Section 2 Submission of plans and documentation

2.1 General

2.1.1 Documentation, together with the relevant information as detailed in this Section, shall be submitted for consideration.

2.1.2 Any alterations to basic design, construction, materials, manufacturing procedure, equipment, fittings or arrangements of the process shall be re-submitted for approval before the regasification plant is put into operation.

2.2 Systems and arrangements

2.2.1 The plans and information required by relevant Sections of these Rules are to be submitted for appraisal.

2.2.2 System description document: a description of the arrangements and the intended operating philosophy, design criteria and functionality of the regasification system. It shall include the following information:

Particulars of piping arrangements and control systems, including material specifications, design pressures, design temperatures, ambient design temperatures and control system operational specification;
Operating design criteria that may include, as applicable:
1. design maximum throughput and turn-down ratio in both open and closed loop operation. For closed loop operation, the maximum available heat input is also to be stated;
2. design maximum discharge gas pressure and minimum gas superheat;
3. the maximum and minimum permissible variations from the design operating conditions;
4. the maximum permissible back pressure allowed in the gas send-out system;
5. design maximum transfer rates where ship LNG transfer is undertaken and the method and control used to handle boil-off gas and displacement gas to and from the offloading vessel;
6. the minimum required gas output for a specific sea-water temperature and throughput, when applicable;
7. for open loop systems the maximum LNG throughput at various seawater inlet temperatures;
8. for closed loop systems the output of the boiler or alternative heating arrangement;
9. for open loop systems the minimum allowable sea-water outlet temperature;
10. for closed loop systems the design minimum temperature and throughput of the heated water or heat transfer fluid.
Procedures for connecting/disconnecting the gas send-out pipeline and LNG transfer arms or hoses. Details of the isolation arrangements and inerting and gas-freeing of the send-out and LNG pipework;
Emergency procedures to be followed during regasification and barge or offshore unit-to-ship operations. These shall include guidance on procedures to be followed in the event of closure of the land-based send-out gas master valve;
Specified availability and extent and periodicity of contract down-time.

2.2.3 Risk based analysis undertaken to a recognised Standard in accordance with LR’s ShipRight procedure ‘Assessment of Risk Based Designs’ and the associated Annex on LNG. The analysis shall be documented so that the risks and how they are eliminated or mitigated are clearly identified, and an appropriate level of safety, dependability and hazardous area classification is demonstrated.

2.2.4 Regasification barge or offshore unit general arrangement. Plans showing the arrangement of all areas where equipment, components and piping systems are located.

2.2.5 Plans for vaporisers, heat exchangers (shell/tube, printed circuit and plate type), LNG drum, liquid receivers and other pressure vessels (see also Pt 5, Ch 11 Other Pressure Vessels).

2.2.6 Plans and documents as required by Pt 6, Ch 1 Control Engineering Systems, showing the automatic controls, alarms and safety systems associated with the regasification system.

2.2.7 The thermodynamic calculations confirming the design send-out rates for the vaporisers.

2.2.8 Capacity calculations for pressure relief valves and discharge pipe vent stack pressure drop calculations.

2.2.9 Piping information is to include:

schematic plans, including full particulars of piping and instrumentations for:
1. low and high pressure LNG supply pipework;
2. primary and secondary thermal fluid systems;
3. heating system for closed loop operation;
4. depressurisation system (knock-out drum and shock load verification arrangements);
5. barge or offshore unit LNG manifold and transfer arrangements;
6. high pressure gas send-out systems;
7. cooling water systems;
8. other associated ancillary systems.
details of means of draining, inerting, and gas-freeing of the regasification pipework, equipment and components;
pipework and equipment insulation arrangements;
protection of barge or offshore units structure, pipework and equipment against cryogenic leakage;
pipe stress analysis. A complete stress analysis as required by Pt 11, Ch 5, 5.2 Stress aspects 5.2.3 of applicable pipework.

2.2.10 Hazardous Area Plan for regasification equipment and send-out system.

2.2.11 Interfaces: plans and documents detailing the barge or offshore unit to regasification system interfaces.

2.2.12 Safety system plans: fire-fighting details, gas detection details, fire and general alarm details, all related to the regasification system and to the send-out arrangements. They shall be included in the main safety system plans of the vessel for approval in accordance with these Rules.

2.2.13 Escape plan: details of the arrangements for protection and safe escape in relation to the regasification system and send-out arrangements.

2.2.14 An emergency shutdown (ESD) system cause and effect matrix that shall cover the additional operational scenarios of regasification and barge or offshore unit LNG transfer. This shall be integrated with the ESD main system matrix of the vessel. Where an ESD initiation results in multiple actions, the matrix shall indicate these in the order in which they will be performed.

2.2.15 A functional flow chart of the ESD system and connected systems shall be provided which aligns with the cause and effect matrix and details the functions provided by ESD System. A copy shall be maintained at the regasification control station and on the central control room.

2.2.16 A process shutdown (PSD), cause/effect matrix and design philosophy.

2.2.17 Details of depressurisation and high pressure blowdown philosophy and arrangements.

2.2.18 Ancillary systems or additional equipment such as blending facilities, odorizers, dew point correction/ dehumidification, control and monitoring facilities where these are to be considered as part of the classed equipment.

2.2.19 Operating manuals shall be submitted. The content of the manuals shall include but not be limited to:

particulars and a description of the systems;
overall operation of the system, including procedures for planned start-up and shutdown;
maintenance instructions for the installed equipment, systems and arrangements;
temperature and pressure control systems;
system limitations, including minimum temperatures, maximum pressures, transfer rates;
special procedures associated with fire-fighting where different from barge or offshore unit’s systems;
details of fixed gas detection where additional to the barge or offshore unit’s fitted systems;
control, alarm and safety systems;
emergency and process shutdown systems, including pressure relief and blowdown;
emergency procedures, including isolation from LNG storage tank.