Current plans call for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the Golar Freeze, to be converted into a floating terminal, and docked at a purpose-built jetty in the Jebel Ali Port near Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Golar will operate the vessel. Dubai Supply Authority (Dusup) will operate the jetty and the high pressure export line into Dubai to supply needed gas during high energy demand months in the summer.
“Floating storage and regasification units are the ultimate example of reuse and innovation,” said Tor Jahren, project manager of ship conversions for Golar. “We are looking forward to working side-by-side with Emerson Process Management on the vessel conversion as we trust they have knowledge of the onboard systems and the required capabilities in digital process automation.”
Built in 1977, the Golar Freeze is only the fourth traditional LNG vessel to undergo a regasification conversion. Golar and Emerson engineering teams will work side-by-side in Norway on the execution of the project. Conversion is planned to begin in fourth quarter of 2009. The converted Golar Freeze will be capable of storing 125,000 cubic meters of LNG and delivering up to 480 MMscf/d (13 MMcm/d) of regasified LNG to Dusup for delivery into the Dubai gas network.
“Golar is a leader in the FSRU market and will inevitably prove to be the innovators of tomorrow,” said David Dunbar, president of Emerson Process Management Europe. “We are pleased that Emerson’s advanced PlantWeb technology will play a vital role in the cost-effective and safe delivery of natural gas in Dubai.”
The Golar Freeze will make use of Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture for process control, power management, and safety instrumented systems. PlantWeb components in the mainstream process and power management systems include the DeltaV digital automation system, AMS Suite predictive maintenance software, Fisher control valves with FIELDVUE digital valve controllers, and Rosemount pressure, level and flow transmitters.
Components in Emerson’s smart safety instrumented system (SIS) include the DeltaV SIS system, Fisher FIELDVUE SIS digital valve controllers for Fisher valves, and Rosemount SIS measurement instruments.
PlantWeb architecture has an extensive track record of ensuring a fast startup, lowering installation costs, controlling energy costs, and improving operations and maintenance. Wärtsilä Corporation, an Emerson alliance partner, will replace the main switchboard on the vessel and in addition provide new 6kV and 440V switchboards for the regasification plant.
Last year, the two companies expanded their alliance to deliver integrated energy and automation systems for Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels.
