Burckhardt Compression will deliver the first Laby®-GI compressor for a floating storage and regasification unit in Dubai and therefore achieve the first milestone in setting-up a compressor business for energy-efficient, environmentally friendly propulsion systems for diesel engines.
Burckhardt Compression recorded the first order from Golar LNG Limited for a Laby-GI compressor, which will be used as a boil-off gas (BOG) compressor on a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Dubai.
The Laby-GI has a unique labyrinth sealing system on piston and piston rod gland that allows oil-free and contact-free compression. The Laby-GI compressor easily manages the compression of LNG BOG at suction temperatures down to -170°C (-250°F). The gastight compressor housing eliminates gas emission and losses to the environment.
Delivery of the Laby-GI will take place in the third quarter of 2009 and commissioning at the beginning of 2010.
The “Golar Freeze”, today used as an LNG carrier, will be converted to an FSRU, which will be capable of storing ~125,000m³ of LNG and delivering up to 480 million cubic feet per day of regasified LNG to Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP) for further delivery into the Dubai gas network. Shell, as DUSUP’s appointed adviser for the project, has worked closely with Golar LNG Limited in the development of this project.
In the main application the Laby-GI is used as a fuel gas compressor to inject natural gas into the ME-GI dual fuel two stroke diesel engine from MAN Diesel. The Laby-GI has been custom engineered and optimised to supply the ME-GI dual fuel propulsion system. Several years of development together with MAN Diesel have lead to a noncomplex compressor system with a sophisticated control system and lowest demands on the crew for operating and maintenance.
Using the Laby-GI as a BOG compressor on an FSRU is an additional Laby-GI application and benefits from many technical and commercial advantages of the diesel engine carriers application.
Due to a delayed build-up of reliquefaction capacity, the LNG carrier market is reluctant at the moment, whereas the market for floating storage and production units is continuing to grow, since the floating storage units are flexible and in comparison with the land units there are no long-lasting authorisation procedures required.
