Onshore LNG Membrane Tanks Approved in Canada
The new Canadian Standard for LNG Production, Storage and Handling now includes and recognizes the membrane tank system as a possible technology for the land storage of LNG in Canada, reported Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), a designer of membrane containment systems for the maritime transportation and LNG.
The membrane containment system technology has been integrated into the newly published Canadian Standard CSA Z276 2015 edition. This request initiated originally from the LNG community to meet the challenges of LNG export projects in remote locations. Recent LNG export developments in British Columbia and other Canadian provinces sought solutions meeting the high standards of the LNG industry, but with advantages in schedule, cost and local work content.
The inclusion of the membrane containment tank language took more than two years, following the CSA process, including public review. The technology inclusion has been realized in collaboration with world LNG tank and LNG facility safety experts, from major EPC companies, as well as oil and gas majors. The language takes into account the latest international tank design standards, such as API 625, API 620 and ACI 376, as well as EN 14620.
"Full Canadian acceptance of the membrane containment technology for onshore LNG tanks will definitely assist developers in evaluation of the full range of options for onshore LNG storage. The GTT Membrane Full Integrity technology for LNG land storage will provide cost and schedule advantages, as well as a smaller footprint and local labor optimization, all without compromising safety," said Philippe Berterottière, chairman and CEO of GTT. "We are already working on the detailed design for the first membrane LNG tank in Canada."