;
;
The Adriatic LNG (ALNG) Terminal is the first offshore facility that combines LNG offloading, storage, re-gasification and pipeline transportation in one integrated facility.
The concrete base is 180m long, 88m wide and 50m tall. On land, with its sand ballast in place, it would weigh over 550,000t. Larger than the biggest football stadia, the terminal includes sleeping accommodation for 60 workers.
Floating home
Built in a dry dock near Algeciras, Spain, the ALNG Terminal was floated and towed to its new home near Venice, Italy by five tugs over 21 days. During the voyage, the terminal crossed the northern African strip, passed around Palermo and the 'boot' of Italy and continued across the Adriatic Sea until it arrived at its final destination, 30km from the city of Rovigo, Italy. Its ballast compartments were flooded with water and the terminal then settled to the ocean floor in 28m of water on September 17, 2008.
Once installation procedures are completed in 2009, the terminal will be connected to a 30-inch pipeline running to shore and connecting to the Italian gas distribution network. The ALNG terminal receives natural gas in liquid form every three days, delivered by ship from Qatar. The liquid is stored in two 125,000m3 steel tanks and then re-gasified (converted back to gas from its liquid form by adding heat) so that it can be pumped to shore and distributed to consumers throughout northern Italy.
Safety
As part of a framework agreement with the client, Arup carried out various projects, including designing the infrastructure civil works at the main construction site near Algeciras, site supervision of the deepening of the adjoining dry dock, temporary foundation design for the 5000-tonne LNG tanks and 2000-4500t terminal topside modules and mooring bollard and winch designs.
In addition, Arup provided consultation and advice on Spanish health and safety regulations and regulatory issues and negotiated with utility companies on the client's behalf.
The terminal is designed to cope with all types of structural loads from seismic to wind, swell and possible impact from other vessels during transportation. Its design life is 25 years.
