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Chiksan Marine Loading Arms

Enhanced for Application

In Exposed Areas

C.A.C. Van der Valk & J.J.M. Vreeburg

Shell Global Solutions International B.V.

R. Le Devehat & J.C. Cartereau

FMC Technologies

LNG-14, Doha, Qatar, March 21-24, 2004

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Side-by-side Loading Is Preferred Option

- Least introduction

of new technologies

- Compatible with

mid-ship Manifolds

-Applied for LPG

- Benign metocean conditions required

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LPG Loading in Early 70s Loading of Crude Oil

Examples of Side-by-side Loading

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Study of Relative Motions Between Vessels

Relative motions

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Marine Loading Arm in Offshore Environment

Inertia forces on Loading Arm structure

Larger rotations of swivels and bearings

High flow rate in hydraulic system

Connecting operations under motions

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New Connecting Mechanism

LNG Carrier

Guide Cable

Acquisition Winch

Alignment Cone

Receiving Spool

Barge

Pulley

Constant Tension

Winch

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Semi-automated Connecting Procedure

- Connect cable using messenger line

- Command for tension on cable

- Command for crawling of QC/DC

- Command for reducing the tension in cable

(small tension is left to avoid slack conditions)

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Full Scale Testing of Loading Arm

Dynamic test

bench representing

the manifold on the

LNG CarrierMotion envelope:

4 m x 5 m

Manifold flange

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Testing of Connecting Operation

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Hydraulic QC/DC With Seal Protection

Protection Ring

Seal

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QC/DCERS

Rotation System

Box with

Acquisition Winch

Components of Connector Assembly

Guide Cable

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Cable Release After Emergency Disconnection

Barge BargeLNGC

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High Level of Safety

Less potential for human errors

- Minimum manual interference

(connecting of guide cable only)

- Control of only one hydraulic system

(command to acquisition winch)

- Automatic centering of flanges

(using alignment cones)

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Test Results

Insight into dynamic response of system

(oscillations and load fluctuations)

Functionality of newly added equipment,

mechanisms, and hydraulic and electrical

control systems

Logic of methods and procedures

(operator handling and communications)

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Validation and Calibration

of a Numerical Design Tool

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Application of Numerical Design Tool

To analyze Loading Arms with different

sizes and weight distributions (inertia

effects) To analyze effects of different berth

positions and freeboard heights of LNG

Carriers

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Conclusions

The Chiksan Marine Loading Arm has beensuccessfully enhanced with a mechanism for

connecting under severe dynamic conditions

The new connecting procedure provides lesspotential for human error

The new system opens opportunities for offshore

LNG production and regasification units,

exposed jetties, and avoidance of breakwaters.