Comprehensive Evaluations of LNG Transfer Technology for Offshore LNG Development

Summary

• Marine LNG terminal concepts

• LNG transfer system technologies

• LNG system component

• System evaluations

• Conclusions

GBS - Port Pelican Project

ChevronTexaco

Floating LNG Facilities

Courtesy of IHI

Floating Storage Regasification Unit

FSRUFSRU

Courtesy of Moss Maritime

LNG Transfer Technologies

• Boom to tanker and tandem loading systems (BTT)

• Offshore cryogenic loading system (OCL)

• Soft yoke system (SBM)

• Big sweep system (Bluewater)

• Eurodim conceptual systems (Eurodim)

Boom to Tanker (BTT)

Courtesy of FMC

OCL System

Courtesy of OCL Group

SBM Floating Soft Yoke

Courtesy of SBM

FLNG-based Big Sweep

Courtesy of Bluewater

Eurodim Concepts

Courtesy of Eurodim

System Components

• FMC Chicksan loading arms

• Cryogenic loading hoses

- Coflexip aerial hose & floating hose

- OCL system cryogenic hoses

• Amplitude LNG Loading System (ALLS)

• Subsea cryogenic pipelines

- Jacket insulated pipelines

- Vacuum Insulated Pipelines

Subsea Cryogenic Pipelines

• ITP InTerPipe subsea cryogenic pipelines

- Nickel alloy inner pipe, carbon steel outer pipes

- Eliminate the need for a jetty

- Not limited by length, diameter or water depth

• Chart Industries vacuum insulated pipelines

- Connect pipe section with bellow arrangements

- Used at Trinidad LNG plant as a 4” cool down line

- Used at Everett LNG receiving terminal

System Evaluations Criteria

• Technical status and qualification

• System design and performance

• Operability and maintainability

• Safety and environmental

• Cost and schedule

• Shipping and marketing

Subjective weighting of each criterion above is project specific

Technical Status / Qualification

• Level of development

• Technical maturity level

• Quality and depth of program

• Gap identification and closure

• Participation by certifying agency

• Success confidential level

Rating and Scoring

Excellent Highly efficient, minimal cost

Very good Improved performance, moderate cost, uninterrupted operations

Good Competitive capital cost, satisfies regulatory

Satisfactory Affordable, satisfies minimum regulatory

Fair Expensive, meets minimum regulatory

Poor Many shortfalls, excessive cost, below regulatory and uneconomic

Common Concerns

• Lack of a common connector technology

- Bow loading system

- Amidships loading system

• Flexibility for terminal and ship

- To send our LNG carriers to any terminals

- To accept any LNG carriers at our terminals

Conclusions

• Many innovative offshore LNG transfer systems are available and reviewed

• Criteria for evaluation are safety, environmental, technical, commercial and political drivers

• Common connectors and interfaces are important

• Need to maximize the utilization of vessels and offshore LNG terminals

• This paper offers a methodology for evaluating various LNG transfer technologies for successful deployment of offshore LNG