Development Of An Innovative Methodology For Layout Optimization Of An Offshore LNG Terminal

The design of offshore regasification terminals requires measuring against complex issues, related to tasks having reference to the exposed position of the mooring platforms: common operations such as ship handling, mooring and working with loading arms might become challenging and need to be carefully approached since preliminary design phases, in order to ensure smooth operations of the future terminal. Terminal Alpi Adriatico is proposing a project of an LNG regasification terminal, based on a GBS located in the Gulf of Trieste, having a regasification capacity of 8 BCM of gas per year, with a mooring platform where LNG carriers will berth and discharge through loading arms. RINA has been performing a wide study, aimed at verifying or defining basic design data, such as terminal location and orientation, storage capacity, loading arms type, mooring layout, with the objective of enhancing terminal availability and optimizing terminal layout. The design optimization has been carried out adopting a methodology which RINA has been developing in the last couple of years by adding one by one a quite high number of specialist studies, which are interconnected one to the others and which merge together to the execution of a logistic simulation of the operations, which is the tool used for decision making. This methodology has been developed in the frame of the research project O&G-1, named "Development of tools and methods for an analytical approach to feasibility assessment of oil & gas marine terminal". The paper outlines the challenges of the project and is focused on the description of the methodology applied