CH·IV International has provided engineering services relating to the design and operation of baseload LNG facilities since its founding in 1991. Some of CH·IV's strengths include:
OVERVIEW OF CH·IV CAPABILITIES
1. In-depth understanding and experience in LNG systems and safety and marine logistics:
- CH·IV has provided consulting services to some of the major vendors of LNG equipment.
- CH·IV is recognized as a top quality provider of independent design review and troubleshooting services for LNG systems and equipment.
- This core competence in component engineering makes CH·IV particularly effective in:
- Technical due diligence,
- Design reviews, fabrication audits, and oversight of acceptance testing, and
- Specification and integration of new and challenging systems.
2. Rigorous and systematic design review methodology includes:
- Careful control of the scope of the review to focus on critical issues;
- Emphasis on interfaces: technical systems interfaces, supplier scope interfaces, external project interfaces;
- Identification of critical design inputs and issues early in the design review process;
- Systematic tracking of issues through closure; and
- Clear and careful communication of review status and results.
3. Selective application of world-class, specialized technical expertise in areas such as:
- LNG terminal operations
- LNG tanker operations
- LNG storage tank design
- Cryogenic pump and compressor design and operation
- LNG facility siting and permitting
- Waste heat/waste cold utilization
- Vapor handling evaluations
- Through our parent company, MPR, we also can provide expertise in:
- materials and corrosion engineering,
- thermodynamics,
- water chemistry and treatment,
- structural mechanics,
- instrumentation and controls,
- electrical systems, and
- emissions controls.
TYPICAL OWNER'S ENGINEER ACTIVITY IN LNG TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Site Selection
- Research location of resources required to support LNG development (land, marine access, pipeline take-away capacity, electrical transmission access, zoning, etc.),
- Map review of potential sites,
- On-site survey of potential locations,
- Review of potential thermal exchange partners, and
- Evaluation and ranking of potential sites.
2. Site Due Diligence
- Collect available information concerning previous site use, including geotechnical information and sub-surface obstructions,
- Collect information concerning site water resources, including existing wells, surface waters, and municipal/industrial water sources,
- Collect marine access details such as existing traffic, mean low water draft available, air draft obstructions, channel width, etc.,
- Identify applicable zoning and permitting requirements for the site,
- Collect information on the potential thermal exchange for the site,
- Review gas (and electric) transportation capacity in the area of the site,
- Characterize the ability of the planned facility to fit the available land, and
- Evaluate the major impacts on project feasibility to determine the acceptability of the project site for development.
3. Conceptual Engineering
- Prepare alternative designs and perform initial sizing of components,
- Develop heat balance for site,
- Prepare conceptual engineering report including process flow diagrams and material balances, detailed project schedule, construction cost estimate, and O&M cost estimate,
- Support development of detailed project proforma and financing approval,
- Prepare project description and inputs for air and water permit modeling, and
- Coordinate site land survey and geotechnical sampling performed by others.
4. Preliminary Engineering
- Obtain specific component operating characteristics for site from vendors,
- Develop project specific specification for major components,
- Coordinate development of additional owner permits and update information in existing permits, as necessary,
- Prepare site drainage and surface run-off containment drawings,
- Detail interface requirements with connecting pipelines utilities or thermal exchange partners,
- Finalize component selection, project cost estimates, and project schedule,
- Prepare EPC (engineer, procure, and construct) specification,
- Define contractor guarantees for facility performance (LNG tank heat leak, facility fuel utilization, total facility electrical power consumption), emissions control, maintenance, operation, documentation, and training,
- Prepare preliminary engineering report documenting details of plant design, and
- Provide technical support to evaluate bids and award EPC scope of work.
5. Detailed Design and Construction Support Engineering
- Perform technical review of specifications, drawings, and engineering calculations performed by EPC,
- Provide on-site engineering support of construction activities, including initial site preparation,
- Technical resolution of problems during unit construction,
- Provide independent assessment of project schedule and corrective actions to ensure schedule compliance,
- Review and approve proposed field changes to design,
- Maintain project files during construction and review EPC as-built information,
- Evaluate change orders to EPC scope, and
- Coordinate activities between EPC, vendors and other organizations.
6. Start-Up Support Engineering
- Technical resolution of problems during unit start-up,
- Provide independent assessment of activity schedule during start-up,
- Review test procedures for acceptance testing of performance and emissions,
- Review results of acceptance testing for performance and emissions,
- Prepare and provide operator/technician training, and
- Maintain punchlist of items to be corrected by the EPC.
OTHER DETAILS OF CH·IV CAPABILITIES INCLUDE:
- The drafting department uses AutoCAD 2000 (with translation to other versions and drafting programs available).
- 3-D modeling capability for both analysis and drafting; architectural (artist's concept) drawings for LNG facilities are produced with this capability.
- LNG shipping modeling is performed using CH·IV-developed proprietary software. We also can perform modeling of LNG vapor dispersion from LNG spills and thermal radiation from LNG fires.
- Cost estimating is performed using LNG import facility-specific, CH·IV developed, software that is adaptable to the format requirements of client proforma evaluations.
- Project scheduling is typically performed using Microsoft Project. Other PC based software such as TimeLine and Primevera can also be used as required.
RELATED EXPERIENCE
A quick review of the list that follows will show that CH·IV International is and has been involved in a number of active, major LNG projects as well as other projects supporting the claim of "The LNG Specialists." This list of current activities includes the very recent reactivation of the fourth U.S. LNG import terminal, Cove Point; successfully supporting the permitting process of three new import terminals (Cameron, Louisiana and two Baja, Mexico projects); Owner's Engineering supporting a world-class LNG export project (Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea) and project management of a California offshore LNG import terminal for Crystal Energy.
Project: South Riding Point
Client: FPL Group Resources
Date: 2004 to Present
Scope: Owner's Engineer for FPL during FEED phase.
Project: Port Arthur LNG Terminal
Client: Sempra Energy International
Date: 2004 to Present
Scope: Owner's Engineer for Sempra Operations during FEED phase .
Project: TORP (Terminal Offshore Regas Plant)
Client: Remora Technologies
Date: 2004 to Present
Scope: Developing DWPA permit submission and providing technical oversight on Remora's offshore LNG importation concept.
Project: Costa Azul LNG Terminal
Client: Sempra Energy International
Date: 2003 to Present
Scope: Owner's Engineer for Sempra during FEED phase for their Baja, Mexico import and regasification terminal project.
Project: Confidential East Coast Gas Import Terminal
Client: Confidential
Date: 2003 to Present
Scope: Provided site due diligence, conceptual design and feasibility study for an integrated LNG/CNG with underground storage project.
Project: Crystal Clearwater Port
Client: Crystal Energy
Date: 2002 to Present
Scope: Project management, public outreach, preliminary design and DWPA permitting support to Crystal Energy on their offshore LNG regasification facility located on Platform Grace.
Project: Cove Point LNG Terminal - Reactivation
Client: Dominion Resources
Date: 2003
Scope: Prepared/presented 3-week "LNG Basics" Technician training for reactivation of the Cove Point LNG Terminal. Training included 2-binder supporting textbook. Prepared and supported 2-week "Operations" training. Prepared 130-page "Pre-Cool Procedure" for testing integrity of LNG transfer system. Prepared 150-page "Reactivation/Start-Up Manual" which led to the first unloading of an LNG tanker at Cove Point in over 20 years.
Project: Cameron LNG Terminal
Client: Sempra Energy International
Date: 2002 to Present
Scope: FERC permit support and Owner's Engineer for Sempra during FEED phase for their Cameron, LA import and regasification terminal project.
Project: Bioko Island LNG Facility
Client: Marathon Oil Company
Date: 2002 to Present
Scope: Evaluated liquefaction technologies and Owner's Engineer during the FEED of this greenfield 3.7 mmtpa baseload LNG export project.
Project: LNG Facility - Regulatory Oversight
Client: State of Connecticut DPUC
Date: 2002 - Present
Scope: Providing regulatory oversight for a new LNG peakshaving facility to be built by Yankee Gas in Waterbury, Connecticut. The work will include RFP, engineering FEED and detailed design review; on-sight construction inspection oversight services and various engineering inspection services.
Project: Tijuana Regional Energy Center
Client: Marathon Oil Company
Date: 2001 to present
Scope: Defining and reviewing engineering studies and system design by FEED engineering contractor in the contractor's offices, including facility integration alternatives, systems/equipment definition, environmental issues and site layout. CH·IV is providing valuable input to owner to assure the best possible design to meet project objectives. Currently awaiting kick-off of post-permit work.
Project: Lake Charles LNG Terminal - Expansion
Client: SUG Trunkline (formerly CMS Energy)
Date: 2001 - Present
Scope: Reviewing engineering design by engineering contractor. Assisting in preparation of data for FERC filing. Provided conceptual design and cost estimate of gas turbine generator waste heat recovery to be submitted with the FERC filing. Reviewing most plant systems for adequacy in supporting plant expansion. Provided studies on alternatives for waste heat utilization and optimization of existing gas recondensing system. Provided alternative PFD.
Project: Dahej LNG Import Facility
Client: SBI Banking Consortia
Date: 2003
Scope: Provided Lender's Engineering and technical support to an assessment and evaluation of the Petronet LNG import terminal and regasification facilities project under construction in Dahej, Gujarat, India. The 5.0 mmtpa capacity plant is scheduled to start up in December 2003.
Project: EcoElectrica LNG Import/Power Facility (Puerto Rico) - RAM Study
Client: EcoElectrica
Date: 2002
Scope: Provided reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM) study in association with parent company (MPR Associates). CH·IV was responsible for the LNG systems in the facility.
Project: EcoElectrica Power Facility (Puerto Rico) - Due Diligence
Client: Confidential
Date: 2002
Scope: Provided due diligence on purchase of the first dedicated LNG-powered independent power producer.
Project: LNG Import Terminal - Altamira, Mexico
Client: Confidential
Date: 2001
Scope: Reviewed third-party produced conceptual design package. Included in the review were: Design basis, technical and process description, PFD, plot plan and exclusion zone drawing and budgetary costs.
Project: Hackberry, LA Import Terminal Project - Due Diligence Investigation
Client: Sempra Energy International
Date: 2002
Scope: Reviewed project design and permitting status, determined validity of current FEED package including: process design, site layout, equipment selection, contract issues, cost and schedule. CH·IV subsequently advised client of the impact to the project of the investigation results.
Project: Baja Mexico LNG Import Terminal - Owner's Engineer
Client: Gas Natural Baja California, S. de R.L. de C.V.
Date: 2002
Scope: Prepared Design Basis and Operating Philosophy documents and assisted in preparation of Request for Quotation to provide Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) package.
Project: Enron LNG-Related Assets - Due Diligence
Client: Confidential
Date: 2002
Scope: Provided due diligence of various Enron-owned LNG-related assets under control of bankruptcy court. Responsibilities included 1) reviewing EPC bid and cost estimate for construction of the Bahamas LNG import terminal project; 2) Technical evaluation of the LPG extraction process proposed for the Bahamas; 3) Evaluation of the Bahamas to Florida high pressure submarine pipeline; and 4) Preliminary reliability, availability and maintainability of Elba Island LNG facility.
Project: LNG Peakshaving Facility Retrofit
Client: Confidential
Date: 2001
Scope: Provided conceptual design for converting an existing LNG peakshaving facility to accept marine cargoes of LNG.
Project: Sacramento LNG Production Facility
Client: PG&E
Date: 2001
Scope: Provided LNG facility design and permitting assistance for new LNG production facility.
Project: Lynn (MA) LNG Facility
Client: Fleet Bank
Date: 1998 - 1999
Scope: As Lender's Engineer, provided an 80-page evaluation of the condition of the Lynn, Massachusetts peakshaving facility.
Project: Milford (CT) LNG Peakshaving Facility
Client: Panhandle Energy Corporation
Date: 1996 - 1997
Scope: Provided equipment condition study. Provided environmental risk assessment study. Provided liquefaction process evaluation and recommended alternatives to increase performance. As-built and upgraded P&IDs and electrical drawings to AutoCad. Helped draft Resource Report No. 13 and responded to FERC data requests.
Project: GLZ2 Liquefaction Complex (Arzew, Algeria)
Client: Sonatrach, as subcontractor to Tractebel Industries
Date: 1993 - 1995
Scope: Provided owner's mechanical, electrical and instrumentation engineer in the re-design of the 1,000 mmscfd GLZ2 liquefaction facility.