ClassNK updates its guidelines for floating offshore facilities

ClassNK has released the latest version of its Guidelines for Floating Offshore Facilities for LNG/LPG Production, Storage, Offloading, and Regasification (Second Edition).

The classification society released the first edition of the guidelines in February 2011 in response to a growing need for clear technical guidelines for the construction and survey of gas floating, production storage and offloading units (FPSOs).? Recent years have also seen a rise in floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) projects. These offshore gas facilities have been gaining popularity due to their low cost (less than half the cost of an equivalent onshore facility) and their advantage of being able to move wherever demand is the highest for regasification.

In light of this industry trend, ClassNK has clarified its guidelines to include FSRUs as well as FPSOs. As many of these facilities are often located close to shore, the amendments include design conditions, which take into consideration the possibility and effects of tsunamis on offshore gas facilities. Tsunamis which occurred in the past at the specified operation site are to be investigated and the maximum tsunami that can occur at the site is to be taken into account during the design process.

The Guidelines for Floating Offshore Facilities for LNG/LPG Production, Storage, Offloading, and Regasification are available on the ClassNK website for ClassNK ‘My Page’ users.

Edited from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/27022015/classnk-updates-its-guidelines-for-floating-offshore-facilities-337/