Exmar (Belgium)

Slab-on-grade (SOG) homes along the Gulf of Mexico and other coastal areas are elevated above the base flood elevation to mitigate damage caused by repeated flooding events. This changes the slab support condition from uniform soil to column and beam supports, leading to unanticipated stress/strain changes, concrete cracks, and slab failure. However, no state or national code has design provisions for such risky operations. The current research was conducted to bridge this knowledge gap by developing a user-friendly App utilizing experimental and numerical study results. The experimental investigation evaluated the performance of elevated two- and four-panel specimens built per the construction practice along the Gulf Coast. The gathered deflection data from the test was used to calibrate a finite element model. Extrapolating on the slab model, five full-sized home foundation slab models were developed with differing support conditions, such as the number and spacing of columns and the presence of concrete grade or steel support beams. Model A could support up to 3.8 kPa without failure, while models B through E experienced welded wire fabric yielding at various configurations of column spacing. The induced stresses in the slab elements obtained from the parametric study were then compiled into a database used as the building block of the decision-making App. The tool allows users to choose a specific elevated slab and support configuration. It then outputs capacity and checks if it meets the minimum design live load established by the International Residential Code.

Abstract Objectives/Scope After Tango FLNG became commercially available, a new Client was found for the floating liquefaction unit at the Marine XII oil and gas field in Congo. To implement a fast-track LNG export solution, a solution needed to be found to moor Tango FLNG offshore Congo. Moreover, an FSU needed to be placed adjacent to Tango FLNG to ensure the terminal had sufficient LNG storage capacity. Tango FLNG, which has a liquefaction capacity of approximately 1 billion cubic meters per annum of gas (BCMA), had to be moored 3 kilometers offshore along with the Excalibur FSU. Excalibur was an existing 138,000 m³ LNG carrier from the Exmar fleet, delivered by Daewoo in 2001. Methods, Procedures, Process The entire upgrading and conversion of both the FSU and FLNG were done in less than 12 months. Several success factors have contributed to the fast delivery time of the complex project whereby engineering, procurement and construction were all done in parallel. Once completed from the conversion yard, both units went to Congo and in about 1 month time the split mooring system installation was completed, and first gas was received. With feed gas available the Exmar teams started to commission the unit and only 2 months later the first LNG cargo was exported from the new LNG terminal. Results, Observations, Conclusions The paper will discuss from a high-level point of view the EPCIC management of the complex conversion project and will explain how all tasks were completed in parallel to achieve a successful and safe project completion within a set timeframe Novel/Additive Information: A novel mooring system was invented by Exmar, acting as EPC and Commissioning contractor for the terminal, to moor both units together in shallow water near shore conditions. The "split mooring" is a combination between a spread mooring system and a side-by-side mooring system. Since the split mooring was a completely new and before non-existent concept it meant that the EXMAR teams had to prove via a technology qualification assessment (TQA) by the classification society Bureau Veritas that it will work and remain intact up to the 100-year storm conditions. Apart from the mooring system and the required mooring upgrades on Tango FLNG and Excalibur, several other systems had to be implemented to ensure both units could act as one terminal:

Abstract This paper explains the riser hang-off concept as implemented on the "Delta House" floating production system (FPS). A unique riser pull-in procedure is outlined in which the FPS' ballast system is used to align the riser's end fitting with its adapter rather than by an array of tugger winches commonly used. Finally, the paper describes an important capability of this riser hang-off concept, namely the installation of additional risers years after installation of the FPS. Use of the FPS' ballast system for pull-in of the risers has the potential to create a "step change" in installation time and cost, as well as in safety of operation. The riser porches and adapter are precision manufactured structures that ensure proper load distribution into the hull. The riser adapters with their conical, open section, heavy wall stress joint bushings are likewise simple structures but also deceptively complex to design and manufacture due to the steel catenary riser (SCR) stress joint/adapter requirement of precise angles of declination and azimuth for each individual riser. The resulting product is easy to install, robust, reliable and fatigue-resistant.

Abstract The design of semisubmersibles for oil production is a balancing act betweencompeting needs. The design tries to achieve the best possible solution so thatthe production up time is safely maximized for a minimum construction cost andfastest schedule and delivery. This paper describes the philosophies used and methodologies applied in theinitial hull sizing, vessel motion responses, pontoon and columncompartmentation, structural continuity, deck integrity, deck integration atquayside, marine system reliability and hull inspection program that makes theOPTI series of semisubmersibles a good candidate for producing fields in alltypes of environments. The paper also touches on the regulatory requirementchanges that occurred after hurricanes Rita and Katrina in relation to thedesign waves and required airgap for extreme conditions. Lastly, the work performed to qualify the hull series for wells with directvertical access (DVA) or " dry trees" will be presented. Application One of the main motivations for the OPTI series was to reduce the time betweenproject sanction and start of production by developing a design that could beeasily scalable to accommodate a wide range of production levels. The resultwas the OPTI-EX that was designed and then built on a speculative basis withouta particular client in mind or an identified location. This unit can handlesmaller fields with production levels between 20,000 and 60,000 bopd and hassufficient spare deck capacity to adapt to the specific requirements of anyclient. Introduction The OPTI series of semisubmersible floating production hull forms was derivedfrom Exmar's unique series of drilling semisubmersible designs (E-2500, E-II, etc.) which feature the patented " pontoon in front of column placement", knownas the " lip" configuration. This " lip" configuration was conceived to canceland/or minimize heave motions. See Reference [1[. For drilling designs, the " lip" was placed only on the bow and stern because itwas assumed that a preferred heading either would be found on the dynamicallypositioned (DP) or moored into a predominant direction so the heave cancelationcharacteristics were mainly required in head seas. In addition, since drillingapplications have more supply/crane operations from the sides, both offshoreand at the quay, the extra width was removed from the side of thepontoons. For the production application during hurricanes, no preferred directionalitycan be assumed, and with a slightly deeper draft (greater distance to supplyboat hulls) and less supply boat activity, the " lip" was placed on all foursides to give the hull its omni-directionality. The drilling series were further " OPTI-mized" with the unique five-sided columnshape with its inherent benefits for structural integrity, stability, andvortex induced motion (VIM) behavior.

Abstract This paper provides an overview of the Who Dat development. The Who Dat fieldis located in the Mississippi Canyon protraction area of the Gulf of Mexico inblocks 503, 504 and 547 and is being developed using the OPTI-EXsemisubmersible floating production system (FPS) which has a capacity of 60MBOPD and 150 MMCFD. The Who Dat discovery is primarily oil and consists of tenstacked amplitude-supported reservoirs in a salt withdrawal mini-basin. Threewells have been drilled to date penetrating over 700' of net pay in ninedistinct reservoirs ranging in depth from 12,000' to 17,000' TVD. The fieldwill be developed with twelve subsea wells (i.e. wet trees) flowing to threesubsea manifolds and subsequently to the FPS via two infield flowloops usingflexible risers. The project includes a 10" gas export line and 14" oil exportline also using flexible risers. The paper covers the exploration phase including evaluating the prospect priorto the lease sale and adjusting the delineation plan based on the discoverywell. The paper also covers the development concept selection including theevolution of the project from a long subsea tieback to a new FPS, thechallenges of utilizing an FPS that was built on a speculative basis(modifications required, regulatory approval), and contracting strategy(negotiation of an installment purchase and managing uncertainty in apost-Macondo environment). This development represents a number of firsts: first time that a privatecompany will own an FPS, first time the OPTI-EX semisubmersible FPS will beused, first time an FPS has been approved for installation post-Macondo, firsttime an FPS has been built on speculation, and first time a field has gone fromconcept selection to installation of a new FPS in less than a year. Theproject's accelerated schedule created challenges since numerous items were oncritical path, including items that are typically nowhere near criticalpath. New Seismic Shows Previous Wells were Drilled in Poor Locations. There were a number of amplitudes (bright spots on the seismic data) that werepreviously identified in the Who Dat Area. The objective section, LowerPliocene though Upper Miocene had been drilled in offset blocks MC 460/502/546. The wells were drilled in these blocks from 1985–1998 and found thin and/orpoor quality hydrocarbon bearing sands. Operators presumably assumed that theresults of these wells meant that all of the amplitudes in the area were thinand uneconomic which is the likely reason British Borneo allowed blockMississippi Canyon Block 503 (MC 503) to expire without drilling a well. Withthe release of the TGS MC Revival PSTM 3 D data set in the spring of 2004 overthis area, the poor placement of these wells and the thin pay results werebetter explained. This did not alleviate the risk of finding thin pays in otherwells but LLOG felt it could explain the poor result.

SS "Floating Offshore LNG" - Operational Experience With Ship To Ship (STS) Transfer Of LNG Patrick Englebert Patrick Englebert Exmar Search for other works by this author on: This Site Google Scholar Paper presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, May 2009. Paper Number: OTC-19854-MS https://doi.org/10.4043/19854-MS Published: May 04 2009 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Get Permissions Search Site Citation Englebert, Patrick. "SS "Floating Offshore LNG" - Operational Experience With Ship To Ship (STS) Transfer Of LNG." Paper presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, Texas, May 2009. doi: https://doi.org/10.4043/19854-MS Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll ProceedingsOffshore Technology ConferenceOTC Offshore Technology Conference Search Advanced Search AbstractThe paper describes the design, installation and operation of a Ship to Ship (STS) transfer system for LNG. It addresses the qualification of the cryogenic hoses and the emergency-disconnect couplings as well as the operational procedures for the berthing and transfer operation offshore.The system uses 'standard' components, adapted only where needed for its new function. The operational procedures for berthing offshore have a long and proven track record in the oil lightering industry. The net result is a simple and cost effective solution for offshore transfer of LNG, developed in a fast and efficient manner and already proven with more than 10 commercial operations. Keywords: modification, freight & logistics services, transfer operation, operation, saddle, offshore technology conference, lng, liquified natural gas, lngrv, lngc Subjects: Natural Gas Conversion and Storage, Liquified natural gas (LNG) This content is only available via PDF. 2009. Offshore Technology Conference You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.