The newly announced liquefied petroleum gas FPSO is slated for operation in offshore Angola.

The vessel, SANHA LPG FPSO, will have a daily production capacity of 6000cu.m and storage capacity of 135,000cu.m.

The SANHA will include LPG storage tanks and LPG production plants such as gas separators, gas refrigerators and boil-off gas reliquefaction units on the upper deck or topsides.

"Demand for LPG FPSOs is being driven by environmental concerns that have placed severe restrictions on the traditional method of flaring gas associated with production," ABS vice president offshore project development William Sember said.

"By capturing these gases not only does the environment benefit, but also with the demand for gas forecast to double over the next decade, industry and consumers will benefit from this new technology."

Sember said ABS is uniquely qualified to review this vessel's configuration because it is the only classification society to have experience with the type of liquid gas containment system being used for the SANHA LPG FPSO.

LPG is primarily propane which can be stored a warmer temperature than LNG. The key issues for safe storage and transportation for both gases in the liquefied form are storage temperature and the gas containment system.

Mitsui & Co and IHI have signed the contract for the construction of the SANHA for Single Buoy Mooring of Monaco. The project will be operated by Sonangol, ChevronTexaco, TotalFinaElf and Agip. It is scheduled for completion mid 2004 with the first product due to be shipped in 2005.