Ship to Ship LNG Transfer

Technology
Excelsior Class EBRV
138,000 m3

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 LNG STS Transfer
Double Banked at Anchor

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 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

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LNG Lightering

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Double-Banked at Bahia Blanca

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 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)
 Provides seasonal service
Bahía Blanca GasPort

during Argentine winter

• Short development time and low
cost
 Final investment decision to in-
service in less than 6 months
 Fixed facilities cost <5% of a
land-based LNG terminal
• Project partners are YPF and
Repsol-Gas Natural
Excelsior docked at the Bahía Blanca GasPort

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 LNG STS Transfer
Risk Management

LNG

means

Let’s Not Guess

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 LNG STS Transfer
Partners / Development Basis

• Developed with partners

 Exmar NV / Exmar Offshore USA
 Skaugen PetroTrans
• STS Operation must meet applicable standards
 IMO - Gas code
 Class approvals by BV for 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 for cryogenic transfer systems

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 LNG STS Transfer
Initial Engineering & Feasibility

• By BUREAU VERITAS
 Target: assess measurable operational criteria to 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

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 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)

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 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
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 LNG STS Transfer
Gear General Arrangement

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 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)

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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

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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

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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 Type Approved
• Fit for Purpose
• Light and Flexible

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LNG STS Transfer
Cargo Hose Storage

• Hose Storage on EBRV

• Test Blinds on Hose Ends
• Internal Nitrogen Blanket
• Test, Inspection, Records

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 LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Impact Test

• 224 kg x 1.5 m
•3 bar LN2
•No Leakage

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LNG STS Transfer
Sudden Impact!

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 LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Impact Test

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 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

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 LNG STS Transfer
Cryogenic Hose Pressure Test

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 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

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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
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LNG STS Transfer
Hose Support Saddle

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 LNG STS Transfer
Reducing Wye Spool Pieces

• 16 “ x 12” x 8” (2)
• Standard ANSI 150# Flanges
• BV Class Approved
• Handled by Crane Horizontally

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 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

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 LNG STS Transfer
Water Curtains & Bath

• Additional water curtain rigged

under each manifold
• Water bath installed on deck under
manifold using dams

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 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

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 LNG STS Transfer
‘Dry-Break’ Emergency Release Coupling

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 LNG STS Transfer
Emergency Release Coupling

• BV Class Approved
• Function Tested w/ 1”
‘Hard’ Ice
• Liquid Nitrogen @ 10
bar

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 LNG STS Transfer
ERC Actuated

0.8 Liter Volume Between The Disks

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LNG STS Transfer
Hose Brake System

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 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 ships’ trunk deck / cargo tank covers from accidental LNG
release
 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’

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LNG STS Transfer
Fender Arrangement

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LNG STS Transfer
Approach Maneuver

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LNG STS Transfer
Coming Alongside

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LNG STS TRANSFER
Mooring Operation

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LNG STS Transfer
Cargo Hoses Rigged

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LNG STS Transfer
Gear Placement

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LNG STS Transfer
Hose Connection

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LNG STS Transfer
Line Cooldown

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 LNG STS Transfer
Projected Time Line

• Rigging Fenders 1 hr
• Approach Maneuver 1 hr
• Mooring 2 hrs
• Pre-Transfer Meeting / Gauging 1 hr
• Connect Hoses 2 hrs
• Line Cooldown 1-½ hr
• ESD / ERC Tests ½ hr
• Cargo Transfer (130,000 m3 @ 5000 m3/hr) 26 hrs
• Hose Drain / Purge / Disconnect 4 hrs
• Unmooring / Vessel Separation 1 hr
• Fender Recovery 1 hr
Total Projected Time 41 hrs

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1st Commercial STS Transfer
Scapa Flow – 8-9 February 2007

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 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 conditions

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 LNG STS Transfer
Full Rate Cargo Transfer (5,950 m3/hr)

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LNG STS Transfer
Routine Inspections

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LNG STS Transfer
Drain & Purge Hoses

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 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

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LNG STS Transfer
Statistics

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LNG STS Transfer

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