INTERVIEW
CATALYSING THE
ENERGY TRANSITION
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Mr Chong Wen Sin
is the Vice President (Technical & Project Development) of Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd (SLNG). He oversees the design, engineering and construction of SLNG’s infrastructure projects. Fuels & Power is delighted to have the opportunity to speak with him and gain some insights on LNG storage, storage tank design and how the Energy Transition can be met.
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Goh Tz’en Long reports.
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oct to dec 2021
It is generally known that several types of storage tank design exists, most notably, 9%Ni Steel - single containment, double containment, full containment; membrane technology, as well as underground storage. What are the types of existing LNG storage tank design in SLNG at the existing LNG terminal and their storage capacities and numbers? CWS: SLNG is currently operating with four LNG storage tanks, and all of them are of 9% Nickel-Steel, full containment type. Three of the tanks are 180,000m3 in capacity, and the fourth is 260,000m3.
Photo: Singapore LNG Corporation
Can the storage tanks be converted for the use of alternative fuels such as ammonia? CWS: Our existing storage tanks are not suitable for conversion to other uses. Depending on market demand, we may perhaps consider installing storage tanks in the future, that may offer greater flexibility in design and usage. Are there more storage tanks planned in order to meet the present and future LNG-to-Power needs of the country? CWS: The SLNG Terminal currently supplies about 25-30% of Singapore’s gas demand for power generation. With our current storage and send-out capacity, we are able to ramp up our operations, if necessary, to supply all of the Country’s gas requirement. In addition, the Terminal is designed for the future and its masterplan provides for up to four more LNG storage tanks to be installed, bringing the total maximum storage capacity of the Terminal to around 1.7 million m3. Plans are in progress to further expand our LNG storage capacity to meet future market demands and support Singapore’s development as an LNG Hub for the region. Do you foresee additional LNG terminal facilities being planned in the near and distant future? Besides onshore containment systems for LNG storage, are FSRUs, FSUs and floating regasification units also being provisioned? CWS: The Energy Market Authority had previously announced plans to build a second LNG terminal in Singapore, and as we understand it this plan is still in progress. The plans for the second terminal could possibly consider other storage systems besides onshore containment systems. What do you see as the future of LNG storage in Singapore? CWS: We believe that the use of LNG in Singapore and around the world will grow steadily over the years, and it will remain an important fuel source of choice for many years to come. For example, Singapore
is ideally located to provide LNG Break-bulk and Transhipment services, and to grow into a major LNG Bunkering centre for the world. So, depending on how big or fast the LNG market grows, there is potential for LNG storage capacity in Singapore, and at the SLNG Terminal, to also grow in tandem. We also believe in Catalysing New Possibilities in the Energy Transition, and achieving this Vision in ways that will create a more sustainable future for the next generations. In this regard, we are working with various partners on projects that will leverage on our Terminal’s facilities or operations, especially in cold energy utilisation, to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the LNG value chain. This includes, among others, exploring the installation of a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) Extraction Facility at the SLNG Terminal, and looking into ways to import and utilise Hydrogen as a green energy source.
What do you see as the future of LNG storage tank design? CWS: With climate concerns high on just about every national and corporate agenda, LNG storage tank designs should move towards being more cost effective and environmentally friendly, including minimising life-cycle carbon and methane emissions during construction and operations. As we move closer towards greater adoption of more sustainable energy sources, LNG storage tank designs, as well as LNG terminal designs, should perhaps also take into consideration potential future conversions to other fuels. PROFILE Mr Chong Wen Sin joined SLNG in February 2020 with more than 20 years of experience in Project Management for liquefaction plants, FLNG conversion, LNG bunkering, regasification barges, as well as oil and gas field development. Prior to joining SLNG, he worked with Pacific Oil & Gas, spending time across Vancouver and Houston where he was heavily involved in the Woodfibre LNG Project. He also spent a good 13 years with Keppel Shipyard Limited (Offshore and Marine) helming different roles and working across departments in Commercial, Project and Business Development for gas and technology. 2021 oct to dec
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