Connect LNG, Equinor and Naturgy Complete Jettyless LNG Transfer

In December 2018, Connect LNG conducted an offshore marine operation with the UTS jettyless transfer system “La Santa Maria” in Norway, together with Spanish utility company, Naturgy Energy Group, and the Norwegian energy company, Equinor.

The operation took place offshore Langesund in Norway, an area renowned for harsh weather during winter time. During this day, the weather gave mild winds and waves up to one-meter significant waves height, however the wake from passing cruise ships generated both considerable swell and waves. During this day, UTS demonstrated its ability to cope well with swell.

“Remarkably, the unit performed better than expected with very gentle movements and interaction with the ship hull. Hook-up time, towing and tug operation was also more efficient than expected,” said CTO David M. Knutsen from Connect LNG.

This operation demonstrated the Universal Transfer System’s (UTS’) ability to operate in Arctic conditions with below zero degrees air temperatures during the day of operation. Furthermore, “La Santa Maria” was connected to an Equinor chartered LPG vessel.

As of today, the UTS has been connected to three completely different vessels; an LNG carrier (15,600 cbm), an LPG carrier (12,600 cbm) and an offshore supply vessel as well as five totally different tug boats and three different ports.

“This further validates the versatility of the system and support Connect LNG’s vision of providing flexible cost efficient jettyless technology to clients worldwide”, says Connect LNG’s Chief Innovation Officer, Stian Magnusson.

The operation was performed on time and according to careful planning involving local authorities and third-party surveyors. The approval process for the marine operation took less than four weeks to obtain, including permissions to conduct the operation in a nature reserve. In addition to previous permitting processes for the UTS at various sites in Norway, it further proves the UTS’s unique features with its limited interaction with local environment and high degree of safety in order to satisfy local and national requirements, thus obtaining permits in record time.

A short recap; Connect LNG together with Naturgy Energy Group performed the world’s first LNG transfer through a jettyless system in October 2017 where a cargo of LNG was delivered to Herøya Industrial Park. “La Santa Maria” is currently stationed in Norway and used for operations while it awaits her final transportation to a greenfield project in the Americas for Naturgy.