In October 2010, Golar LNG announced that the company had won a long-term charter for the West Java FSRU project. The FSRU will be classed by DNV’s REGAS notation and design work will be consistent with DNV’s new Offshore Technical Guidance (OTG-02).

The West Java project has been sponsored by Nusantara Regas, a joint venture between Pertamina, Indonesia’s state-owned energy company, and PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk (PGN), Indonesia’s national gas distributor. The floating terminal project will have an annualized receiving capacity of about three million tonnes to meet the country’s growing demand for LNG. The project, which includes the construction of an offshore jetty, is on a tight deadline.

According to company’s project leader Morten Daviknes, the West Java project is a little different. “To win the bid, we had to show we had the competence to deliver an FSRU and jetty solution by the end of the year,” he says. “That doesn’t leave us with a lot of time.”

Golar LNG will convert its existing MOSS-type LNG carrier Khannur into a floating terminal. The FSRU will receive liquid natural gas (LNG) from offloading LNG carriers. The LNG is transferred through cryogenic hard arms, regasified in an open loop and delivered into the gas grid at a pressure of 55 bars. DNV will also work with Golar LNG on the jetty concept – a first for both organisations.

Illustration courtesy of Golar LNG

Daviknes says that Golar LNG has a strong relationship with DNV. “Our long history with DNV is a tremendous advantage,” he says. “We understand each other, so there is less risk of miscommunication. DNV knows that we want to avoid over-engineering, but find practical, fit-for-purpose solutions that meet our expectations and those of our charterer.”

For DNV, the project represents a great opportunity to strengthen its competence in this rapidly changing segment. Conn Fagan, DNV’s Business Development Manager, acknowledges that the short time scales on this project will be a challenge, but is confident DNV’s technical expertise can add genuine value and help the project stay on schedule. “To retain our leading expertise in this segment, we have to work with industry pioneers,” Fagan says. “Golar LNG fits the bill.”

Date: 2011-03-27