The energy market requires flexibility when it comes to infrastructure. Well established over the recent years, FLNGs, FSUs & FSRUs using GTT’s membrane technologies are today the global reference.
By continuous R&D, GTT keeps its leading position as provider of the most efficient gas containment systems for the offshore industry.
Key advantages with membrane technology are excellent structural arrangements, leading to reduced floating unit motions by design. Functioning of the production systems is improved, and good access for inspection and maintenance is obtained.
Essentially, the structure can be designed with highest long-term fatigue resistance.
Membrane units provide a flat deck space for easy topside arrangement and a full occupation of the cargo hold, providing compactness and optimization of the hull design.
The tank arrangement is selected either as a one-row arrangement or a two-row arrangement. The two families of GTT’s technologies, NO or Mark, may be used.
Contrary to LNG carriers, which navigate under conventional filling levels, Offshore units must operate at all filling levels.
Sloshing activity is a subject that GTT has mastered right from the start of the project.
The preliminary studies (FEED) enable to establish the operational profile (reinforcement level) and adapt the design (design loads for the containment system and for the pump tower) according to:
Piping has been adapted for simultaneous operations, such as production, ship-to-ship transfer and maintenance.
One or several tanks can be temporarily decommissioned for maintenance while other tanks can be kept in normal operation.
Pumps can be maintained without tank decommissioning by using retractable pumps.
Tank cool-down and warm-up times are shorter with membrane systems, reducing costs.
Like LNG Carriers, offshore units are subject to maintenance operations.
In addition, GTT has developped an digital automated risk analysis solution, called POWER (Prediction of Operational Windows to Enable Regas operations), to optimize the regasification operations of offshore units (FNLG or FSRU) and the transshipment of LNG between these units and LNG carriers in areas subject to difficult sea conditions.
POWER SOLUTION
Based on heading data, sloshing analysis and a three-day forecast, POWER provides better risk anticipation and a significant increase in ship-to-ship operations of offshore units exposed to rough sea conditions.
It has been demonstrated that on certain offshore sites the POWER solution could increase operational windows up to 98% of on-site time, compared to 39% currently.
Making the best decision is key to successful projects. You can benefit from GTT’s advice through consultancy services, and also request engineering studies to refine any kind of FSRU project. These studies can also be carried out on ships or units already in service.
