Ship to Ship LNG Transfer
Technology
Excelsior Class EBRV
138,000 m3
2
LNG STS Transfer
Double Banked at Anchor
3
LNG STS Configurations
LNG transferred across dock from LNG Carrier
LNG transferred from LNG Carrier to EBRV down the dock
Gas Delivered from EBRV to facility via HP Gas Arm
Gas Delivered from EBRV to facility via HP Gas Arm
LNG
Gas
LNG
Gas
LNG Transferred via Ship to Ship Transfer
Gas Delivered from EBRV to facility via HP Gas Arm
LNG
Gas
4
LNG Lightering
5
Double-Banked at Bahia Blanca
6
Bahía Blanca GasPort
(Argentina)
• Dockside LNG regasification
Utilizes ship-to-ship LNG
transfer with continuous natural
gas send out
Gas offloading arm Capable of 400 mmscfd
throughput (closed-loop mode)
tr Provides seasonal service
o during Argentine winter
P
s
a • Short development time and low
G
a
cost
c
la
n Final investment decision to in-
service in less than 6 months
B
ía Fixed facilities cost <5% of a
h land-based LNG terminal
a
B
• Project partners are YPF and
Repsol-Gas Natural
Excelsior docked at the Bahía Blanca GasPort
7
LNG STS Transfer
Risk Management
LNG
means
Let’s Not Guess
8
LNG STS Transfer
Partn
Partners
ers / Dev
Develo
elopme
pment
nt Basis
Basis
• Developed with partners
Exmar NV / Exmar Offshore USA
Skaugen PetroTrans
• STS Operation must meet applicable standards
IMO - Ga
IMO Gass cod
code
e
Class approvals by BV for LNG-RV’s,
LNG-RV’s, focus unrestricted liquid levels /
all shipboard systems.
IACS rules for LNGC: - Liquid level restrictions due to sloshing loads
OCIMF / SIGTTO
○ Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Liquefied Gases) Second Edition / Draft LNG
STS Transfer Guidelines
○ SIGTTO LNG specific STS Transfer Considerations
USCG: 33 CFR 156 Subpart B and C
EN 1474 - 2 standards
standards for cryogenic
cryogenic transfer
transfer systems
9
LNG STS Transfer
Initial Engineering & Feasibility
• By BUREAU VERITAS
Target: assess measurable operational criteria tot o avoid sloshing
damage in LNG-C due to any level of partial filling during LNG
transfer
Conclusion: LNG-C maximum roll angle 2° ; keep heading +/-30°
into direction of significant waves
Hs < 2.0 m
• BY GTT
Target: determine the maximum LNG transfer flow rate
compatible with the treatment capacity of the increased Boil-Off
Gas (BOG)
Conclusion: Up to 6,000 m3/h with 60 mbar cargo tank pressure
difference between LNG-RV and LNG-C
• HAZID / HAZOP : Original STS design
Lloyds Register / BMT
10
LNG STS Transfer
Risk Based Assessments
• Computer Motion Simulation
Exmar Offshore / Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.
• Maneuvering Simulations
Ship Maneuvering Simulator Training Center – Trondheim / Antwerp
Maritime Academy / Lloyds Register / South Tyneside Technical
College / SIPORT – Madrid
• STS Operations Plan
Skaugen PetroTrans
• Dynamic Mooring Analysis
Tension Technologies International
• Operation Manuals for rigging STS equipment
Developed based on extensive practical tests on board
• HAZID / HAZOP : final review
Including operation manuals, training and procedures
(Lloyds Register)
11
LNG STS Transfer
Manifold Configuration
3 liquid lines
6 hoses
Blank flange
1 vapour line
2 hoses
Feeder ship
LNGRV
Spool pieces
Saddles
Flexible hoses
Dry-Break ERC
Water curtain & bath
12
LNG STS Transfer
Gear General Arrangement
13
LNG STS Transfer
Equipment Class Approvals
• Reducing ‘Y’ Spool Pieces
Class approval (BV)
• Emergency Release Couplings
Type approval (BV)
• LNG Cargo Transfer Hoses
Type approval (DNV)
• Manifold platform structural verification
Class approval (BV)
• Hose Support Saddle verification
Class approval (BV)
14
LNG STS Transfer
Cargo Transfer Hose
• Stainless Steel End
Fittings
• Epoxy Filled & Swaged
• Standard ANSI 8” Flange
•Type Approved by Class
for STS Transfer of LNG
•EN 1474 Compliant
15
LNG STS Transfer
Cargo Transfer Hose
• 57 Layers of Polyethylene
• Film and Fabric
• Inner / Outer Stainless
Mandrel
• Electrically Continuous
• Failure Mode
• Leak before fail
• 400,000 Cryogenic Cycles
• Comprehensive testing by
TNO
• Flow tests at Nikisso w/ up
to 1500 m3/hr
16
LNG STS Transfer
Cargo Transfer Hose
• Composite Hose
• 8” Diameter
• 15 m Length
• 0.65 m Min. Bend Radius
• 300 Liter Volume per Hose
• DNV Ty
Type
pe Approved
• Fit for Purpose
• Light and Flexible
17
LNG STS Transfer
Cargo Hose Storage
• Hose Storage on EBRV
• Test Blinds on Hose Ends
• Internal Nitrogen Blanket
• Test, Inspection, Records
18
LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Impact Test
• 224 kg x 1.5 m
•3 bar LN2
•No Leakage
19
LNG STS Transfer
Sudden Impact!
20
20
LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Impact Test
21
LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Crush Test
•200 mm Crush Plate
•270 kN Load @ 3 bar LN2
•106 bar Pressure Test
•Severe Leakage – No
Burst 22
LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Crush Test
23
LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Pressure Test
24
LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Integrity
• 50% Damage of Outer SUS Wire
• 6 bar – No Leakage
34 bar Burst Pressure No Jetting 25
LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Cycling
• 400,000 Cycles
• 2 Meter Stroke
• Certified by TNO
26
LNG STS Transfer
Hose Support Saddle
• One per Hose Pair –
Total Four Saddles on
Each Vessel
• Provides Protection and
Support in Way of Hand
Rails
• Maintains Adequate
Bend Radius of Hose
• Transfer Loads from
Hoses to Manifold Deck
• Chafe Protection for
Hoses
• 8 mm Marine Aluminum
• FMEA on saddle
27
LNG STS Transfer
Hose Support Saddle
28
LNG STS Transfer
Reducing Wye Spool Pieces
• 16 “ x 12” x 8” (2)
• Standard ANSI 150# Flanges
• BV Class Approved
• Handled by Crane Horizontally
29
LNG STS Transfer
Specific Controls and Safety
• Emergency Shut Down (ESD)
Pneumatic ESD systems connecting
LNGC with EBRV
Electric and / or Fiber Optic umbilical
available
• Additional Water Curtain System at
both manifold areas
Protect ships’ trunk deck / cargo tank
covers from accidental LNG release
Includes ‘water bath’ on main deck
under manifold area
30
LNG STS Transfer
Water Curtains & Bath
• Additional water curtain rigged
under each manifold
• Water bath installed on deck under
manifold using dams
31
LNG STS Transfer
Emergency Release Couplings
Emergency Release Couplings
(ERC)
KLAW quick release couplings =>
quick disconnect of hoses
in emergency situations
Remote operation
‘Dry Break’
Extensive test in cryogenic
conditions for STS type approval
Actuator reinforced for cryogenic
operations
32
LNG STS Transfer
‘Dry--Break’ Emergency Release Coupling
‘Dry
33
LNG STS Transfer
Emergency Release Coupling
• BV Class Approved
• Function Tested w/ 1”
‘Hard’ Ice
• Liquid Nitrogen @ 10
bar
34
LNG STS Transfer
ERC Actuated
0.8 Liter Volume Between The Disks
35
LNG STS Transfer
Hose Brake System
36
LNG STS Transfer
Equipment, Controls and Safety
• Emergency Shut Down (ESD)
Pneumatic ESD systems connecting LNGC with EBRV
Electric and Fiber Optic umbilical available
• Additional Water Curtain System at both manifold areas
Protect
release ships’ trunk deck / cargo tank covers from accidental LNG
Includes ‘water bath’ on main deck under manifold area
• Emergency Release Couplings
KLAW quick release couplings offer quick disconnect of hoses in
emergency situations
Remote operation
‘Dry Break’
37
LNG STS Transfer
Fender Arrangement
38
LNG STS Transfer
Approach Maneuver
39
LNG STS Transfer
Coming Alongside
40
LNG STS TRANSFER
Mooring Operation
41
LNG STS Transfer
Cargo Hoses Rigged
42
LNG STS Transfer
Gear Placement
43
LNG STS Transfer
Hose Connection
44
LNG STS Transfer
Line Cooldown
45
LNG STS Transfer
Projected Time Line
• Rigging Fenders 1 hr
• Approach Maneuver 1 hr
• Mooring 2 hrs
• Pre-Transfer Meeting / Gauging 1 hr
•• C
Lio
nnenC
eoctoH
ldo
oswens 2
1-h
½rshr
• ESD / ERC Tests ½ hr
• Cargo Transfer (130,000 m3 @ 5000 m3/hr) 26 hrs
• Hose Drain / Purge / Disconnect 4 hrs
•• U
Fennmdoeor rR
inegc/oV
veersysel Separation 1
1hhrr
Total Projected Time 41 hrs
46
1st Commercial STS Transfer
Scapa Flow – 8-9 February 2007
47
LNG STS Transfer
Site Specific Assessments
• Simulator training with Scapa Flow Pilots and EBRV senior staff at South
Shields Technical College (UK)
• Ballast Water Management issues regarding environmental preservation
• Waterway management risk assesment with Orkney Harbor Authority,
Scotish National Heritage and BMT-Isis
• Simulator training with Bahia Blanca Pilots and EBRV senior staff at SiPort
• Risk assessment of non-standard conditions prior to STS operation
Primarily for weather considerations and forecasted
forecas ted conditions
48
LNG STS Transfer
Full Rate Cargo Transfer (5,950 m3/hr)
49
LNG STS Transfer
Routine Inspections
50
LNG STS Transfer
Drain & Purge Hoses
51
LNG STS Transfer
CTMS
EXCALIBUR EXCELSIOR
Opening Volume (m3) 132,379 1,197
Volume Transferred (m3) 132,296 131,830
Closing Volume (m3) 83 133,027
BOG Consumed (m3) 215 273
52
LNG STS Transfer
Statistics
53
LNG STS Transfer
