Maria Josephina Arnoldina (Maria) van der Hoeven after completing her secondary education she trained as a primary teacher in Maastricht. She subsequently obtained a secondary teaching certificate in English, after which she attended courses in higher management for non-profit organisations at the Institute of Social Sciences and business management at the Open University in Heerlen. From 1969 she taught at schools of home economics and from 1971 at a junior secondary commercial school, where she subsequently became a school counsellor. Until 1987 she was head of the Adult Commercial Vocational Training Centre in Maastricht, after which she served as the head of the Limburg Technology Centre until 1991. From 1985 to 1991 Ms Van der Hoeven was a member of the municipal council of Maastricht for the Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA) and, from 1991 to 2002, member of the House of Representatives of the States General. She has held a variety of social and cultural posts, including membership of the governing board of the Domstad Primary Teacher Training College in Utrecht and the Southern Dutch Opera Association, and membership of the ‘’t Vervolg’ theatre group. From 22 July 2002 to 21 February 2007 Ms Van der Hoeven held the post of Minister of Education, Culture and Science in the first, second and third Balkenende governments. On 22 February 2007 she was appointed Minister of Economic Affairs in the fourth Balkenende government.

Qatargas LNG is embarking on an ambitious expansion project which involves building four mega LNG Trains, each with a capacity of 7.8 MTPA. The offshore facilities will include 6 wellhead platforms and 63 wells with each well capable of producing 100 MMSCFD of gas. The onshore facilities will include inlet reception, utilities, four LNG trains, and six Sulfur Recovery units. Common facilities will include five LNG storage tanks of 140,000 M3 capacity, three berths, and a 12,000 T/day common sulfur storage and loading facility. When competed, these facilities will take Qatargas from its current three train LNG output of 10 MTPA to 44 MTPA by the year 2012.
Qatargas launched the Expansion Start-up (ESU) organization in September 2006 to start-up these expansion projects. The mission of this organization is to support the pre-commissioning and commissioning activities and to execute a flawless start-up for each of the new facilities. The ESU organization will also prepare these facilities for future routine operations and capture lessons learned to assist in future projects and start-ups.
This paper discusses the challenging tasks ESU has faced, and still progressing, to ensure these mega trains and associated facilities start up safely and achieve their required performance expectations.

Mr. Ahmed Shehata working in ELNG as Operations Director, joined ELNG in 2004. Used to work in Production Division of ADGAS Company for almost 24 years. ELNG is keen in implementing the sustainable development approach in all its operations. ELNG has settled a new world record by using a rapid commercialization process which lead to move from EPC award to first LNG in around 4 years as shown on the BG Capital and cost comparison (see below chart). The ELNG plant, located at Idku, is an innovative structure that allows third parties to invest in future LNG production trains at the site. Ahmed will discuss the background and project highlights of the plant. Whilst touching upon the challenges for hiring high skilled staff, and carrying out an integrated training program in order to transfer successful technology and development of local employees. ELNG poses security risk and control in three areas (inside and outside plant fence and marine), this will be discussed as well as how ELNG achieve high safety performance. And not the last the presentation will show how Idku LNG Port is one of the world's most modern LNG exporting facilities in which Port operations deliver Safe, reliable, cost-effective and efficient marine services backed by experience, expertise and constant dedication to Egyptian LNG needs. Finally Mr. Ahmed will review the major issues and lessons learnt from the plant and will asses Egyptian LNG present and future.

Takeshi Hashimoto is currently General Manager of the LNG Division of Mitsui O.S.K. Bulk Shipping (Europe) Ltd. and based in London, UK. Mr. Hashimoto is a graduate of Kyoto University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in literature in 1982. In the same year, he joined Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. From April 1984 until June 1994, Mr. Hashimoto worked in the Finance Division which included a five year secondment to the London Office. In 1994, Mr. Hashimoto was assigned to the LNG Division, where as a Project Manager he lead the Qatargas, Rasgas, Petronet, Sakhalin, Indonesia and other various new development of LNG shipping projects including Japanese FOB contracts chartered by Japanese utility companies. In 2006, he was appointed as General Manger of the LNG Division of Mitsui O.S. K. Bulk Shipping (Europe) Ltd. in London. Since then, he has been responsible for directing MOL’s Atlantic/Mediterranean LNG Business which includes the Neptune, Snohvit, Rasgas 2, Rasgas 3, Yemen and Nigeria projects.

Rudolf Huber works at the Supply and Trading department of EconGas and is involved in gas purchasing projects. His overriding occupation since almost two and a half years is the planning and implementation of EconGas’s LNG ambitions. Rudolf will adress the LNG pricing issue, which is an increasing issue in the LNG Industry. How to get it right in a volatile energy market? He will discuss if emerging spot pricing a viable trading strategy in the global LNG marketplace; he will evaluate the globalisation of LNG prices and their impact on pipeline prices and look at the understanding of the buyer's perspective of increasing high LNG prices and their impact on new entrants

Gazprom has developed the Company’s operating strategy for LNG production and sea-borne transportation. In 2005 Gazprom supplied its first LNG cargo to the USA followed in 2006 by the Great Britain, Japan and South Korea. Entering the Sakhalin – 2 project in 2007 proved to be a serious step on Gazprom’s way to the global liquefied natural gas market. Since almost all the volumes of natural gas to be produced within the Sakhalin – 2 project are contracted, Gazprom has secured its future status as a key supplier of energy resources to the countries in the Asian and Pacific Region and North America. Total and StatoilHydro were selected to become Gazprom’s partners in implementing the project for the development of the Shtokmanovskoye gas condensate field. This field will become a resource base for Russian natural gas supply to the countries in the Atlantic Basin both through pipelines and by using LNG technologies.

Safety and security are key factors in the design and lay-out of both planned LNG marine import terminals in the port of Rotterdam; in particular much attention needs to be paid to the nautical safety aspects. Two LNG terminals needed to be fitted in limited available space and in a busy shipping area: innovative terminal configurations are the result. Rotterdam is a busy port: many vessels carry dangerous goods. However, LNG will be a new trade in Rotterdam. For this reason, particularly in the initial phase, extra attention will be paid to dealing with LNG shipping. Important criterion for the safety and admission policy for LNG carriers will be that this policy should be in line as much as possible with the existing admission policy for ships carrying dangerous goods (in bulk). Specific studies with regard to LNG vessels showed that crossing traffic at high speed should be avoided. This conclusion is leading for the development of the nautical admission policy. To achieve above mentioned goals a growth model for admission policy will be applicable

Capt Anoop Taneja, Master Mariner joined a sea career in 1989 after completing MSc in statistics from Punjab University, Chandigarh India with Shipping Corporation of India. He completed his cadetship and junior officer training with SCI and moved from tankers to gas carriers in 1991. Soon thereafter he joined Anglo eastern group Singapore fleet which specialised in gas carriers. He rose to the rank of sailing master in the year 1998 and was delivery master for new building VLGC n LNG ships. He has sailed on LNG carriers for Shell and Anglo Eastern Group. He Finally came ashore in January 2007 and joined TOTAL France, Vetting department as a vettor. During his sailing career while on leave, he used to be a consultant at ARI, New Delhi for modular courses and for competency exams, he also helped ARI in setting up chemical and gas carrier safety modular courses, working closely with Late Capt SS Rewari. He also holds a LL.B degree and MBA (HR) from Magadh University and IMT Ghaziabad, both in India.

Common Elements of Successful LNG Projects Using the Optimized CascadeSM Process The ConocoPhillips Optimized CascadeSM process has been used in nine LNG projects throughout the world. All nine projects have been highly successful in that they were completed on or ahead of schedule, within budget and immediately after commissioning produced LNG at rates greater than design. The plants continue to run at greater than design capacity with high availability and high production efficiency with less than design fuel rates. This presentation reviews the common elements or factors which lead to successful LNG projects. These elements include selecting an LNG liquefaction technology that is well-proven, and simple to operate, (using technology that allows using multiple commonly available pieces of equipment from multiple suppliers), yet incorporates innovations. The two-trains-in-one design provides high availability and production efficiency by providing operator flexibility and operating equipment redundancy. Also critical to the success of a project is an EPC contractor that has a demonstrated track record of safely completing large, complex projects on time and within budget despite difficult work conditions. A short schedule is important to the economics of these costly projects, so a contracting philosophy that minimizes project schedule and provides incentives for the desired results is important to their success. A close and proven working relationship between the technology provider and contractor for operator training, commissioning and optimization of the plant operations is critical to the long term success. Specific examples from past projects and their application to future developments, including floating LNG will be discussed.

Azfar Shaukat is Director of Oil & Gas Consulting at Mott MacDonald, one of the world's leading multi-disciplinary consultancies. Azfar is a Professional Engineer with over 24 years’ oil & gas experience with international consulting firms and major operating companies. He has completed high-profile assignments on all continents and has expertise in strategy, financial appraisal, design and operation of upstream and downstream petroleum facilities, including gas pipelines, refineries, LNG and other fuels terminals. He has delivered operations improvement and market entry strategies, master plans, transaction support for lenders including technical due diligence and regulatory advice at government and board-level. He is a regular speaker and contributor to articles in the oil & gas press.

World LNG production has grown by 55% in five years. “Global” exchanges of LNG cargoes have been accelerated, as cargoes are transported to destinations sometimes different from the originally assumed ones. New LNG importers are emerging in South America, Canada, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. An unprecedented major expansion is underway globally both for liquefaction and regasification. As the expansion is unbalanced, regasification capacity is likely to be underutilised relative to liquefaction. After only one final investment decision was made in liquefaction in 2006, three such decisions were made in 2007. There are indications of project delays across the industry caused by skilled labour shortages and higher engineering costs. Even when projects start operations, initial troubles, as well as occasional shortage of feedgas, often prevent them from producing at design capacity. Having production capacity no longer means actual production as was the case 10 years ago.

The development of offshore LNG projects is partly based on the ability of LNG industry actors to bring innovative solutions capable of meeting new technical requirements linked to the marine environment. Whether for the LNG export or receiving facilities, it appears that the transfer link is a key element and the development of an efficient and safe LNG transfer system must contribute to guarantee the availability and flexibility of these new offshore LNG chains. Several offshore LNG transfer solutions are under development, and cryogenic flexible hose based LNG transfer systems appear to be able to meet offshore constraints and the LNG Industry requirements. However, LNG operators will be convinced by those technology developments only after industrial qualification and validation of performances, reliability, safety and operational limits of new LNG transfer systems A LNG transfer system designed for onshore and offshore conditions, and composed of a 16’’ flexible hose and a multi-purpose connecting system, have been tested in the context of an existing LNG receiving terminal in Montoir de Bretagne. These full-scale LNG trials were the ultimate stage of an industrial qualification process and they have been carried out on a dynamic test bench able to reproduce harsh open sea conditions. All operational procedures for all phases related to the use of this offshore LNG transfer system have also been validated through those full-scale LNG tests, which means that this transfer system is now ready for commercial projects.

Nicolas Jestin has over eight years of experience in offshore oil & gas projects in design and development of new units such as LNG FPSO, LNG GBS or dry tree and drilling oil production barges for deepwater applications. He has been involved in projects implying concrete offshore structures and in the development of dry-tree units for Western Africa. For two years, he led a team in charge of the coordination of SAIPEM development activities related to liquefied gases, especially LNG storage systems and offshore LNG facilities, before being in charge of Risk Assessment and value engineering during the tender for the EPC of an onshore LNG plant. Within the Floating Facilities Business Unit of SAIPEM, he is now in charge to coordinate activities related to Floating LNG projects. Nicolas will be presenting a paper on Floating LNG plants: technologies and application cases

Currently the interest for producing gas in remote arctic areas has greatly increased. To transport the gas to consumers, one alternative to pipeline would be to use LNG Carriers. Recently, the successful development of highly capable and effective ice breaking ship solutions as well as that of very large LNG carriers has created an opportunity for the development of large size icebreaking LNG Carriers. So far LNG transport in ice covered areas is made with small size vessels and under reasonably light ice conditions. The development of a LNG Carrier capable of safe and economical operation in Arctic waters is a challenge. By using the latest technologies and recent experience, Aker Arctic and GTT have built up a design and development program which resulted in a highly ice capable large size (224 000m3) arctic LNG Carrier solution. The development of the technical design included different variations and solutions for icebreaking operation. The ship conceptual designs were created for the NO96 membrane type LNG cargo containment system and preliminary estimates and calculations including hull and containement system integrity were carried out for the demanding ice conditions of the Kara Sea.

Currently the interest for producing gas in remote arctic areas has greatly increased. To transport the gas to consumers, one alternative to pipeline would be to use LNG Carriers. Recently, the successful development of highly capable and effective ice breaking ship solutions as well as that of very large LNG carriers has created an opportunity for the development of large size icebreaking LNG Carriers. So far LNG transport in ice covered areas is made with small size vessels and under reasonably light ice conditions. The development of a LNG Carrier capable of safe and economical operation in Arctic waters is a challenge. By using the latest technologies and recent experience, Aker Arctic and GTT have built up a design and development program which resulted in a highly ice capable large size (224 000m3) arctic LNG Carrier solution. The development of the technical design included different variations and solutions for icebreaking operation. The ship conceptual designs were created for the NO96 membrane type LNG cargo containment system and preliminary estimates and calculations including hull and containement system integrity were carried out for the demanding ice conditions of the Kara Sea.

Dave Bentley is the General Manager of GSMS Europe, he will be presenting his paper on how to successfully gain a total site security solution starting at the perimeter. With many sites considered critical to the national infrastructure, today’s LNG industry is faced with an ever-increasing threat from acts of terrorism and vandalism, where the safety of the plant, the process, the asset and personnel is paramount. Gallagher Security Management Systems (GSMS) has been implementing total security solutions to Utility services throughout Europe and the World for over 12 years. GSMS offers an integrated solution starting at the site perimeter and extending to the management of personnel and security within the site itself. Incorporating the latest technologies such as biometrics, advanced data encryption, and third party product integration, assisting Facilities Managers in maintaining a safe and a secure working environment offered on one management platform through a single user interface

Chris Frail is the global Liquid Flow Meter General Product Manager at GE Sensing located in Billerica, MA. He is responsible for the company's line of ultrasonic clamp-on and wetted solutions for liquid applications including high temperature oils and cryogenic liquids. He has over 10 years experience in Applications Engineering and Product Management in ultrasonic flow meter technologies. Previous positions include Applications Engineer, Field Services Team Leader, DMAIC Black Belt, and Product Manager.
This workshop covers ultrasonic flow meters as applied today, to measurement of the flow rate of LNG as well as other applications at production facilities and receiving terminals. The workshop focuses on a method of addressing the issues created when measuring fluids at low temperatures. Calibration of these flow meters without access to cryogenic facilities is discussed. The workshop will also cover buffer technology as an effective way to protect critical components of ultrasonic flow meter systems. Buffer technology allows the meter to operate without maintenance or failure at cryogenic temperatures over long periods of time.

The rapid expansion of the LNG market has resulted in interactions between established and emerging markets and players. Changing trade patterns, term deals and spot deals have generated greater scrutiny of custody transfer quantities than before. As the LNG market expands and the skill shortage becomes more apparent, operators relying on push-button technology may not be detecting financially significant errors. The custody transfer process involves calculation of a delivered energy value from measured volumes and composition, which depends on sample and analyser accuracy. Equally, the use of weathering models to monitor composition continuity during storage and transport relies on many assumptions, notably that the original composition is correct. Correlation studies can eliminate instrument bias and confirm analyser performance. However, delivery of a representative sample is crucial and this step in the process appears to have the fewest controls and loosest adherence to standards and norms. It seems that sampling systems have low priority in LNG import/export terminals. For example, we have seen sampling systems which show a 5% fluctuation in methane content. For a 138,000 cubic metre cargo, this equates to an energy difference of around 79,000 mmBTU, $575,000 (based on HH price of $7.4 per mmBTU). It is critical for sampling systems to be robust and follow standards such as ISO 8943 rigorously. Without this, there will always be uncertainty over custody transfer quantities and one or other of the trading partners may lose out substantially.

Raul Risi is currently project manager in Offshore LNG. He joined Technip in 1992 and spent 12 years in the Process and Technology Division as a process and principal engineer on LNG and gas projects. Since 2004, he has been actively involved in the development and certification of the cryogenic PiP and is the author or co-author of several papers on Offshore LNG technologies. Raul's paper highlights the project readiness level of the development and certification status related to the Cryogenic Pipe-in-Pipe (C-PiP) technology developed by Technip. CAPEX and OPEX reductions, allowed by the integration of the C-PiP into LNG plants and LNG terminals, are detailed. A particular accent is put on the liquefaction production increase though boil-off gas reduction. Beyond economic considerations, the C-PIP technology also allows coping with specific project constraints in terms of safety, security, environment, impact on local communities and line routing.

Fortunato Donato Costantino currently leads the LNG Department in OMV Gas International. Before joining OMV, in the last 16 years he has held various positions at ENI, BP, TXU Europe, BHP Billiton, and Essent, where he developed and managed their international activities in the LNG, Gas & Power business through the negotiation and execution of complex energy transactions, development of equity and paper deals, business partnerships and joint-ventures, asset acquisition, portfolio development and innovative structured products to maximise the value of existing portfolio. He’s currently focusing his activity in leading the OMV development of LNG logistic activities and portfolio diversification strategies, in identifying and finalizing new projects along the LNG value chain (liquefaction, shipping, regasification), coordinating the consolidation of existing assets, and supporting the OMV decision making process on new innovative logistic partnerships and new ventures activities with other industrial and financial major players.

Andrew Strong will outline benefits of using fiber optic technology to monitor regasification (import) plants particularly monitoring the cool down process using the same system used for ongoing monitoring of the pipelines and tanks. A European case study will be used to outline the installation techniques and discuss the benefits of the technology. A second case study will discuss the ability to meet SIL 11 controls using fiber optic technology and weigh up the benefits versus the cost of expanding the technology to meet the guidelines. Andrew has more than 20 years experience in optical fiber technology and is Business Manager, Midstream Oil & Gas with the Surveillance Group with Schlumberger The group has over 20 years’ experience in providing a range of integrity monitoring solutions based on optical fiber sensor technology.

John McKay has been editor of the LNG Journal since July 2005. An energy industry and financial journalist with more than 20 years experience, he was previously Middle East Editor of financial news and data company Bloomberg and worked as an editor and reporter from 1987 until 1995 for the Financial Times newspaper.

Various studies of industry practices have demonstrated that improving basic engineering workflow and electronic data flow can have dramatic impacts on large capital projects, such as typical LNG plants. There are several factors at work. First, communication of engineering information at early stages of project development to the cost estimation function, enables better business decision making based on more accurate project economics. Second, concurrent basic engineering based on use of advanced basic engineering tools (Such as Aspen Basic Engineering) has been proven to cut down project timescales by up to 30%. Third, linking together of different engineering tasks through use of a central project database facilitate the engineering change process, improving design flexibility and optimization. Finally, such integrated tools enables sharing of large engineering projects across multiple design centers and between several EPC project partners. This paper will discuss how these can be achieved, drawing on specific project examples from REPSOL, Worley Parsons, Jacobs Engineering and JSR.

Jean-Yves Le Stang graduated from the French Naval Academy “Ecole Navale” in 1976. During his first professional life as an officer in the French Navy, mainly in the Submarine Force, he acquired experienced knowledge in operating and maintaining vessels as well as in the development of new assets. He joined GTT late in 2001and was first Project Manager for several shipyards in Europe (Chantiers de l’Atlantique, IZAR) and Japan (MHI, USC). Through several LNGC new buildings projects he managed in this position, he acquired the expertise of each GTT containment techniques, NO 96, MKIII and CS1. He joined GTT Marketing team in early 2007 and was nominated Head of this department in the summer of the same year.