ContiTech signs deal to produce cryogenic LNG hoses

ERJ staff report (DS)

Grimsby, UK -- The ContiTech subsidiary Dunlop Oil & Marine Ltd., Grimsby, UK, has concluded an agreement with the Dutch Bluewater Energy Services BV, Amsterdam, to develop and produce special cryogenic hoses for loading tanks with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Bluewater holds key licenses from BHP Billiton for this technology and will be responsible for the development of technology transfer solutions.

LNG is transported and stored at about -160°C since under these conditions it has just 1/600 of its usual volume. Accordingly, the requirement for the connecting hoses between the floating production unit (FPU) and the tankers is exceptionally demanding. The LNG hose must not only remain flexible at temperatures below the freezing point, they must also withstand pressures of up to 20 bar. Hoses primarily with 8-inch diameter have been used up to now in side by side applications and in environmentally calm conditions. In the future ContiTech will market hoses of up to 24 inches, thus shortening the loading times substantially and allowing loading to take place using much larger vessels and in more demanding environmental conditions.

"The demand and hence need for transport of LNG is a rapidly growing market from which we aim to profit from in the future," said Dr. A.R. Kambiez Zandiyeh, General Manager of Dunlop Oil & Marine, at the signing of the agreement in Hanover. "Many countries are converting their power stations from coal to climate-friendly LNG. Demand for LNG is rising in particular in Asia." Japan and South Korea are the largest importers of LNG. By 2015, 370 million tonnes of LNG are to be traded annually worldwide.

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Press release from ContiTech