Redeploying an existing LNG fleet

ABS is currently involved with several groundbreaking Floating LNG (FLNG) and Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) concepts. “We’ve been approached by leading energy operators to help them evolve gas technology that has typically been developed for land-based facilities,” says Ken Richardson, ABS Vice President, Energy Project Development. “The projects range from the conversion of smaller, older LNG carriers to serve in a new role to technically novel concepts for newbuildings that can handle both LNG and LPG.”

Richardson pointed out that the recent increases in the size of LNG carriers may create commercial challenges for the continued flexible operation of some of the existing LNG carriers. “LNG carriers are some of the best maintained vessels that can be found,” Richardson pointed out. “Strict maintenance regimes mean these ships may have many years of serviceable life ahead of them.”

A second life

An example of the second life that can await these vessels was the recent announcement by Teekay Corp. that it is pursuing the possibility of converting the 1993 built, 87 500 m³, ABS-classed Arctic Spirit to become a floating LNG export terminal to be located in the Western Canadian port of Kitimat. The vessel has the independent IHI SPB containment system, which is viewed as being a competitive alternative for floating terminal applications at locations where high sloshing loads can be expected.

Projects and applications

Other projects include approval in principle of Teekay’s newbuild design for a floating gas liquefaction unit with dual LNG and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) capabilities. Another ABS reviewed FLNG, the SBM/Linde LNG FPSO is also nearing finalisation.

The principal applications for these vessels, whether newly built or conversions are as FSRUs, as floating production units with an annual capacity in the range of 0.5 - 1 million t, or as floating export or receiving terminals as envisioned by Teekay for the Kitimat project or Petrobras for gas reception.

Evaluating projects

ABS’ evaluation of a floating gas project is based upon the application of prescriptive requirements, sea-keeping studies, structural and fatigue analysis, assessment of the containment system, including sloshing analyses and an evaluation of the station keeping systems. As applicable, particularly for novel elements within a new FLNG project, the company will also review the topsides, the gas processing and liquefaction plants or the re-gasification modules and use advanced risk analysis to verify that accepted safety standards are attained.

Author: ABS

ABS, www.eagle.org, is an international classification society and a member of the Center for LNG established by the American Petroleum Institute to enhance public education and understanding about LNG.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/30092009/redeploying_an_existing_lng_fleet/