Qatargas Takes 'Jumbo' Step Towards New LNG Terminal

Qatargas has taken a giant step towards completing a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker berth at Ras Laffan with the arrival of a massive gas loading module on board the heavy-cargo ship, 'Jumbo'.

The 875 tonnes topside module houses four LNG loading arms, pumps and other equipment, that allow LNG to be transferred from onshore storage tanks to tankers for shipping to overseas markets.

The unit was built by Adyard in Abu Dhabi. When connected up as part of Ras Laffan Port's new LNG Berth 6, it will be able to load 14,000 m3 of LNG per hour.

Construction of Berth 6 is being managed by the team working on the Qatargas 3 and Qatargas 4 LNG expansion projects.

Berth 6 Project Manager, Bertrand Boudier said:

'I am very pleased that the topside module has arrived safely after its voyage from Abu Dhabi. It was safely completed in 14 months with 500,000 man hours without a lost time injury. Our work on site at Ras Laffan to complete the new 550 metres long abutment to which the tankers will moor is well on track to be ready by the first quarter of 2010.'