COOL™ Hose Qualification Process of the First EN1474-2 LNG Floating Hose

Abstract

In 2005, SBM Offshore recognized that in future offshore Floating LNG Production Units, key enabling technologies would be required to ensure the safe and reliable tandem offloading to LNG Carriers. The foundation was thus laid down for the development of the COOL™ Hose: A cryogenic marine floating hose that would enable the tandem offloading between two vessels offshore. This paper presents, after an introduction to the COOL™ Hose design (Hose in Hose concept-HiH), the different steps in the qualification process following the EN1474-2 [1] guidelines and recommendations for design and testing of LNG transfer hoses. This qualification process has been endorsed by two Classification Societies ABS and DNV and has resulted in a Certificate of Fitness for Service from DNV and a Product Design Assessment Certificate from ABS making the SBM COOL™ Hose, the first EN1474-2 qualified LNG floating hose.