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+ LNG
TWO TOPICS,
ONE VOICE
DNV HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE LNG INDUSTRY SINCE THE 1960S, AND THE COMPANY IS WORKING
ON PROJECTS RIGHT ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF LNG ACTIVITIES. TODAY, LNG IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING
ENERGY MARKETS AROUND THE WORLD. GIVEN THE NUMBER AND SCALE OF NEW LNG PROJECTS PROPOSED OR
UNDER CONSTRUCTION, GLOBAL PRODUCTION CAPACITY COULD MORE THAN DOUBLE BY THE END OF THE DECADE.
DNV IS WORKING HARD TO SHARE ITS COMPETENCIES WITH CUSTOMERS AND THE INDUSTRY, ENSURING
LNG REMAINS A VIABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE AND SAFE ENERGY SOURCE.
TEXT: RICHIE MACTAGGART PHOTOS: NINA E. RANGØY
Another expanding area of business
for DNV concerns the growth of
the Arctic region. The United
States Geological Survey believes that the
Arctic seabed contains nearly 20% of the
world’s oil reserves and 30% of its gas
reserves. Add to that the fact that ships will
soon be able to sail across an open Arctic
Ocean during the summer months, and it
is no wonder DNV expertise in Arctic matters
is so sought after.
With these two issues very much in the
spotlight, DNV Forum decided to take the
opportunity to speak to a key player on
these topics. Rikke Lind, a Norwegian politician,
was appointed in 2005 to the position
of State Secretary of the Norwegian
Ministry of Trade and Industry. Due to
Norway’s prominence in the shipping industry,
ownership of oil and gas resources and
location close to Arctic waters, Ms Lind is
often involved in these issues both domestically
and internationally.
THE FUTURE OF LNG
Norway has taken the lead developing the “LNG
as fuel” concept for shipping. What development
do you see here in a global perspective?
Compared to other fuel sources, LNG is
good for the environment and – with the
developments being made here – good for
Norwegian business. For example, DNV
has come with many new concepts for LNGfuelled
ships, such as Triality, a concept for
new, energy-efficient tankers. DNV has
taken a lead in this area, and research
programs such as these are on-going
throughout the country.
Norway already has a leading position in the use
of LNG as a fuel, such as on ferries and supply
ships. What explains Norway’s pioneering role in
this area?
We have a long heritage as a maritime
nation, and over recent decades we have
built our competence in the energy sector.
Combining the capabilities of these two
disciplines, it is no wonder we are now taking
a global lead.
The three main efforts that explain
Norway’s pioneering role in environmental
shipping are: The NOx Fund; LNG a fuel
on ferries; and the use of LNG as fuel on
some offshore vessels.
The Norwegian government also has
an important role to play. We did work
to help with studying the distribution of
LNG, and we share our experience with
other countries in the Nordic region. We
have also met with the EU commission
and with the Russian government to pass
on our experiences and advise on how to
extend the use of LNG.
What is being done to raise the knowledge necessary
to develop infrastructure for distribution
and refuelling terminals on a global basis?
Norway has, alongside other countries and
maritime operators in Northern Europe,
financed a feasibility study that is looking
at the distribution of LNG as a marine fuel
in ports around the North Sea and Baltic
Sea. Once this study is complete it will
undoubtedly improve the knowledge, and
therefore the decision-making process, for
the authorities, ports and shipping companies
that are considering LNG as a ship
fuel.
Much of this understanding is being
gained through the pioneering work in a
number of ports, and the report highlights
these as examples that others can benefit
from. A project being undertaken at the
LNG terminal in Gothenburg is an exam-
20 – no 01 2012