1. What has been the most important development at your society over the past 12 months with regard to your involvement in the offshore LNG sector?
a)The relatively large number of FLNG projects being developed and moving into more detailed engineering phases. This includes both players aiming for the medium scale and for large scale offshore production markets.
b)Classification of Golar Spirit, the world’s first converted LNG carrier which is operating as a regasification vessel full time. (FSRU)
c) DNV initiated and is heading a joint industry R&D project for full scale sloshing measurements on board a membrane tanker. The vessel was delivered last year and we are now in the process of collecting data.
2. What is the importance to the LNG industry of the offshore services your society provides and the project(s) with which you are involved?
DNV provide a number of important services which will enable offshore LNG projects :
a)Â Â Â Classification and Regulatory Compliance
With relatively new applications such as for various offshore LNG projects the regulatory framework and availability of applicable standards will always lag slightly. DNV develops its own requirements using a risk based approach and also assists in obtaining regulatory compliance for new designs.
b)Â Â Â Qualification of Novel Technology
New offshore LNG applications have encouraged the development of novel technology (e.g. tandem transfer systems, new containment systems) and also require a reassessment of existing technology for the new usage. DNV has developed a structured and recognised approach to qualifying such technology for offshore LNG projects. The approach is described in our Recommended Practice DNV-RP A 203 Qualification Procedures For New Technology. Most of the new developments in technology have been or are in the course of being qualified using this procedure.
c)Â Â Â Risk and Safety Studies
DNV has carried out a large number of safety studies to address offshore LNG projects. These range from concept HAZIDs to full scale QRA studies. Use of such techniques are essential to identify and address the novel hazards and challenges involved.
3. What are the notable aspects of your society¹s offshore LNG activities? What particular capabilities does your company offer in terms of technology/services/commercial facilitation?
DNV have been involved in initial conceptual studies for many of the proposed offshore LNG projects and have had the opportunity to provide early guidance and technical input to the designs.
DNV have the advantage of having a wide range of competencies relevant to offshore LNG within the same organisation. With our background in maritime LNG and offshore oil and gas both within technology services and management consultancy we are in a unique position to assist our clients in moving their projects forward.
4. What is the current status of the offshore LNG project(s) with which your society is involved? When do you expect the project(s) to come onstream?
We are involved in quite a large number of projects important for FLNG development.
a) Classification
We have completed the classification of the first FSRUs owned by Golar LNG and now installed in Brazil for Petrobras.
We are engaged in classification projects for LNG FPSOs, in detailed engineering phase for FLEX LNG, and have just completed a FEED study together with Høegh LNG.
b) Qualification of Technology
We have qualified the currently available technologies for side-by-side transfer of LNG, namely the Technip and the FMC designs.
We are currently involved in qualifying all the major tandem offloading concepts which are in development.
c) Risk and Safety Studies
DNV have carried out a number of safety studies on many of the new concepts being proposed. We are currently engaged in studies of FLNG concepts for two international oil and gas majors.
5. What have been the greatest challenges to overcome in realising the projects?
How has your society contributed to meeting these challenges
There are a number of significant challenges from our viewpoint :
a) Uncertainty in regulatory impact and applicability of codes and standards DNV have been engaged in a number of projects at detailed engineering level so that issues arising from detailed application of standards to offshore LNG applications have been discussed and addressed. Issues such as in situ inspection and maintenance are critical for success of many concepts.
The insight gained is then incorporated into our own standards and guidances for use in future projects
b) Use of unproven technology
By providing a systematic and structured methodology by which to demonstrate that novel technology is fit for use, DNV is ensuring that enabling technology can be safely introduced into offshore LNG projects.
c) Impact of new hazards
Issues such as limitation on space, high equipment density and storage and use of hazardous fluids, together with new operational needs will all contribute to a more complex risk picture. By addressing such issues using risk assessment techniques, their impact on the design can be evaluated and measures identified and implemented to allow for an acceptable final design for offshore LNG projects.
Conn Fagan is responsible within DNV for business development within the area of offshore LNG terminals both for regasification and for liquefaction. He has been responsible for developing DNV standards and services with respect to classification of both FSRUs and LNG FPSOs and is closely involved with Classification of the first FSRUs to be deployed and the first LNG FPSOs being designed.
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