FSRU Business Case

Case for floating storage and regasification centers on

three issues:

• Its economic attractiveness

• Its technical acceptability and

• Its flexibility as FSRU’s can be moved from one

demand centre to another. Fluctuations due to

seasonal demands can be mitigated.

Moss type LNG Tanker

• FSRU’s ability to move from one demand centre to another

and retaining ability to trade as LNG carrier makes them an

interesting option.

• Part of the attraction for FSRU’s also lies in the fact that

residents tend to favor energy supply solutions that are

situated far away from where they live…NIMBY syndrome.

• Attraction is also obvious in areas where economic growth

is uncertain or where there is an element of political or

economic instability.

• FSRU’s provide a faster return on capital.

Onshore terminal development requires extensive

planning. It takes more construction time as compared

to the FSRU’s which are mainly converted from an

existing LNG carrier.

In LNG carriers, much of the required equipments are

already available. Broadly time required is 18 months

for engineering and 6 months for the shipyard work.

No generic solution to industry off shore’s regasification

needs. Each FSRU has to be designed to meet the

specific requirements of the charterer for particular

project.

Design of FSRU

Typical details of a FSRU converted from a LNG carrier

• Length-289m, Breadth-44.6m, Draft-11.4m

• Performance

Time for berthing loading and unberthing-24hrs

Cargo tanks capacity-129,000cbm

No of tanks 5, Moss type

Gas send out

Tons/ hr-231

MMTPA-2.02 MMTPA

There is no single factor that dictates which kind of LNG

carrier makes the best FSRU.

Indeed availability and cost are prime considerations.

Technical community tends to favor old vessels with Moss

(spherical) type cargo containment systems, especially if

the intention is to moor the FSRU in an offshore location.

The self supporting Moss type tanks have strong structural

integrity and do not have operational cargo filling

restrictions.

A more modern membrane tank vessel has a more efficient

propulsion system and may be more attractive if the

intention is to continue using the vessel to trade LNG.

FSRU Storage capacity is dictated by the port and supply

logistics.

Gas send capacities, temperatures and pressures will be

influenced by maximum and minimum rate demands.

Mooring system design will depend on the local weather

conditions and the jetty configuration.

FSRU’s communication links and ESD systems are

integrated with the onsite LNG and natural gas handling

systems.

FSRU Terminal allows safe berthing of standard LNG

carrier without any need of modification.

FSRU Terminal can be moored to seabed with a turret

mooring arrangement.

Turret is equipped with a turntable which allows 360 deg

continuous rotation of the FSRU.

The LNG tankers off loading to the FSRU may be moored

in a side by side configuration. The other loading tanker

may also be moored across the pier.

Mooring

FSRU Golar Freeze designed for

side by side mooring

FSRU Golar Spirit receiving cargo

across the pier for storage and

regasification

Side by side mooring system consists of:

• Primary and secondary fenders

• Nylon Mooring lines. The lines shall be connected to the

wire part of the LNG carrier by special mooring shackles

• Roller fairleads for guiding the nylon lines as required.

• Hydraulic quick release hooks with integrated capstan

and adjustable release load.

• The Terminal will be fitted with an azimuth thruster for

control of the terminal during LNG carrier berthing / un-

berthing.

• FSRU’s provided with standard loading arms to allow

side by side transfer of LNG and vapor return.

• Loading arms similar to the type of that is used on

onshore terminals however modified to account for

relative motions between carrier and FSRU.

• Fitted with equipment for guiding the arms onto the

carrier’s connection flanges.

• Wide capacities FSRU’s ranging from 1,25,000 cbm to

1,50,000 cbm are in operation.

Loading Arms

• LNG is sent from the tanks to the regasification skid.

Which generally comprises of booster pumps and steam

heated vaporizers.

• The booster pumps will increase the pressure to about

85 to 90 bars.

• High pressure LNG is vaporized.

• Regasification can be both in open or closed loop mode.

LNG regasification system

Skid Mounted Regasification unit

•In the closed loop operation the sea water cooled in the

vaporization process is reheated using steam rather

than being discharged into the sea.

•Few designs use combination of propane and then sea

water to heat the gas to around 15 deg C.

•Gas is passed through a metering unit and is sent to

the subsea cable via the gas swivel and flexible risers

or into the shore arms. Gas send out pressure is around

85 bar.

•FSRU designs also allow gas transfer to shore through

high pressure loading arms fixed to the jetty

Issues • Technical specification must be robust. Time spent with

the end user to make specifications of the FSRU should

be as close as possible to the operational requirements

is important.

• Converting existing LNG carrier into FSRU: Integration

requires extreme efforts.

• High pressure associated with FSRU operations

introduce a new set of risks not present on conventional

LNG carriers.

• Operation and maintenance of the vessel

• FSRU have upgraded fire and gas detection systems

and fire fighting systems

• In addition a more sophisticated emergency shut down

system based on the rules for offshore oil and gas

operations is provided.

• As an FSRU forms part of the shore infrastructure, EIA

and assurance of vessels compliance with the local as

well as international marine requirements are also

central issues.

Maximum boil off from the storage tanks is as per design

requirements of the LNG carrier. Boil off is collected and

used as fuel for steam generation in the FSRU boilers

BOG Handling

Power Generation on board is similar as in any of the

conventional or new generation LNG Carriers.

Metering station is provided

Cost, speed of delivery and flexibility are the main

advantages of FSRU’s.

Concept of FSRU’s may provide in general a rapid and

competitively priced turnkey alternative to a shore based

gas terminal.

FSRU business is challenging.

It involves sound aggregation of shipping and energy

technology, LNG market awareness, commercial skills and

marine operating experience.

Conclusion

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