LNG problem at Samsung

Samsung Heavy Industries has detected faults that can cause gas leakages in an LNG carrier it has built for the BG Group. However, the company has made it clear that it has not found faults in other ships.

According to reports in TradeWinds, pressure tests show the secondary membrane barrier in the containment system installed on the ship could leak. The membrane containment system designed by the French company GazTransport and Technigaz (GTT) is also being used in other LNG vessels currently under construction by both Samsung and local rival Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Yoon Jong-duk, a corporate communications manager at Samsung, said, “We recently found glitches with the LNG vessel’s secondary barrier designed to prevent gas leakage and have been examining the cause since last week. But, there is no problem with the main LNG tank.”

Subsequent reports to the Korea Stock Exchange clarified that there was no LNG leakage but a suspicion of nitrogen migration. The crew of BG Gas? LNG carrier noted an increased level of nitrogen migration across the secondary barriers that exceed the manufacturer?s recommendations. However, the primary barriers in all four LNG tanks are fully intact. Samsung, in conjunction with GTT and Lloyds Register will be conducting further tests and inspections to determine the extent and cause of the nitrogen migration through the secondary barrier seal. The final result of the investigation will be published next month.