The Republic of Malta, located in the Mediterranean Sea, has traditionally been reliant on diesel and heavy fuel oil for its power generation; these facilities no longer satisfy present-day European environmental legislation and provide power in an inefficient and expensive manner. To address the environmental requirements and to create a more efficient and better-value power supply, a liquid-natural-gas-to-power project was developed by ElectroGas Malta Consortium (EGM) as a significant contribution to Malta’s future energy strategy.
The project consists of the construction of a new 205MW Siemens combined cycle gas turbine power station, known as Delimara 4. Another part of the project is the conversion of an LNG tanker into a floating storage unit FSU to be permanently berthed near shore, close to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. The FSU delivers liquefied natural gas (LNG) via a newly constructed jetty, for onshore regasification. As part of this project, EGM needed a Storm Mooring System to keep the FSU safe and secure in the event of a heavy storm.
video by: DOCK90 I maritime & offshore communication partner
https://dock90.com
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VO1:
Since the early seventies, Vryhof has gained worldwide recognition for our anchors and anchoring experience.
VO2:
Today, we leverage our expertise to deliver a full scope mooring system.
Quote Leopoldo:
'At Vryhof we can moor any type of floater, even in the more challenging conditions.'
VO3:
ElectroGas Malta needed a Storm Mooring System close to their new power station. We took on this challenge.
Quote Catherine:
'This power plant is extremely important for Malta, because its introducing a clean energy for Malta for the first time. We will be bringing them natural gas for power generation.'
VO4:
Gas for the power station is supplied from a floating storage unit, or FSU. The storm mooring system needs to keep it safe and secure, in the event of a heavy storm.
Quote Catherine:
'It’s been a very difficult schedule to pull together. We’re now under pressure, the FSU is sailing. So we got to be ready with the storm mooring to hook it up.'
Quote Senol:
'For sure this is a very challenging project, but I believe we can deliver within the requested time window.'
VO5:
We worked in partnership with Ocean Installer, using the Normand Pioneer.
Quote Marc:
'The vessel that we are using is perfect for this type of work, even though that its closeness to the shore is bringing its own share of challenges.'
VO6:
Together with the eight anchors, we supplied all necessary mooring line components, including chains and connectors.
Quote Jeff:
'We are working in a range of 14 to 17 meters water depth. We are in a bay area, which has a lot of marine traffic, coming in and out. So we are fixed to a very small area to try and install these anchors.'
Quote Senol:
'We have very high tension load requirements. On the other hand the permitted work area is rather narrow. That leaves us with only one solution.'
Quote Jeff:
'So the Stevtensioner was the choice for this shallow work in this very tight area.'
Quote Michael:
'The success of the rest of the operation does depend on the Stevtensioner. There are no installation methods that more suited to installing in such a shallow bay that we’re in right now.'
VO7:
By using the Stevtensioner, you can achieve higher horizontal loads. Compared to the conventional method of bollard pull, with equivalent 40% vertical pull we can reach the required horizontal proof load.
VO8:
In addition, the work area of the vessel is reduced by up to 75% - a decisive benefit in this situation.
VO9:
When all anchors are installed, the storm mooring system is ready to hook up to the FSU.
VO10:
All mooring lines are attached to the FSU. The storm mooring system is complete.
Quote Jeff:
'The teamwork on board is fantastic. Yeah, we have a content offshore manager for sure!'
Quote Catherine:
What Ocean Installer and Vryhof are offering us here with the storm mooring solution is the ability for the FSU to move off the jetty, into a safe area and it minimizes the obstruction. Because otherwise we would have to leave the harbor and come back in. So the project is absolutely essential to the overall operation of our whole facility.'
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