Drydocks to convert LNG carrier

Dubai: Drydocks World-Dubai, the region's premier ship repair, conversion and new building yard — and the flagship company of Drydocks World — announced that work is underway on its first Floating Storage Re-gasification Unit (FSRU) conversion project also known as the FSRU Livorno Project.

Conversion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Golar Frost into an FSRU is being handled by Saipem, the main contractor and a leading international turnkey contractor in the oil and gas industry.

It will be delivered to OLT Offshore LNG Toscana, a company operating in the Italian gas industry.

FSRUs are floating terminals where LNG is stored before being re-gasified on board. The Golar Frost will be converted into a floating LNG receiving terminal of FSRU type to be permanently moored offshore Livorno, Italy, approximately 12 miles from the coast in a water depth of about 120 metres and connected to shore through a gas export pipeline.

It will have a storage capacity of 137,000 cubic metres of LNG and a production capacity of 3.75 billion standard cubic metres per annum.

Limited projects

FSRU conversion is one of the very few such projects undertaken by shipyards across the world. Drydocks World-Dubai began work in June 2009 and plans to complete it by mid-2010. Nawal Saigal, Managing Director, Drydocks World-Dubai, said: "The FSRU Livorno conversion is a prestigious assignment for us.

"It is the largest and most advanced FSRU in the market. Drydocks World-Dubai has collaborated with Saipem on many projects ... and we appreciate their confidence in our maritime engineering expertise and manpower excellence.

"We are confident that this project will further strengthen Dubai's reputation as a global leader in the ship conversion industry."

The conversion of LNG carriers includes fabrication and installation of structures such as turret mooring system, aft thruster compartment, foundations of cranes and loading arms, bilge keel and foundations for equipment..