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Bourbon Offshore Asia planned a vessel conversion on the Bourbon Liberty 237, adapting its liquid mud tank area for methanol carriage by replacing eight tanks with four methanol tanks and introducing nitrogen equipment and a hydraulic power unit for the methanol pumps.
GLO Marine combined an onboard survey, 3D scan data, and preliminary modelling to assess the arrangement and identify affected equipment, structures, and systems.
New longitudinal bulkheads forming void spaces around the methanol tanks affected existing pumps, foundations, piping and cable routes. Relocations had to account for surrounding systems, maintenance access and escape routes.
The arrangement also depended on hazardous area classification, ventilation, gas detection and shutdown requirements. These interfaces required early identification because they could affect equipment selection, positioning and routing during detailed design.
The survey and feasibility scope covered:
GLO Marine surveyed the retrofit area against available drawings and recorded affected equipment, piping, and electrical installations. The survey and scan data supported preliminary 3D modelling and the feasibility review.
The assessment defined removals required for the four methanol tanks, including existing liquid mud tanks, pumps, piping, valves, instrumentation, foundations and raised floors. It distinguished these from systems to remain operational or require temporary protection during work.
The preliminary arrangement placed nitrogen equipment in the former BHS No.4 tank area and the methanol pump hydraulic power unit in the former BHS No.3 tank area. It retained the aft bulkhead cabinets, fuel oil pump beneath the BHS tank and freshwater cooling expansion tanks in their existing positions.
Proposed relocations covered the ballast pump, deck HPU cooling pump, fuel oil transfer and purifier feed pumps, fuel oil cargo pump, and BHS compressor and associated tank. The model checked positions against available space, piping, maintenance clearances and escape routes.
The assessment identified cable routes affected by the new bulkheads and obsolete liquid mud control equipment for removal. It also recorded a proposal to replace agitator control racks with smaller panels retaining the Z-drive room controls. Cable lengths, segregation, protection, supports and penetrations required verification during detailed design.
The report identified safety inputs required from Alliance Marine Solutions: hazardous area classification, ventilation, gas detection, emergency shutdown, bonding and earthing, and spill containment. These would govern final equipment selection and layout.
The preliminary 3D model combined equipment positions and routing philosophy. The report confirmed spatial feasibility at this stage and defined further work on routing, foundations, ventilation, electrical integration, and fire and safety arrangements, subject to third-party inputs and approvals.
GLO Marine translated the tank replacement proposal into a coordinated preliminary arrangement, accommodating new methanol equipment alongside existing systems while preserving access and maintenance space.
Final positioning, integration and validation remained subject to detailed design, hazardous area and safety inputs, and relevant third-party approvals.
