CNG ships soon?

    • CNG ships soon?

      Hi guys. I was away on summer vacation.

      I have been reading for a few years that the world's first CNG ship has been approved for construction. The news was back in Sept 2006.
      The design was by Sea NG Corporation.

      I am looking to find our if any of these CNG ships have been built already. Any help wil be appreciated. :S

    • CNG ship designs

      There are 3 types of CNG ship designs mentioned at the Coselle website <link removed>

      It says : "Sea NG can adapt capacity to project needs with a flexible CNG fleet consisting of ships that contain 16, 25, 84, and larger numbers of Coselle transportation and storage modules."

      There have been some papers from some other sources about CNG storage and offloading ships too.

      I am also looking for more information on whether any of the CNG ships have been ordered.. :S

    • EnerSea advances development of two CNG transport projects

      The article below is an extract from <link removed> dated June 2004

      EnerSea Transport is advancing its efforts into the next phase of two international gas development and import project proposals for the Philippines and New Zealand using EnerSea's compressed natural gas (CNG) marine transport and storage systems and services. The two gas supply projects are being led by Unocal and Oil Search, respectively. EnerSea along with Oil Search and Itochu have signed a Pre-Development Agreement to perform a comprehensive feasibility study to establish the viability of a large scale CNG transportation project to ship natural gas from Papua New Guinea (PNG) to New Zealand.

      The initiative seeks to develop a cost effective means for helping meet New Zealand's projected gas supply shortfall by providing supplies from Oil Search's extensive gas portfolio in PNG via EnerSea's gas carriers and systems. Itochu is participating as a project development partner with EnerSea and Oil Search. The joint effort is being conducted with the intention of commencing front end engineering and design (FEED) for the project before the end of 2004.

      EnerSea also confirmed that it is engaged in a major gas transport proposal with Unocal and EnerSea's maritime shipping partner, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha ("K"Line), to supply gas to the Philippines. The project initiative was recently announced at a ceremony held in Manila that included prospective gas offtakers and Philippine Department of Energy staff. Natural gas from Unocal's operations would be used initially to supply fuel for the Philippines' power generation needs. Additional volumes may also be accommodated in the future, as market demand increases and/or the project expands its service to supply additional Philippine markets.

      Commenting on the major project proposals, EnerSea Managing Director Paul Britton said, "These two opportunities reflect the steadily increasing recognition by gas developers, governments and end users of the unique value and application that CNG transport solutions can create for all shareholders in the gas chain." Katsue Yoshida, "K"Line Managing Director -- Energy Transport Division, said, "With "K"Line's long history of gas transportation, we are well prepared and fully committed to contribute to the successful implementation of these CNG projects."

      "EnerSea is pleased to be at the forefront of the CNG evolution from the development of robust and innovative technology to project implementation," Britton continued. "These project initiatives along with our other activities in places like Atlantic Canada and elsewhere clearly signal that industry now sees CNG marine transport as a global solution ready to be applied to the stranded gas challenge. We expect to implement our US-based technology not only in international markets but also here at home where we face tremendous energy supply concerns."
      CNG Carrier One Step Closer

      EnerSea Transport LLC, in association with its maritime partners, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K"Line) and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (RHI), announced that its VOTRANS gas carrier achieved "Class Approval in Principle" (AIP) from ABS (American Bureau of Shipping). This is a major milestone in the companies' ability to deliver compressed natural gas (CNG) through the world's first commercial large-scale marine gas transport system of its kind. "Class Approval in Principle is further independent validation of VOTRANS' solid engineering foundation and allows us to launch our industry-leading CNG capabilities," said EnerSea's Managing Director Paul Britton.

      <link removed>
      This achievement enables EnerSea to commence commercial deployment of its VOTRANS gas transport services to the industry. With U.S. natural gas demand projected to reach 32 trillion cu. ft. by 2020, industry and government alike are seeking innovative solutions.

      "Undeveloped gas resources in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Canada, Alaska, Trinidad, Venezuela and Colombia are all ideal prospects for helping meet U.S. gas demand using EnerSea's transport services," explained Britton. EnerSea's plans for deployment will enable gas operators to begin shipping these new volumes in early 2007.

      EnerSea and its partners recently concluded a comprehensive engineering program that started in June 2002 and culminated with the AIP award for its "V800" class vessel design. The V800 is designed to carry 700 to 800 million cu.ft. (MMcf) of natural gas, depending on the specific gas composition. EnerSea intends to use this vessel to support economic gas transportation services for applications with average supply rates ranging from 300 to 500 MMcf per day to markets up to 2,500 miles away.

      VOTPANS V800* Main Particulars
      Capacity 700 MMscf (lean)
      800 MMscf (Rich)
      Length, o.a 1,004 ft. (306 m)
      Length, b.p 954.7 ft. (291 m)
      Beam 164-ft. (50 m)
      Hull depth 89.9-ft. (27.4 m)
      Full load draft 33.9 ft. (10.3 m)
      Lightship draft 24.6 ft. (7.5 m)
      Full load displacement 120,300 mt
      Lightship displacement 87,900 mt
      Gas cargo weight 19,600 mt
      Deadweight 40,600 mt
      Service speed 18 knots
      Crew 36
      Classification ABS
      October 2003

      EnerSea also offers V600 and VIOOO vessel classes that will enable the company to support production rates ranging from 150 to 700 MMcf per day over distances up to 3,000 miles. The ability to safely and efficiently operate and manage gas fleets is of paramount importance to EnerSea. "K"Line joined EnerSea's maritime partnership to support the engineering program and to develop vessel operations procedures. "K"Line will own and operate the initial VOTRANS vessels by way of dedicated time charter agreements.

      VOTRANS utilizes EnerSea's patented and proprietary technology with design storage pressures of well less than 2,000 psi. EnerSea's team was able to dramatically reduce the thickness and weight of the steel required for the containment system, thus increasing storage efficiency and reducing overall cost.

      VOTRANS is designed to land natural gas via cost-effective offshore gas ports, thus eliminating the need for expensive new onshore gas terminals which are more difficult to pen-nit and build. Other important participants in EnerSea's engineering program included Paragon Engineering and A.C. McClure Naval Architects, both of which have been involved from the beginning in EnerSea's VOTRANS development.

      EnerSea has developed a range of vessel size classes, including the V600 and VIOOO for smaller and larger transport needs, respectively, to provide clients with an optimum gas delivery solution. These vessels may be further tailored to confidently meet a project's unique and demanding transport requirements, such as specific capacity, gas composition, sea state and loading and offloading rates.

    • CNG ships soon?

      Sea NG Corporation announced today that the American Bureau of Shipping ("ABS") has approved for construction its Coselle compressed natural gas ("CNG") ship. This is the first ship and cargo system in the world for the transport of CNG to be so approved by ABS or any other international marine classification society.A major advantage of the Coselle CNG System is that it requires minimal on-shore facilities. Gas can be loaded and discharged at simple port-side pipeline facilities, which greatly reduces environmental, land-use and financial concerns. Gas can also be trans-shipped at offshore buoys if a port is not accessible. The potential market for the Coselle CNG ship is substantial... :)