Mackenzie Delta LNG Transport and Ice Management Study

Abstract

This paper will study the LNG Transport opportunities from the Canadian Arctic to the Asian markets. Mackenzie Delta LNG (MDLNG) project is in the Canada's Northwest Territories (NWT) which contains publicly owned conventional natural gas reserves which could be developed for export that would provide immediate economic benefit to the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, NWT and Canada. This paper presents the results of a feasibility study undertaken to evaluate the shipping routes and ice conditions along the route from the Arctic to the Asian LNG markets. Arctic LNG carriers have been in use in the Russian Arctic for years already and we have been deeply involved in the design, development, and testing of those current LNG carriers. Russian rules are somewhat different and thus the operations would commence in Canada and US waters that would give some opportunities in the LNG Carrier design as well. In this paper we will go through the general differences in the LNG carriers design for MDLNG. Currently the plan is to build gravity-based structure (GBS) to the offshore MacKenzie Delta. The GBS would need additional ice management support and vessels. In this paper we would talk about ice management vessels needed to support the operations for loading the LNG carriers as well as talk about the recommended ice management operations. With modern technology, good design and planning, it can be shown that the LNG transportation by ships is a feasible solution compared to building pipelines across the Arctic.