. 

Net  expense/income  from  Frontline,  Seatankers  and  Ship  Finance  comprise  fees  for  management  support,  corporate  and 
insurance administrative services, net of income from supplier rebates and income from the provision of serviced offices and 
facilities. 

In December 2009, the Company entered into an $80 million revolving credit facility with World Shipholding, to provide short-
term bridge financing. The revolving credit facility incurs a commitment fee, calculated at 0.75% of any undrawn portion of the 
facility (see note 22). 

As of December 31, 2010, World Shipholding, which is indirectly controlled by Trusts established by John Fredriksen for the 
benefit of his immediate family, owned 45.8% (2009: 46.18%) of Golar. 

Receivables (payables) from related parties: 

(in thousands of $) 
Frontline 
Seatankers 
Ship Finance 
World Shipholding 

2010
(278)
(62)
124
(134)
(350)

2009
488
(106)
115
-
497

Receivables  and  payables  with  related  parties  comprise  primarily  of  unpaid  management  fees,  advisory  and  administrative 
services.  In addition, certain receivables and payables arise when the Company pays an invoice on behalf of a related party and 
vice versa.  Receivables and payables are generally settled quarterly in arrears. 

During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, Faraway Maritime Shipping Company, which is owned 60% by Golar 
and 40% by CPC Corporation, Taiwan, paid dividends totalling $7.8 million, $3.4 million and $5.0 million, of which 60% was paid 
to Golar and 40% was paid to CPC. 

F-48

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
  
  
  
28.          CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

Vessel Conversion 
As of December 31, 2010, the Company had commitments under the terms of the Letter of Intent to provide an FSRU to PT 
Nusantara Regas.  The Khannur will be converted into a FSRU to fulfil this requirement.  As at December 31, 2010, the Company 
had  a  contract  with various  suppliers  to  commence  the  engineering,  design  and  procurement  process  for  the  retrofit  of  the 
Khannur into a FSRU. 

As at December 31, 2010, the estimated timing of the payments in connection with this FSRU conversion is due to be paid as 
follows: 

(in thousands of $) 
 Payable within 12 months to December 31, 2011
Payable within 12 months to December 31, 2012 

29.          OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

Assets Pledged 

(in thousands of $) 
Book value of vessels secured against long-term loans and capital leases 

Other Contractual Commitments and contingencies 

114,939 
61,184 
176,123 

December 
31, 2010 
1,616,814 

December 
31, 2009 
1,644,835 

Insurance 
The Company insures the legal liability risks for its shipping activities with Gard and Skuld. Both are mutual protection and 
indemnity  associations.  As  a  member  of  a  mutual  association,  the  Company  is  subject  to  calls  payable  to  the  associations 
based on the Company's claims record in addition to the claims records of all other members of the association.  A contingent 
liability  exists  to  the  extent  that  the  claims  records  of  the  members  of  the  association  in  the  aggregate  show  significant 
deterioration, which results in additional calls on the members. 

Tax lease benefits 
The benefits under lease financings are derived primarily from tax depreciation assumed to be available to lessors as a result of 
their  investment  in  the  vessels. In  the  event  of  any  adverse  tax  changes  or  a  successful  challenge  by  the  U.K.  Revenue 
authorities with regard to the initial tax basis of the transactions, or in relation to the terminations we have entered into in 2010 
or in the event of an early termination of our remaining leases, we may be required to make additional payments to the U.K. 
vessel lessors or the UK revenue authorities which could adversely affect our earnings and financial position.  We would be 
required to return all or a portion of, or in certain circumstances significantly more than, the upfront cash benefits that we have 
received or accrued over time, together with fees that were incurred together with our lease financing transactions including our 
recent termination transactions or post additional security or make additional payments to the U.K. vessel lessors.  The upfront 
benefits we have received equates to the cash inflow we received in connection with the six leases we entered into during 2003 
(in  total  a  gross  amount  before  deduction  of  fees  of  approximately £41 million British pounds, or GBP). Two of our U.K. tax 
leases accrue benefit over the term of the leases. The remaining six UK tax leases were structured so that a cash benefit was 
received up front. 

F-49

 
  
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
Other 
In  December  2005,  the  Company  signed  a  shareholders'  agreement  in  connection  with  the  setting  up  of  a  jointly  owned 
company  to  be  named  Egyptian  Company  for  Gas  Services  S.A.E  ("ECGS"),  which  was  to  be  established  to  develop 
hydrocarbon business and in particular LNG related business in Egypt.  As at December 31, 2010, the Company was committed 
to subscribe for common shares in ECGS for a further consideration of $3.7 million payable within five years of incorporation, at 
dates to be determined by ECGS's Board of Directors. 

As at December 31, 2010, the Company had a commitment to pay $1.0 million to a third party, contingent upon the conclusion of 
a material commercial business transaction by ECGS as consideration for work performed in connection with the setting up and 
incorporation of ECGS. 

30.          SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 

In March 2011, the Company declared and paid a final cash dividend of $0.30 per share, amounting to $20.4 million in respect of 
the year ended December 31, 2010. 

In April 2011, Company's subsidiary, Golar Partners completed a public offering of 13.8 million common units at a price of $22.50 
per unit, for gross proceeds of $310.5 million. This includes gross proceeds of $40.5 million relating to the 1.8 million common 
units sold pursuant to the exercise of the overallotment option by the underwriters. As a result of the offering, the Company's 
ownership of Golar Partners was reduced to 65% (including the Company's 2% general partner interest). 

In  April  2011,  the  Company  entered  into  a  new  $80  million  revolving  credit  facility  with  a  company  related  to  our  major 
shareholder, World Shipholding. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.5% together with a commitment fee of 0.75% of any 
undrawn portion of the credit facility. The facility is available until September 2013; all amounts due under the facility must be 
repaid by then. The Company drew down an initial amount of $35 million in April 2011. The facility is currently unsecured. 

In April 2011, the Company entered into newbuild contracts for six LNG carrriers with a Korean shipyard. Four vessels are to be 
delivered in 2013 and two in 2014. The total cost of the six vessels is approximately $1.2 billion. In addition, the Company has an 
option  to  acquire  two  further  vessels  for  delivery  in  2013  and  onwards.  During  April  2011,  the  Company  made  newbuild 
instalment payments totalling approximately $120 million. 

In  April  2011,  we  increased  our  ownership  of Golar  Energy  from  61.1%  to  90.5%  with  agreements  to  acquire  an  additional 
69,841,044  Golar  Energy  shares.  The  sellers  will  receive  one  newly-issued  Golar  share  for  every  6.06 Golar  Energy  shares 
acquired.  The  shares  will  be  issued  at  $30.30.  The share acquisitions have been organized into two transactions. In the first 
transaction,  we  have  acquired  36,300,891  shares  from  international  institutional  investors  and,  in  the  second  transaction,  we 
have acquired 33,540,153 from World Shipholding Limited, our major shareholder. In the first transaction, shares will be issued 
with immediate effect. In the second transaction, the shares will be issued upon the filing of a prospectus. The two transactions 
will increase our capital by 11,524,911. 

In addition, on April 27, 2011, we acquired an additional 10,536,287 shares in Golar Energy at approximately $5 per share, which 
increased our ownership in Golar Energy to 95.1%. 

We intend to commence, in mid-May, a voluntary offer to acquire the remaining outstanding shares in Golar Energy at the same 
price as described above. 

Following the closing of this offer, we will initiate a compulsory acquisition offer of any remaining shares in Golar Energy and 
delist Golar Energy from Oslo Axess. 

SK 03849 0004 1189423

F-50

 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
Golar LNG Limited. – Corporate Governance Statement 

Golar LNG Limited (“Golar” or the “Company”) is a limited liability company incorporated under the 
laws of Bermuda. The Company is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda.  The Company's activities are 
the responsibility of the board of directors elected by its shareholders (the “Board”). 

The  day-to-day  management  of  the  Company  is  performed  by  its  subsidiary,  Golar  Management 
Limited (“Golar Management”) formerly known as Golar Management (UK) Limited, under the terms 
of  a  written  management  agreement.    Golar  Management  is  headquartered  in  London,  United 
Kingdom.    Golar’s  shares  have  their  primary  listing  on  the  Oslo  Stock  Exchange.  The  Company 
maintains a secondary listing on Nasdaq.  

As  a  company  incorporated  in  Bermuda,  Golar  is  subject  to  Bermuda  law  in  respect  of  its  corporate 
governance. Bermuda law is, to a considerable extent, based on English law in this area.  

As a consequence of the listing of the Company’s shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, the 
Company  is  expected  to  meet  certain  standards  in  relation  to  the  principles  governing  its  corporate 
governance. 

These standards are, in relation to the Oslo Stock Exchange, documented in "The Norwegian code of 
practice for corporate governance" (the "Norwegian Code"). The Norwegian Code is published on 
the  website  of  the  Oslo  Stock  Exchange  –  "www.ose.no".    This is,  from  a  legal  point  of  view,  a  non-
binding recommendation which all companies listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange is required to relate to 
on a "comply or explain" – basis. 

The  Nasdaq  corporate  governance  rules  (the  "Nasdaq  Rules")  permit  exemptions  to  foreign  issuers 
when    the  Nasdaq  Rules  are  contrary  to  a  law,  rule  or  regulation  of  any  public  authority  exercising 
jurisdiction over such issuer or is considered contrary to generally accepted business practices in the 
issuer’s country of domicile. 

Golar is committed to ensuring that its principles of corporate governance meet the highest standards 
and  generally  supports  the  principles  set  forth  both  in  the  Norwegian  Code  and  the  Nasdaq  Rules. 
Being subject to three different set of corporate governance regulations nevertheless means that Golar 
will have to rely on various exceptions from the individual sets of rules. 

The  Board  believes  that  the  Company’s  current  corporate  governance  policies  and  procedures  meet 
the requirements both of Bermuda law and the Nasdaq Rules. 

Golar’s corporate governance policies and procedures are explained below in relation to the Norwegian 
Code.  

1. 

IMPLEMENTATION AND REPORTING ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

The  Board  recognizes  the  importance  of  sound  corporate  governance.  The  Board  believes  that  the 
policies and procedures it has implemented and maintains in this respect meet this standard. 

The Board has approved and implemented a corporate code of business ethics and conduct reflecting 
Golar’s basic corporate values and formulating ethical and corporate social responsibility guidelines in 
accordance with these. The corporate code is posted on the Company's website. 

2. 

BUSINESS 

Golar  is  subject  to  Bermudian  corporate  law,  which  does  not  require  the  objects  clause  of  the 
Company’s  Memorandum  and  Articles  of  Association  to  be  clearly  defined.  The  Company  has  clear 
objectives and strategies for its business.  

The  business  of  Golar  and  its  subsidiaries  comprises  ownership  and  operation  of  LNG  tankers.  The 
Company's  Annual  Report  includes  a  more  specific  description  of  the  business,  including  the  overall 
objectives  and  current  strategy  of  the  Company.    The  Company's  Annual  Report  can  be  accessed  at 
the Company's website: www.golarlng.com. 

3. 

EQUITY AND DIVIDENDS 

As of December 31, 2010, Golar’s total stockholders’ equity was $410,588,000 

 
 
The  Board  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  equity  capital  is  appropriate,  considering  the  Company's 
objectives, strategy and risk profile. 

Golar’s  objective  is  to  give  its  shareholders  a  competitive  return  on  their  invested  capital  over  time.  
The return is to be achieved through a combination of an increase in the value of its shares and  the 
payment of dividends.  The Company’s long-term objective is to pay a regular dividend.  The level of 
dividends will be guided  by current  earnings, market prospects and capital expenditure requirements 
and investment opportunities.  

The  Company’s  ability  to  declare  dividends  is  also  regulated  by  Bermuda  law,  which  prohibits  the 
declaration and payment  of dividends if, at the time of distribution, a company is not able to pay its 
liabilities  as  they  fall  due  or  the  realizable  value  of  a  company’s  assets  is  less  than  the  sum  of  its 
liabilities, issued share capital and share premium accounts. 

As at December 31, 2010, the Board is currently authorized by the shareholders to issue 32,192,000 
further  shares  (representing  the  difference  between  the  Company’s  authorized  and  issued  share 
capital).  There is, in accordance with Bermuda corporate law, no time limit, on the Board's authority 
to increase the Company's equity capital based on this authority.  If the shareholders of Golar wishes 
to  limit  the  Board’s  ability  to  raise  capital  through  the  issuance  of  additional  shares,  Bermuda  law 
allows them to resolve to reduce the authorized capital and the reduction could reduce the authorized 
capital to the level actually in issue.  

The  Norwegian  Code  sets  out  that  board  authorisations  to  issue  new  shares  should  be  divided  into 
separate  mandates,  each  to  be  considered  and  voted  upon  by  the  General  Meeting.  It  is  the 
Company’s  opinion  that  these  guidelines  must  be  seen  in  connection  with  the  division  of  powers 
between the general meeting and the board of directors of Norwegian companies. Complying with such 
guidelines would require an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Association, and would also be a 
clear  deviation  from  Bermudian  company  law  and  tradition.  The  Company  will  therefore  maintain  its 
current practice where the Board has greater flexibility to issue new shares than what is the case with 
boards of Norwegian companies.  

Bermuda corporate law and the Company's Bye-laws allow the Company to repurchase its own shares. 
There is no time limitation on the Board's authority to repurchase shares.  The Company’s holding of 
treasury shares as of December 31, 2010 was 150,000. 

4. 

EQUAL TREATMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH CLOSE 
ASSOCIATES 

Golar has only one class of shares. 

The  shareholders  in  a  Bermuda  company  do  not  have  any  preferred  right  to  subscribe  for  further 
shares when such are issued. 

Golar  will,  if  acquiring  its  own  shares,  always  do  this  through  purchases  on  either  of  the  stock 
exchanges on which its shares are listed and at prevailing stock exchange prices. 

The  Company's  policy  is  to  enter  into  related  party  transactions  solely  on  terms  that  are  at  least  as 
favorable  to  the  Company  as  those  that  can  be  obtained  when  contracting  with  an  unrelated  third 
party.  

It follows from the Bermuda Companies Act that an officer or director of the Company shall, at the first 
available opportunity, notify the Board of his interest in any material contract or any person that is a 
party to a material contract of the Company.  Further, the Company’s Bye-law 88, contains a specific 
provision addressing Director’s interests.   

5. 

FREELY NEGOTIABLE SHARES 

Subject  to  the  provision  of  the  Company's  Bye-law  34,  Golar's  shares  are  freely  transferable.    The 
Bermuda Monetary Authority recognizes the free transferability of shares that are listed on Nasdaq and 
the Oslo Stock Exchange. 

Bye-law  34  provides  the  Board  with  the  option  to  decline  to  register  the  transfer  of  any  share  if  the 
registration  of  such  transfer  would  be  likely  to  result  in  50%  or  more  of  the  aggregate  issued  share 
capital of the Company being held or owned directly or indirectly by a person or persons resident for 
tax purposes in a jurisdiction which applies a controlled foreign company tax legislation or a similar tax 

 
 
 
 
regime which, in the Board's opinion, will have the effect that shareholders are taxed individually for a 
proportion of the Company's profit. 

6. 

GENERAL MEETINGS 

Golar holds its general meetings on an annual basis in accordance with the applicable provision of the 
Bermuda Companies Act.  The notice period is, according to the Company’s Bye-law 51, no less than 7 
days'  notice  which  shall  be  provided  in  writing.    This  exceeds  the  statutory  period  of  at  least  5  days 
notice, set out in the Bermudian Company Act. Shareholders who cannot attend the meeting in person 
can vote by proxy. 

The  Company’s  Bye-Laws  deal  extensively  and in  detail  with  matters  concerning  general meetings  of 
the  Company,  including  the  rights  of  shareholders.    These  bye-laws  regulate  annual  and  special 
general  meetings,  notices  of  general  meetings,  proceedings  at  general  meetings,  voting  rights,  and 
requirements to proxies 

7. 

NOMINATION COMMITTEE 

The  Board  acts  as  the  Company’s  nomination  committee,  and  it  therefore  nominates  candidates  for 
election as directors.  In addition, shareholders have a Common Law right under Bermuda law to put 
forward nominations.   

8. 

CORPORATE ASSEMBLY AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMPOSITION AND 
INDEPENDENCE 

The  Board  of  Golar  currently  consists  of  four  directors.  In  accordance  with  Bermudian  company  law, 
the Board elects the chairman.  

Two  of  the  directors,  Mr.  John  Fredriksen  and  Ms.  Katherine  Fredriksen  represent  the  Company’s 
largest shareholder, World Shipholding Ltd., and are thus not independent in relation to them.  

The remaining two directors, Mrs. Kate Blankenship and Mr. Hans Petter Haas are holders of a limited 
number of options to subscribe for shares in the Company.   

The  Norwegian  Code  suggests,  in  its  explanatory  notes  to  the  provisions  dealing  with  director 
independence,  that  the  ownership  of  options,  per  se,  leads  a  director  to  be  considered  non-
independent in relation to the Company’s management.  

It  is  Golar’s  opinion  that  the  number  of  options  held  by  Mrs.  Kate  Blankenship  and  Mr.  Hans  Petter 
Haas  is  at  a  level  which  does  not  influence  their  ability  to  act  independently  from  the  Company’s 
management.  

All of them are thus considered as independent directors.  

The Company believes that in the context of its business and operations it is important to have a small 
and focused board with a close working knowledge of Golar's strategy and operations and the ability to 
react  quickly  when    a  situation  so  requires.    The  current  composition  of  the  Board  satisfies  these 
needs.   

The Board is constantly evaluating the necessity to establish sub-committees.  The Board can delegate 
its  powers  to  committees  under  the  Company’s  Bye-Laws.    The  size  and  focus  of  the  Board  and  the 
direct  communication  between  the  management  and  the  Board  supports  the  view  of  the  Board  that 
sub-committees are not presently required. The Board evaluates its work and competence constantly 
and adopts any required changes, always with a view to protecting the interests of the Company. 

In accordance with the Company’s Bye-Laws, and subject to the Bermudian Companies Act, directors 
hold office until the first annual general meeting following their election or until a successor is elected. 
The Company’s Bye-Laws provides that the shareholder, in a special general meeting, may remove a 
director  provided  that  notice  of  the  meeting  has  been  given  to  the  director  not  less  than  14  days 
before  the  date  of  the  meeting.  Such  director  is  entitled  to  be  heard  at  the  special  general  meeting.  
The shareholders may elect a person to replace the director so removed and, in the event they do not, 
the  Board  can  appoint  a  temporary  director.    The  Board  can  appoint  a  new  director  to  fill  a  casual 
vacancy until the annual general meeting. 

 
 
 
 
 
Golar does not have any corporate assembly or other non-executive supervisory body apart from the 
Board. 

9. 

THE WORK OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

The Board of Golar has elected Mr. John Fredriksen as its chairman. 

The  Board  receives  quarterly  financial  reports  with  comments  on  the  Group’s  economic  and  financial 
status.    The  Board  discusses  strategy  and  investment  opportunities  in  meetings  held  as  and  when 
required.  The Board holds 4 - 6 regular meetings each year.  The Board attends to the organization of 
the  Group,  institutes  plans  and  budgets  and  ensures  that  the  Company’s  accounting  and  financial 
administration are in good order.  The Board also actively supervises the day to day management of 
the Company’s operations.  

In  cases  where  directors  have  a  personal  or  other  direct  interest,  such  director  will  abstain  from 
deliberation and voting on the issue. 

The Company has no permanent deputy chairman, but if the Chairman is an interested party another 
director will be appointed to chair the meeting by the other directors. 

The  Board  has  established  an  audit  committee,  which  is  responsible  for  overseeing  the  quality  and 
integrity  of  the  Company’s  financial  statements  and  its  accounting,  auditing  and  financial  reporting 
practices, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent auditor's qualifications, 
independence and performance and internal audit function.  The audit committee currently consists of 
one  member,  Mrs  Kate  Blankenship,  who  is  also  a  Director  of  the  Company.  Except  for  an  audit 
committee the Board does not have any other subcommittees with specific responsibility for part of the 
Board’s overall obligations. 

10. 

RISK MANAGEMENT AND INTERNAL CONTROLS 

In general, the Board ensures that all necessary controls of the Group’s business are carried out.  This 
includes processes for internal controls, external audit, strategic assessments, business assessments, 
management  resources,  corporate  values,  ethical  guidelines  and  guidelines  for  corporate  social 
responsibility. The Company’s risk management and internal control systems are evaluated yearly by 
the Board.  

Furthermore  the  Company  performs  an  annual  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  the  design  and 
operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and its internal controls over financial 
reporting  pursuant  to  Rule  13a-15(e)  and  Rule  12a-  15(f)  of  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934. 
Details of which are provided in Item 15 of the Company’s 20-F Filing.  

Relevant  risk  factors  to  the  Company's  activities  are  continuously  reviewed  by  the  Board.  The  main 
risk  factors  are  furthermore  commented  upon  in  the  Company's  annual  report  available  on  the 
Company's website. 

11. 

REMUNERATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

In lieu of a compensation committee comprised of independent directors, the full Board determines its 
compensation.  The overall amount of the remuneration of the Board is approved at the AGM annually. 
The  compensation  to  the  directors  reflects  their  experience,  their  work  load  and  the  complexity  of 
Golar’s business. Golar has not, at present, established any written guidelines for the remuneration of 
the Directors. No such guidelines are required under Bermudian company law. 

The directors have been  granted options to subscribe for shares in the Company.  These options are 
governed by the Rules of the Company's Share Option Plan.  Further details of the number of options 
granted and applicable terms are given in the Company's annual report. 

12. 

REMUNERATION OF THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT 

Day-to-day  management  of  Golar  is  performed  by  the  employees  of  Golar  Management  under  the 
terms of the Management Agreement referred to above. Golar has no employees. 

All  employees  of  Golar’s  subsidiaries  qualify  for  participation  in  the  Company’s  share  option  scheme. 
Further  details  of  the  Company’s  share  option  plan  are  set  out  in  Note  25  to  the  Company’s 
Consolidated Financial Statements.  

 
 
 
 
13. 

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION 

Golar  publishes  annual  and  quarterly  reports  at  its  website.  The  Company  acknowledges  the 
importance  of  providing  shareholders  in  particular and  the  equity  market  in  general  with  correct  and 
relevant information about the Company and its activities. 

14. 

TAKE-OVERS 

It is the opinion of the Board that, in the event a take-over bid is made for the Company's shares, the 
shareholders  in  the  Company  shall  be  treated  equally  and  provided  with  sufficient  information  and 
time to consider such an offer. 

15. 

AUDITOR 

The Company's independent auditor, appointed by its general meeting, is PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Information on the fee paid to the auditor can be found in the Company's Annual Report