LNG transport and storage

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) plays an increasingly important role in the natural gas industry and global energy markets. The combination of higher natural gas prices, lower LNG costs, rising gas import demand, and the desire of gas exporting countries to monetize their gas reserves are setting the boundaries for an increased global LNG trade. Much of the world natural gas reserves are located in regions distant from consuming markets. Exploitation, processing, transportation and storage of the gas reserves requires high investment in safe, reliable and highly efficient infrastructure, such as LNG plants, discharging and receiving terminals. With the increasing awareness of sustainability and societal acceptance, the importance of environmental, ecological and societal aspects play an important role in the planning and operation of LNG production, transportation and storage.

Being an independent institute for water and soil-related issues, Deltares offers a range of studies to support the design of LNG facilities. This comprises research and specialised consultancy for:

Design of shore-based terminals

• Wave climate in harbours and around the entrance channel
• Layout optimization and downtime analysis
• Mooring and manoevring of LNG carriers
• Hydraulic design of breakwaters, intake and outfall structures

Design of nearshore and offshore terminals

• Operational and extreme metocean design conditions
• scour and scour protection of GBS
• geotechnical stability
• geohazards

Environmental impact assessments

• Marine ecology
• Hydrology, groundwater and water quality

Hydraulic aspects of use

• recirculation
• fireprotection systems
• cooling water pipeline system
• testing of LNG hoses