LNGShipping - Decision Support in LNG Supply Chains - Improving Shipping by optimisation Based Decisions - is a research project with close cooperation between Statoil, GDF Suez and SINTEF. In addition to industrial funding,  The Norwegian Research Council is the main financial contributor.

The project is a result and continuation of the SINTEF funded stategic project, Maritime transport and Logistics (2005-2008).

The LNG value chain is a network of difficult planning elements and options (logistics, inventory, contract obligations and spot opportunities) which have to be synchronized to achieve the best resource utilization. The value of investments to change the business portfolio is not transparent due to the complexity.  Investments are huge in this business, and the need for effective decision support systems to help the planners in their work is vital.

Good planning tools will increase the ability to obtain high vessel utilisation and lower emissions of climate gases, and to utilise the market options in an increasingly more dynamic LNG-market.

The project adresses both operational and strategic planning in the LNG business segment.

This project will together with leading operators develop a new breed of decision support system prototypes for planning of LNG ships in a LNG supply chain context, taking care of the distinctive characteristics of the LNG business.

Statoil is with the opening of Snøhvit in 2007, adding flexibility and strengthening its position in the global NG markets.

GDF SUEZ is one of the larger actors in the LNG trade globally, and have very long experience from the LNG business.

Contact person: Frode Rømo

LNGScheduler - an operational DSS tool

In the strategic project we developed an operational planning tool for LNG business assesment. 

The model is based on a very rich description of:

• liquefaction and regasification terminals. 
• vessel properties / boiloff / technology / speed
• energy balance
• contract types and price structures
• spot trade options

To be able to solve large scale problems with long time horizons, the model interacts with INVENT, a inventory routing tool developed at SINTEF ICT.