SOFTBERTH™ - LNG Berthing System
In early 2003, Bennett team was approched to design a rather unconventional berthing system to support the offshore loading / unloading activities for LNG carriers. The goal was to design a berthing system, to which an LNG carrier would be tied alongside. After significant review and concept design, the SOFTBERTH™ system was born.
The SOFTBERTH™ system, designed in conjunction with McMoran Exploration for the Main Pass Energy Hub, is a worldwide deployable berthing system for LNG/CNG Tanker Loading Operations. The system is composed of several semi-submersible platforms. A large LNG tanker can be moored directly to the semis, close to but not touching the main platform. This design allows for compliant berthing of the vessel and provides a 95 percent berth availability under non-tropical storm conditions. The system is tuned in such a way to maintain vessel motions within the operating envelope of the unloading arms. This allows the use of conventional loading arms for the loading and unloading of LNG.
The key components of this berthing system are its utilization of semi-submersibles. Two large triangular semis adjacent to the loading / offloading platform serve as main fenders while two smaller triangular semis fore and aft of the vessel serve as mooring dolphins. All components are anchored to the sea-bed via a semi-taut mooring system which is tuned to obtain the desired motion characteristics.
Click picture below to view a short video on the Main Pass Energy Hub™ and the SOFTBERTH™ system.
Read the article about the Main Pass Energy Hub™ & SOFTBERTH™ at hydrocarbons-technology.com
Top Of Page |
