Hydrocarbon Processing - February 2022 - GP-30

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
system architecture design at the outset.
In turn, this requires oversight between
stakeholders and an understanding of
cross-party requirements.
The role of specifications. Every port
and terminal are unique. It is important
to identify the
correct specifications
needed at the early stages of a project
to ensure long-term performance and
the safety of the project. The ability to
understand materials and applications
plays a large part in optimizing safety
and performance and ensuring the right
solution for the job.
At the same time, products must meet
FIG. 2. LNG carrier discharging at a terminal. Photo courtesy of Trelleborg.
segmented basis. With the growth of the
LNG fueling market, there is an increased
focus on the lifecycle emissions of the
whole LNG supply chain-from 'wellto-wake'
emissions to final combustion.1
Projects attracting investment. LNG
is a global commodity, with 21 countries
exporting to 42 importers. The bunkering
infrastructure to support LNG as a
marine fuel continues to snowball.
Investment in LNG infrastructure
has grown with 124 ports now providing
LNG bunkering facilities.2
In early 2019,
there were just six LNG bunkering vessels
in operation; five in Europe and one
in North America. As of July 2020, the
number has more than doubled, growing
to 13 in service, with a further 28 on order
and/or undergoing commissioning.1
With 120 LNG-powered ships in service
around the world, and another 130
on order3
, an increasing number of bunkering
facilities are gearing up to support
the demand for LNG as a fuel into the
future.
Flexible LNG solutions and improving
interface management. Across
international markets, LNG is traded as
a commodity. In international shipping,
it is used as a fuel. Each market requires
flexible solutions to ensure safety, efficiency,
cost effectiveness and, ultimately,
the success of the business model-from
ship-shore links for FSRUs to hybridGEN3
solutions for bunker vessels. New
projects must find a fast return on investment
(ROI), while established facilities
must keep pace with changing demands.
Given the global scope and myriad applications
of the LNG industry, diversity
is the norm. From traditional terminals
to bunker barges and everything in between,
project requirements vary substantially,
inviting varied solutions and
complicating interface management at
transfer touchpoints. Optimizing the interface
at the various stages of the LNG
supply chain is critical to supporting the
business model of every transfer operation.
Interface optimization means consistent
communication and standardized
processes at every transfer point.
Efficient equipment delivers flexibility.
Adopting easily configurable and compatible
equipment systems delivers several
benefits, such as an enhanced overview
of operations, improved productivity,
reliability and safety, and a faster ROI for
all stakeholders. Efficient systems that offer
these benefits can provide support to
LNG operators that require operational
flexibility to adapt to spot contracts.
Conversely, fragmentation creates
inefficiencies and safety issues and reduces
the opportunity to implement
flexible business models. A standardized
approach across facilities opens opportunities
for all stakeholders through
common requirements and systems.
Standardization of systems improves operational
control. At the same time, data
sharing between parties is enhanced,
enabling effective communications, fast
response to potential issues and empowered
long-term decision-making.
To support an international shipping
network fueled by LNG requires a robust
30 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | GasProcessingNews.com
differing regulatory requirements globally,
and suppliers must understand and
integrate all necessary standards into their
solution. They must be prepared to provide
first-class 24/7 support when it is
needed to ensure downtime is minimized.
Looking ahead. Demand for cleaner
fuels is set to propel LNG fueling into a
mature market phase, where spot contracts
are utilized, rather than solely longterm
contracts. In addition to developing
economies driving new applications and
markets, the global LNG infrastructure
market is expected to witness significant
growth in the near future.
However, LNG infrastructure must
be able to keep up with demand. Accelerating
LNG fueling to meet sustainability
demands requires LNG infrastructure
that can cope with demand by berthing
more LNG-powered vessels safely and
efficiently.
To respond to LNG's various challenges
and opportunities, LNG leaders
must adapt to the needs of different business
models, changing
environments
and transfer scenarios. To do this and
help ensure LNG operations take place
safely and efficiently, operational flexibility
is crucial. GP
LITERARTURE CITED
1
SEA-LNG, " LNG-The only viable fuel, " SEALNG,
August 2020, online: https://sea-lng.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/09/20-09-15_LNG-TheOnly-Viable-Fuel_final.pdf
2
SEA-LNG,
" 2021 outlook for LNG: A view from the
bridge, " SEA-LNG, January 2021, online: https://
sea-lng.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LNG2021_A-view-from-the-bridge.pdf
3
Ship
Technology, " LNG bunkering facilities around
the world, " Ship Technology, February 2020, online:
https://www.ship-technology.com/features/lngbunkering-facilities-around-the-world

https://sea-lng.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/09/20-09-15_LNG-The-Only-Viable-Fuel_final.pdf https://sea-lng.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/09/20-09-15_LNG-The-Only-Viable-Fuel_final.pdf https://sea-lng.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/09/20-09-15_LNG-The-Only-Viable-Fuel_final.pdf https://sea-lng.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LNG-2021_A-view-from-the-bridge.pdf https://sea-lng.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LNG-2021_A-view-from-the-bridge.pdf https://sea-lng.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/LNG-2021_A-view-from-the-bridge.pdf https://www.ship-technology.com/features/lngbunkering-facilities-around-the-world https://www.ship-technology.com/features/lngbunkering-facilities-around-the-world http://www.GasProcessingNews.com

Hydrocarbon Processing - February 2022

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