Project Summary
TADEK partnered with Rhizome Energy to develop the concept design of an offshore LNG terminal for an undisclosed end client in Kamchatka, Russia. The project involved development of a multi-buoy mooring system to support Ship-To-Ship LNG transfer operations in a challenging Arctic environmental conditions.
The Challenge
TADEK were approached to perform an overall mooring concept and FEED study to develop the optimal design for a facility allowing the LNG transfers between two LNG carriers through STS transfer. The project required a mooring arrangement which:
- Addressed safety risks identified in the original design
- Limited vessel movement during STS operations
- Ensured high berth availability by managing extreme environmental and ice loading
- Met OCIMF, IACS, and SIGTTO requirements
TADEK‘s Role
Led the concept development and pre-FEED design of the terminal, acting as offshore and marine engineering consultant fully responsible for establishing the most appropriate design procedures, the assessment and validation criteria:
- Terminal moorings overview and conception
- Environmental and vessel load assessments
- MBM system concept development
- Buoy, chain, and anchor design
- Dynamic mooring analysis in OrcaFlex
- Operability and standards compliance verification
Our Approach
TADEK applied a holistic approach, bringing together client requirements, industry guidance and numerical analysis to develop the best solution. The project went through steps providing a clear decision-making process:
- Definition of design criteria and operational philosophy
- Screening and evaluation of alternative mooring configurations
- LNG carriers environmental loads and response analysis
- Design and development of bespoke square mooring buoy and mooring components
- Full dynamic simulation of operational and survival load cases
Outcomes
The study confirmed that a six-buoy MBM configuration could safely support LNG ship-to-ship transfer operations under the site’s environmental conditions by:
- Resolution of key safety and operability concerns
- Stable and standards-compliant system performance
- Verification of acceptable vessel excursions and mooring loads
- Specification of mooring buoys and components for easy procurement and practical assembly
- Progression toward FEED engineering with confidence
