LNG Export

Demand for LNG trading has increased dramatically over the last decade. From 2009 to 2018, there have been 184 more trading routes and an additional 20 importing countries; this means populations are demanding more energy and customer diversity is increasing.
‍
The largest exporters globally are Qatar, Australia, USA, Russia and Malaysia, accounting for more than half of the world’s export in 2019. LNG export from developing countries paves the way for a stronger local economy and sustainable development.

Discuss your export project

Export facilities

Large-scale export facilities are normally located in the vicinity of the liquefaction plant and are built to accommodate the largest of LNG carriers, such as Q-Max, thereby forcing a fixed infrastructure size for the berthing of the vessels and loading of LNG or other liquid.
In recent times, with increasing interests in small-scale LNG and other liquid types, these large-scale export facilities have had to overcome the challenge of accommodating smaller carrier vessels with a capacity 1,000 - 40,000 m3 by investing large amounts of capital into building dedicated berths.
For greenfield terminals, a multi-purpose solution would be necessary in order to cover the full range in vessel sizes, resulting in increased infrastructure complexity, investment required, time to construct, and investment risk based on the added complexity of considering several energy value chains.

Large-scale export, nearshore

A jettyless system requires only a small footprint and can hence be installed at existing and congested ports to increase export volume.
Since the system can be pre-fabricated, the solution is relatively fast compared to building a new jetty.
Very limited interaction with existing facilities so the terminal can operate as normal.

Large-scale export -offshore

For distances greater than 800m from shore, the IQuay can be combined with a subsea installation which will transport the LNG or other liquid back to shore.
Suitable for areas where access to ports is limited or not possible.

Small-scale export

To achieve favourable economics for small-scale routing, one must consider the maritime inventory routing combined with several additional elements, such as variable production, consumption rates and port terminal limitations.
Often, smaller carriers are unable to moor and receive loads from terminals that were once designed for large carriers.
The IQuay gives large-scale import terminals additional market flexibility within export; the plug-and-play attributes of the jettyless system allow import terminals to easily serve their small-scale customers with minimal disruption to their ongoing operations.

IQuay™ Technical Highlights

The IQuay enables transfer of between a vessel and storage facilities and is fully qualified by DNV GL.

Distance from shore
50 - 800 m

Environment
Sheltered to harsh conditions

Flowrate
100 - 2,500 m3/h

Transfer lines
Floating cryogenic hoses

Carrier vessel size
1,000 - 266,000 m3

Design life
25 years

We have leveraged on the Standard IQuay qualified design to develop solutions for large scale import and export between ship & shore.

Distance from shore
50 - 800 m

Environment
Sheltered to harsh conditions

Flowrate
2,500 - 12,000 m3/h

Transfer lines
Floating cryogenic hoses

LNGC Size
Up to 266,000 m3

Design life
25 years

Roughly 10-20hrs for loading and discharge

Process system will be sized according to the flow rate requirements of the client.
The time frame for loading and discharge is roughly 15-25 hrs depending on large or small-scale application.

Fully redundant ballast system

The ballast system enables the unit to follow the carrier vessel vertically during loading and unloading.
Remotely operated by the operator onshore.
100% redundancy ensures that any single failure event does not delay the operation.

Operational in significant wave height of 2 meters

The platform is optimised for minimum wave response, with extensive numerical and experimental modelling and research.
The vacuum attachment system further reduces motions when attached to the carrier vessel.

Power and signals via umbilical

A robust flexible floating umbilical provides power, signals and communication to the IQuay platform.
The umbilical runs parallel to the floating hoses, and can be reeled.
The IQuay platform is equipped with a UPS, which will keep critical systems live in case of loss of power from shore.

Minimum boil-off gas generation

Due to the superior insulation properties of the floating hoses, the boil off generation throughout the system is minimal.
Rigid piping and valves on the platform are also insulated to further reduce heat inleak.

Focus on Safety

The platform is equipped with an industry standard ship-shore-link system, which interlinks the ESD systems of the carrier vessel, the IQuay platform, and the terminal.
Fire, smoke and gas detectors are located throughout the unit, which will instantly trigger ESD and shut down process flow.

Talk to us about your project

Learn more about Jettyless Transfer

Traditional Jetty vs Jettyless

We take a look at traditional LNG import and export infrastructures and explain why jettyless can enable energy projects across the globe.

LNG Terminals

With several different types of terminal configurations, we give you the knowledge to secure the most competitive solution.

Floating Transfer Solutions

Energy sustainability and conservation of marine biodiversity are key to a healthier future. Learn more about what floating transfer solutions can accomplish.

A selection of our customers and industry partners

We are dedicated to realising and
de-risking your marine infrastructure project

ECOnnect Energy was born from first-hand experience with the challenges and inefficiencies of traditional LNG offloading methods from ship to shore. Our core offerings remove the need for fixed and permanent infrastructure such as quays, jetties, trestle structures and loading platforms.
‍
Dredging, which is expensive and damaging to coastal areas, can be eliminated with ECOnnect’s floating jettyless transfer solution.

About Us Case Study: Naturgy