Wärtsilä to power first U.S. flag LNG-fueled offshore vessels

Wärtsilä is to deliver integrated propulsion systems based on the use of LNG as fuel for two offshore support vessels for operation in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the first time U.S. flagged offshore supply vessels will run on LNG, which offers operational savings and environmental benefits.

Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion equipment for the two advanced offshore supply vessels to be built for Harvey Gulf International Marine (see earlier report). The contract, awarded this month, includes options for supplying propulsion equipment for additional follow-on vessels.

Wärtsilä will deliver an integrated system that includes the dual-fuel machinery, electrical and automation package, complete propulsion, and also the LNG fuel storage and handling components. The STX Marine Inc SV310DF Offshore Support Vessels will be powered by Wärtsilä 6-cylinder 34DF dual-fuel engines. The LNG storage capacity of 290 cubic meters (m3), enables more than a week of vessel operational time. The vessels will carry 5,520 tons of deadweight at load line and have a transit speed of 13 knots. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in two years.

Mr. Shane Guidry, Harvey Gulf International Marine’s Chairman and CEO, states that the stringent governmental demands for reduced emissions, together with predictions that availability of ultra low sulfur diesel fuel will be restricted, caused the company to consider the use of gas as fuel. “We’re committed to bringing the world’s best technologies to our customers, and these vessels with Wärtsilä’s integrated system based on the use of LNG further demonstrates Harvey Gulf’s Going Green Vision,” he says.

Pete Jacobs, Business Development Manager, Offshore at Wärtsilä North America adds:, “It’s a pleasure to work with a company such as Harvey Gulf whose management is dedicated to introducing advanced, clean, natural gas supply vessels. These modern supply vessels showcase Wärtsilä’s leading position as a complete solutions provider of LNG propulsion with electric drive systems.”

“We are witnessing a transformation of the marine industry as it charts a course towards a new era for natural gas. It’s exciting for Wärtsilä to be a trusted partner in this launch with industry leader Harvey Gulf, whose natural gas supply vessel investment actions of today signal a coming paradigm shift. This is aimed at capturing operational savings while simultaneously reducing emissions,” says John Hatley, Vice President Ship Power, Wärtsilä North America.

Wärtsilä has been at the forefront in the development of highly efficient dual-fuel engine technology, allowing the same Wärtsilä 34DF engine to be operated on either gas or diesel fuel with full EPA emissions Tier 2 compliance. This dual-fuel capability means that when running in gas mode, the environmental impact is minimized since nitrogen oxides (NOx) are reduced by some 85 per cent  compared to diesel operation, sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions are completely eliminated as gas contains no sulfur, and emissions of CO2 are also lowered. Natural gas has no residuals, and thus the production of particulates is practically non-existent.

Wärtsilä recently passed the 3 million running hours milestone with its dual-fuel engine technology.

October 7, 2011