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ecent mega-project developments in the US, Russia
and Qatar herald what many consider will be a
golden age for the LNG industry. A 2019 McKinsey
report, ‘Global Gas and LNG Outlook to 2035’, envisages that
global demand will increase at 3.6% per year. According to
the report’s authors, “liquefaction projects will require more
than US$250 billion of investment in the next 15 years, with
most of the investment expected in Africa, the Middle East
and North America.”
Meeting this demand will require both new projects and
the extension or expansion of existing liquefaction facilities
to increase capacity. The current industry trend to ‘go mega’
offers a solution, but brings with it a host of complex
technical challenges as facilities adjust to handling larger
volumes of cryogenic fluid.
When tier one assets such as compressors operate at a
higher capacity, there are significant repercussions for
associated equipment in the loop, including control valves.
As the volume of cryogenic fluid increases, so does pipeline
diameter, meaning valves need to be bigger. All of this has
an impact on factors related to the pressure and velocity of
the process medium. Ultimately, this results in arduous
production demands, which require expert technical input to
ensure the safe and efficient handling of LNG.
Simply reusing blueprint valve specifications from earlier
or smaller projects can result in outdated or inappropriate
Colin Findlay, Severn Glocon Group, UK,
outlines how customised cryogenic valves
can enhance productivity and provide a
significant commercial advantage.
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