Floating production systems

Bureau Veritas Issues FSU, FSRU Conversion Guidelines

With interest in FSRUs and FSUs picking up, the conversion of LNG carriers offers a fast route to operational availability.

The Golar Winter FSRU
The Golar Winter FSRU was converted from an LNG carrier built in 2004.
Source: Keppel.

Bureau Veritas, a provider of testing, inspection, and certification services, has issued new and updated notations and guidance to support the construction and operation of floating storage units (FSUs) and floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs). This includes the conversion of existing LNG carriers to FSUs or FSRUs.

  • The notation FSU–LNG provides classification requirements including structure and safety aspects for floating units dedicated for LNG storage but neither designed nor built to transport LNG.

  • The notation Liquefied Gas Carrier–FSU provides classification requirements including structure and safety aspects for floating units dedicated to store LNG and also designed and built to transport LNG.

  • The guidelines LNG Carrier Conversion to FSRU or FSU address the requirements for conversion of existing LNG carriers to FSRUs or FSUs.  

Bureau Veritas last November published NR645, the first rules document dedicated to FSRUs.

The agency notes that interest in FSRUs and FSUs is growing as floating gas terminals offer operational flexibility, reduced timescales from concept to operation, and cost effectiveness compared with onshore terminals.

Currently there are more than 20 LNG carriers in laid-up condition, many of which are candidates for FSRU or FSU conversion, Bureau Veritas says.