News

Paris – 6 February, 2015. GTT world leader in the design of membrane containment systems for the maritime transportation and storage of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), is pleased to report that the new release of the Canadian Standard for LNG Production, Storage and Handling, now includes and recognizes the Membrane tank system as a possible technology for the land storage of LNG in Canada.

The membrane containment system technology has been integrated into the newly published Canadian Standard CSA Z276 2015 edition. This request initiated originally from the LNG community, in order to meet the challenges of LNG export projects in remote locations. Recent LNG export developments in British Columbia and other Canadian provinces sought solutions meeting the high standards of the LNG industry, but with advantages in schedule, cost and local work content.

The inclusion of the membrane containment tank language took more than two years, in order to follow the rigorous CSA process, including public review. The technology inclusion has been realized in collaboration with world LNG tank and LNG facility safety experts, from major EPC companies, as well as Oil&Gas majors. The language takes into account the latest international tank design standards, such as API 625, API 620 and ACI 376, as well as EN 14620.

The new edition of CSA Z276 follows the action of British Columbia Oil & Gas Commission (BCOGC), which officially included membrane tank technology in its recent LNG regulation issued 21st July 2014 (https://www.bcogc.ca/node/11271/download). With the new edition of the CSA Z276 standard, the membrane tank technology is now addressed not only in British Columbia but for other Canadian provinces.

The English version of CSA’s Z276 2015 standard is now published and available for sale at: http://shop.csa.ca/en/canada/petroleum-and-natural-gas-industry-systems/z276-15/invt/27014702015. A French version is expected to be released later in the year.

Philippe Berterottière, chairman and CEO of GTT said: “Full Canadian acceptance of the Membrane containment technology for onshore LNG tanks will definitely assist developers in evaluation of the full range of options for onshore LNG storage. The GTT Membrane Full Integrity technology for LNG land storage will provide cost and schedule advantages, as well as a smaller footprint and local labor optimization, all without compromising safety”. Philippe Berterottière added: “We are already working on the detailed design for the first Membrane LNG tank in Canada.”