Joining Forces to Unlock LNG Tandem Offloading Using 20? LNG Floating Hoses: An Example of Industrial Collaboration

Abstract

Moving LNG production to an offshore setting presents a demanding set of challenges. Along with the design and construction challenges of developing FLNG facilities, extra thought has been required regarding the transfer of the product; LNG transfer must now battle with the effects of winds, waves, and currents in open seas. In environments where conditions are much more demanding, conventional marine loading arms will not suffice as they could result in a shut-down of the liquefaction plant in bad weather conditions. This paper outlines why tandem offloading solution that rely on the use of flexible hoses are a viable alternative for the industry -not only limiting downtime, but also improving safety. Hydrodynamics analyses have been performed to demonstrate that the performances of such an offloading system are in compliance with targeted environments and associated operating envelope. Key results of this study will be introduced here. This paper will also discuss why -in the absence of mature solutions -different actors have been joining forces to develop and qualify an innovative LNG tandem offloading solution using floating hoses that fully satisfies the industry's requirements. It will be shown how the joint industrial program has been benefiting from diverse inputs coming from an IOC, an EPC contractor, a hose manufacturer and a University laboratory specialized in flow assessment.Finally, as an illustration of such a successful JIP, significant information will be given about pressure drop analysis within a flexible cryogenic hose based on advanced CFD models and small scale water/LNG flow tests.

Development and Recent Progress of Hoses for Cryogenic Liquid Transportation

“…Sweden's Trelleborg and France's Total developed a cryogenic composite hose named Cryo-line in 2016, based on the "pipe in pipe" concept as shown in Figure 7. After static and dynamic pressure testing at normal and low temperatures, the cryogenic composite hoses successfully obtained BV certification [37][38][39]. The composition and performance characteristics of each layer of this hose are listed in Table 3.…”