| Emerging Technologies
Introduction
To remain at the forefront of providing leading edge research
and development to industry that will result in practical guidelines
and solutions to various maritime transportation needs, ABS monitors
and participates in research and development discussions with
industry to look at emerging gas technologies with particular
emphasis on their transport and storage.
For instance, the transportation of LNG through sub-sea cryogenic
pipe has been proposed with ABS granting its “approval
in principle” or AIP to a specific concept. The technology
being developed will enable loading and offloading of LNG carriers
offshore in remote areas not near LNG terminals.
Other research and development themes related to Gas to Liquids
(GTL) and Natural Gas Hydrates (NGH) as well as others are being
explored by ABS researchers and engineers. Known for its strong
technology department, ABS is approached daily to review promising
technologies for developing stranded gas
reserves.
Methane Hydrates
Naturally occurring hydrates store immense amounts of methane,
with major implications for energy resources and climate. A natural
gas hydrate (NGH) is a crystalline solid consisting of gas methane
molecules surrounded by a cage of water molecules. Looking very
much like water ice, methane hydrates are an ocean floor sediment.
Research is underway by industry operators to develop practical
technology to convert natural gas into a solid for low-cost maritime
transportation. Joint studies are underway to look at specially
designed NGH transport ships.
ABS is participating in industry discussions to provide design
criteria for a future new generation of ship design.
Gas to
Liquids
Numerous companies have developed proprietary technology known
as Gas To Liquids or GTL to convert natural gas and carbon dioxide
to a liquid fuel. The processes and technologies are now being commercialized.
ABS, with its experience establishing standards for the carriage
of LNG and CNG, is positioned to review GTL concepts. Recognizing
the complexities of incorporating GTL technologies onto a ship shaped
vessel, ABS was selected by Tulsa-based Syntroleum Corporation to
provide “class approval in principle” of its gas-to-liquids
(GTL) barge concept.
The floating production facility is a barge design that
incorporates a 19,000 barrel per day processing facility that
could produce up to 130m barrels of synthetic fuels from approximately
1.2trn cubic feet of gas. The barge uses Syntroleum’s air-based
GTL technology to produce mainly synthetic diesel. The barge is
intended to service offshore gas field developments in West Africa.
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