Floating Reliquification Units Vs Liquiquified Natural Gas Carriers

Compression Between FSRUs and LNGC vessels

1. Analysis of FSRUs and LNGCs Exploring Design, Operations, Flexibility, Economics, and Strategic Importance By: Yawar A. Pathan ChEngr (Marine) | MIMarEST | CertIOSH ISO 9001/140001/450001/50001 LA

2. Engine Types Overview for FRSU’s Vs LNGCs LNG Carriers (LNGCs) Key Priorities: Fuel efficiency for long voyages. Low emissions to meet IMO regulations. Effective boil-off gas (BOG) management. Best Engines for LNGCs: MEGI Engines: Best-in-class thermal efficiency and reduced methane slip make MEGI engines ideal for new-generation LNG carriers focused on efficiency and environmental performance. XDF Engines: Slightly less efficient than MEGI but more cost-effective and simpler, XDF engines are widely adopted for LNGCs. DFDE Engines: Still used on older LNGCs, DFDE engines provide flexibility but lag behind MEGI and XDF in terms of efficiency and emissions. Steam Turbines: While reliable, steam turbines are largely obsolete due to high fuel consumption and inefficiency. Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) Key Priorities: Stationary or semi-permanent operations with limited propulsion needs. Efficient energy use for onboard systems like regasification and power generation. Reliable use of boil-off gas (BOG). Best Engines for FSRUs: MEGI Engines (Limited Use): While not standard for FSRUs, MEGI engines may be used on shuttle regasification units that require both propulsion and regasification capability. DFDE Engines: The flexibility of DFDE systems can be advantageous for FSRUs that occasionally function as LNG carriers or require additional power generation capacity. Steam Turbines: Rarely seen on modern FSRUs due to inefficiency, although their ability to use boil-off gas as fuel aligns with the operational requirements of some stationary units.

3. Practical Examples from Industry Pioneers Q-Flex and Q-Max LNG Carriers owned by Qatar Gas for Nakilat equipped with MEGI engines, installed with BOG plant to convert Cargo Boiloff into Liquid during long haul transport, hence minimizes Cargo Loss and enhances cost efficiency. NYK’s LNG carrier equipped with DFDE propulsion system, utilizing BOG as fuel reducing emissions and reliance on Heavy fuel Oil. Importing LNG from southeast Asia to Japan and South Korea. MOL’s LNG carrier with WinGD X-DF engines demonstrates industry transition toward newer propulsion technologies to meet sustainability goals while ensuring operational efficiency. ADNOC LNG carriers equipped with Steam Turbines, utilizing BOG as fuel in High Pressure boilers producing steam to run propulsion turbines. Transporting LNG’s from UAE to Japan for past 20 years. BW Group’s MAGNA FSRU is an advance type FSRU enabling supply of energy to countries like Brazil without construction of onshore LNG infrastructure. Pakistan’s Port Qasim FSRU is meeting the growing energy needs due to insufficient domestic natural gas production. LNG being imported from Qatar and through FSRU supplied for domestic use and power plants for industrial use.

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