Cooperation with Industry
Production and Transportation Systems for Natural Gas
As the demand for natural gas increases rapidly all over the world, in recent years, greater attention is being paid to the technology that allows utilization of small and medium-sized scale gas fields in the sea that had not been developed up to now. Methods such as those using CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), NGH (Natural Gas Hydrate), or GTL (Gas To Liquids: liquid fuel making from natural gas) are being examined as transportation options that may be suitable for such small and medium-sized scale gas fields. Similarly, companies and research laboratories etc. around the world are promoting the development of production methods for practical use in the sea such as that using LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) - FPSO (Floating Production, Storage and Offloading) (a device that produces and stores the liquefied natural gas, and disburses it). A number of Japanese companies are leading the way with such developments and ClassNK regularly offers technical advice and cooperates from the viewpoint of application of the rules and ensuring safety in the development of the natural gas production/transportation systems in these new forms. For example NK is collaborating with on the development of off-loading systems for an NGH-FSPO, particularly in relation to safety assessments.
Deep-sea Drilling Vessel "CHIKYU"
Japan is actively engaged in research into geophysics, and seismology as well as the development of natural resources. One by-product of this research has been the development and construction of a deep sea drilling vessel the "CHIKYU" by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). This vessel is capable of drilling about 7 kilometers below the ocean floor at depths of up to 4,000 meters from the ocean surface.
Establishment of Special Research Task Forces
When certain problems arise that require the implementation of measures needing the consensus of marine related industries, special task forces are established to examine the matter and propose suitable countermeasures.
The task forces are composed of representatives from concerned industries and include technical personnel of the Society.
So far, such research task forces have prepared guides concerning the prevention of engine room fires, prevention of soot fires in exhaust gas economizers, as well as measures to address the degradation of marine fuel oils.