Professional Documents
Culture Documents
LNG Industry - April 2017
LNG Industry - April 2017
LNG Industry - April 2017
LNG Engineering
Onshore / Marine / Offshore
DP Consultancy
OUR LNG TURBOMACHINERY
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ISSN 1747-1826
CONTENTS
03 Comment 35 Coiled and ready for higher capacity
APRIL 2017
Austin Szatkowski and Christopher Butler, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., USA, discuss
05 LNG news advances in coil-wound heat exchanger technology and applications.
54 Keep it simple
Michael Schwartz, Eka Software, USA, explains the importance of software in helping
users to simplify and understand the complexities of the LNG industry.
59 Clear communication
Niki Thomas, Quorum Business Solutions, USA, explains how to improve the customer
experience for LNG operations by streamlining communication between internal and
external users.
12 62 The digital transformation of LNG
Stephen Fox, Fluenta, UK, explains how LNG operators can utilise advances in connected
technology.
17 By land, by sea 67 Calling for back up
Gunnar Helmen, Skangas, Norway, discusses how increased LNG
supply, an expanding infrastructure and custom bunkering vessels are Kevin Peterson, Longview Power,
wer, and John Schlosberg, Corban Ene Energy, USA, detail how
helping to make history by supplying LNG to those off the gas grid in LNG is used to improve operational flexibility in a coal-fired powe
power plant.
the Nordics.
22 Developments at Zeebrugge
Kwinten Standaert and Dirk Nous, Fluxys, Belgium, look at the
nd bunkering services at the
development of small scale LNG and
m.
Zeebrugge LNG terminal in Belgium.
ON THIS MONTHS C
COVER
Braemar Shipping Serv
Services Plc is
27 A first for Sweden
den listed on the London Sto
Stock Exchange.
Dan-Erik Andersson, Gothenburg Port
rt Authority, Sweden, looks at
edens first ship-to-ship LNG
the challenges and execution of Swedens
With 70+ locations, Braemar
Brae delivers
bunkering operation. t global reach you wan
the want with the
local knowledge you need
local need. The Group
29 Enhanced heat transfer
ransfer comprises three operating divisions:
comprises
solutions Shipbroking, Technical and Logistics.
Jeremy Provost, TechnipFMC, France, outlines
utlines the These work together to offer a unique
er solutions for
benefits of dual enhanced heat transfer combination of skills for clien
clients, at any
LNG plants. F
time, anywhere in the world. From marine
consultancy through to inciden
incident response,
vess design,
loss adjusting, commercial vessel
commissioning, chartering and port agency
un
services, Braemar provides an unparalleled
breadth of integrated services for our
clients.
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JOSEPH GREEN
EDITOR
COMMENT
n March this year, the European Union (EU) celebrated its
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USA
General Dynamics NASSCO launches Palmetto State
eneral Dynamics NASSCO has announced that it has for the vessel in September 2016.
G christened and launched the LNG conversion-ready
ECO Class tanker, Palmetto State, at San Diego Bay, US.
Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) served as the
principal speaker for the event. Linda Rankine the
The vessel is the final ship in an eight-ship ECO Class vessels sponsor and wife of Bill Rankine, Manager of
tanker programme to be constructed at NASSCO. The Marine Chartering and Operations for CITGO christened
vessel has been built for American Petroleum Tankers the Palmetto State by breaking a bottle of champagne on
(APT) and like the other seven vessels will offer 33% the ships hull. Thousands of shipbuilders, their family and
increased fuel efficiency and cleaner shipping options. friends, as well as members of the community, attended
General Dynamics NASSCO first announced the keel laying the ceremony.
April 2017 5
LNGNEWS
Russia USA
Novatek and USC sign FERC grants authorisation
memorandum for Sabine Pass to commence
ovatek has announced that, as part of the
Train 3 service
N International Arctic Forum Arctic: Territory of
Dialogue, it has signed a Memorandum on Strategic T he US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
has granted authorisation for Sabine Pass Liquefaction
Partnership and Cooperation with JSC United LLC and Sabine Pass LNG L.P. to commence service for
Shipbuilding Corp. (USC). liquefaction and export activities from Train 3 inside battery
Under the Memorandum, both parties have set limits, Train 3 heavies removal unit, and Stage 2 outside
out their intention to pursue strategic partnership battery limits.
and cooperation in producing LNG train modules in FERC claims that the initial request complies with
Russia as part of the prospective Arctic LNG 2 project. Environmental Condition 10 of both the Commissions
Leonid Mikhelson, the Chairman of Novateks 16 April 2012 Order Granting Section 3 Authorisation, and
Management Board, said: We see good prospects the 2 August 2013 Order Amending Section 3 Authorisation.
in uniting our efforts with USC in implementing The Commission claims that Sabine Pass has
Novateks future LNG projects. Our company demonstrated that these facilities have been built in
has gained significant experience during the accordance with Commission approval and applicable
construction of the Yamal LNG project, and we standards, and can be expected to operate safely as
are going to use this experience along with designed.
the expertise and infrastructure capabilities of Furthermore, FERC claims that, based on staff
Russian enterprises to reduce construction costs inspections, project areas within the terminal have proven
and enhance competitiveness of our future LNG to have been satisfactorily stabilised, and are in compliance
projects. with the terms of both the April and August orders.
News Highlights
ONSHORE LIQUEFACTION
FLOATING LNG
REGASIFICATION
PEAK SHAVING
LNG STORAGE
Rio Grande LNG / Image courtesy of NextDecade, LLC
A World of Solutions
Visit www.CBI.com
42M022017H
LNGNEWS The Netherlands
USA
PSI delivers second Port of Rotterdam to carry
LNG-ready product out bio LNG study
tanker he Port of Rotterdam Authority has announced that it will carry
T out a joint study with the National LNG platform, focusing
on opportunities to develop LNG from renewable sources as a
hilly Shipyard Inc. (PSI) the sole operating
P subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA has announced
that it has delivered the second of four next generation
transport fuel in the port.
Using bio LNG, as opposed to regular LNG, will allow users
50 000 DWT product tankers being built for the to decrease CO2 emissions. In addition to this, the emitted CO2
Kinder Morgan Inc. subsidiary, American Petroleum from bio LNG is part of a short cycle: CO2 emissions are actually
Tankers (APT). neutralised by the associated CO2 uptake. In other words, bio LNG
As with all vessels in the four-tanker order, the is a sustainable option that can be used as a standalone fuel, or
American Freedom is based on a Hyundai Mipo Dockyards mixed with fossil-based LNG.
(HMD) design, and incorporates a number of fuel The study will be divided into three key areas:
efficiency features, flexible cargo capability, and the latest z The existing and expected availability of production
regulatory requirements. It has also received LNG Ready technologies and processes in the period until 2030.
Level 1 approval from the American Bureau of Shipping
z A market study that includes scenarios that go into
(ABS). It is 600 ft long, and has a carrying capacity of
the availability of sustainable feedstock and the future
14.5 million gal. of crude oil or refined products.
development of demand.
The President and CEO of Philly Shipyard, Steinar
Nerbovik, said: We are proud to deliver another vessel to z The business cases for the production, transport and
our partners at American Petroleum Tankers. transshipment of bio LNG in the Rotterdam port area.
This vessel, like its predecessor, is delivered [on time],
and with the same resolute focus on quality and safety that Eight companies that are members of the National LNG
our customers depend on. On the cusp of the shipyards Platform will support the study with their technical, legal and
20 year anniversary, we are proud of each and every one of financial expertise of the market. The partners aim to conclude the
our twenty-six deliveries and honoured to serve some of study by 2H17, and will use it to decide whether or not Rotterdam
the very best owners in the US maritime industry. will develop a bio LNG programme.
The American Freedom is 26th vessel built by PSI. At LNG as a transport fuel for shipping and heavy road transport
present, the shipyard has two additional 50 000 DWT is already available from the Gate Terminal in the port of the
tankers for APT, as well as two 3600 TEU containerships Rotterdam. The study will merely look at the opportunities to
for Matson Navigation Co. Inc., under construction. develop bio LNG as a transport fuel at the port.
8 April 2017
FIVES
TECH
+
FIVES
TEAM
USA
LNGNEWS Global
Driftwood LNG files SEA\LNG welcomes three new
formal FERC application members
ellurian Inc. has announced that Driftwood LNG LLC and EA\LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition aiming to accelerate
T Driftwood Pipeline LLC (its wholly owned subsidiaries)
have completed the pre-filing phase and collectively
S the widespread adoption of LNG as a marine fuel, has
announced the addition of three new members to the coalition.
submitted a formal application with the US Federal Energy JAX LNG, Petronet LNG Ltd, and Toyota Tsusho Corp. (TTC), have
Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct and operate an joined SEA\LNG to support the coalitions goal of creating the
LNG facility and pipeline. necessary confidence in the shipping sector to drive an effective and
The LNG export facility will be located near efficient global LNG value chain by 2020.
Lake Charles, Louisiana, US, and have an output of Tim Hermann, Manager of JAX LNG and President of
approximately 26 million tpy. The pipeline, meanwhile, will Pivotal LNG: Once complete, the new JAX LNG facility will provide a
be approximately 96 miles long and connect the facility reliable LNG fuel source located on one of Floridas key waterways
to interstate pipelines. Tellurian is expecting to commence that will help meet the growing LNG demands of the maritime and
construction of the Driftwood LNG project in 2018, and other transportation industries, and will expand the use of LNG
produce first LNG in 2022, with full operations to follow in throughout the southeastern US. Were excited by the expanded
2025. use of LNG as a transportation fuel, and look forward to continued
The President and CEO of Tellurian, Meg Gentle, said: growth of both infrastructure and markets globally.
Throughout the pre-filing phase, the representatives at Prabhat Singh, MD & CEO commented: Petronet LNG is at the
FERC, the Department of Energy and the US Coast Guard forefront of Indias all-out national drive to ensure the countrys clean
have been well-organised, thorough, and proficient in energy security in the years to come. As such, we have signed MoUs
ensuring that Driftwood LNG is designed and permitted with the Indian Ports Association and the Inland Waterways Authority
with a priority on safety, reliability, and efficiency. We look of India to set up LNG bunkering facilities along the coast of India,
forward to continuing to work with FERC and other agencies and in National Waterways. By sharing intelligence with other
on a timely approval process and beginning construction in SEA\LNG members, we know that the potential of LNG as a clean
2018. and commercially viable marine fuel can be realised more quickly.
During the construction phase, the project will require Yoshihiro Inoue, Executive Officer for Energy Business Unit,
approximately 6400 workers. When fully operational, it will Toyota Tsusho Corp., added: We have been supplying marine fuel
create nearly 400 permanent jobs. Tellurian expects that oil to the shipping industry worldwide for a long time through
engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) costs our subsidiary company, Toyota Tsusho Petroleum Pte. Ltd. As a
will be approximately US$13 billion US$16 billion for member of the Toyota Group, we are committed to playing our part
the export facility, and expects to make a final investment in lowering global emissions and are very pleased to collaborate
decision (FID) to commence construction following with all members of SEA\LNG to challenge the future marine fuel
regulatory approval in mid-2018. environment.
France
French LNG/LCNG fuelling station set to launch
ryostar has announced that its new LNG/LCNG fuelling and one LCNG buffer.
C station is set to launch in Auxerre, France.
The station will consist of: two LNG dispensers; two
It will be used by the French transportation company,
Picq & Charbonnier, and has been especially developed for
LCNG dispensers; one system for converting cold LNG carrier and loader vehicle fleets.
into high temperature saturated natural gas; one double In the statement, Cryostar claims that a service and
centrifugal pump skid; one high pressure modular pump; maintenance contract has also been signed.
10 April 2017
LNG IN THE EUROPEAN
ENERGY MIX -
now and into the
future
12
Introduction
As a result of policy initiatives and market
forces, the dynamics of Europes energy mix
are changing, and the speed of change is
likely to increase in the coming years. In that
context, a key question, and the focus of this
article, is what role LNG is likely to play in the
future EU energy mix?
Rowley and Ciaran from 53% in 2010, to 25% in 2013 and 19% in
2014. For the above reasons, there is clearly
room for LNG to achieve broader geographic
Boyle, Baker Botts L.L.P., penetration, and to play a more significant
role in the EU energy mix.
consider what role LNG EU policy initiatives
is likely to play in the The EU is committed to reducing carbon
emissions, not least as evidenced by the EUs
and each Member States ratification of the
future EU energy mix. Paris Agreement. In order to meet these goals,
13
Figure 1. Hegh Grace floating storage regasification unit (FSRU) in Cartagena, Colombia.
the EU has adopted short (2020), medium (2030), and long-term and other importing countries in order to develop a truly global
(2050) Energy Strategies. LNG market.
The key priorities of the 2020 Energy Strategy include:
greater energy efficiency, the establishment of a pan-European LNG issues
energy market (power transmission lines, pipelines and LNG LNG is competing with other energy sources, including pipeline
terminals i.e., the Energy Union), and implementation of low gas, coal, oil, renewable and nuclear energy. While in certain
carbon technologies. As one example, the Clean Air for All cases, and within certain market and economic parameters, LNG
Europeans package implemented in November 2016 (the Winter will be competitive with other energy sources, policy assistance
Package) addresses common power market design, better is required within the EU in order to overcome certain historical
integration of electricity produced from renewable sources, impediments relating to energy infrastructure, low levels of
energy efficiency and governance rules. energy connectivity, and to achieve other important goals such as
The 2030 Energy Strategy has more concrete targets energy security. Some examples of these historical impediments
namely, a 40% cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990 include: the geographical location of the current LNG import
levels, at least a 27% share of renewable energy consumption, facilities in Western Europe, pipelines largely designed to
and at least a 27% energy savings compared to a business as transport gas from east to west regions of Europe, and specific
usual scenario. To meet these targets, the European Commission bottleneck and network constraints issues between Spain and
policies include: a reformed emissions trading system (ETS), France, and north-south within the French network.
increased competitiveness and security of the energy system The EU is addressing energy connectivity issues and capacity
(including greater interconnection between EU countries), and a constraints by implementing its so-called Projects of Common
new governance system based on national plans for competitive, Interest, which are supported by the EU and are eligible for up to
secure and sustainable energy (with the goal of achieving 50% EU funding contributions. Projects addressing the above
greater investment certainty, transparency and enhanced policy issues include: (i) the new Lithuanian Klaipeda LNG project
coherence and coordination across the EU). (FSRU Independence), with the creation of a new regional Baltic
Among the goals of the 2050 Energy Strategy, the EU aims gas market and pricing basis (to pipeline gas), and additional gas
to reduce GHG emissions by 80 95% from 1990 levels, and connectivity between the Baltics and Finland; (ii) the new Poland
generally refers to the de-carbonisation of the energy system as Swinoujscie LNG project, and the new Poland-Lithuania gas
an achievable goal. pipeline project; and (iii) the potential Croatian LNG project at
In order to fulfill these commitments, the role that natural Krk (now potentially a floating project), and the creation of a
gas and LNG can play in the short, medium and long-term north-south corridor allowing LNG to access the Balkans and
cannot be overlooked. Indeed, the Commission considers that thereafter to flow to Central Europe.
LNG can contribute significantly to the security, resilience, and The potential outcomes of these developments, and the
competitiveness of gas markets in Europe, but this requires resulting diversification of supply, are beneficial in theory, but, to
additional infrastructure, completion of the internal gas market, have practical value, the construction and operation of such
and increased efforts to cooperate with international suppliers infrastructure must be economically viable in all respects.
14 April 2017
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www.braemarengineering.com
Regional cooperation is also required in order to address access The role of FSRUs
and connectivity issues, thereby helping to avoid the stranded Floating regasification solutions are cheaper and quicker to
asset risk. construct than land-based alternatives, and provide greater
While going some way to address infrastructure and the optionality in terms of size, timing and utilisation of assets.
need for LNGs access to markets, the relative role for LNG in the Accordingly, FSRUs can also be the fastest means by which to
EU energy mix will, absent policy action and other extraneous address such issues as energy security. These advantages provide
factors, be determined by market forces, and will likely vary from FSRUs (and thereby LNG) with a potential competitive advantage
country to country depending on such factors as local market in the market, when compared to land-based LNG regasification
prices (LNG versus pipeline versus other energy sources), degrees projects and pipeline gas. The potential benefits of FSRUs have
of diversification and interconnectivity, availability of domestic been recognised by the EU, as evidenced by its support of the
production and storage, and the desire for energy security. Lithuanian LNG project, and future potential FSRU projects in
Croatia, and the Baltics. Additional FSRU projects are also under
The future market consideration in Albania, Greece and Turkey, and in the broader
It is interesting to consider possible trends and the impact of international context, FSRUs have become an important means by
policy initiatives on the EU energy mix, with the caveat that which to rapidly implement new (often cheaper and more efficient)
market forces will ultimately dictate outcomes in the medium to energy policy initiatives in many developing economies and
long-term. Acknowledging that, certain market observations are countries.
briefly summarised below.
Alternative LNG markets
Gas Various participants have sought to diversify the application of LNG
Most analysts, and the EU itself, expect that gas will play a in Europe (and internationally) to address environmental issues
significant role in the EU energy mix for the medium-term and, and to increase demand. While there are several examples of this,
potentially, long-term. It is also generally considered that, due to perhaps the two most successful to date are: (a) bulk-breaking
declining EU gas production, gas imports into the EU will likely and reloading of cargoes, whereby LNG deliveries are reloaded
remain level, or increase, in the medium-term, notwithstanding into smaller cargoes and distributed elsewhere in Europe; and (b)
any relative reduction in gas consumption. Further, the impact of bunkering the delivery and use of LNG as fuel for ships.
higher carbon pricing (under the ETS), and the impact of future The breaking and reloading of cargoes has the potential to
electricity and gas market reforms (as outlined in the various provide valuable liquidity and flexibility for the market. The
Energy Strategies), could result in gas being more competitive breaking-up of LNG into smaller cargoes opens up LNG import
relative to coal and oil. It is also considered that gas will have a markets to destinations without large scale import facilities. It could
role in the medium-term as a complement to renewable power also potentially assist buyers by providing greater flexibility to
generation and, with the use of carbon capture and storage (CCS) manage their supply portfolio, mitigate against oversupply and raise
or utilisation (CCU) technology and operations, could potentially capital. Spain has been a significant player in the reloading market
play an important long-term role in the power generation sector. for some time, and other existing facilities of this kind, such as
those in the UK, Belgium, France and the Netherlands, continue to
LNG increase re-delivery flow. Bulk-breaking facilities are being
New sources of LNG have emerged in recent years, making the considered at existing and prospective LNG projects in Europe,
LNG supply market more diverse, more liquid (and thus more including at the Klaipeda terminal in Lithuania and terminals in
dependable) and more responsive to changes in demand and Italy.
pricing. The most notable newcomer to the LNG supply market The use of LNG as fuel for ships is increasing rapidly, and has
is the US, with its LNG export capacity ramping up significantly the potential to help LNG buyers manage risk in times of depressed
in the next few years. While it was originally anticipated that demand in traditional LNG to gas supply. Significantly, the use of
US LNG would mostly be bound for Asian markets, subsequent LNG as bunkers could also cut GHG (CO2) emissions by up to 25%,
shifts in the LNG market and the lowering of LNG prices in and permit the shipping sector to meet requirements for reducing
Asia, mean that Europe may become a competing destination. sulfur and nitrogen in marine fuels in the Emission Control Areas
In addition to US LNG, new LNG supply projects have recently (ECAs). Bunkering facilities are commonplace in France, and are now
or could soon come online to supply LNG from Australia, Africa being developed at several sites across Europe (e.g. by Gas4Sea at
and Canada, with potential additional supplies from the Eastern Zeebrugge, Elengy and Gate LNG in northern Europe, and by
Mediterranean (including Egypt and Israel). Norway-based DNV GL on the Iberian Peninsula). Further, the use of
Such rising supply, at a time of potentially weak economic LNG as shipping fuel is strongly supported at EU level, as
growth, could have an impact not only on future prices, but also demonstrated by the EUs co-funding of the Poseidon Med LNG
on such factors as: the potential integration of the Pacific and bunkering initiative in the Eastern Mediterranean, which aims to
Atlantic basin markets; the potential shift to gas-on-gas pricing, develop bunkering infrastructure in the region.
shorter-term contracts; the increasing growth in spot markets EU policy decisions support an increased role for LNG in the
and the rise of intermediary and portfolio players. These factors energy mix, but market forces will ultimately define LNGs role in
could also help to increase the relative appeal of LNG, the years ahead. Further, if LNG is to secure a prominent role in the
particularly if, and to the extent, sellers are willing to tailor their EUs future, there are challenges to be overcome, but its flexibility,
sales to the particular needs of a diverse group of buyers in and the adaptability of market participants, mean it is well placed to
differing importing countries. succeed.
16 April 2017
Gunnar Helmen, Skangas,
Norway, discusses how increased
LNG supply, an expanding
BY LAND,
infrastructure and custom
bunkering vessels are
helping to make history by
BY SEA
supplying LNG to those
off the gas grid in the
Nordics.
17
When LNG supplier Skangas and Anthony Veder bunkering was rarely available in the Nordic market
bunkered 123 t of LNG with its vessel Coral Energy to the before 2010. That is the year that Norway-based Skangas
vessel Ternsund in Sweden in September 2016, it was the began producing LNG, making it available for the first
first time the two companies had bunkered LNG STS at time in the region. But the story of LNG in this market
sea (Figures 1, 4 and 6). It is a considerable achievement, begins in 2007, when Lyse AS (formerly Lyse Energi)
considering that LNG bunkering let alone LNG STS identified a critical gap in the Nordic-Northern European
LNG market: heavy industry wanted to use LNG, but it was
simply not available.
Seizing the opportunity, Lyse established Skangas,
setting into motion the beginnings of a thriving Nordic
LNG market. Skangas was to supply this high-demand
clean fuel by accessing the plentiful resource of natural
gas in the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The natural gas
would then be liquefied to LNG for the onshore industrial
market, which would use it to carry out a variety of
energy-demanding industrial processes, including melting,
drying, boiling, and feedstock. This decision triggered
much of what is being seen today: a steady rise in LNG
consumption, and growing demand for more bunkering
services and delivery points in the Nordics.
Figure 1. Ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering of the Ternsund by Turning point: LNG production
the Skangas Coral Energy at sea near Gothenburg, Sweden. plant and bunkering terminal
With the exception of the modest local distribution grid
in Stavanger that serves a handful of customers, and
limited pipeline networks in south-western Sweden and
southern Finland, gas grids are virtually non-existent in
the Nordic region. Companies that operate in the region
are essentially off grid. For companies that prefer to use
natural gas, LNG is the optimum choice. For Skangas, its
primary objective was, and remains, making LNG readily
available for easy access to natural gas.
To convert natural gas to LNG, Skangas completed a
custom liquefaction plant in the Port of Risavika, Norway
in 2010, and began producing LNG that summer (Figure 2).
Today, it is the second largest LNG production facility in
Europe, with a production capacity of 300 000 tpy
(660 000 m3/yr) of LNG, and onsite storage capacity of up
Figure 2. Bunkering of the Fjord Line ferry via bunkering to 12 700 t (28 000 m3) of LNG. A large fleet of loader
arms at the Skangas Risavika production facility and
terminal in Norway. trucks delivers LNG over land, while vessels take
deliveries directly from the adjacent terminal, which is
18 April 2017
purpose-built for easy access and safe, rapid transmission. Skangas to produce LNG and expand its distribution
As satisfaction with, and accessibility to, LNG has grown, infrastructure onshore, the second, yet equally significant
more companies are converting their facilities and ships turning point, was triggered by increasingly stringent
to LNG, triggering ever-increasing demand. environmental controls governing the marine industry.
Skangas has worked hard to keep up with that Many shipping companies operate in the North West
demand, while maintaining momentum on the European Sulfur Emission Control Area (North Sea and
development front. When Finland-based Gasum acquired a Baltic Sea) a sea area protected by pollution control
51% stake in Skangas in 2014, the company gained access legislation established in 2015 that restricts atmospheric
to another LNG production facility in Porvoo, Finland, emissions, including sulfuric oxide, from ships. The
which can produce up to 20 000 t (44 000 m3) of LNG regulations call for a progressive reduction in SOX
annually and stores 900 t (2000 m3). Skangas also emissions. To comply with early regulations, some ships
operates local storage
hubs for LNG in
Fredrikstad, Norway, and
Lysekil, Sweden, alongside
the latest started up in
Pori, Finland in 2016,
bringing the current total
distribution terminal
network to four. To
encourage growth and
support customers,
DELIVERING INNOVATIVE
Skangas even constructs GAS SOLUTIONS
onsite terminals and
storage tanks for them. FOR FOCUSED ACCURACY
With more than 5000 truck
deliveries per year, its Immediate access to critical information
industrial customer base in when you need it.
Sweden, Norway and
Finland continues to grow.
Initially, there was
concern in the industry
about the lack of readily
accessible LNG supply,
said Tommy Mattila, Sales
and Marketing Director for
Skangas. With the
continuing development of
infrastructure and
innovative bunkering
methods, those concerns
have been laid to rest.
Today, LNG is readily
available. Customers can
access supply at high
transfer rates in a wide
geographic area, which
now extends more readily
to the marine market,
thanks to advances in
marine bunkering. Providing unparalleled gas
solutions to the global energy, EMISSIONS PETROCHEMICAL GAS
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While demand for greater Operating globally, Orbital manufactures and delivers
access to natural gas a broad range of applications including environmental
supply was the catalyst for monitoring, gas metering, process control, telemetry, gas
Lyses decision to establish sampling and bio-methane-to-grid systems. www.orbitalgas.com/port
used Marine Gas Oil (MGO), but to make certain they met
Milestones with the progressively lower emission standards, the
marine industry began turning to LNG, which emits no SOX
z 1996 or particles, and reduced levels of NOX and CO2. But in
Gasum and AGA open an LNG production 2010, easy access to LNG by vessel was limited.
plant in Porvoo, Finland. As 2015 approached, Skangas, which was actively
z 2007 supplying its industrial LNG customers with its fleet of
Lyse establishes Skangas to provide LNG in trucks, decided to invest in the future of LNG bunkering
the Nordic-Northern European market. for the marine market. This decision triggered the
development of a small scale LNG bunkering vessel, as
Decides to build an LNG production facility
well as more terminals for vessels to bunker. The
in Risavika, Norway.
overarching aim of the company expanded dramatically, as
z 2010 Skangas set its sights on providing a truly comprehensive
Risavika production plant begins producing range of flexible LNG bunkering services to serve the
LNG. marine market, which was ready to embrace LNG. The
Gasum becomes sole owner of Porvoo, company would remain dedicated to its primary market,
Finland plant and upgrades it. the industrial sector which makes up 85% of its business,
z 2011 but invest significant resources to grow the marine market
and to make it easier for the Nordic-Northern European
Commissions construction of LNG feeder
marine market to convert to LNG-propelled vessels.
vessel Coral Energy.
Opens distribution terminal in Fredrikstad, Terminal-to-ship LNG
Norway. bunkering signals new era for
z 2012 Finlands marine market
LNG vessel Coral Energy delivered to When Skangas builds terminals, it designs them to be
Skangas in January. multipurpose bunkering stations. Its terminal in Pori,
Carries out first terminal-to-ship bunkering Finland not only supplies LNG through a gas pipeline and
at Risavika. truck loading, it also offers terminal-to-ship bunkering.
Decides to build a terminal in Lysekil to Customers can swiftly bunker large volumes of LNG,
develop Swedish market.
z 2014
Gasum acquires 51% stake in Skangas.
Decides to build distribution terminal in
Pori, Finland.
Commissions construction of custom LNG
bunker vessel Coralius.
Purchases shares in Manga LNG Oy, which
will construct a distribution terminal in
Tornio, Finland.
Porvoo, Finland plant joins Skangas
network.
Lysekil distribution terminal opens. Figure 4. The Skangas Coral Energy has delivered more
z 2015 than 1 million t of LNG.
Installs customised loading arm at Risavika.
Commissions construction of custom LNG
bunker vessel Coral Energice.
z 2016
Carries out first STS bunkering offshore
Gothenburg for Ternsund.
z 2017
Bunker feeder vessel Coralius to be
delivered in summer.
Feeder vessel Coral Energice to be delivered
by year-end.
z 2018
Tornio terminal scheduled for completion.
Figure 5. Two trucks bunkering icebreaker Polaris.
20 April 2017
without incurring inland truck transport costs. When
Skangas bunkered 160 t of LNG to Terntanks LNG-fuelled
product tanker Ternsund, which is chartered by
North European Oil Trade (NEOT), directly from the new
Skangas LNG terminal in Pori, Finland last year, the event
represented several historic firsts. It was the first time
LNG was bunkered directly from a terminal in Finland,
as well as in the Baltic Sea. More importantly, it marked
the start of a new era for the Finnish marine market,
providing further assurance that an ample supply of LNG
is available for LNG-propelled ships.
On 4 January 2017, Skangas completed another
significant terminal-to-ship bunkering at its Pori terminal.
Tallinks newbuild LNG-powered fast ferry M/S Megastar
Figure 6. STS bunkering of the Ternsund by the Skangas
was bunkered with LNG for the first time (Figure 3). For
Coral Energy.
the ship loading/bunkering phase, Skangas used larger
pumps with a transmission capacity of 250 400 m3/hr.
Smaller pumps with a capacity of 60 150 m3/hr were to hubs in ra, Lysekil and Pori, she is in constant
also employed. Three weeks later, Skangas bunkered the operation. In fact, she has transported 1 000 602 metric t
Megastar from a road tanker at Helsinkis West Harbour, of energy since she began operating in January 2013.
just days before its maiden voyage on 29 January 2017. By Her workload is about to lighten considerably, however.
fuelling it with LNG, the Megastar, which will carry up to Skangas will boost its bunkering capabilities at sea,
2800 passengers between Helsinki and Tallinn at up to as well its feeder capacity, with not one, but two
27 knots, uses the cleanest available marine fuel and state-of-the-art LNG vessels.
complies with the ECA regulations. By June 2017, the new custom-built 5800 m3 LNG
In areas where LNG is not available at a terminal, bunkering vessel Coralius will become Skangass first
Skangas offers truck-to-ship bunkering along the vessel dedicated to bunkering at sea, and as a feeder
Norwegian coast, Sweden and Finland (Figure 5). Skangas vessel (Figure 7). The ice-class 1A vessel, which is being
uses hoses that are designed to remain flexible and resist built by the Joint Venture (JV) Sirius Veder Gas AB at the
the cold generated by LNG as it is bunkered. Access to Royal Bodewes shipyard, will travel within a large
this service is critical to shipowners, as they decide geographic region to supply customers at sea.
whether or not to commission LNG-only newbuild ships By the end of the year, Skangas will welcome a third
or convert their fleets to dual or triple-fuelled engines vessel, the 18 000 m3 ice-class 1A Super Coral Energice.
that use a combination of LNG, diesel or MGO. Her primary task will be to deliver LNG to terminals in
Tornio and Pori, Finland.
Ship-to-ship bunkering:
bringing LNG to the sea Tornio terminal to open in 2018
The fourth, and perhaps most groundbreaking While 2017 is set to be a busy year for Skangas, as it
development for the marine industry from Skangas, is ramps up its at sea bunkering service capability with the
STS bunkering (Figures 1, 4 and 6.) It is central to the Coralius, Skangas continues to extend access to LNG in
companys strategy to offer comprehensive bunkering the region. Skangas also owns a 25% share in a new LNG
services to the marine market, and it is about to become terminal in Tornio, Finland, which is being constructed
a reality. As previously mentioned, Skangas recently by Manga LNG Oy. This new terminal, which is scheduled
conducted its first STS bunker of the product tanker to open in 2018, will bring the Skangas network to five,
Ternsund offshore Gothenburg, Sweden (Figure 6). making LNG that much more accessible.
Although the Coral Energy is a small scale LNG carrier The trend to use LNG in the Nordic marine market
normally dedicated to feeding LNG to distribution reflects a similar shift in the global market. Between
terminals in Europe not a custom-designed LNG 2015 and 2016, the number of LNG-fuelled vessels
bunkering vessel Skangas positioned the 15 600 m3 operating worldwide rose by 29%, from 75 to 97. There
vessel into place alongside the Ternsund, and bunkered are also 91 ships on order, according to LNG CASE (Clean,
123 t. The operation is a significant milestone, Available, Safe, Economical) in Shipping early 2017
demonstrating that LNG STS bunkering is a safe, Update by Gas Infrastructure Europe.
field-proven alternative for the marine market, just as From expanding the LNG infrastructure, and
it has been for so many years in the oil industry, said dedicating resources for LNG bunkering at sea and
Tommy Mattila for Skangas. Gone are the days when delivering onshore, we are actively pioneering the way
ships must go to port; LNG will be delivered directly to forward in this vital market, said Mattila. It took courage
them at sea. to make these decisions, but our efforts are paying off.
With repeat customers and ongoing requests for our
Customised LNG vessels to services from those seeking to convert to LNG, were
debut confident and excited about the prospects for LNG, and
As the Coral Energy is Skangass primary feeder vessel, the role that were playing in it. From where we sit, it is
transporting LNG from the tank at the Risavika terminal full steam ahead.
April 2017 21
DEVELOPMENTS
AT ZEEBRUGGE
Kwinten Standaert and Dirk Nous, Fluxys, Belgium, look at the
development of small scale LNG and bunkering services at the
Zeebrugge LNG terminal in Belgium.
22
Figure 1. The
ENGIE ZEEBRUGGE
(courtesy of ENGIE,
Mitsubishi Corp.
and NYK).
23
became available for third party access, and its loading down the NOx emissions by approximately 75% compared to
capacities became increasingly sought after, to the extent that, Tier II.
in 2017, a second truck loading bay will be constructed. Against this background, United European Car Carriers
Current capacity at the first loading bay is at 4000 truck (UECC), an affiliate of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK)
loadings per year. The LNG transported by truck is destined for and Wallenius Lines, signed a contract in 2014 for the
LNG fuelling stations, such as the one located at trucking construction of two dual-fuel LNG pure car and truck carriers.
company Mattheeuws in Veurne, for remote industry not The first vessel, the ms AUTO ECO, left the shipyard in China
connected to the gas grid (providing the possibility to switch in September 2016 and arrived at Zeebrugge in November. On
from fuel or propane, for instance, to LNG), or for bunkering 21 November 2016, the ms AUTO ECO was christened at the
ships using LNG as fuel. terminal of International Car Operators (ICO) in the Zeebrugge
2010 also saw the first LNG ship loading at the facility inner port. The second vessel, the ms AUTO ENERGY, started
with the Coral Methane (7500 m vessel) docking at operating on LNG in Zeebrugge in January 2017.
jetty number 1. Following this, many other reloadings have Both vessels are car carriers that can operate both on
taken place, with large as well as small LNG vessels, always heavy fuel and LNG. Initially, the ms AUTO ECO is being
on jetty 1, which was initially designed for classic LNG vessels, fuelled by truck-to-ship operation, but will be bunkered, as
but is also able to accommodate small LNG vessels equipped will the ms AUTO ENERGY, by the ENGIE ZEEBRUGGE
with higher manifolds (with the Coral Methane being at the bunkering vessel once it starts to operate from its home port
lower limit regarding size). Zeebrugge.
In 2011, with all 110 berthing slots at jetty 1 booked UECC decided to use LNG-fuelled vessels because of its
under long-term arrangements and reloading activity set to smaller environmenal footprint. In light of increasingly strict
increase, Fluxys decided to add a second jetty enabling the emission regulations, LNG offers significant reduction in
small scale LNG market to develop. Approximately particulate matter (PM), sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and
200 berthing slots have been booked under long-term carbon dioxides in comparison to other fuels, such as heavy
arrangements (10 15 years) for loading small LNG carriers at fuel oil (HFO) and marine gas oil (MGO). LNG is the only
the second jetty. option able to meet both existing and upcoming emissions
regulations. The most demanding regulation on emissions is
Port of Zeebrugge, UECC and the the 0.1% sulfur limit in the Northern European ECA, which
Emission Control Area came into force on 1 January 2015. UECCs LNG-fuelled vessels
Zeebrugge is a young seaport with modern port equipment are equipped to meet these strict regulations, as well as those
suitable for the largest ships. The coastal port was anticipated in the years to come.
developed into a deepsea port, with an extensive outer port,
and a sealock with an entrance to an inner port. The total The LNG bunker vessel
cargo traffic rose from approximately 14 million t in 1985 to The ENGIE ZEEBRUGGE bunker vessel will be the first
almost 40 million t today. Next to the handling of containers LNG bunker vessel to be deployed in Northern Europe,
(clearance for the largest vessels), bulk goods, conventional and is owned by ENGIE, Mitsubishi Corp., NYK, and
cargo, fishery and passengers, the port is involved in Fluxys. The first three of these companies created
roll-on/roll-off traffic, and handles annually more than Marine LNG Zeebrugge SA/NV, which will charter the vessel
1 million trucks and approximately 2.8 million cars. and its operations starting at the beginning of 2017.
The Port of Zeebrugge and many of its shortsea routes to The LNG bunker vessel has been built at HHICs
the UK and Scandinavia are 100% inside of the Emission Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan, South Korea, and is equipped to
Control Area (ECA) of the Baltic and North Sea. This means meet the relevant safety and environment-friendly standards.
that, in this area, the maximum sulfur content of the fuel is, It has an overall length of 107.6 m, a beam of 18.4 m, and a
according to MARPOL VI, limited to 0.1% since 1 January 2015, draft of 4.7 m.
and that newly built ships from 2021 sailing in this area will The vessel has a gross tonnage of 7403 t and can carry
have to comply with IMO NOx Tier III requirements, pushing 5000 m of LNG for ship fuel stored at 4 bar in two
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Type C independent
pressurised tanks.
By means of flexible hoses and cranes, the bunkering
vessel can refuel almost 5000 m of LNG at a maximum rate
of 600 m3/hr, without additional charging. The propellers and
auxiliary propulsion units will provide high manoeuvrability
and berthing capability to the vessel. It will avoid the need for
a separate berthing support ship to refuel another vessel on
the sea.
The LNG bunkering vessel will be powered by a dual-fuel
diesel propulsion system integrating twin controllable pitch
propellers and two bow thrusters for high manoeuvrability.
The power plant will burn LNG as fuel, but will also be able to
burn low-sulfur MGO or marine diesel oil (MDO).
Vessels powered by LNG will have a much lower emission
Figure 3. Second jetty at the Zeebrugge LNG terminal. rate compared with other vessels using traditional
petroleum-based fuels. They will emit almost no sulfur oxide
24 April 2017
Big LNG expertise.
Also available in small LNG plants.
Air Products has contributed to the success of more LNG operations than
any other company. And we bring our full capabilities to LNG projects of
any scale, from peak-shaving plants producing less than 0.1 MMTPA to
the largest base-load facilities, on land or off-shore. Our LNG team can
help you get a plant up and running at the highest efficiencyon time,
on budget, and in any climate. To learn more, call 1-800-654-4567 (US),
1-610-481-4861 (worldwide) or visit us online.
tell me more
airproducts.com/lngplant
Conclusion
Zeebrugge is located a couple of hours of sailing
away from many ports in Western Europe, such as
Antwerp and Ghent in Belgium, as well as a number
of ports in the UK, France and the Netherlands.
With the small scale LNG services now available
at the Zeebrugge LNG terminal, and with the
ENGIE ZEEBRUGGE LNG bunker vessel starting its
operations in 2Q17, all infrastructure and services
are in place to carry out small scale LNG and LNG
bunkering services, and make LNG a fuel of the
future. Frontrunners have made the decision to use
LNG as the fuel for the future, and it is beyond any
doubt that many others will follow for economical
Figure 4. The ms AUTO ECO at the Port of Zeebrugge (courtesy of UECC or environmental considerations, or simply because
and ENGIE).
legislation demands that they do so.
26 April 2017
A first for
Dan-Erik Andersson, Gothenburg Port Authority, Sweden,
looks at the challenges and execution of Swedens first
ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation.
SWEDEN
he Port of Gothenburg in Sweden is the largest port At present, one of the main priorities is to offer LNG to the
27
ensure the necessary infrastructure was in place to begin handling was supplied by Skangas. Currently, there is no import terminal in
LNG. Gothenburg and, on this occasion, the natural gas was collected
The dialogue between the Port of Gothenburg and the from the Port of Risavika in Norway.
authorities resulted in a set of operating regulations for the One of the challenges during the bunkering was the fact that
bunkering of LNG. These operating regulations were crucial if the the bunkering vessel, Coral Energy, is an LNG carrier and not a
port was to be granted an environmental permit for the handling bunkering vessel in the normal sense. Coral Energy and
of LNG. M/T Ternsund are almost the same length, which meant that the
mooring procedure was completely different compared to if a
LNG bunkering regulations smaller, conventional bunkering vessel had been involved.
The bunkering regulations for ships that run on LNG were Before bunkering began, detailed calculations were made and
produced by the Port of Gothenburg in collaboration with the a mooring plan was prepared to determine how the fenders,
Swedish Transport Administration and the Port of Rotterdam (the hawsers and ropes should be placed on the two vessels to ensure
Netherlands). The operating regulations were published in 2015. they were securely moored to each other. A key factor in STS
The regulations allow cargo ships to bunker LNG and are the bunkering is the weather, which fortunately was reasonable with
first general regulations to be introduced in Sweden. Requirements moderate winds and some cloud cover. The general conditions
governing safety zones, weather, bunker vessels, receiving vessels, were good.
terminals and other aspects are included in the new operating As this was the first time that Coral Energy had carried out a
regulations. bunkering operation of this nature, a tug was on hand to be on the
Gothenburg, together with Rotterdam, is one of the first ports safe side. Svitzer Gaia was present throughout the whole operation.
in the world to produce a set of instructions of this nature. The The bunkering took approximately five hours, including the
rules permit bunkering in different ways ship-to-ship (STS), road planning and dialogue that took place on site. The crews went
tanker, or via a land connection and have been widely recognised. through the pressure, speeds and volumes one last time.
Both ports in Sweden and in other countries, such as Poland, The operation was carried out smoothly and without incident. A
China and countries around the Mediterranean, have shown key contributing factor was the set of operating regulations that
interest in this, and are formulating their regulations using the were compiled, governing exactly how LNG bunkering should take
Port of Gothenburgs regulations as a template. Even public place.
agencies, such as the US Coast Guard, have contacted the port and
are interested in an exchange of experience and knowledge. More LNG-powered ships to visit
the port soon
First bunkering operation Bunkering via Coral Energy is only a temporary solution. At the
Trntank Ship Management AB was the first to launch beginning of next year, Sirius Shippings new LNG bunkering vessel,
an LNG-powered vessel in Gothenburg. M/T Ternsund was delivered Coralius, is due to be delivered to Gothenburg.
at the end of the summer, and began its voyage from the shipyard During the coming year, more ships are expected to bunker
in Singapore to Gothenburg. After calling at Rotterdam, the vessel LNG on a regular basis at the Port of Gothenburg. Approximately
arrived in Gothenburg on 13 August 2016, where it was presented 10 newly built, LNG-powered ships are on their way from the
to the market and took on LNG. shipyards, all owned by Swedish tanker companies and all
The bunkering operation took place on 3 September 2016, and operating on routes that include Gothenburg. Tanker operators
was one of the worlds first examples of STS bunkering of LNG by a Terntank, Furetank and Thun Tankers are all due to launch new
merchant vessel. ships that will be equipped to run on LNG.
The port is expecting to receive a visit from an LNG-powered
Natural gas from the North Sea ship once or twice a week next year, and many will also take the
The bunkering took place at a protected location just off the island opportunity to bunker in Gothenburg.
of Fot at the entrance to the port. During the procedure, the
vessel was supplied with 400 m3 of LNG by the Dutch bunkering Benefits for LNG-powered ships
vessel, Coral Energy. The natural gas came from the North Sea and To encourage more companies to switch to LNG, Gothenburg Port
Authority has introduced a heavy discount on the port charge,
which means that ships that run on LNG will receive a 30%
discount on the port charge when they visit the port. M/T Ternsund
was the first vessel to receive the discount.
The Port of Gothenburg also expects substantial environmental
benefits to materialise from the use of LNG in shipping and
industry.
Conclusion
By putting sustainability issues in focus, ports can create long-term
conditions that help customers and partners grow together with
them. The road to greener transport can be reached through
collaboration, and sustainable growth is more important than ever.
LNG is the fuel of the future and can bridge the gap to other
Figure 2. M/T Ternsund bunkers natural gas at the entrance renewable gases. Therefore, the infrastructure that is invested in
to the Port of Gothenburg. now can also be used in the future when renewable gas is more
widely used than today.
28 April 2017
Jeremy Provost,
TechnipFMC,
France, outlines
the benefits of
dual enhanced
heat transfer
solutions for
LNG plants.
29
Optimisation of the
process scheme
Heat transfer is at the core of any natural
gas liquefaction process. On the warm
side of the heat exchange path, natural
gas, previously cleaned of CO2, heavy
hydrocarbons and water, is cooled from
ambient temperature down to -160C and
then stored in large tanks while waiting
for LNG carriers for worldwide distribution.
On the cold side of the heat exchange
Figure 1. Typical propane precooling cycle and the associated refrigeration path, refrigerants, usually boiling liquids,
cycle. at progressively lower temperatures
remove heat from the natural gas. The
vaporised refrigerants are compressed
and condensed, thereby rejecting the heat removed from
the natural gas to the cooling medium through more
heat exchangers. When several refrigerants are used,
they act in cascade with a dedicated temperature range
for each. Those refrigerants can be pure components
or mixtures, hydrocarbons, as well as inert fluids, such
as nitrogen. The AP-C3MR liquefaction process from
Air Products combines a precooling section using propane
(C3) as refrigerant with a mixed refrigerant (MR) for
the liquefaction. Roughly speaking, the precooling cycle
ensures natural gas cooling down to approximately -35C
while liquefaction operates from -35C down to -160C.
The precooling cycle represents a significant 30 35%
Figure 2. GEWA-PB.
of the total refrigerant compressor shaft power and any
reduction is of interest.
As shown in Figure 1, the main heat exchangers of a
C3 precooling cycle are of two types:
z Propane evaporators, often referred to as the chilling
train, remove heat from the natural gas (also named
feed gas) and from the condensing MR that will be
used in the liquefaction part. Each chilling train is
composed of three to four kettle type heat exchangers
installed in series, typically connected tubesheet to
Figure 3. GEWA-KS. tubesheet.
z A propane condenser, which will transfer heat from
the refrigerant, condensing at high pressure, to the
cooling medium (either water or air).
For a typical 5 million tpy LNG train in a warm
climate, these heat exchangers are large (approximately
250 MW rejected from the condenser), and ensuring good
performance is essential to maintain production in
combination with the massive rotating equipment
(compressors and gas turbines). Efficiency to make them
compact, and robustness to make them reliable, are the
two keywords governing those technologies.
30 April 2017
introduced by including Kelvion to the TechnipFMC and selected and operated GEWA-PB equipped propane feed
Wieland Thermal Solutions cooperation. gas and MR chilling trains over the last 10 years and still
do.
GEWA-PB Using GEWA-PB dual enhanced tube in the design of
GEWA-PB is the solution dedicated to external pure the chillers, the chilling train length can be reduced in
light hydrocarbon boiling. The use of dual enhanced the range of 20 30% for a given temperature approach.
GEWA-PB tubes started with the debottlenecking of Another benefit, however, is achieved by lowering the
three trains in Qatar followed by the six AP-X mega LNG temperature approach to 2C. This reduction results in an
trains (7.8 million tpy per train). Numerous projects have increase of 1% of LNG production.3, 4
GEWA-KS
GEWA-KS is the solution dedicated to
light hydrocarbons condensing externally
with cooling water flowing on the tube
side. The GEWA-KS tube allows an
increase in the shell side condensing
heat transfer coefficient, leading to
a more compact design in identical
operating conditions. Several projects,
such as the six AP-X mega LNG trains, are
equipped with this technology. GEWA-KS
allows the temperature approach of the
propane condenser to be reduced, while
keeping the same layout. Today, up to
5720 km of GEWA-PB and GEWA-KS have
been manufactured and installed.
32 April 2017
validated during this development5 following the step
wise approach of API 17N, Technology Readiness Levels
in the oil and gas industry.
April 2017 33
non-LNG projects, either for grassroot facilities or for same enhanced finned structure is manufactured. The
revamping/debottlenecking. Some examples of these new analysis of the heat transfer resistance distribution
services include the following: for a VGO cooler (Figure 7) helps determining the
z Quench water coolers for naphtha cracking ethylene gains shown in Table 2.
plants. As shown in Figures 8, 9, 10 and 11, there is no
difference between installing and erecting a DIESTA
z Vacuum gas oil (VGO) distillation coolers for refineries.
air cooler versus a standard one. Firstly, the lower
As one example, a special tube side enhanced part of the steel structure, the plenum chambers and
structure for low fouling and viscous liquids was fan rings are assembled at ground for this forced
developed and successfully installed. On the air side, the draft air cooler (Figure 8). Then, the prepared
structured is lifted and bolted to the main pipe rack
Table 2. DIESTA benefits for the VGO cooler (Figure 9). DIESTA bundles are installed on the top
the structure (Figure 10) to be put finally in operation
Same power consumption DIESTA/standard (Figure 11).
Footprint Identical
Conclusion
Finned area -20%
Dual enhanced tubes are now well established
Weight -4% technologies that can be used to reduce space
requirements or more profitably to increase
Tonne of product/electric kW +14%
production and associated revenues. This is
particularly true for the propane precooling
cycle of LNG plants based on the
leading AP-C3 MR process for which the
combination of GEWA-PB and DIESTA can
provide an increase in LNG production
up to 3% without impacting power
consumption and with a limited impact on
layout.
DIESTA has spread its benefits in other
areas and has been successfully installed in
a refinery confirming the great potential of
the technology for a wide range of
applications.
References
1. BP Energy Outlook, Outlook to 2035
2016 Edition.
2. IGU, 2016 World LNG Report, LNG 18
Conference and Exhibition Edition.
3. PLOIX, B. and LANG, T., Application
Figure 10. DIESTA bundle installation with typical plywood protection of Externally and Internally
plates. Enhanced Tubes for Ethylene
and LNG Services, Hydrocarbon
Processing , (January 2012).
4. PLOIX, B., PERONNET, R., and
GADELLE, D., Increase LNG Plant
Production by Using Dual Enhanced
Heat Transfer Solutions, LNG 17,
(2013).
5. BARITEAU, N., PROVOST, J.,
EL HAJAL, J., and BRAND, K.,
Advanced Air Cooling, LNG Industry,
(May 2015).
6. TIRILLY, V., VALADE, A., MARCHAL, L.
and BUFFET, A., Improvements to
the propane/MR pre-cooling cycle
are neglected source of gains in
performances and LNG train output,
LNG 18, (2016).
7. BUFFET, A., PROVOST, J., and
BRUSSOL, L., Reducing LNG plant
CO 2 footprint by improving the
Figure 11. VGO cooler equipped with DIESTA tubes. efficiency of the C3 MR pre-cooling
cycle, GPA Europe, (2016).
34 April 2017
AND READY FOR
HIGHER CAPACITY
A
s the LNG industry has evolved, technological advances have been essential in meeting new
requirements. One of these has been the desire for more production from a single train, which has
been achieved through both design improvements leading to more efficient exchangers, and also
by building physically larger exchangers. LNG production in new geographies presents its own challenges:
from the sub-zero conditions of an Arctic plant, to the hurricane prone plants on the US Gulf Coast, to the
blast and wave loading for floating LNG (FLNG) units. Air Products has introduced solutions to address all of
these challenges, and this article will discuss how these solutions have been developed.
35
Heart of the plant main cryogenic heat exchanger (MCHE) per train, while
All LNG liquefaction cycles require large heat exchangers others may utilise separate CWHEs to perform precooling
in which the natural gas is liquefied. Coil-wound or subcooling duty. Figure 1 shows a typical three bundle
heat exchangers (CWHEs) have long been accepted MCHE where natural gas enters at the bottom of the heat
for LNG service for single trains processing more exchanger and flows up where it is cooled and eventually
than 5 million tpy down to relatively small and mid sized leaves the heat exchanger at approximately -160C.
plants of 0.25 million tpy, and more recently for FLNG Refrigerant flows down the outside of the bundles in the
plants as well. downwards direction.
CWHEs have a long track record of proven performance, Air Products CWHEs contain coil-wound tube bundles
providing excellent heat transfer in a mechanically robust housed within an aluminium or stainless steel pressure
assembly. They are proven to have very high availability vessel shell also designed to retain refrigerants in the
and require no periodic maintenance. event of a shutdown. For LNG service, the heat exchangers
The CWHE is where natural gas is cooled, liquefied and may consist of one or more tube bundles, each made up
subcooled. Some liquefaction cycles require only a single of several tube circuits. With this type of exchanger, the
different tube circuit areas can be matched to the process
requirements resulting in an efficient and compact design.
The tube bundles are made up of small bore
aluminium tubing, which provides a large amount of heat
transfer surface area in a relatively compact package. Tube
circuits can be designed for feed pressures in excess of
100 barg for greater process efficiency. In a coil-wound
tube bundle, aluminium tubes are wound helically around
a central mandrel or support tube. Successive layers are
spaced apart from one another to provide uniform shell
side refrigerant flow. A single tube bundle may contain
hundreds of kilometres of tubing.
The pressure vessel shells may be manufactured from
aluminium or stainless steel depending on design pressure
requirements and specific application. The shell also
houses the interconnecting piping between the bundles
and internal vapour and liquid management systems. The
outside of the shell is designed to support the platforms
and ladders, the piping, valves and insulation. This
modularised approach is designed to minimise field work
and in response to industry demands. Air Products has
worked with customers and engineering, procurement and
Figure 1. Typical three bundle main cryogenic heat construction (EPC) contractors to successfully implement
exchanger (MCHE) where natural gas enters the bottom several alternative types of modularisation strategies.
of the unit and flows up where it is cooled and eventually A typical MCHE may be as large as 5.0 m in diameter,
leaves at approximately -160C.
55 m high, and weigh 500 t.
Industry
desire for
higher
capacity
The LNG market has
pushed larger production
plants in order to
realise economies of
scale. Air Products has
been able to meet this
need by both increasing
exchanger size and
optimising designs to
increase the production
for a given size
exchanger.
The company has
developed manufacturing
and shipping methods to
Figure 2. The graph shows heat exchanger diameter growth of over 40% since 1975. support market demand
for larger CWHEs.
36 April 2017
Keep Updated
Keep up to date
with us to hear
the latest
LNG news
Port Manatee
manufacturing
facility
In order to keep up with
projected market needs,
Air Products has begun
production at a second
fabrication facility located
adjacent to a deepwater
port in Manatee County,
Florida, US, allowing
the shipment of larger
heat exchangers than
previously possible.
Figure 3. The graph shows that an increase in the feed pressure over the years results in
increased efficiency and production. The new facility also
offers the ability to
fabricate larger tube
bundles. The bundles are wound on computer
controlled winding centres (which are like very
large lathes). Port Manatees winding centres have
been designed to accommodate bundles with
larger diameters, lengths, and weights. These new
winding centres include advanced controls and
reporting systems that allow the collection of
data over Wi-Fi for in-process quality assurance,
analysis, and future design and manufacturing
improvement efforts.
The new facility also has higher and heavier
overhead crane capacity and Air Products worked
with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to
develop larger capacity transporters, which are
used to move the completed tube bundles from
the winding centres and to support them during
telescoping (insertion) into the pressure vessel
shell sections.
Manufacturing advances
One recent effort to reduce schedules is the
ability to successfully complete dual-sided high
current deep penetration (HCDP) aluminium
welding. While Air Products has been using
Figure 4. An Air Products MCHE in service showing the completed single-sided HCDP aluminium welding for many
platform and piping structures (courtesy of Oman LNG). years, dual-sided HCDP eliminates grinding
and manual welding on the backside of thicker
automatic weldments and improves cycle time
Figure 2 shows heat exchanger diameter growth of over while providing excellent weld quality, which is crucial.
40% since 1975, equivalent to doubling the available heat Another advance is the use of computerised
transfer area. radiography. The companys recent computerised
Large heat exchangers manufactured at a facility in radiography is faster and has higher resolution, making
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US, are shipped by rail to a interpretation easier and more consistent. Electronic
dockside facility for loading onto ships or barges for images can be copied and shared across facilities instantly
onward shipment to the customer destination. Over the with no loss of clarity. Additionally, there are no chemicals
years, the company has worked with the railroads and the to deal with, which provides an environmental benefit. The
relevant authorities to continually increase the rail advancements in ultrasonic testing equipment technology
shipping limits in order to accommodate larger shipments. for weld inspections have also facilitated a significant
In addition, specialised side shifting rail cars are utilised, reduction in manufacturing disruption due to elimination
which have the ability to shift the exchanger and avoid of the need for the safety requirements associated with
38 April 2017
TURBOMACHINERY & PUMP SYMPOSIA
HOUSTON, TEXAS | SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2017
D E V E L O P E D F O R T H E I N D U S T RY, B Y
T H E I N D U S T RY.
40 April 2017
Integrating the
INTERFACE
Luca Chiodetto,
MIB Italiana,
Italy, looks at
the importance
luid transfer systems must ensure safety and reliability
41
common hydraulic power/control unit (HPU) provides a quick ensures that the ERS valve design is suitable to be used at
and safe means of isolating and releasing each of the liquid flow velocities higher than the OCIMF maximum
flexible hoses under adverse or emergency situations. recommended value. At the same time, its impact on the
The package, capable of handling both liquid and vapour whole LNG STS transfer system, in terms of pressure losses,
return flows, consists of the following main systems: can be considered negligible. For example, a velocity as high
z The double ball valve emergency release systems (ERS). as 14 m/sec. is acceptable for the ERS and corresponds to a
flowrate of 2554 m/hr for a 10 in. system, which would
z A set of cryogenic flexible cargo hoses.
produce a pressure loss lower than 0.1 barg.
z An HPU. The integration of the system is achieved by properly
z A remote control panel. managing the various interfaces (mechanical, electrical and
hydraulic) involved in the transfer operations (Figure 1).
z A set of guide/support saddles with an integrated braking When the operation involves simultaneous transfer on
system for a controlled hose release. both the LNG carrier side and the jetty side, the integration is
z A set of guide/support saddles without a braking system even more complex. MIB faced this challenge during the
for the LNG carrier (or jetty side). recent development of Bumi Armadas
Armada LNG Mediterrana FSU for the Malta LNG project,
z A positioning system for emergency activation of the
where both STS and STJ LNG systems were provided.
equipment.
The characteristics of the various interfaces differ
One key advantage of the ERS is the fact that it is full significantly between the two sides of the transfer.
bore, without any interruptions in the fluid flow path. This
Jetty interfaces
z Permanently fixed hardware on both sides of the transfer.
z Continuous service typically at a low flowrate.
z For this operation, the time is not critical, since the
transfer is continuous.
z Limited operational envelope, since relative movements
between the two sides are limited.
Emergency release
systems
The ERS ensures isolation and
then release of the flexible hoses
in the LNG transfer line under any
emergency situation in a safe and
reliable way.
It is installed on the main vessel
mid-ship manifold piping and is
hydraulically operated.
Figure 2. Emergency release systems (ERS) and saddle arrangement on
FSRU Singapore (courtesy of BW Group). Together with hoses and
saddles, the ERS builds up the main
42 April 2017
mechanical interface with the vessels and the environment For the sake of extra security, a shear pin is also fitted to
(Figure 2). prevent the accidental release of the ERC.
When applied to STS operations, the ERS is required to: The ERC is designed to break out in excess of 25 mm solid
z Ensure isolation and high performance level sealing ice within two seconds of actuation of the hydraulic cylinder.
either side of the ERS. The release is possible with or without internal operating
pressure and under the maximum force exerted by the hose.
z Guarantee a quick and safe separation of the ERS under
all design conditions, especially when iced up.
Flexible cargo hoses
z Ensure interfaces with other vessel emergency The cargo hoses are especially designed for use with fully
shutdown (ESD) functions to provide release of the refrigerated liquids and vapour down to -196C.
transfer hoses in any one of a number of scenarios. The hoses have been tested and approved according to
z Allow for high flowrates, low pressure losses and avoid EN 13766, the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
cavitation. IGC Code and EN 1474-2 by several classification societies.
Conclusion
The new challenge for any LNG
transfer system supplier is to move
away from purely assembling
the various components to
combining all of them in a fully
integrated scheme, capable of
encompassing and handling
the inherent complexity of any
subsystems. In particular, suppliers
must comply with increasingly
stringent and demanding
requirements in terms of reliability
and safety of any LNG transfer
operation. To achieve this crucial
objective, a multidisciplinary
approach is required, covering
the engineering, manufacturing,
testing, installation, commissioning
and full operational life of such
Figure 5. Various interfaces managed by the remote control panel.
systems.
44 April 2017
JOINING
FORCES
Derek Thomas, AG&P, USA, explains how partnerships in
small scale LNG solutions will transform Indonesia.
atural gas will be the worlds fastest growing energy source over the next
N two decades through to 2040. LNG represents a key transition away from
coal, heavy fuel oil (HFO) and distillates for a wide range of applications,
such as baseload and peak shaving plants, fuel for industrial plants, and the fuelling
of ships and vehicles. Yet, for all of its potential, moving LNG beyond the large
central hubs in which it is stored presents a new set of challenges for those required
to redistribute and regasify it across geographically dispersed demand centres.
Not only does this require new vessels in the shape of small scale LNG carriers
(generally in the range of 500 50 000 m3), but it also requires innovative thinking
to develop ancillary small scale LNG infrastructure that is safe, efficient, flexible
and cost-effective to meet the needs of a wider range of LNG offtake locations
and customers. Consequently, the LNG supply chain is more complex with a larger
number of interfaces across the chain, necessitating both innovation and partnership
to establish a viable and sustainable distribution network.
45
Over the past few years, demand for LNG as a clean, reliable transport, storage and regasification assets distributed across
and affordable energy source has increased significantly in Asia. vessel transport corridors in these countries.
For example, in Indonesia, the worlds fastest growing LNG Developing the right assets for such a virtual pipeline
market, the Indonesian government wants to achieve 100% demands a scalable and robust approach. While small scale LNG
electrification for its entire population of 260 million people distribution infrastructure is still in its infancy, some players
across 17 000 islands within the next three years, with gas as a have made great strides by creating flexible new solutions for
key power source. In a country where 50% of the overall fuel faster, lower-cost and safe LNG distribution. As an example, in
demand is met through imports, a culture of relentless, robustly 2016, AG&P designed an ultra-shallow draft LNG carrier in
engineered and cost-effective innovation in small scale LNG capacities ranging from 2000 m3 to 8000 m capable of
transportation is, therefore, vital. To meet these competing accessing rivers and shallow harbours with a full cargo of LNG
imperatives, project developers will need to work with a range on board with a draft of only 2 m. A first for the rapidly
of partners to develop new technologies and solutions that emerging small scale LNG infrastructure industry in South and
improve existing facilities and establish new, smaller scale Southeast Asia, the carrier will act as a work horse for short-sea
facilities to serve both stranded and new markets while LNG milk-run deliveries to locations that offer limited or no
enabling potential future LNG projects to become more robust. access to conventional vessels, such as the shallow estuarine
and riverine areas and restricted harbours in many areas of
Innovation in small scale LNG South and Southeast Asia. Unlike other small LNG carriers, the
infrastructure is essential vessel offers a unique hull design with a reduced waterline
Beyond Indonesia, in countries such as India, Bangladesh and entrance angle that can be ballasted in open water for optimal
Myanmar, which have vast coastlines, life-blood river systems trim and speed and then de-ballasted to a 2 m draft when
and rapidly growing economies, innovative approaches to the entering restricted bodies of water. With bow and stern thrusters
development of small scale LNG infrastructure will be essential and optional dynamic positioning (DP) systems, the vessel does
to supplement non-existent or modest onshore pipeline gas not require handling tugs. This flexibility makes it suitable for a
distribution networks with a virtual marine or riverine LNG range of projects and locations, such as the east coast of Java or
pipeline. This pipeline consists of appropriately sized LNG the Ganges River in India, for example.
46 April 2017
would be prohibitive owing to difficulties in land permitting This allows for highly efficient delivery of lower cost and
and securing pipeline rights of way. flexible solutions across the LNG value chain in the shortest
possible time with lower capital investment.
Offshore LNG transfer AG&P expects to see more integration in the future where
The loading and unloading of LNG in the offshore expert parties are brought together to drive LNG projects and
environment presents fresh challenges for the gas industry. deliver better economic value.
Floating receiving and distribution terminals and coastal
gas carriers are integral parts of the LNG supply chain. While Note
floating assets offer greater flexibility for LNG storage and The author would like to acknowledge the support of
transfer at distributed demand centres, the highest levels of Trelleborg Oil and Marine for their support with the
safety characteristic of best practice in the oil and gas industry development of this article.
must be adhered to.
Trelleborgs cryogenic floating hoses are operable in all
sea states and are available with inner diameters ranging from
6 in. to 20 in., enabling them to cope with LNG transfer
flowrates of up to 10 000 m3/hr.
The hose is made up of several key components including
an inner cryogenic hose, an outer protective hose, an efficient
insulation layer and an integrated leak monitoring system. The
inner cryogenic hose has been derived from the latest
developments in composite hose technology chosen for its
high flexibility and proven in the oil industry for its suitability
for STS transfer of hydrocarbons between vessels rafted or
dynamically positioned alongside each other. Transfer of LNG
to and from onshore terminals is equally possible with Figure 4. AG&P is a leading integrator of infrastructure
solutions across the LNG supply chain that lower the cost
Trelleborgs Cryoline transfer hoses.
and speed-up the delivery of tolled gas.
In terms of an integrated LNG distribution solution, this
technology, when added to AG&Ps ultra-shallow draft LNG
carriers, ensures safe and cost-effective LNG distribution to
remote areas. Innovative small scale LNG infrastructure such as
this is transforming the LNG landscape in South and
Southeast Asia. However, it is intelligent integration and
partnerships that make such LNG distribution possible and
sustainable.
DRIVING
INNOVATION
John Lamb, Alpha Process Controls, UK,
explains how the growing small scale LNG
market is leading to technological innovation.
o support the growing prominence of the small scale LNG market, technological
48
49
Through the controlled shutdown, even at high flowrates, In contrast, the CERC is released by a simple pull cable that is
pressure surges are maintained to a level without compromising shorter in length than the transfer hose. Before the hose reaches
pipework or pumps in the event of a separation. its maximum extension, the cable pulls the collar release
As a result of the expansion of the small scale LNG industry, mechanism, causing the collar to fall away and the coupling
and to solve a significant safety challenge facing the sector, APC separates and seals. This, therefore, minimises the load during the
has developed a new solution for the market. transfer process, and is activated by a suitable method, such as
pull cable or pneumatics.
Reducing the load force The small scale transfer CERC range has been developed in
Conventionally, small scale LNG transfer applications, including three sizes: 1.5 in., 2.5 in. and 3 in.
road tankers to ferry, or jetty to bunkering vessels, have utilised The units were subject to tests in the companys cryogenic
cryogenic safety breakaway couplings featuring break-bolts. facilities, which hold 2000 litres of liquid nitrogen to
However, utilising cryogenic breakaway couplings can put temperatures of -196C. This is below the standard temperature
excessive load on the transfer pipework and hose systems. of LNG of -162C.
APCs Cryogenic Emergency Release Collar (CERC) couplings As part of the cryogenic testing, side bending loads were
are designed to reduce the forces on LNG transfer pipework and applied to simulate the loading that the CERC would experience
hoses that would be experienced through the use of a during operation with an LNG transfer hose. This test proves that
conventional break-bolt type coupling. the ERC, in comparison to breakaway couplings, is strong enough
Typically, the loadings for a break-bolt type coupling can to withstand significant bending moments, such as those caused
range from 13 500 Newtons for 1.5 in. (DN40) to 30 000 Newtons by the movement of the tanker as a result of weight changes
for 3 in. (DN80) compared with 4850 Newtons for CERC couplings. during transfer, yet has lower break-loads than an equivalent
The coupling is a development of APCs standard cryogenic breakaway coupling.
breakaway coupling; the only real difference being that three A stringent pass or fail criteria was put in place to ensure that
break-bolts have been replaced by a collar. there was no deformation of the collar or coupling under the
A breakaway coupling uses three break-bolts. All of these applied load.
have to break before the coupling can separate and seal. In In addition to this, the CERCs are fully pressure tested to a
addition, flanges within the system form part of the castings, and minimum of 40 bar, or at a level specified by customer
are not welded onto the coupling to ensure there are no requirements. APC is Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) approved
pressure-containing welds within the technology. to Module H, which allows for the self-certification of all its
designs. The ERC coupling, in particular, is approved to Class II.
Conclusion
The influential role of the supply chain across the industry
has never been more pertinent. Profitability in the LNG market
continues to be challenging as prices remain low, which puts an
increased focus on operational productivity and safety to ensure
maximum output from facilities.
The industry has seen the impact on a supressed commodity
price on the offshore oil and gas market and the added pressure
that sector has felt from inefficiencies and poor productivity.
Those particular issues served to create a perfect storm for
the oil industry causing new projects to be shelved and asset
life-extending operations scaled back.
However, the LNG sector has seen how adaptable supply
chain companies can be in the face of market challenges and are
Figure 1. APC operates an in-house cryogenic testing facility. looking to suppliers for solutions that can improve their
operations and control costs, whilst maintaining a clear focus on
safety.
Figure 2. The APC small scale LNG 2.5 in. coupling (left) Figure 3. APCs production and testing facility in North East
with the 3 in. version (right). England.
50 April 2017
Thomas Gttlinger,
Schott, Germany,
outlines the benefits
of glass-to-metal
sealed terminal
header assemblies.
51
System for safety equivalent but completely separated single seals are hermetically
Given the importance of safety in LNG applications, the connected, achieving a double seal (also known as a double
admission requirements for components are correspondingly barrier feedthrough). An attuned electrical assembly can also be
demanding. Each individual component, as well as the completed delivered: the conduit, cable, junction box and cable gland for
assembly, must meet international standards and the applicable connecting with the external electricity supply, as well as the
ship classifications or local norms. To simplify the process, cryo-cables for use inside the tank are all included. The complete
international specialists are increasingly offering complete assembly provides LNG pumps and expanders working at -162C
systems. These include the header, matching products, type tests with power, control and instrumentation signals.
and certifications.
Competent in certifications
Sealed with compression Building on extensive R&D and manufacturing expertise, Schott
By using special glass as a sealant, Schotts Eternaloc terminal has been enhancing its in-house competencies in engineering
headers avoid potentially critical quality deficits that can be and testing, also according to IEEE standards, since the early
found in applications using other materials. Unlike ceramics, 1970s. In addition to technical calculations, product design and
which require brazing or soldering, glass can be melted and fused simulations, the company has the capability to perform type
directly to the metal of the housing and the conductors over the testing. These type tests include pressure resistance and leakage
entire length. Furthermore, unlike epoxy-based materials, glass tests, electrical high and low voltage tests and thermal cycling
is an inorganic, non-aging material, which is highly resistant to tests down to cryogenic temperatures.
physical and chemical stress. Besides seeing to it that all application requirements are met,
The properties of the glass used in this sealing process have Schott handles the operational qualification and certification
been engineered to achieve a specific coefficient of thermal processes. Eternaloc headers are explosion-proof compliant
expansion. When cooled, it contracts to a lesser extent than the according to the international IECEx scheme and European ATEX
metal body. Thus, the glass-to-metal seal remains constantly directive. They can also be certified in accordance with local
compressed and provides practically unlimited pressure-proof regulations, such as KOSHA for South Korea, CU TR for Russia,
hermeticity. Each Eternaloc terminal header for cryogenic PESO for India and CSA or UL for the US and Canada. Most ship
liquefied gas is tested for leak-tightness at one and a half times classification rules are also supported.
the design pressure, up to 390 bar.
Conclusion
Complete power package Schott Eternaloc terminal header assemblies are designed to
The companys compactly designed headers are resilient to safely transmit electrical power and signals for cryo applications.
thermo-cycling, thermo-shock, and temperature ranges from They are equipped with glass-to-metal compression seals, which
-196C to 100C. Three-phase power terminal headers are provide long-term performance and maintenance-free reliability
designed for voltages of up to 13 800 volts and current ratings of and remain gas-tight, and pressure and explosion-proof. Both
up to 1500 amperes. Multi-pin control and instrumentation (C&I) single and double sealed feedthroughs can be supplied with
feedthroughs are intended for voltages of up to 28 volts and matching components from the external power supply to the
current ratings of up to 4 amperes. pump inside the pressure vessel.
The terminal headers are available in single or double seal For the approval, each component, as well as the complete
variants. In case of a double sealed terminal header, two system, needs to be tested and certified. To minimise effort and
risk related to coordinating several suppliers, the company
conducts type testing and qualifying of on and offshore
installations in accordance with international and local standards,
as well as ship classification rules.
52 April 2017
KEEP IT
54
he energy mix has never been more diverse, so abundant, or used so efficiently. Supply has
T evolved; waves, wind and water have been harnessed to power the world; and previously
unavailable sources of oil, gas and coal can now be accessed.
Just as supply has changed, so have the fundamentals of demand. Despite lingering post-crash
economics, the need for energy remains huge. Global economic output has risen by approximately
50% since 2000 and worldwide demand for energy increased by approximately one-third between
2000 and 2014.
55
China accounts for approximately half of this growth. Of these, use of natural gas is expected to grow the
Urbanising populations and expansion of the middle most. Global demand for gas will rise by 50% between
classes with disposable income, westernised diets and 2014 and 2040 twice as fast as demand for oil.
demand for consumer goods continue to spur demand Demand has already been accelerating, in part because
for energy in the home and energy needed to produce its emissions of CO2 are up to 60% less than coal making
and ship manufactured goods. it the cleanest fossil fuel option. According to the US
Beyond the oft-cited Chinese narrative lie more Energy Information Administration (EIA), the US reduced its
profound changes. Simple biomass fuels, such as wood CO2 emissions by 1 billion t between 2005 and 2013 just
or carbon, accounted for nearly 40% of global by using natural gas in power generation.1
residential energy demand in 2014 notably in regions That demand is likely to be boosted by the global
such as Africa and India. By 2040, that share will be COP21 climate accord. Although the strong message from
drastically reduced, as biomass and wood are replaced COP21 was the need to rebalance energy production in
by more efficient fuels, such as natural gas and favour of renewables, the impact of poor air quality on
renewables. public health and economic development was also
As a result, global demand for energy is expected to identified as a near-term challenge and one that favours
grow again by 25% between 2014 and 2040 an natural gas.
increase equivalent to the current energy use in Natural gas is also abundant, versatile and
North America and Latin America. geographically diverse. Some of the most significant
advances in energy technology in the 21st century have
Natural gas in the energy mix been those that have made the US resources of
Despite these significant changes in demand, unconventional oil and gas economically viable.
approximately 80% will still be met by oil, natural gas As with all fuel types, supply and demand of natural
and coal. Reliable, proven, affordable, and available in gas exist in a complex, interactive and often
the amounts needed to provide for 7 billion people self-sustaining web. On one hand, increased supply
24 hours a day, the role of traditional fuels is assured in responds to demand; on the other, it shapes it. With both
the medium to long-term. subject to sudden shocks or gradual changes from external
factors, the balance between the two is in a constant state
of flux.
These external forces can take many forms, but one of
the most significant is the competing interests of multiple
industries, countries and use cases. For example, projects
show that by 2040:
z China and the US will account for approximately 50%
of global demand for natural gas.
z 30% of electricity generated will be powered by
natural gas.
z The use of natural gas will triple in the trucking
industry.
z Gas will account for approximately 10% of total marine
fuels, up from less than 1% today.
z Heavy industries are likely to derive 20% of their
Figure 2. Worldwide demand for energy rose by energy from natural gas and electricity, up from 15%
approximately one-third between 2000 and 2014.
today
z In the chemical sector, demand for natural gas for
both energy and feedstock is expected to rise by
approximately 50%.
56 April 2017
Union (IGU) states that, in 2015, the worlds LNG trade
reached 244.8 million t a y/y increase of 4.7 million t.2 In
fact, 2015 saw the greatest ever volume in LNG trade,
surpassing the previous high of 241.4 million t in 2011.
Thanks to its ability to tap into unconventional
reserves, North America is on track to become the worlds
second largest gas exporter, with Russia and the region
around the Caspian Sea remaining in the top spot (Russia
is a notable exception in the trend towards LNG, with
inter-regional pipeline exports to Europe and Asia
expected to grow to 40 billion ft3/d by 2040).
North American trade has also been aided by the
opening up of the Panama Canal to LNG carriers, and the
creation of a shorter and much safer alternative to the Figure 4. Liquefaction plants, tankers and regasification
traditional Cape Horn routes. By cutting the Atlantic-Pacific terminals enable abundant natural gas to reach markets
travel times, it facilitates even more exports from the US around the world.
to Asia and Australia, greatly aiding the US LNG industry
and its newly constructed export facilities in which affects fleet composition. Furthermore, insurance
Southern Louisiana and the Mexican Gulf. also has to be adjusted to take these new risks into
However, the Panama route also illustrates some of the account. Should the weather on either side of the canal
challenges faced by the international LNG trade. Shorter make traversing the canal or berthing on either side
journey time will help reduce the amount of product lost impossible, then storage costs, port fees, boil-off, and late
to boil-off or evaporation, making contracting for delivery delivery charges come into play.
more accurate. However, for safety reasons, there are
strictly enforced rules about the design of the ships that LNG in a correlated market
carry highly flammable gas under pressure, as well as the LNG also faces a number of the same problems as other
order, spacing and timing of traffic. fuels. Many of the projects that are now coming on
Operators must have the right type of vessel (the stream were initially approved several years ago in a
canals dimensions and depth place limits on tonnage), more favourable pricing climate. Newly available supply
affects both gas hub and spot LNG pricing, with contract could trigger a spiraling chain of events with damaging
prices trending downward in the past year driven by the financial, environmental and reputational consequences.
traditional oil-linked formulas that govern market prices. In these circumstances, only technology that is
So, although 2015 saw the greatest volume of LNG specifically developed to manage every aspect of the LNG
trade, the decline in oil prices and a growing weakness in business and the energy value chain can hope to create
Pacific demand led all global LNG price markers to fall visibility, order and sense from a constantly moving
that year. The average was US$15.60/million Btu in 2014, picture. Energy trading and risk management (ETRM) and
compared to US$9.77/million Btu in 2015. commodity analytics solutions, such as Ekas ETRM and
Most notable was the fall in Japanese import prices, Commodity Analytics Cloud, cover all aspects of the LNG
which are primarily linked to oil. Between January and transaction and analytics lifecycle.
December 2015, they dropped 78%, while spot prices in The comapnys ETRM is a fully integrated energy trading
Northeast Asia also fell sharply narrowing the and risk management software platform for crude and
differential between the Pacific and Atlantic basins, and refined products, natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGL), LNG,
causing Atlantic to Pacific trade to decline. power, coal, and biofuels, covering trading, risk management,
Although there were no new exporters joining the processing, scheduling, logistics, and accounting. The
market in 2015, several plants came online and delivered platform provides complete control over trading, risk
their first cargoes. The IGU claims that these new plants management, and the supply chain of energy businesses.
contributed 6 million t of new supply, which was enough Commodity Analytics Cloud extracts data from
to offset the domestic instability and feedstock issues that disparate sources throughout the value chain internal
caused a major decline from existing exporters, such as systems such as ETRM, CTRM, ERP, CRM, spreadsheets,
Yemen, Angola and Egypt.3 smart machinery, and IoT sensors, plus external sources,
These data are just some of the minutiae that underpin such as market curves and weather data. The program
the global LNG trade, and some of the facts that traders analyses the data using advanced algorithms in Ekas
and consumers need to have their fingers on at all time. As intelligence engine to deliver business intelligence to LNG
indicated above, the number of risk factors that must be companies, improving efficiency, decreasing costs, and
understood, price signals that must be analysed, and saving time.
global trends that must be factored into any buying,
selling or hedging position are as vast and diverse as the A new geopolitical risk
natural gas market itself. Of course, the LNG market has just become even more
uncertain and unpredictable. The recent cancellation of the
Managing risk factors Trans-Pacific Partnership between the US and key countries
A projected recession in Brazil, a potential trade war in Asia-Pacific, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Japan,
between China and the US, and the possible relief of Malaysia, Mexico, and Singapore has contributed to this.
sanctions against Russia could dramatically alter the shape The LNG trading landscape is being reshaped.
of the market. Financial difficulties and related payment Even the much-vaunted wall on the Southern border
risks from emerging markets, which are both key importers could change the industry drastically, since the US currently
and exporters, also remain and must be managed. exports record amounts of natural gas to Mexico via a
As the past two years have shown, project economics pipeline, while Mexico undertakes massive reform that is
can waiver over time, affecting the profitability of already creating opportunities for US energy companies.
long-term sales contracts. Environmental regulation at The US government has promised to end the war on
national and supra-national levels may affect coal. This could boost clean-coal technologies, but
manufacturing, liquefaction and regasification costs, not to challenge natural gas competitive position. The new
mention the viability of certain shipping routes. The cost government has also expressed support for more oil and
of bunker fuel is subject to, among other things, OPEC gas production from the US in the pursuit of jobs and
agreements and output controls. energy security.
Furthermore, because few LNG projects are built by How this new pro-business and anti-regulation
single entities, this is an industry of partnerships, environment coupled with unknown changes in trade
consortia, and lengthy supply chains. The priority of these policy of one of the biggest net exporters will affect
partners, their ability to meet contract obligations, and the global LNG, and who will benefit the most, is not yet clear.
credit or counterparty risk they present are also risk What is clear is that in this highly correlated,
factors. All before considering the macroeconomics of the interconnected and complex industry, specialist tools that
situation, the business cycle, changing domestic demand can handle not just the generalities of international
and competition from other fuel sources. energy trading, but the specificities of LNG, are essential.
From macro to micro level, the details that must be Upgrading ETRM and energy analytics solutions is an
checked, analysed, understood and acted upon are vast. absolute must.
Any one of these, and numerous other factors, can have a
dramatic impact on margins and eventual profitability. References
It is a picture that is too big and too complicated for 1. US Energy Information Administration, Today in Energy,
the human eye. This is an industry operating in multiple October 2014.
dimensions, responding to hundreds of stimuli, and 2. IGU: World Gas LNG Report, 2016 Edition.
managing thousands of unique risks any one of which 3. Exxon Mobil: The Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040.
58 April 2017
CLEAR
communication
Niki Thomas, Quorum Business Solutions, USA, explains how
to improve the customer experience for LNG operations
by streamlining communication between internal
and external users.
W import/export facilities
approved or operating within
North America, and almost as many
intuitive and easy to navigate.
Users need readily available
information in real-time so that they
currently under evaluation with the can efficiently manage their energy
federal government, LNG companies business.
are working to maintain a competitive There is not a standard operating
edge in a market that has an oversupply method for LNG facilities, and they can
of product, a surplus in production, and be structured in a variety of ways.
depressed prices. While many North However, finding efficient ways to
American companies are restructuring maintain effective communication with
their business model from solely import customers is a key concern. With the
to a bidirectional model that includes LNG tolling scenario, for example,
export capabilities, with the challenging facilities engage with multiple external
market and increased competition, parties, such as the natural gas shipper,
they are also exploring additional ways the LNG buyer, and natural gas liquids
to differentiate themselves. Offering (NGL) offtakers. Managing information
a superior customer experience has and transactions between all of these
become a key focus. parties and the facility can be
Improving the customer experience complicated. In the past, spreadsheets
involves implementing modern, online, would be used for communicating with
59
Another example is the
annual delivery plan (ADP),
which is a critical process
used for capacity planning,
forecasting, and customer
lifting programmes. The
ADP is a fluid process and
requires consistent updating
of information through
collaboration among project
participants, such as the
tolling parties. The customer
activity solution tool is
used to receive updated
information from the
customer, as well as provide
an up-to-date view of the
plan. Additional functions
managed through the
customer activity solution
include the following:
z Shipper nominations and
operator confirmations
a persona-based
customer activity solution
can easily manage all
transportation needs to
Figure 1. myQuorum customer activity website (image by Quorum).
drive productivity and
simplify processes. Users
these parties, but by the time the spreadsheets were can strategically adjust operations using personalised
constructed and sent out, the data would be out-of-date or dashboards that provide real-time data and alerts so
overly complicated with multiple parties providing inputs and that day-to-day activities, such as nominations and
needing information. A user-centric, all-in-one, web-based confirmations, are managed quickly and efficiently.
solution was the answer.
z Firm 30-day plan within a 90-day delivery schedule the
An essential requirement for this solution was to ensure
customer activity solution also allows an easy process to
external users, such as the LNG buyers and NGL offtakers,
communicate a 90-day delivery schedule. This method
could have contract implementation and real-time production
uses the ADP as a base each month, and the result is a
information available to them at any point in time. It also
90-day plan taking into account capacity and shipment
needed to have daily and monthly reporting capabilities with
constraints.
a function that allowed for customer feedback. Shippers
needed the ability to submit nominations and receive z Inventory management with required inputs such
confirmations in real-time to manage their daily energy as feed gas receipts, volume, and meter gas flow to
business more effectively. liquefaction, inventory management is more accurate and
Recently, forward-looking plant operators implemented easily maintained within the customer activity solution.
customer activity solutions as their collaboration tool to z Vessel compatibility and acceptance with each ship,
manage communication and information between internal it must be deemed operationally compatible and
and external users. It includes a tailored user experience operationally acceptable to call at the terminal. Through
designed to meet the needs of how, where, and when work the customer activity solution, vessel operators can
activities happen while also integrating third party data into submit specific ship information and documentation
a single location. These solutions provide the critical so that operators can review ship data to determine
information that users need to efficiently run their business compatibility for each dock.
on a daily basis.
In addition to these key functions, the customer activity
The solution solution of choice provides a user-centric experience
A customer activity solution provides a central location commonly known as a persona.
that allows external users to view information and submit
feedback to operators of the LNG facility. This tool can Defining a persona
manage multiple processes. For example, the LNG facility A persona represents a specific user and describes the key
is required to provide annual, monthly, and daily reports functions, behaviours, and mindsets of target users. A persona
regarding the forecasted power load allocations. The is developed around a user and combines characteristics,
customer activity solution automates this process and key goals, and actions of these users with their roles and
makes this information readily available for customers. responsibilities.
60 April 2017
Personas simplify complex business processes by bringing
multiple workflows together into one cross-functional
experience for the user. They are developed by segmenting
users and then performing extensive research to understand
the actions, patterns, and behaviours of the users. A persona
personalises the workflow based on the role of the user and
prompts the user to take action using role-specific dashboards
that deliver real-time information and alerts. Experts in Heat Exchange since 1920
For example, Quorum Business Solutions has partnered
with LNG companies such as Cheniere, Dominion, and
Freeport to develop personas for key user roles in the LNG SAFEGUARDING
TOMORROWS
industry. Quorum is implementing personas within the
customer activity solution to meet the needs of internal and
RAW MATERIALS
external users. The company interviewed and evaluated
users and stakeholders to develop representative personas,
such as external shipper and cargo scheduler, that combine
workflows, business intelligence, reporting, and data from
Quorum and non-Quorum applications into a single user SUPPLY WITH
experience, providing users with automated business
processes and the information they need, when they need it. TODAYS
Understanding persona value
With the implementation of the persona-based solution,
TECHNOLOGIES
LNG terminal operators are able to improve efficiency
while providing mobility and usability. There is extensive Oil and gas play a signicant role in the global energy
business and user value when utilising a persona-based mix. Kelvion is the experienced partner at your side
solution.
with trendsetting solutions that provide efficient heat
z Increase productivity and customer satisfaction designed
exchange capabilities in production, transportation,
around the users role and responsibilities, productivity
and user satisfaction are enhanced through dashboards, and processing for the oil and gas industry, with
widgets, and dynamic workflows that make adoption outstanding reliability, availability, and an unyielding
self-paced and straightforward. Automated processes, pursuit to cut your life-cycle costs to the core.
streamlined workflows, and simplified tasks also enhance www.kelvion.com
user satisfaction while satisfying business efficiency
objectives.
z Reduce user errors and prevent costly mistakes a
properly designed persona brings disparate workflows
together into one experience for the user, which not only
simplifies work, but also reduces errors and prevents
costly mistakes. LNG companies and their customers get
all the information they need in one location, in fewer
clicks, and without the hassle of accessing multiple
systems, screens, and reports.
z Deliver consumer-like experiences to users allows users
to quickly respond to events on their mobile device or
a laptop and at work or at home with a consumer-like
mobile experience that the incoming workforce expects.
Conclusion
As the LNG industry continues to evolve and expand, companies
continually look for new ways to add value and stay competitive.
As with most companies, striving to improve the customer
experience to maximise satisfaction is always a challenge.
The persona-based customer activity solution allows internal
and external users to easily communicate and view pertinent
information by providing a single location for information that
includes user interfaces that are specifically tailored for how
The KBloc is a fully welded
those users perform their roles. The increased usability and the plate heat exchanger with a
ability to utilise all of this functionality on mobile devices not solidly bolted frame which
only streamlines the entire process, but adds value to the overall consists of four columns, top
and bottom plates as well as
customer experience. four side plates and thats
just one of the product
solutions Kelvion offers the
oil & gas market!
62
s global demand for energy increases, pressure is
THE DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATION
OF LNG
Stephen Fox, Fluenta, UK,
explains how LNG operators
can utilise advances in
connected technology.
63
Explosions of this nature are a rare occurrence for LNG collect and analyse data directly from assets in real-time and
plants and storage sites. However, incidents of this kind from any location.
demonstrate the risk of storing significant volumes of gas Improved visibility offered by real-time data feeds enables
near populated areas. better management and optimisation of large scale
Maximising safety is the central concern for LNG operations and allows operators to reduce risk by minimising
operators. Advances in connected infrastructure are enabling the need for on-site engineers. LNG facilities are hostile and
more effective monitoring of equipment and increased control hazardous areas for engineers tasked with maintaining
of risk, but remote monitoring capabilities offered by equipment and collecting data, and the cost of asset
connectivity extend beyond risk management operators can maintenance in these environments is substantial.
use real-time data feeds to maintain revenue while reducing When equipment fails, the impact on the business can be
emissions. catastrophic. Continuity of plant operation maintains revenue
and good customer relationships. If equipment fails before
Pass the remote control remedial action is taken, a complete plant shutdown can
Remote monitoring for LNG operators stems directly from follow. This can easily consume a yearly maintenance budget
the Internet of Things (IoT) revolution. By connecting in less than five weeks.
infrastructure directly to the internet, operators can stream, Condition-based maintenance (CBM) enabled by remote
monitoring reduces the risk of major equipment failure by
ensuring that any potential problems are identified before a
failure.
CBM involves continuously monitoring the condition of an
asset including its components so that maintenance can
be carried out as soon as there are indications that the device
or one of its components is not functioning correctly. CBM
compares actual performance with average performance, or
with a pre-programmed range. When device parameters stray
beyond acceptable limits, it signals the need for maintenance.
In addition to failing components, CBM data feeds can alert
management if software needs to be changed or updated,
sensors need cleaning because of ice or dirt ingress, or
equipment simply needs calibrating for accuracy.
Data can be collected from on-site equipment and
Figure 1. Engineers boarding an LNG carrier. streamed to a central location for analysis via the internet to
reduce cost and minimise the requirement for on-site
engineers.
64 April 2017
obligations under international climate change frameworks, Real-time data collection enables real-time analysis and
such as the COP21 Paris Agreement and the World Bank Zero flaring data from multiple sites can be connected into a
Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative. continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS). Monitoring
The most recent study on global flaring was conducted by equipment installed on local assets transmits information
researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric over the internet in real-time to central servers. Running
Administration (NOAA) in 2015, which used data collected by software on a central server removes the need to rely on local
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) machines, reducing cost and the requirement for on-site
Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) to build an human operators. Data storage is also more reliable and
accurate estimate of global gas flaring. The study estimated secure as it is no longer dependent on the health and
that LNG operations flare 2.86 billion m3/yr of CO2.2 reliability of an onsite machine.
The pressure on operators to reduce emissions is already Collecting, recording, analysing and reporting data
mounting. In the EU, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) remotely and in real time through CEMS enables operators to
which monitors and reports on the emission levels of more track trends over time, report emissions data to a high degree
than 11 000 power stations, industrial plants and airlines of accuracy and minimise carbon tax obligations.
across 31 countries requires all operators to report and The additional control and visibility that operators gain
measure flare emission levels. Under the ETS, operators are over emissions data by integrating remote management
required to cover all of their emissions with allowances or systems can be used to drive new revenues from existing
face substantial financial penalties. processes. Take the example of an operator that manages
The EU aims to use the ETS to reduce emissions from all several flaring systems across a range of sites. Instead of
sectors by a further 21% by 2020, and then 43% by 2030. To sending engineers to each site to collect locally recorded
achieve these targets, absolute caps of CO2 emission emissions data, the data can be collated and compared in
allowances are being reduced by 1.74% every year. real-time from every site across a whole operation. Operators
can implement best practices from low-flaring sites in
From measurement to high-flaring sites, helping to improve overall efficiency and
management optimise the flaring process to support continuous
Historically, operators recorded emissions data locally, before improvement.
sending an engineer to collect and transport the data to be When operators stream and analyse data in real-time, they
analysed and reported. When assets such as flare gas meters can clearly see how each site performs over the year. For
are monitored remotely, data can be measured and collected example, data that has been collected over several years gives
in real-time. an operator insight into the impact of seasonal weather on
Cloud-enablement
Cloud has shifted from being primarily an infrastructure
solution, to a platform solution enabling mobility. Cloud-based
computing and managing services are now converging with
real-time data solutions to create a competitive advantage.
Data retrieved from different sites can be compared site
to site, country to country, or process to process to more
effectively manage processes and enable continuous
improvement over time. Best practice can be taken from top
performing sites and implemented across the entire business
operation.
Conclusion
Digital technology has already made an impact on the oil
and gas industry. Connected infrastructure offers operators
Figure 4. The Fluenta FGM-160X ultrasonic flare gas meter.
even more transformative potential. When fully integrated,
operators will have access to a range of new data streams
and increased insight. This insight will enable more accurate
decision making, as well as reduced risk. Harnessing the
power of long-term data trends will help operators identify
risk, while informing business strategy and supporting
sustainable growth.
References
1. International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook 2014,
ISBN 978-92-64-20804-9, accessed: http://www.iea.org/
bookshop/477-World_Energy_Outlook_2014
2. Methods for Global Survey of Natural Gas Flaring from
Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Data, Energies
2016, 9(1), 14: accessed: http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/1/14/
htm
3. The 2016 upstream oil and gas digital trends survey,
Figure 5. Internet of Things (IoT) enables remote collection Accenture, accessed: https://www.accenture.com/
and analysis of data from remote locations. t20160308T081738__w__/us-en/_acnmedia/PDF-9/Accenture-
2016-Upstream-Digital-Energy-Survey-Video-Transcript.pdf
66 April 2017
Calling for
BACK
B ACK UP
U
Kevin Peterson, he Longview Coal-fired Power Plant, located near Morgantown, Maidsville, West Virginia,
Longview Power,
and John T US, was commissioned and entered commercial operation in December 2011. It was
the first greenfield, coal-fired power plant constructed and placed into service in the
northeastern US in over 20 years. At an original budgeted cost of approximately US$2 billion,
Schlosberg, Corban Longview is the largest privately-funded project in the states history.
The plant has a net operating capacity of 700 MW. It employs a first-of-a-kind, advanced
Energy, USA, supercritical, pulverised coal-fired main boiler that is more fuel-efficient than the older
detail how LNG is supercritical and sub-critical boilers found in most current coal-fired generating facilities
throughout the US. Longviews 2016 average heat rate was 8842 million Btu/kWh. This is
used to improve approximately 15% better than the 2015 average for all US coal-fired generating stations. This
operational high combustion efficiency contributes to higher operational efficiencies and translates directly
into lower CO2 emissions.
flexibility in Utility scale, coal-fired power plants require a reliable source of a secondary fuel to perform
a coal-fired plant start-ups and to provide flame stability during transient load operations. For its secondary
fuel, Longview chose natural gas. The main boiler burner warm-up igniters and the auxiliary
power plant. boiler were designed and permitted to use natural gas, and, in 2008, Longview entered into a
67
z 12 UN-T75 ISO LNG tank
containers, each with a combined
liquid storage capacity of
132 000 gal.
z Three LNG vaporisers rated for
continuous service at a total
flowrate of 1.85 million ft3/hr.
z 1200 ft of 12 in. dia.
underground, high density
polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline
to deliver LNG to the plants
existing start-up system.
z Significant feed and pressure
control valves, which allow
pipeline/LNG system crossover
Figure 1. LNG storage and vaporisation system layout.
and mixing.
z 1 MW of 480V on-site power.
z Substantial safety interlocks.
z Remote monitoring.
z Enhanced controls and flow monitoring.
68 April 2017
Worldwide Coverage
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