Comprehensive Evaluations of LNG Transfer Technology for Offshore LNG Development

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Comprehensive Evaluations of LNG Transfer
Technology for Offshore LNG Development

• David McDonald MS PE
  
  Chen-Hwa Chiu PhD PE
  
  Dean Adkins BS PE
  
  
• LNG-14, 21-24 March 2004, Doha, Qatar

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Summary

• Marine LNG terminal concepts
• LNG transfer system technologies
• LNG system component
• System evaluations
• Conclusions

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GBS - Port Pelican Project
ChevronTexaco
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Floating LNG Facilities
Courtesy of IHI
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Floating Storage Regasification Unit
FSRU
Courtesy of Moss Maritime
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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)

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Boom to Tanker (BTT)
Courtesy of FMC
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OCL System
Courtesy of OCL Group
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SBM Floating Soft Yoke
Courtesy of SBM
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FLNG-based Big Sweep
Courtesy of Bluewater
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Eurodim Concepts
Courtesy of Eurodim
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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

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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

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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

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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

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Rating and Scoring
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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

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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