FSRU conversion finalised in Dubai

The Floating Storage and Re-gasification Unit has been converted from 2004 Korean-built LNG carrier Golar Frost, and is intended for a 20 year design life 12 nautical miles off the coast of north-west Italy, in the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea close to Livorno.

The 288.6m x 48m 135,000m³ Golar Frost has been at DDW in Dubai since June 2009. The yard says it is one of the most sophisticated conversion projects it has carried out. The scope of work included detailed engineering, procurement, construction, pre-commissioning and assistance to final commissioning. Among the challenges faced during the construction phase were fabrication and installation of the 600t, 25m high external turret and turret mooring system, installation of the prototype four loading arms, and lifting, installation and tie-ins for the re-gasification modules. Installation and tie-ins for the two 10,000kW STGs and installation of the articulated-type vent tower were other claimed firsts. Piping and cable installation involved the use of specialised exotic materials. Major vessel and topside works carried out were chain table replacement for the turret mooring system, side by side berthing mooring system installation, modification of cargo pump tower internal structure and installation of retractable cargo pumps, installation of the pipe rack module, and product sea water systems piping. Some 4,400t of steel was fabricated and installed.

The project has involved some 9.57 million man hours so far out of an anticipated total of 9.59 million hours. The shipyard is involved until the vessel is ready for transportation to site; it is expected to sail from the shipyard in the second quarter of 2013.