LNG Logistics under Arctic Conditions

• Main Author: Higuera Rueda, M.C. (author)
• Other Authors: Tavasszy, L. (mentor), De Brito, M. (mentor), Ottjes, J. (mentor)
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: Arctic; Iceberg*; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c1cc73e1-da60-4cd8-8929-c33083c667f2

As energy demand increases, easy to reach hydrocarbon resources are reducing. Arctic is the new exploration frontier and it is expected to hold about 30% of the world's remaining undiscovered oil and gas reserves. Natural gas has become a preferred fuel, due to its low carbon emissions. To transport natural gas from the Arctic to its markets, liquefaction is the preferred state. The remoteness and distance from Artie are the main reason for this preference. The liquefied natural gas is then transported in shipping vessels which are affected by the extreme weather conditions found in Arctic; during the winter and spring: sea ice, icebergs, low temperatures, and complete darkness, and for the summer and fall: fog, waves and mammal migrations. The available window to perform logistics without hindrances is significantly reduced in this area. Experience on how to deal with Arctic and the effect the weather has over the LNG supply chain needs to be assessed. Therefore the objective of this study is to identify a robust supply chain concept for LNG under Arctic conditions by comparing suppiy chain concepts against pre-defined performance indicators. By means of using a simulation tool, the analysis of the LNG supply chain can be done. However a methodology to implement Arctic conditions will be developed during the course of this project as it hadn't been done before with this simulation tool. TIL Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics Delft University of Technology