Houston, Texas, USA: Transporters and operators of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in US waters and coastal areas are facing major challenges due to public opposition based on perceived safety and security concerns. DNV makes use of modern risk estimation methods to document acceptable risks in the LNG industry and has also developed an assessment standard for LNG shipboard cargo operator competence.

DNV has so far provided risk management guidance to almost one third of the proposed LNG terminals in North America. Public safety documentation and applied risk-based approaches have been developed by DNV to assess the risk and provide solutions to effectively mitigate unacceptable risks. This has enabled a focus on the real risks, and not just worst-case consequences as part of the decision-making process, and made them better able to manage public communication.

DNV has built its risk-based approach on leading-edge technology, science and its understanding of this evolving industry. It provides clients with factual and verifiable conclusions based upon its cross-disciplinary expertise in risk management.

A standard for Competence of Shipboard LNG Cargo Operators has been developed by DNV. This is used by shipowners to measure their LNG operator course and to assess the competence of their operators. The simulators used for training can be certified by DNV to ensure that they replicate the realism of the LNG operations and meet the standard’s competence requirements.

The US consumption of LNG is expected to exceed 100 mtpa by 2010. So far, six regasification terminals have been approved and 20 more are under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the US Coast Guard. Six deepwater ports have so far been approved, and another six are under review.

DNV is part of the LNG Solutions Group, an alliance that also consists of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan and Ziff Energy Group, which are leading authorities in this industry. The Group addresses the opportunities and challenges facing the natural gas industry in bringing LNG to North America and Northern Europe. It offers LNG stakeholders a comprehensive and integrated approach to the gas market’s potential, LNG infrastructure, operational risk management and the legal parameters of facility/shipping permits and contracting.

DNV’s approach to managing risk has resulted in it acquiring a lengthy list of LNG risk assessment assignments worldwide, with clients such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP and Shell.