Höegh LNG has received the Approval In Principle (AiP) from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) for its LNG FPSO project, including a reconfigured membrane containment system. The approval from DNV confirms that the Höegh LNG FPSO design complies with all rules and regulations and that there are no showstoppers for its construction. This completes 18 months of engineering work by Höegh LNG.

The scope of DNV's AiP assessment includes review of all relevant documents produced for the LNG FPSO FEED (Front End Engineering and Design) that are subject to classification approval. DNV has also been involved with Gaz Transport and Höegh LNG during all stages for the sloshing assessment of the containment system to ensure that the main assumptions, analysis tools, methods and acceptance criteria used are relevant and in line with DNV's requirements.

The Approval in Principle covers the complete LNG FPSO design, including:

The hull and all marine and utility systems designed for offshore use GTT No. 96 reinforced double row containment system designed by Gaz Transport Technigas Niche LNG liquefaction system design and patented by Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) Gas inlet facilities Gas processing modules Power generation and distribution system

"Höegh LNG is very pleased with reaching this milestone for our LNG FPSO project," said Mr. Sveinung Støhle, President and CEO.

"This is a stamp of quality for the engineering work performed by us and our contractors with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.(DSME)and CB&I. We put emphasise on developing the project in the right order and with this Approval in Principle in place we can proceed with commercial agreements. We are entertaining discussions with a list of 10-12 potential users, and I am fully convinced that we will land a contract with one of them."

Mr. W.S. Ryu, Executive Vice President of DSME, the nominated shipyard for the Höegh LNG FPSO, stated, "DSME is proud of this significant milestone jointly achieved with our client Höegh LNG. This once again proves DSME's outstanding performance on LNG FPSO design and the suitability of the double row reinforced NO96 cargo containment system for an offshore application. This will also be a historic starting point for the realization of a LNG FPSO, from the design to the actual EPC stage. We are confident the Höegh LNG FPSO built by DSME will be the world's best."

Tags: Det Norske Veritas, Hoegh LNG