Waller Marine, Inc.
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ARTICULATED TUG AND BARGE ARRANGEMENT FOR LNG STORAGE,
TRANSPORTATION AND REGASIFICATION
FLOATING GAS
VIRTUAL PIPELINE
[PATENT PENDING]
[LNG STORAGE]
[LNG STORAGE]
[LNG SHIP]
[LIQUEFACTION OPERATION]
LOADING
TERMINAL
UNLOADING
TERMINAL
[REGASIFICATION
ONBOARD BARGE]
TRANSIT
TUG
[BUNKERING IN ECA ZONES]
[LNG TRUCKS]
[FLOATING POWER PLANTS]
[GAS PIPLINE]
Serving customers that do not have the benefit of pipeline access ~ Providing bunkering service for
shops directed to ECA zones ~ Monetizing stranded gas fields that are too small to be developed for
traditional large scale LNG ~ Employs industry-accepted & proven Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) Technology
~ Undergoing ABS Approval in Principle
Liquid Natural Gas (LNG)
The principals of WMI have a long association with LNG ship transportation beginning with the construction of the "Methane Princess" in
the 1960's.  This association progressed through the 1980's with the construction of the El Paso ships and investigation and analysis of
the different LNG containment systems for the US Maritime Administration.

The Company has participated in the rejuvenation of the LNG business in the early 2000's in the design of mini LNG systems including
export terminals, mini liquefaction facilities, storage, mini transport ships and ITBs and import terminals with regasification facilities for
fueling power plants.
Large floating import terminal are a realistic alternative to land-based facilities
particularly when gas supplies are needed in the vicinity of large populations
and permitting is difficult.  WMI has looked at the viability of large floating,
moored concrete LNG storage and regasification, sufficient to discharge Q Max
tankers and store up to 400,000 cubic meters of product.  Taking the concept
further, a combined cycle power plant can be installed on the platform together
with the utilization of generated heat for regasification and the production of
freshwater from low quality steam.
Offshore gas liquefaction directly from the wellhead or from associated
offshore gas will play an important part of the future supply of LNG to the
worlds markets; particularly from stranded gas resources in remote
areas of the world or where more conventional production is not feasible.  
WMI is involved in the design and conversion of ships that have capability
to import gas from the wellhead or subsea manifold, pre-treat the gas
and liquefy it to LNG for transfer to transport vessels.
Offshore Floating LNG Terminal
Margret Hill
Hoegh Galleon
Waller Marine's LNG ATB
Waller Marine's LNG ATB RV

Waller Marine Inc. LNG ATB gets ABS Approval in Principle

October 9, 2012

Classification society ABS has granted an Approval In Principle (AIP) to a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) and regasification articulated tug barge concept introduced by Waller Marine Inc, Houston.

The vessel has the ability to load LNG from existing LNG terminals, liquefaction facilities or traditional LNG carriers and transport the LNG to existing tanks, traditional LNG carriers, trucks or marine vessels using LNG as a fuel. The barge also is equipped for regasification of LNG directly to a pipeline or to a power plant. An additional feature will be the use of natural gas as a fuel in the dual fuel engines of the tug to drive the tug-barge unit.

The benefit of the LNG Articulated Tug and Barge Regas Vessel (ATB RV) is that it allows LNG to be moved and delivered more efficiently on a small-scale basis in locations where large LNG infrastructure would be cumbersome, costly and time consuming.

The barge will be fitted with independent Type "C" LNG tanks. To make most efficient use of the hull volume and maximize the cargo-carrying capacity of the barge, bi-lobe tanks of maximum width are centered along the barge centerline. The cargo containment system is split into four longitudinally located independent tanks, with each tank supported by a simple structure that isolates the tanks from hull loads. According to Waller Marine, these tanks will be constructed of either 9 percent nickel steel or Stainless Steel AISI 304L to contain the cargo at a minimum temperature of -163 degrees C.

ABS worked with Waller from the inception of the project and has been the primary certification body in carrying out reviews, including conducting a program review.

"ABS has been a great resource in developing the LNG ATB RV product", says Vice President-Gas Solutions Bill Hutchins, Waller Marine. "By conducting multiple meetings, including a HAZID (hazard identification), ABS has helped us to ensure safety and regulatory aspects have been appropriately addressed."

"ABS has worked closely with Waller Marine through the development of the LNG ATB RV," says Roy Bleberg, Director-Engineering, ABS Americas. "We are pleased to be part of a project with the potential to improve the environmental impact of hydrocarbon emissions."

Since AIP was granted, Waller Marine has moved into the detail design phase with a goal of creating multiple variations for clients around the world.