Bluewater Energy Services B.V., a member of the Bluewater group of companies, has introduced a Composite Cryogenic Hose made with Dyneema® fiber which is the first truly flexible large bore hose for high volume offshore LNG transfer. This is the first cryogenic application in which Dyneema® fiber has been used.

In transferring LNG, hoses ideally need to be large-bore, durable and able to handle the sustained and potentially high loads induced by the offshore marine environment. Additionally, they should be flexible to allow operability in harsh weather conditions. Large volume fluid transfer enabled by these large-bore hoses (up to 5,000 cubic meters of LNG/hour with 16-inch hose) reduces the duration of the marine transfer operation and, therefore, the overall risk exposure.

This is a challenging requirement as the low LNG temperatures along with unfavorable environment severely restrict the range of materials that can be used for hose construction.

Dyneema® provides exceptional strength, light weight and resistance to low temperatures all of which perfectly meet performance needs. Bluewater’s large-bore hose construction includes a patented circular braided layer made from Dyneema®, a key enabling component providing the Composite Cryogenic Hose with high axial strength combined with excellent flexibility along with increased pressure capacity.

Key characteristics of the light weight Composite Cryogenic Hose are its excellent and unprecedented tensile load performance, pressure capability, flexibility and bending endurance. This allows easy and controlled offshore handling and reliable operations.

The Composite Cryogenic Hose is the result of an extensive 10-year research and development program. DSM Dyneema and Bluewater cooperated closely for the last two years and both companies have now committed to a strategic partnership which will involve cooperation on marketing and further product innovation developments.

“The high strength and material properties of Dyneema® matched our performance needs perfectly, and was a critical component in developing the new hose. Working together with DSM Dyneema has been pivotal to the successful commercialization of this innovative product. I am extremely pleased to seal the cooperation with our new strategic agreement which underwrites our continued commitment to our customers.” says Hugo Heerema, President and CEO of Bluewater.

Jorn Boesten, Segment Manager Offshore for DSM Dyneema added: “This hose is another extension to the range of demanding applications where Dyneema® fiber is used in harsh marine and offshore environments, ranging from LNG tanker mooring lines, deepwater installation lines to offshore platform mooring lines and heavy duty lifting slings.”

Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel source for energy production. LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is considered to be the ideal means to transport stranded natural gas, found in remote offshore areas, where the traditional pipeline infrastructure cannot reach. Mining of stranded gas is not always economically or physically viable. However the world’s growing demand for energy is driving industry to explore new production solutions and the new large bore flexible cryogenic hose will enable safer, more efficient harnessing and transportation of new gas reserves.

LNG transfer operations include the offloading from a tanker to an offshore Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of LNG from a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel to a shuttle tanker in an exposed location, STS lightering operations and even exposed ship-to-shore LNG transfers.

Bluewater will showcase the Composite Cryogenic Hose at their stand (S40) during the GASTECH 2009 exhibition, held between the 25th and 28th of May in Abu Dhabi.