To better understand the consequences of an accidental LNG release, the industry has asked DNV GL to initiate a Joint Industry Project (JIP).
The JIP will be run in collaboration with E&P companies and LNG market stakeholders. The JIP will contribute to the development of rigorous safety standards and guidelines for small scale LNG bunkering and filling stations. Other E&P and energy companies can still join.
Small-Scale LNG Challenges
Despite the well-established large scale LNG market, challenges remain regarding the development of a small scale LNG sector, for example: quality management, material specification, metering and sampling methods and lack of safety standards and guidelines.
To address this, regulation authorities in European countries such as the Netherlands and UK are currently working on issuing standards for safe design, siting, construction and operation of LNG filling stations.
LNG Behaviour Following a System Failure
Now, DNV GL will team up with industry partners to simulate several credible failure scenarios at small-scale LNG bunkering and filling stations at its Spadeadam test centre in the UK. These experiments will gather data to study and understand LNG behaviour (discharge, vaporization, dispersion and flammable effects) following a system failure (puncture/rupture of a transfer hose or catastrophic rupture of a storage tank).
The experimental programme will also include tests of a demonstrative nature needed to quantify certain major hazards. The project will therefore provide information needed to carry out a quantitative risk assessment.
Picture: Anthony Veder's dual-fuel ice class 1A LNG carrier, the Coral Energy (by SWZ Maritime/G.J. de Boer).
