Made by processing and liquefying gas produced from organic waste, bioLNG is being tested as a drop-in fuel to slash CO2 emissions, with positive results by US and European OSV owners
In separate trials half a world away, Harvey Gulf International Marine (HGIM) and Island Offshore are testing the use of bioLNG as a drop-in fuel to slash CO2 emissions, with positive results in their LNG dual-fuel-powered platform supply vessels (PSVs).
In the case of Island Offshore, testing of bioLNG sourced from Nordic biogas supplier Gasum, began in Island Crusader last year. Since bunkering its first load of bioLNG on 15 October 2021, Island Crusader has used 227 tonnes of biogas up to the present, which implies a reduction of 635 tonnes of CO2 in the same period, according to an Island Offshore social media post. “This corresponds to a reduction of 40% compared to normal operations with LNG and MGO – some days with actual zero CO2 emissions,” says the company.
Lundin Energy, which has long-term charters for Island Crusader and Island Contender, has reportedly been pleased with the results. The oil and gas producer is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2023.
In February, HGIM reported using bioLNG — also referred to as renewable LNG (RLNG) — in combination with the vessel’s onboard battery power in one of its tri-fuel PSVs to obtain carbon-neutrality. A pioneer in the use of LNG in its PSVs, the Louisiana-based OSV owner says: “Use of RLNG enables clients who charter HGIM’s dual- and tri-fueled RLNG vessels to obtain a carbon-neutral certificate for their related vessel operations.”
“The bioLNG uses negative-carbon-intensity biomethane produced from swine waste”
BioLNG for HGIM was sourced from Pivotal LNG’s small-scale LNG facility in Trussville, Alabama. The bioLNG uses negative-carbon-intensity biomethane, produced from swine waste supplied by Houston-based Element Markets.
Each of HGIM’s five LNG dual-fuel PSVs is powered by three Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines and all will be retrofitted with energy storage systems, making them capable of operating on LNG and battery power, or MGO as backup if necessary.
HGIM chief executive Shane Guidry says he knew there would come a day “when investors and customers would demand low, or in this case, carbon-neutral, zero-emissions PSVs.”
While some companies are releasing information on their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and risks related to climate change through Environmental, Social and corporate Governance (ESG) reporting, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is ratcheting up pressure on publicly traded firms to provide more transparency. The SEC proposed in March that publicly traded companies must report and have certified by a third party the GHG emissions from their operations (Scope 1) and from the energy they consume (Scope 2). Additionally, some companies may be required to go even further, reporting their Scope 3 emissions — those GHG emissions produced by both their supply chains and consumers.
“So, for those oil companies that really want to do all they can to reduce emissions while drilling for oil, we have boats they can now charter to deliver the drilling rigs’ needs while burning carbon-neutral fuel," says Mr Guidry.
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