Lng Offshore Receiving Terminals

8/10/2019 Lng Offshore Receiving Terminals

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VERY ROUGH DRAFT for Review Purposes Only

OFFSHORE LNG RECEVNG TER!NALS

A Briefing Paper from theGUDE TO CO!!ERCAL FRA!E"OR#S FOR LNG

N NORTH A!ERCA

A Rese$r%& $n' Pu(li% E'u%$)ion Consor)iu*

Cen)er forEner+y E%ono*i%s

,ure$u ofE%ono*i% Geolo+y

TheUniversi)y ofTe-$s atAus)in

www.(e+.u)e-$s.e'u/ener+ye%on

Su**er 0112 3FNAL RELEASE DATE4

Center for Energy Economics, Bureau of Economic Geology,The University of Texas at Austin. No reprouction, istri!ution,

or attri!ution "ithout permission of the CEE.
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/energyeconhttp://www.beg.utexas.edu/energyecon


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VERY ROUGH DRAFT for Review Purposes Only

OFFSHORE LNG RECEVNG TER!NALS5

NTRODUCTON

Although offshore eep"ater ports exist an have !een "iely use for

loaing crue oil an oil proucts for many years, to ate no offshorereceiving terminals for importe li#uefie natural gas $%NG& have !een !uilt.

'everal ifferent esigns of offshore terminals are uner evelopment in

North American an "orl"ie. These !orro" from plans an technologies

teste over time in !oth crue oil applications an onshore %NG receiving

terminals. (f engineering an economic feasi!ilities are met, offshore %NG

terminals can a iversity to ho" importe %NG is receive an hanle.

Apart from operating consierations, a range of concerns surroun

evelopment of offshore %NG receiving facilities, incluing marine safety for

%NG shipping an %NG tan)er !erthing* environmental impacts associate

"ith construction an eployment of offshore facilities* an environmental

impacts associate "ith %NG re+gasification. (n the case of %NG re+

gasification, plans for propose offshore terminals mainly incorporate either

flo"+through or open+rac) vapori-ers using am!ient sea"ater as the heat

meium, or gas+fuele vapori-ers "hich have significantly higher emissions.

ur o!/ective in this report is to revie" availa!le information an )no"legeon types of offshore %NG receiving an re+gasification terminals that are

!eing evelope, planne, or propose. 0e iscuss )ey components, ientify

technical issues relating to each type, an evaluate potential solution options

"here possi!le. 0e also ientify the role of offshore terminals in the U.'.

natural gas supply chain.

1This !riefing paper "as prepare !y 2r. 3isoye 4elano, Group 5ea of Corporate 6lanning,Nigeria National 6etroleum Corp. an 4r. 2ichelle 2ichot 3oss, Chief Economist an 5ea,CEE+BEG+UT Austin, "ith assistance from 2s. Elvira (ray, 77777, an 2r. 4mitry 8ol)ov,7777777, CEE+BEG+UT Austin. 'ponsors of the consortium are9 BG %NG 'ervices* B6Americas+Glo!al %NG* Cheniere Energy* Chevron Glo!al Gas Group* Conoco6hillips 0orl"ie%NG* 4ominion Energy* El 6aso Corporation* Exxon2o!il Gas : 6o"er 2ar)eting Company*3reeport %NG* 'empra Energy Glo!al Enterprises* 'hell Gas : 6o"er* an Tracte!el %NG NorthAmerica;4istrigas of 2assachusetts. The U.'. 4epartment of Energy;ffice of 3ossil Energyhelps to coorinate peer revie"s "ith other feeral agencies an commissions. Technicalavisors to the consortium are9 AB', C5(8, 4N8, %loy


3/54

DRAFT 6 For Review Purposes Only

>E? CNC%U'(N' 5E=E

OVERVE" OF LNG !ARNE !PORT TER!NALS N NORTHA!ERCA

Currently, there are four operating onshore %NG import terminals in North

America "ith a total pea) senout capacity of @. !illion cu!ic feet per ay

$Bcf;&. 6lanne expansions, "hen complete, "ill account for another @.

Bcf; of senout capacity. =oughly D ne" %NG import terminals incluing

!oth onshore an offshore esigns, "ith a potential total pea) senout

capacity of more than Bcf;, have !een planne or propose for North

America alone.@

At this time of "riting, of the roughly D potential ne" terminals in North

America, five pro/ects ha receive final regulatory approvals in the U.'. for

an aggregate pea) senout capacity of .1 Bcf;. Three of these pro/ects are

onshore terminals9 Fuintana (slan, Texas operate !y 3reeport %NG* 'a!ine

6ass, %ouisiana operate !y Cheniere Energy* an 5ac)!erry in %ouisiana

operate !y 'empra Glo!al Energy Enterprise. Construction at !oth onshore

locations has !een approve, groun has !een !ro)en in 3reeport $C5EC>

'TATU' 3 'AB(NE& an contracts for the availa!le storage capacity have

!een finali-e $the 3reeport %NG pro/ect is alreay over+committe aniscussion is uner"ay regaring aing storage capacity to the original,

t"o+tan) esign&.

T"o of the five approve terminals in the U.'. "oul !e locate in offshore

"aters an comprise a total pea) senout capacity of @. Bcf;9 6ort 6elican,

operate !y Chevron, to !e locate a!out miles from the south"estern

%ouisiana coastline* an Energy Brige, a com!ine shipping an re+

gasification technology that ischarges through a su!merge sea !uoy a!out

11D miles offshore %ouisiana. Ta!le 1provies a summary of the approve

offshore pro/ects in the U.'.

3ive other offshore pro/ects are in various stages of the regulatory approval

process "ith the U.'. Coast Guar $U'CG&, an another five %NG offshore

@3eeral Energy =egulatory Commission $3E=C&, http9;;""".ferc.gov;.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, "
http://www.ferc.gov/http://www.ferc.gov/


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pro/ects remain in the planning stages $see Ta!le @ for a summary of

offshore %NG pro/ects that are pening approvals or that are propose&. The

total average sen out capacity of all seven offshore terminals that are

approve or uner regulatory revie" is H. Bcf; or . Tcf per year* the

pea) sen out capacity is 1. Bcf; or . Tcf per year. All of the seven

offshore terminals are propose to !e constructe an to start operations

!et"een @ an @H. (f all seven of these offshore facilities "ere to !e

!uilt an place into service, the sen out capacity "oul !e ae#uate to

meet most of the pro/ecte %NG import volumes re#uire for the U.'. !y

@@, 1.1 Bcf; or . Tcf a year $see Error9 =eference source not foun&.

(f all seven facilities "ere to !e !uilt along "ith the t"o onshore terminals

alreay approve for construction, the U.'. mar)et coul actually !eoversupplie. All ne" %NG receiving terminals, even those that have

regulatory approvals, are su!/ect to mar)et conitions. The competitive,

mar)et riven process for ne" %NG import terminals in the U.'. is intensely

competitive. Given the num!er of onshore import terminals that are planne

or propose, it is unli)ely that all of the potential offshore capacity "ill !e

evelope.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, #


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Fi+ure 5 6 Es)i*$)e' A''i)ion$l C$p$%i)y fro* )&e Nine Propose'Offs&ore LNG Ter*in$ls 3CHEC# EA OUTLOO# FOR UPDATE4

The 4eep"ater 6ort Act $46A& authori-e the U.'. 2aritime Aministration

$2A=A4& to serve as the licensing authority responsi!le for permitting ne"

offshore %NG terminals in U.'. "aters, in coorination "ith the U'CG.. By

la", 2A=A4 has only one year in "hich to issue a license to an offshore %NG

applicant an then it can only issue a license "ith approvals from the

Governors of all a/acent coastal states. Along "ith 2A=A4 an the U'CG,

other regulatory approvals must come from9

U.'. Environmental 6rotection Agency $E6A& uner the Clean Air Act an

the Clean 0ater Act*

3eeral Energy =egulatory Commission $3E=C& approval for onshore

interstate natural gas pipelines*

U.'. 4epartment of Energy $U'4E& approval for importats of natural

gas*

The U'CG retaine its non+aministrative uties uner 46A even though U'CG "as move tothe U.'. 4epartment of 5omelan 'ecurity from the U.'. 4epartment of Transportation, "here2A=A4 is !ase. U'CG uties inclue staffing the etermination of completeness, preparationof the Environmental (mpact 'tatement $E('&, an other uties. (nformation for this an thefollo"ing paragraphs on regulatory revie"s an approvals "as ta)en from I%icensing offfshore %i#uefie Natural Gas Terminal 3acilitiesJ !y 2onica 'ch"e!s, for the 1@th'ection 3all2eeting, 'ection on Environment, Energy, an =esources, American Bar Association, cto!erD+1, @, 'an Antonio, Texas.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, $


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U.'. 4epartment of TransportationKs $U'4T& =esearch an 'pecial

6ro/ects Aministration approval concerning pipeline safety*

U.'. 4epartment of the (nterior $U'4(& 2inerals 2anagement 'ervice

$22'& etermination of fair mar)et rental*

National ceanic an Atmospheric Aministration $NAA& approval

concerning fisheries impacts*

U.'. 3ish an 0illife 'ervice $U'30'& or the National 2arine 3isheries

'ervice $N23'&, epening upon the location of the species, for

consultation concerning the Enangere 'pecies Act*

U.'. Army Corps of Engineers permits.

Uner the 46A, an in aition to executive approval, the 'tates have certain

rights an responsi!ilities. They must etermine the consistency of the

offshore %NG facility "ith state coastal -one management plans mae uner

the Coastal Lone 2anagement Act* issue leases for any use of state

su!merge lans for natural gas pipeline purposes* approve any ne"

intrastate natural gas pipelines that must !e evelope* an !e involve

through their 'tate environmental agencies in the Enangere 'pecies Act

consultation process. 3inally, certain local lan use approvals must !eo!taine !y offshore %NG pro/ect evelopers for any onshore facilities.

%NG currently accounts for a!out t"o percent of U.'. natural gas supply. The

Energy (nformation Aministration $E(A& of the U.'. 4epartment of Energy

$U.'. 4E& forecasts a shortfall in U.'. natural gas supply of a!out M. trillion

cu!ic feet $Tcf& !y @@.%NG imports are pro/ecte to reach a!out 1.1

!illion cu!ic feet per ay $Bcf;& or . Tcf a year !y @@ an "oul account

for a!out 1 percent of total U.'. consumption $pipeline imports of natural

gas from Canaa "oul comprise the remainer of total natural gas imports

re#uire to !alance the U.'. mar)et&. A level of %NG imports of . Tcf

"oul !e almost ten times the volume of %NG importe in @. Gro"ing

eman for natural gas as "ell as challenges in maintaining an replacing

'ee U.'. E(A annual long term outloo), 4ecem!er @, """.eia.oe.gov.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, %
http://www.eia.doe.gov/http://www.eia.doe.gov/


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8/54

T$(le 5 6 Approve' U.S. Offs&ore LNG *por) Ter*in$ls7

N$*e /Lo%$)ion Te%&nolo+y An)i%ip$)e's)$r)up

'$)e

Es)i*$)e'Cos)

millions

S)or$+eT$n8s

C$p$%i)y

O of tan)s x!cm of %NG

$Bcf of NG&

V$pori9erType

,$selo$'

Sen'ou)

C$p$%i)y

Avg;6ea)

22cf

Co**en)s

1. 6ort 6elicanChevron

8ermilion Bloc) 1. miles offshore%ouisiana

Gravity Base'tructure

0ater 4epth

ft

@M @x1Dmm

$M Bcf&

pen =ac)8apori-ing$=8&

6hase 19;1

6hase @9

1D;@

U'CG approve Novem!er@, 4T 4oc)et O11. Chevron a"arema/or contracts to A)er>vaerner an 3luor, forfront+en engineeringesign $3EE4& an toperform engineering,procurement anconstruction management$E6C2&.

4raft EnvironmentalAssessment $EA& forpropose fa!rication sitesu!mitte on Puly @M,

@. The EA for thefa!rication of theChevron 6ort 6elicanGravity Base 'tructure$GB'& is !eing prepare!y the U'CG.

DUpates from various inustry trae pu!lications incluing Natural Gas (ntelligence $NG(&, 'tatus of Propose( an( E)isting *aciities+http9;;intelligencepress.com;features;lng;terminals;lng7terminals.html, Novem!er @ "hy only mention this oneQQ

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas,
http://intelligencepress.com/features/lng/terminals/lng_terminals.htmlhttp://intelligencepress.com/features/lng/terminals/lng_terminals.html


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'$)e

Es)i*$)e'Cos)

millions

S)or$+eT$n8s

C$p$%i)y


$Bcf of NG&

V$pori9erType

,$selo$'

Sen'ou)C$p$%i)y

Avg;6ea)

22cf

Co**en)s

@. %ouisiana Energy

Brige 4eep"ater6ort

Excelerate Energy : El6aso Corp.

0est Cameron Bloc)D Gulf of 2exico, 11Dmiles offshore%ouisiana.

'u!merge

Turret%oaing$'T%& Buoy'ystem

0ater 4epth

@Hft

Pan. @ M 1,

[email protected] Bcf&

'hell an

Tu!e8apori-ers

$'T8&

U'CG approve Pan, @.

speciali-e 1, cu.meter %NG ships "ere!eing !uilt in 'outh >oreascheule to !e eliverein Nov. @, April @ :4ec @D.

4T 4oc)et O 1@H

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas,


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T$(le 0 : O)&er Pen'in+ or Propose' Offs&ore U.S. LNG *por) Ter*in$ls;


11/54


N$*e /Lo%$)ion Te%&nolo+y An)i%ip$)e'S)$r)up

D$)e

Es)i*$)e'Cos)

millions

S)or$+eT$n8s

C$p$%i)y


$Bcf of NG&

V$pori9erType

,$selo$'Sen'ou)

C$p$%i)y

Avg;6ea)

22cf

Co**en)s

@1 miles offshore

6ort 5ueneme,California1.

=egasification

Unit&

0ater 4epth

@Hft.

$D Bcf& $'C8& stoppe on ;1D; ue to

ata gaps;E6A permitting.Cloc) "as restarte H;;

4T 4oc)et O 1DMM

. 6earl Crossing

Exxon2o!il

Gulf of 2exico, 1miles off ofCameron

6arish, %a.,


0ater 4epth9

D@ft

@ @x1@m

$.Bcf&


@;@ Application for a eep"aterport license "as su!mitteM;@1;@ in 2ay @.

4T 4oc)et O 1M

D. Gulf %aning

'hell Gas : 6o"er

miles offshore%ouisiana. 0estCameron Bloc) @1.


0ater 4epth9

ft

@ M @xHm

1m

$.Bcf&


1;1@ Application su!mitte. 6u!lichearings an comments till1;;@.

4T 4oc)et O 1DD

M. CrystalClear"ater 6ort,Crystal Energy

6latform!ase$Converting

@M ;1@ Application file as an offshornatural gas pro/ect "ith U'CGon 1;@;.

1http9;;lngsolutions.!hp!illiton.com

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, 00
http://lngsolutions.bhpbilliton.com/http://lngsolutions.bhpbilliton.com/


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N$*e /Lo%$)ion Te%&nolo+y An)i%ip$)e'S)$r)up

D$)e

Es)i*$)e'Cos)

millions

S)or$+eT$n8s

C$p$%i)y


$Bcf of NG&

V$pori9erType

,$selo$'Sen'ou)

C$p$%i)y

Avg;6ea)

22cf

Co**en)s

%%C.

1 miles "est ofxnar, California11.

an existing

offshore,6latformGrace.&

0ater 4epth

1ft.

Crystal also is "or)ing on an

%NG supply agreement "iththe Alas)a Gasline 6ortAuthority.Application re+file "ith U'CGon M;@M;.

4T 4oc)et O $TB4&

Propose'

. NortheastGate"ay

Energy Brige4eep"ater 6ort,Excelerate Energy

ffshore Gloucester

2A.

'u!mergeTurret%oaing$'T%& Buoy'ystem

0ater 4epth

ft

@M @ ;

H. Broa"aterEnergy

TransCanaaCorporation; 'hellU' Gas : 6o"er %%C

3'=U$3loating'torage an=e+gasification

@1 M

11http9;;""".crystalenergyllc.com

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, 0!
http://www.crystalenergyllc.com/http://www.crystalenergyllc.com/


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14/54


T$(le > : Propose' Offs&ore LNG *por) Ter*in$ls in !e-i%o


'$)e

Es)i*$)e'Cos)

?*illions

millions

S)or$+eT$n8s

C$p$%i)yO of tan)s x!cm of %NG

$Bcf of NG&

V$pori9erType

Sen'ou)C$p$%i)y

!!%f'

Avg;6ea)

22cf

Co**en)s

Terminal GN% 2ar Aentroe Ba/a California1@Chevron miles off the coast ofTi/uana, Northern Ba/aCalifornia, 2exico.


0ater 4epth

Dft.

@M D @m

$. Bcf&

M;1 Chevron "as a"areauthori-ation from theEnvironment anNatural =esources'ecretariat $'E2A=NAT&for its Environmental(mpact Assessment$2anifestaciRn e(mpacto Am!iental, or2(A& an =is)Assessment for apropose natural gasreceiving anregasification terminaloff the coast of Ba/aCalifornia, 2exico on

1Mth of 'eptem!er,@.

Pl$nne'

Conversion Gas (mports

Bay of Campeche, 2exico

Bishop


15/54

OFFSHORE LNG TER!NALS

T$(le @ : Su**$ry of Propose' Offs&ore LNG Ter*in$ls in Nor)& A*eri%$

Type of Oper$)ion of Ter*in$ls

2oe of peration Continuous M

(ntermittent @

0ater 4epth

'hallo" "ater $S@ft&

4eep"ater $@ft&

4istance from 'hore

@ miles

@ miles

2ore than miles 1

%ocation

Gulf of 2exico D

0est Coast

8apori-ation 2etho

pen =ac) 8apori-er $=8& D

'u!merge Com!ustion 8apori-er $'C8& 1

'hell an Tu!e 8apori-er $'T8& 1

Modes of Operation of Offshore LNG Receiving Terminals

ffshore %NG terminals can !e generally ivie into t"o groups !ase on the

operational moels9 continuous !aseloa operations or intermittent operations.

Con)inuous ($se lo$' oper$)ionsre#uire %NG terminals to have storage capacity

for %NG or vapori-e natural gas. Terminals that o not inclue storage for %NG

"oul generally !e use for in)er*i))en) oper$)ions. 3ive of the sevenapprove

or pening offshore terminals are continuous !aseloa operations as epicte in

Ta!le . All the types of %NG terminals "oul inclue systems for oc)ing an

unloaing of %NG vessels an systems for vapori-ation of the %NG for elivery to

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, 0$


16/54


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re#uire "ater epths greater than 1D feet to accommoate the flexi!le pipeline

connection !et"een the unit an the seafloor pipeline.

Water Depth, Distance from Shore, and Location

0hen consiering siting of %NG offshore terminals, a "ie range of possi!lelocations present themselves. %NG offshore terminals must !e locate in "aters of

at least feet $approximately 1 meters& in epth. %NG vessels typically have a

raft of feet an re#uire an aitional t"o feet of epth to provie sufficient

clearance from the sea !ottom for safe maneuvering. This means that the

minimum "ater epth for siting %NG offshore terminals "ill !e etermine !y the

minimum epth of "ater re#uire for the safe maneuvering of the %NG vessels,

"hich is a!out feet. At present, there is no maximum epth of "ater that "oul

limit the location of an offshore %NG terminal, !ut ultimate "ater epths for safe,

economic operation are also etermine !y geometry of the sea floor, "ave action,

istance from shore, an other factors.

GB' an platform+!ase offshore facilities "oul sit on the sea!e an thus !e

epth restricte. These facilities "oul !e locate closer to lan an hence !e more

visi!le from the !each. 4eep"ater locations "oul !e farther offshore an "oul

re#uire longer su!sea pipelines at higher incremental cost, !ut "oul !e

significantly less visi!le.1

'ome of the avantages of offshore %NG terminals inclue the possi!ility of locating

the terminal in eeper "ater there!y eliminating the nee for reging inlan

"ater"ays an increase availa!ility, safety an reuce voyage time as %NG

carriers nee not enter an maneuver in congeste "aters.

(n the U.'., the 4eep"ater 6ort Act $406A& of 1HM1, as amene, specifies the

regulations concerning offshore oil an gas terminals. The 406A esta!lishe a

licensing process for o"nership, construction an operation of manmae structures

!eyon the U.'. territorial "aters. The limit of the U' EEL $Exclusive Economic

Lone& sets the maximum limit for siting %NG offshore terminals. (n concept, this

1'ai, 2i)e an Poram 2ei/erin), 'hell Glo!al 'olutions (nternational B.8., LNG 2mport Terminas34Offshore vs Onshore5 - A 'ite 6 Concept 'creening 7etho(oog8, 1th (nternational Conference on%i#uefie Natural Gas $%NG+1&, 4oha, Fatar. 2arch, @.

1U.'. Coe of 3eeral =egulations9 http9;;""".gpoaccess.gov;cfr;inex.html

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, 0&
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.htmlhttp://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html


18/54


"oul inclue any location along the maritime coastline of the U.'. in the Atlantic

cean, 6acific cean, or Gulf of 2exico $G2& in the U.'. EEL, an that is at least

1@ miles offshore. 'ince the 406A "as passe it has !een moifie t"ice to

streamline the application process an to promote the offshore importation of

natural gas in aition to oil. The last moification "as in Novem!er @@ "hen the

2aritime Transportation 'ecurity Act of @@ $2T'A& "as signe, "hich formally

amene the 406A to exten the efinition of eep"ater ports to inclue natural

gas facilities an implement measures to improve vessel an facility security. 6orts

must not !e site in areas specially esignate as vessel navigation routes, cargo

operations areas, or environmental protection an conservation areas.

The 406A allo"s the eep"ater ports to !e operate for exclusive use, there!y

eicating the entire capacity of the facility for its o"n purposes, "ithout !eing

su!/ect to the re#uirements of open access or common carriage. 'ince the passage

of the 406A of 1HM, the only operational eep"ater port in existence toay is the

%ouisiana ffshore il 6ort $%6&.

The U'CG has esta!lishe a m 'afety Lone surrouning the offshore %NG

terminal to exclue ship traffic not relate to the port operations. The re#uirement

of this safety -one necessitates that the offshore %NG terminal !e locate a"ay

from shipping fair"ays, existing oil or gas platforms, other eep"ater ports, another areas of activity on the uter Continental 'helf $C'& to avoi interference

"ith those activities. ther consierations of location, such as proximity to existing

offshore an onshore pipeline istri!ution systems an support infrastructure, "ill

also influence the cost effectiveness of a eep"ater port.1

'ix of the propose %NG offshore terminals are in the Gulf of 2exico $G2&, Error9

=eference source not foun. The G2 provies many favora!le conitions for the

evelopment of offshore %NG terminals. Extensive existing onshore support

infrastructure an the general economy of the Gulf area strongly support

evelopment of offshore %NG terminals. (n aition to onshore resources, the G2

offers access to an extensive existing offshore pipeline infrastructure "ith irect

access to ma/or onshore istri!ution points.

1U' Coast Guar9 2aritime Aministration 3inal Environmental Assessment of the El 3aso EnergyBrige 4eep"ater 6ort %icense Application, Nov. @



19/54


Type of Regasification Process

The %NG regasification process starts "ith the offloaing of %NG from ocean+going

%NG ships into storage tan)s, pumping the %NG from storage tan)s through

vapori-ers $heat exchanger& at pipeline pressure an finally sening out the

prouct, natural gas, through custoy transfer metering to the gas pipeline

net"or), see Error9 =eference source not foun.

Fi+ure 0 6 Gener$l LNG Re%eivin+ Ter*in$l Oper$)ion

Use this graphicQ (f so, nee source

The types of vapori-ers applica!le to offshore %NG terminals inclue9

The open rac) vapori-er $=8&*

'u!merge com!ustion vapori-er $'C8&* an

'hell an tu!e vapori-er $'T8& using either once+through heating sea"ater

$open+loop& or a steam heate $close+loop& system.



20/54


f the nine propose offshore terminals in North America six plan to use the =8

an one each plan to use the 'C8 an 'T8. 'afety uring operations, commercial

via!ility, opera!ility an maintaina!ility, space re#uirements an suita!ility for

offshore use an environmental impacts are some of the parameters consiere in

selecting the appropriate vapori-ers.

Open R$%8 V$pori9er 3ORV4 Sys)e*s

Fi+ure > : S%&e*$)i% Dr$win+ of ORV

=8 systems use sea"ater flo"ing over

a series of panel coils to "arm the %NG

"hich is flo"ing countercurrent "ithin

the panels, as sho"n in Error9

=eference source not foun. The

am!ient sea"ater is the sole source of

heat. 'ea"ater "oul flo" through

inta)e screens, "hich eliminate e!ris,

an then pumpe to the =8s through

strainers. (nta)e screens "oul !e

esigne "ith mesh si-es an operate

at inta)e velocities that minimi-e

impingement an entrainment of

marine organisms $see Error9 =eference

source not foun&. (mpingement can

occur "hen larger a#uatic organisms

are pinne against screens or other

structures an )ille or in/ure. Entrainment can occur "hen eggs, larvae, young

/uveniles, an smaller a#uatic organisms are ra"n into cooling systems an )ille

or in/ure !y thermal, chemical, or physical stresses. The coole sea"ater "oul

!e collecte an ischarge to the ocean after one pass through the system.

4epening on the sen+out capacity the ischarge line can !e up to M feet in

iameter, Error9 =eference source not foun. The sea"ater is chlorinate to protect

the surface of the tu!e panel against !iofouling an to prevent marine gro"th

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, !1

'ource9 >BE%C 9

""".)o!elco.co./p;ene)a;p1;orve.ht

m
http://www.kobelco.co.jp/eneka/p01/orve.htmhttp://www.kobelco.co.jp/eneka/p01/orve.htmhttp://www.kobelco.co.jp/eneka/p01/orve.htmhttp://www.kobelco.co.jp/eneka/p01/orve.htm


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insie the piping. Biofouling $!iological fouling& is the unesira!le accumulation of

microorganisms, plants an animals on artificial surfaces. This occurs on artificial

surfaces su!merge in sea"ater $marine !iofouling&, such as shipBE%C 9 """.)o!elco.co./p;ene)a;p1;orve.htm

Su(*er+e' Co*(us)ion V$pori9ers 3SCV4

'C8 systems !urn natural gas as their source of heat. The process "ill superheat

the natural gas to a temperature of a!out 1o3 at a pressure of a!out 1, psig.

The %NG an natural gas flo" are containe "ithin process piping su!merge in the

"ater !ath. Neither %NG nor natural gas is irectly release into the "ater !ath,

!ut com!ustion exhaust gas oes !u!!le through the "ater !ath. 0ater for the

!ath is fresh "ater generate !y collection of conense "ater forme from the

natural gas fuel !urne in the 'C8. 2oisture in the exhaust gas "ill conense on

col %NG piping. 6ota!le "ater for the terminal can !e supplie from theconensation of moisture out of the air at the 'C8 units. The "ater !ath provies

sta!le heat transfer to the %NG an natural gas. The "ater !ath is coole as the

natural gas a!sor!s heat from it. No circulating sea"ater is re#uire for the

su!merge com!ustion vapori-ation process. There are Nxan C@emissions ue

the !urning of natural gas to fire the !urners.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, !0
http://www.kobelco.co.jp/eneka/p01/orve.htmhttp://www.kobelco.co.jp/eneka/p01/orve.htm


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3igure + 'u!merge Com!ustion 8apori-er. 'ource3 Cheniere

S&ell $n' Tu(e V$pori9er 3STV4 can !e operate in an open+loop, close+loop, or

com!ine moe. (n the open+loop configuration, relatively "arm sea"ater ispumpe from fixe inta)es an passe through the shell+an+tu!e vapori-er to

provie the heat necessary to change the %NG to its natural gas phase. (n this

configuration the 'T8 is similar to the =8 except that the sea"ater is pumpe

through the shell an tu!e exchangers. 'T8 come in smaller si-es than =8


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'C8 system, !ut the =8 system has a lo"er operating cost an re#uires less fuel.

The cost of the 'T8 for sea"ater application "ill !e generally higher although the

installe cost is lo"er than that of =8s.

TYPES OF OFFSHORE LNG RECEVNG TER!NALS N NORTHA!ERCA

There are five main types of offshore %NG terminal9

Gravity Base 'tructure $GB'&

3loating, 'torage an =egasification Unit $3'=U& Concept

'huttle an %NG =egasification 'ystem $Energy Brige&

Cavern Base %NG =eceiving 3acilities

6latform Base (mport Terminal

The ifferent types of %NG offshore terminal "ill !e examine an the components

"ill !e iscusse an the technical issues "oul !e highlighte. An example ta)en

from the propose pro/ects "ill then !e presente to further illustrate the )ey

component of each type. A complete list of the propose pro/ects is provie in

Ta!le 1+ Error9 =eference source not foun.

Gravity ased Str!ct!re "GS#GB's have !een use to support offshore facilities for more than years. The

concrete construction is aapta!le to extreme col temperatures an "oul !e

esigne to tolerate contact "ith %NG "here applica!le. GB' supporte prouction

facilities are typically consiere for shallo" "ater offshore locations, "ith "ater

epths typically limite to the range of ft 1ft. The lo"er limit is to

accommoate the minimum raft re#uirements for %NG ships as iscusse a!ove.

All the propose %NG terminals fall in this "ater epth range, see +Ta!le 1+ Error9

=eference source not foun. GB' structures must also !e locate in areas "here

the seafloor is relatively level or gently sloping, lac)ing in geologic ha-ars, an

"ith satisfactory seiments to support the founation an "eight of the

structure. (f there is a significant thic)ness of soft clays, the most effective means

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, !"


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of founing the GB' is !y constructing concrete s)irts. A concrete s)irt is a vertical

structure that cuts through the soli founation to harer material !elo".

Fi+ure 7 : Offs&ore LNG G,S Pro'u%)ion< S)or$+e $n' Offlo$'in+ Ter*in$ls

'ource9

WGet a picture of sho"ing GB' layoutX

The GB' concept is particularly "ell suite to phase expansion, aitional GB'

units may !e constructe an installe a/acent to existing facilities an lin)e to

the existing GB' !y a shallo" "ater /ac)ets an a !rige. 'ignificant synergies can

arise ue to the sharing of prouction utilities, storage an offloaing facilities for

the phase expansion of the facility. The si-e of the GB' is efine !y the storage

volume or topsie area re#uire for the support of facilities or a com!ination of !oth

re#uirements.

G,S Co*ponen)s $n' Confi+ur$)ion

The %NG terminal usually consists of t"o reinforce concrete, rectilinear GB's. Each

GB' "oul !e a!out @ ft "ie, ft long, an 1 ft tall. ne GB' unit, the

U)ili)y G,S, "oul support the control an maintenance !uilings an utilities. The

other GB', the Pro%ess G,S, "oul support the regasification facilities on its top

ec). The t"o GB's "oul !e positione en to en, separate !y a!out 1ft an

connecte !y a /ac)et an !rige. 5igh+strength cement technology an steel

reinforcing "oul !e use to esign the GB's to safely "ithstan extreme loas li)e

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, !#


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severe "ave loas cause !y hurricanes force similar to "hat is experience in the

Gulf of 2exico an other energy+imparting events, incluing vessel impact. 1D(f the

GB' is sitting in a!out ft of "ater, there "ill !e a!out M ft of free!oar a!ove

the sea"ater level.

Offoa(ing LNG 'hips

The !erthing an unloaing facilities for %NG ships "oul inclue one or t"o %NG

ship !erths an a !erthing control to"er to manage all !erthing operations an

proceures. The mooring system "oul allo" one or t"o %NG ships to !e moore

alongsie the GB'. %NG ships "oul !erth anytime of the ay or night, su!/ect to

suita!le "eather conitions. The %NG GB' offloaing facilities "oul !e esigne to

accommoate %NG ships ranging in capacity from 1, m

to 1D, m

ormore epening on the "ater epth at location.

Winsert picture of offloaing armsX

'hip cargo transfer "oul use a loaing arm pac)ageper !erth. The loaing arm

pac)ageconsists of four 1D+in iameter loaing arms. The loaing arms "oul !e

similar to those use at existing onshore %NG facilities* ho"ever, the specific

configuration "oul !e esigne to accommoate offshore ship movements at

!erth. %NG ships "oul offloa through three of the four loaing arms. Typicaloffloaing rates "oul !e a!out 1, + 1@, cu!ic meters per hour $m


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LNG 'torage on the GB'

The %NG is store "ithin the GB' hull in a ou!le containment tan) "ith mem!rane

liner. Each GB' "oul have an integrate %NG tan). The su!structure is mae up of

flat concrete "alls an sla!s for ease of construction. Concrete is particularly "ell

suite to the storage of cryogenic li#uis li)e %NG if suita!le insulation, heating or

li#ui !arriers are provie to limit the exposure of the concrete to large areas of

extreme col. 'u!merge %NG cargo pumps are place insie the tan)s to transfer

%NG from storage tan)s to %NG senout pumps mounte on the GB' ec)1M.

Winsert picture sho"ing tan) cross+section from ConocophillipsX

%NG storage tan)s are fitte "ith thermal insulation !oth to prevent heat flo" into

the cargo tan) to reuce !oil+off of the %NG an also to protect the shipaplan, A.* Concrete-9ase( offshore LNG pro(uction in Nigeria, %NG /ournal'eptem!er;cto!er @.

1'ee U5 (E%E 3AF ZUn(erstan(ing LNG Cargo Tan: 2nsuationJ """.energy.uh.eu;lng.. 4ec. @

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, !%
http://www.energy.uh.edu/lnghttp://www.energy.uh.edu/lng


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Boil+off gas can !e use to supply vapor to the %NG ship to fill the voi left "hen

%NG is pumpe out or as fuel gas or compresse, conense, an recom!ine "ith

the %NG for vapori-ation.

LNG 'en(out ;apori


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involving the tur!ine generators. The facility "oul receive !ul) iesel from supply

vessels.

Emergenc8 *are '8stem

To meet applica!le safety stanars, an emergency gas flare "oul !e installe on

a separate support structure a/acent to the en of the Pro%ess G,S. The flare

"oul !e oriente such that the prevailing "ins "oul irect its plume a"ay from

the GB'. The flare platform "oul !e accesse using an extene gang"ay. A flare

heaer system "oul collect hyrocar!on flo"s from relief valves, tan) !lan)ets $air

spaces aroun the tan) "ith nitrogen an natural gas sensors&, an miscellaneous

sources an sen them to a flare rum an then to the flare. The flare "oul !e

e#uippe "ith multiple pilots an electronic igniters.

Living =uarters an( >ei(ec:

Cre" #uarters "oul !e place on a free+staning platform a short istance from

the Utility GB', at the en farthest from the 6rocess GB' an emergency flare in

orer to meet the re#uirements for safety set!ac)s from the %NG tan)s. The

!uiling "oul accommoate a!out personnel, offices, recreation,

communications, an a galley.

7ooring '8stem

2ooring of %NG ships at the GB' Terminal "oul !e carrie out through a

com!ination of !oth !reasting an mooring olphins. Breasting an mooring

olphins are clusters of piles riven an !oun together at the top $or a large

iameter pile& use to moor, anchor, !reast or turn a vessel an also to protect

!rige piers an oc)s. Tugs "oul !e re#uire to assist in !erthing an un+

!erthing the %NG ships.

Winsert picture of olphins from Blue"aterX

*a9rication

GB' fa!rication an installation of the ma/ority of the %NG tan)s an regasification

e#uipment "oul !e performe at a shore+!ase facility. The GB' nees to !e

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, !


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constructe insie an unflooe ry+oc) an the operating e#uipment is installe

an teste. The oc) "oul then !e flooe in orer to float the GB' to the

installation site. The GB's "oul then !e to"e to the terminal site an fixe to the

sea!e. The installation proceures generally involve graually lo"ering each GB'

to the seafloor using !allast tan)s aroun the perimeter of the GB'. The s)irts on

the !ottom of the GB' "oul re#uire /etting a"ay the softer seiments so that the

GB' s)irts can !e ra"n into the seafloor to firmly anchor the GB' at the site. nce

the GB's are in place, the remaining operating e#uipment "oul !e installe an

connections mae !et"een the GB's, #uarters platform, offloaing platforms. %ift

!arges "oul !e use to install some aspects of the Terminal. The pipeline "oul

also have !een fa!ricate an installe. The %NG terminal "oul then !e place in

service after a series of final testing an inspections.

?ecommissioning

GB' Terminals may !e esigne for up to years of service. The ecommissioning

involves removing all uner"ater structures an leaving facilities in place !elo"

groun. The ecommissioning proceure is a reverse of the installation proceure.

An E-$*ple of Gr$vi)y ,$se' S)ru%)ure 3G,S4

T&e Por) Peli%$n Deepw$)er Por)5Bpropose !y Chevron consists of t"o GB's

"ith %NG storage, process e#uipment, an ancillary facilities. The terminal "oul !e

locate approximately D statute miles $mi& south south"est of 3resh"ater City,

%ouisiana in 8ermilion Bloc) 1 in the G2. The propose terminal site is to !e

locate in approximately ft of "ater.

The facilities are to !e esigne, constructe, an operate in accorance "ith

applica!le 3eeral, state, an local coes an stanars. The 6ro/ect "oul !e

implemente in t"o phases. 6hase ( of the 6ro/ect "oul inclue construction of aterminal consisting of t"o GB's. The terminal "oul initially have an average

senout capacity of million scf an a pea) senout capacity of 1. !illion scf.

1HU' Coast Guar9 2aritime Aministration9 3inal Environmental (mpact 'tatement for the 6ort6elican %lc 4eep"ater 6ort %icense Application. August @.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, !


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Aitional e#uipment to increase the average capacity to1.D!illion scf $pea) @.

!illion scf& "oul !e installe as supply an eman "arrant.

Each GB' "oul !e a large concrete structure specially esigne an fa!ricate to

provie a safe an secure founation for the %NG tan)s an a supportive ec) for

vapori-ing e#uipment. The terminal "oul contain t"o %NG storage tan)s "ith a

total capacity of , cu!ic meters of %NG. The =8 technology is propose

regasify the %NG. The GB's "oul rest upon the seafloor. Berthing facilities

$mooring an !reasting olphins an unloaing platforms& "oul accommoate t"o

%NG ships, one on either sie of the terminal. Cre" #uarters "oul !e installe on a

platform off one en of the terminal GB's, an an emergency flare "oul !e

installe on a platform off the other en of the Terminal.

3igure M + 6ropose Chevron 6ort 6elican 6ro/ect, offshore %ouisiana + Gravity+!asestructure

'ource + Chevron

The 6ro/ect "oul also inclue the 6elican (nterconnector 6ipeline $pipeline&, a ne"

M nautical miles $N2&, @+inch $in& iameter su!sea pipeline to eliver the gas tothe existing Tiger 'hoal IAJ platform in 'outh 2arsh (slan Bloc) @1M an

su!se#uently to the existing onshore natural gas pipeline infrastructure. This

pipeline "oul have a capacity of @. !illion scf. The pipeline "oul generally !e

!urie at least ft !elo" the sea!e in "aters ranging in epth from approximately

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, "1


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ft at the Terminal to @ ft at the Tiger 'hoal IAJ platform. The pipeline "oul

support gas elivery for the life of the 6ro/ect.

(n Panuary @ the U'CG issue a license for the construction an operation of the

terminal. A conition of the license "as the preparation of a supplemental stuy of

onshore construction activities necessary to fa!ricate the 6ort 6elican 4eep"ater

6ort. 3a!rication of the eep"ater port is propose to !e carrie out in one of t"o

existing fa!rication sites. nshore fa!rication "oul inclue the installation of %NG

tan)s an the installation of topsies.@ The t"o gravity !ase structures "oul !e

to"e from the fa!rication site to the approve location offshore. The

Environmental Assessment $EA& is !eing prepare !y U'CG. (nstallation of the

terminal an the associate pipeline "oul ta)e approximately @. years after the

start of GB' fa!rication. (nstallation is scheule to !e complete in @.

$loating, Storage and Regasification %nit "$SR%#05

3'=U %NG import terminal concept comprises of a purpose !uilt permanently

moore ship "ith several %NG ships shuttling !et"een the export facility an the

import site. The 3'=U ship is typically !et"een to meters long !y up to M

meters "ie an normally oes not have a propulsion system. $(t "ill !e to"e

from the shipyar an installe at its operational site&. 3loating structures "ith

storage capacity generally re#uire an anchoring system an sufficient "ater

epth $generally greater than 1D ft& to accommoate a flexi!le pipeline

connection !et"een the unit an the seafloor pipeline.

FRSU Co*ponen)s $n' Confi+ur$)ion

The 3'=U consists of a ou!le+hulle ship esigne using normal ship!uiling

!lueprints an stanars an can !e constructe in a "ie range of conventional

ship yars "orl"ie. The regasification facilities are locate on the main ec) of

the ship an are typically tailore to suit the specifie gas sen+out conitions.

@Topsies e#uipments "oul !e place on top of the GB's, such as offices, cre" #uarters, electricgenerators, regasification e#uipment an utilities.

@1'ai ,2i)e * 2ei/erin), Poram 'hell Glo!al 'olutions (nternational B.8.9 LNG 2mport Terminas34Offshore vs Onshore5 A 'ite 6 Concept 'creening 7etho(oog8, 1th (nternational Conference on%i#uefie Natural Gas $%NG+1&,4oha, Fatar. 2arch, @

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, "0


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33/54


*isca 7etering

The %NG storage tan)s "ill !e fitte "ith a raar type gauging system. This system

is use for custoy transfer application an is fitte "ith a separate monitor in the

control room. 3or metering of sen+out gas t"o ultrasonic in+line gas flo" meters

"ill !e use. ne unit "ill hanle the pea) gas flo" "ith the other unit as a stan+

!y. 3lo", temperature an pressure signals "ill !e transmitte to a flo" computer

"ith isplay an printer locate in the control room, "hich can transmit to shore if

esire. The system "ill !e supplie "ith a certificate for fiscal accuracy an !e

perioically re+evaluate for accuracy.

Utiit8 'ervices

'imilar to the GB', the po"er generation for the ship services are normallyprovie !y gas tur!ines "ith ual fuel iesel engines as !ac) up $si-e accoring

to the re#uirements of the regasification e#uipment&.

Living =uarters an( >ei(ec:

The cre" #uarters are generally locate at the stern so as to provie the maximum

istance !et"een the turret an accommoation unit. An accommoation ec)

house "ith all facilities for a permanent cre" of up to persons "ith temporary

accommoations for another @ persons in fol+o"n !un)s, an a heliec) "ill !e

fitte at the aft en in a non+gas angerous -one. ne free+fall life!oat an t"o

large life rafts complete "ith escape chutes "ill !e fitte at the stern of the terminal

for evacuation uring an emergency. The supply vessel from shore for provisions

an cre" changes "ill also !e !erthing;e+!erthing at the aft section of the

terminal. A multipurpose control room "ill !e installe in the accommoations to

control an monitor all aspects of the terminal


34/54


conitions. The %NG carrier is moore alongsie the 3'=U "ith !oth vessels

"eathervaning aroun the 3'=U


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'ource9 B56

The 3'=U "ill !e a ship+shape ou!le sie, ou!le !ottome %NG storage an re+

gasification facility. The 3'=U "ill have a length of @D m an !reath of D m,

"ith a isplacement of approximately 1H, ea "eight tonnage $"t&. The

3'=U "ill store %NG in three 2oss spherical tan)s. Each tan) "ill have a H1,

m %NG storage capacity an the total 3'=U %NG storage capacity "ill !e @M,

m. The internal tan) shell is aluminum, surroune !y insulating layers an cla in

an external steel shell. Each 2oss spherical tan) is supporte on a steel s)irt ring

that is !race insie the ou!le hull of the vessel. Each tan) is locate in a

separate cargo hol "ith the tan) s)irt mounte irectly on the founation ec).

The spherical esign reuces sloshing forces that can !uil up an cause amage in

non+symmetrical tan)s. This allo"s the 2oss tan)s to !e use "ithout any filling

restrictions, allo"ing loaing an unloaing operations on the open seas. The

entire internal an external shells of 2oss type tan)s can !e inspecte, an if

necessary reaily repaire, as contraste "ith mem!rane line tan) systems, "here

access an repair re#uires significant o"ntime. 2oss tan)s have a normal fatigue

!ase life expectancy of 1+years.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, "$


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37/54


tan)s. The %NG storage tan)s are esigne to "ithstan any potential egree of

IsloshingJ uring transportation an unloaing as a result of partially loae tan)s.

El P$so Ener+y ,ri'+e< Offs&ore Louisi$n$4@is propose !y Excelerate Energy,

%%C an El 6aso Corporation. El 6aso Energy Brige 8essels $E6EB8s& "oul !e use

to transport an convert %NG to natural gas. 0hen an E6EB8 reaches the port, it

"oul retrieve an connect to the 'T% !uoy an the integrate mooring system.

0hen not in use, the 'T% !uoy "oul remain su!merge approximately feet $ft&

$@. meters WmX& !elo" the sea surface in approximately @H ft $H1 m& of "ater.

The eep"ater port is locate 11D miles south of the %ouisiana shoreline.

0hen an Energy Brige ship reaches the offshore %NG terminal it "oul retrieve

an connect to a su!merge turret loaing $'T%& !uoy. A "inch locate on the ship

"oul raise the su!merge !uoy from its su!surface location. The 'T% !uoy "oul

!e ra"n into an opening in the hull of the ship. After it is secure, the 'T% !uoy

"oul serve !oth as the mooring system for the vessel an as the offloaing

mechanism for transferring the natural gas. After the 'T% !uoy has !een attache

to the vessel an all mooring an start+up prere#uisites have !een satisfie, the

ship on!oar %NG regasification process "oul commence. The ship "oul vapori-e

the %NG "ith its on!oar regasification e#uipment. Natural gas "oul !e

transferre from the ship through the 'T% !uoy. The su!merge 'T% !uoy "oul !econnecte to a flexi!le riser leaing to a sea!e pipeline that "oul convey the

natural gas to a metering platform. 3rom the metering platform, the natural gas

"oul !e fe into sea!e pipelines.

Fi+ure B+ Energy Brige General 'ystem %ayout.

@U' Coast Guar9; 2aritime Aministration 3inal Environmental Assessment of the El 3aso EnergyBrige 4eep"ater 6ort %icense Application, Nov. @

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, "&


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'ource9 El 6aso Energy Corp.

The Energy Brige 'ystem ta)es avantage of an existing 'T% !uoy eep"ater port

technology. (t limits the nee for ne" pipeline an onshore infrastructure !y

exploiting excess capacity in the existing infrastructure an has the flexi!ility to

easily aapt to shifting or volatile %NG supplies. nce elivere into the existing

natural gas transmission infrastructure, the gas "oul then !e reelivere !y

shippers into the national gas pipeline gri through connections "ith other ma/or

interstate an intrastate pipelines.

The principal components of the Energy Brige 'ystem "oul inclue9

A 'u!merge Turret %oaing $'T%& !uoy receiving system to receive natural gas

from elivery vessels, "ith a mooring system of ca!les lines, chains an

permanent anchors.

A flexi!le riser pipe to carry the natural gas from the 'T% !uoy to a su! sea

manifol.

Natural gas pipeline connecting the su! sea manifol to a metering platform.

A metering platform to irect an regulate the natural gas flo"s into

o"nstream pipelines.



39/54


Fi+ure 51 6 Ener+y ,ri'+e Sys)e* So!rce' ()celerate

The t"o E6EB8s are uner

construction in 'outh >orea an

they "oul !e eicate to

elivering natural gas to the 6ort.

Each E6EB8 "oul have a

transport capacity of

approximately 1, cu!ic

meters $m& of %NG or

approximately !illion cu!ic feet

$Bcf& of natural gas. Uner optimal

operating conitions, each E6EB8"oul have the capa!ility to

egasify an unloa up to a

maximum of DH million cu!ic feet

of natural gas per ay $22cf;&.

The %NG storage tan)s have !een

esigne to "ithstan 1+year storms in the G2 an North Atlantic voyage

IsloshingJ conitions.

Fi+ure 55 : El P$so Ener+y ,ri'+e Vessels 3EPE,Vs4



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'ource9 El 6aso Energy Corp.

The on!oar regasification "oul use a s&ell:$n':)u(e v$pori9er sys)e*. The

regasification system "oul !e operate in an open+loop $once through, non+

contact "arming "ater& moe an can prouce a maximum of approximately DH

22cf; of natural gas. =estrictions on the receiving rate of the o"nstream

pipelines "oul limit the average annual regasification rate to approximately

22cf;. The regasification system "oul have the capa!ility to operate in a close+

loop $recirculating "arming "ater& moe or in a com!ine moe. The close+loop

!oiler "oul !e operate using natural gas. (t is estimate that approximately

M,11M 2BTU; $M.11M 22cf;& of gas "oul !e re#uire to operate the !oiler in the

close+loop configuration. The close+loop capa!ilities "ere esigne into the

on!oar regasification system primarily to allo" %NG regasification "hen sea

conitions prohi!it use of the open+loop configuration.

Fi+ure 50 6 S&ell $n' Tu(e V$pori9er Arr$n+e*en) on )&e EPE,V De%8

'ource Excelerate

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, #1


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ne of these o"nstream sea!e pipelines "oul travel through 0C D an tie

into the existing offshore Blue"ater 6ipeline in 0C D1. The other o"nstream

pipeline "oul travel from the metering platform through 0C D@ an 0C D1, an

tie into an existing 'ea =o!in pipeline in East Cameron Area, 'outh Aition, C'

%ease Bloc) $EC &.The pro/ect "as approve on Panuary 1, @ an is

expecte to start operations early @.

*avern ased LNG Receiving $acilities

The salt cavern storage !ase %NG =eceiving 3acilities consists of a marine

terminal, "hich "ill receive %NG from the tan)er. The %NG may !e elivere into

%NG storage tan)s at the terminal an then re+gasifie or re+gasifie immeiately

an in/ecte in the salt storage cavern as natural gas. The ma/or critical elements

of this concept are9

'alt formations suita!le for cavern evelopment*

A metho to moor an offloa an %NG carrier*

Ae#uate %NG storage tan)s or a metho to immeiately vapori-e the %NG at

volumes that allo"s accepta!le ship ischarge times* an

A pipeline infrastructure sufficient to carry large volumes of natural gas to

mar)et.

Accoring to Conversion Gas (mports $CG(&@D, salt caverns can !e solution mine in

far less time an at a!out one fifth of the cost of constructing cryogenic tan)s

resulting in significantly lo"er investment an a shorter construction scheule. The

permitting scheule "ill also !e significantly shorter. These avantages result in a

lo"er capital expeniture $CA6E[& an operating expenses $6E[& than for

conventional terminals.

'alt cavern storage is a "ell+)no"n technology an is "ell evelope, accepta!le to

the community an lo" cost. 'alt caverns, thousans of feet !elo" the Earth


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!ut a!out 1\ of the elivera!ility of natural gas into the gas gri. 'alt cavern gas

storage facilities have very high elivera!ility instantaneously availa!le to the

pipeline system, far higher than %NG vapori-ation capacities in conventional %NG

terminals. 'alt caverns are central to U.'. energy infrastructure. The entire

'trategic 6etroleum =eserve, totaling more than D million !!l of crue oil, is

store in salt caverns on the Gulf Coast. (n aition, there are more than D

million !!l of proucts o"ne !y private inustries incluing hyrogen, natural gas,

natural gas li#uis, olefins, refine proucts an crue oil store in salt caverns in

the Unite 'tates an Canaa.

E-$*ple of $ C$vern ,$se' Offs&ore LNG Re%eivin+ F$%ili)ies

T&e !$in P$ss Ener+y Hu( 3!PEH4@M "as propose !y 3reeport+2c2oran

Energy %%C as a eep"ater port to receive, vapori-e, conition, store, an

transport li#uefie natural gas $%NG& an constituent li#uis erive from the

processing. The propose offshore %NG terminal "ill !e locate in the Gulf of

2exico $G2& on the uter Continental 'helf $C'& approximately 1D miles

[email protected] )ilometers W)mX& offshore southeast %ouisiana at 2ain 6ass Bloc) @HH $26

@HH&. (t "ill !e locate in approximately @1 feet $D meters& of "ater epth

an "ill !e esigne to accommoate %NG carriers up to 1D, cu!ic meters

$m&. The propose location is a former sulfur mining facility an the pro/ect

"ill utili-e four existing platforms along "ith associate !riges an support

structures "ith appropriate moifications an aitions as part of the offshore

%NG terminal.

@M3reeport+2c2o=an Energy %%C9 4eep"ater 6ort %icense Application for the 2ain 6ass Energy 5u!6ro/ect, 8olume (, General $6u!lic& 3e!ruary @ 'u!mitte to U'CG.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, #!


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Fi+ure 5> 6 !PEH Con%ep)u$l View

'ource9 3reeport+2c2oran Energy %%C

T"o ne" platforms "ill !e constructe to carry the %NG storage tan)s an a

patent+pening 'oft Berth] 'ystem "ill !e use to !erth %NG carriers. Three

%NG storage tan)s "ill !e locate on each platform, see Error9 =eference source

not foun an Error9 =eference source not foun. The %NG storage tan)s "ill

each have a capacity of approximately @,DD m "ith prismatic W'6BX,

spherical W2ossX type, or any other accepta!le containment system. The total

net capacity of the %NG storage tan)s is approximately 1, m. The t"o

%NG storage platforms "ill !e connecte to the processing facilities !y a !rige.

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, #"


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Fi+ure 5@ 6 !PEH Sof) ,er)& : Con%ep)u$l Desi+n of LNG S&ip Offlo$'in+

'ource9 3reeport+2c2oran Energy %%C

%iving #uarters to routinely accommoate personnel "ill !e provie. The

offshore %NG terminal is esigne to eliver an average of 1. !illion stanar

cu!ic feet per ay $!scf& an eliver a pea) of . !scf of pipeline+#ualitynatural gas, an a pea) of , !arrels per ay $!!ls;& of natural gas li#uis

$NG%&.

The propose action inclues the installation of approximately 1H@ miles $H

)m& of natural gas an NG% transmission pipelines. The offshore %NG terminal

an the ma/ority of the pipeline components "ill !e locate on the C'. A D+

inch $H1.+centimeter WcmX& iameter natural gas pipeline "ill originate at the

offshore %NG terminal an exten northeast for approximately [email protected] miles$1H.@ )m& to connect the offshore %NG terminal to existing gas istri!ution

pipelines near Coen, Ala!ama. Approximately miles $ )m& of this pipeline

segment is propose for construction onshore in Ala!ama $a!ove the mean high

"ater line&. A propose metering platform to !e installe at 2ain 6ass 1D $26

1D& "ill !e locate on this D+ inch $H1.+cm& pipeline route an "ill provie a

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, ##


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tie +in location for t"o lateral transmission lines. These laterals "ill !e 1D inches

$.D cm& in iameter an approximately feet $H1. meters& long

extening to propose su!sea tie +ins to existing natural gas transmission lines.

A 1D+inch $.D+cm& iameter natural gas pipeline "ill originate at the offshore

%NG terminal an exten east for @. miles $. )m& to 2ain 6ass @H $26

@H&, an tie into an existing natural gas transmission pipeline. A @+inch $.+

cm& iameter natural gas pipeline "ill exten south+south"est for

approximately 1. miles [email protected] )m& connecting to existing natural gas

transmission pipelines at 'outh 6ass $'6 &. A 1@+inch $.+cm& iameter

pipeline "ill carry NG% erive from natural gas conitioning at the offshore %NG

terminal. This pipeline "ill originate at the offshore %NG terminal, exten .M

miles $M. )m& "esterly into %ouisiana inlan "aters, an ma)e a connection

"ith an existing NG% facility near 8enice, %ouisiana. 26 @HH "ill sit atop a salt

ome approximately @ miles $.@ )m& in iameter. An on+site total gas storage

capacity of @ !illion cu!ic feet $Bcf& "ill !e provie in three salt caverns

unerlying the offshore %NG terminal. This storage capacity "ill allo" the

offshore %NG terminal to provie a more measure an consistent elivery of

natural gas volumes into the pipeline system, there!y relieving pipeline

operators from the ifficulty of managing alternating perios of very lo" an

very high throughput. The a!ility to eliver consistent volumes of natural gas

into the connecte transmission pipeline$s& "as ientifie as a )ey technical an

economic re#uirement for the pro/ect.

Commissioning of the offshore %NG terminal is scheule for 4ecem!er @M.

Construction is expecte to ta)e approximately months. The terminal "ill

have an expecte service life of approximately years.

T&e ,is&op Pro%ess]LNG i*por) )er*in$l is another example of the cavern

!ase offshore %NG receiving terminal. The %NG cargo ischarge from the ship is

the inlet to a series of high+pressure %NG pumps, "hich receive the %NG at

relatively lo" pressures from the ship an achieve cavern in/ection pressures $up to

@ psi& at their ischarge. The heat exchanger receives the %NG at high rates,

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, #$


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high pressures an lo" temperatures an then "arms it to V3 "ith a novel, lo"+

cost sea"ater heat exchanger vapori-er. The vapori-er uses a simple pipe in pipe

co+axial flo" arrangement running approximately @, feet along the ocean floor.

8apori-e gas at @ psi exits the Bishop vapori-er at a esign temperature

compati!le "ith the cavern structure in a range !et"een @+o3.@The resulting

ense phase natural gas $46NG& can then !e fe irectly into the pipeline for

istri!ution or in/ecte into the unergroun salt caverns for storage. This one+step

process converts the col %NG into natural gas. The ship can !e turne aroun in

the same amount of time as at a conventional cryogenic tan)+!ase receiving

terminal, !ut "hen it leaves, there is little %NG store at the site only enough to

)eep the cryogenic e#uipment col !et"een ship arrivals.

Technical valiations through fiel tests of the critical components of a salt cavern+

!ase %NG receiving terminal are part of a U.'. 4epartment of Energy $4E&

cooperative research pro/ect commissione !y the National Energy Technology

%a!oratory $NET%&@H"ith cost sharing participants from an array of energy inustry

companies. 3iel tests of the mooring system* the high+pressure pumps* an a

high+capacity, high+efficiency, "ater+"arme heat exchanger have !een

successfully complete. (t is estimate that "ith permits in han, construction coul

!e accomplishe in a!out t"o years.

@Conversion Gas (mports %.6. $CG(& 9 http9;;""".conversiongas.com;html;heat7exchanger.html

@HThe U.'. 4epartment of Energy $4E&,s National Energy Technology %a!oratory $NET%&9""".netl.oe.gov

2cCall, 2ichael 2., Conversion Gas (mports9 Critica Components of 'at Cavern-Base( Li@uefie(Natura Gas Receiving Termina Un(ergo *ie( Tests, GasT(6'. 'ummer @

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, #%
http://www.conversiongas.com/html/heat_exchanger.htmlhttp://www.conversiongas.com/html/heat_exchanger.htmlhttp://www.netl.doe.gov/http://www.conversiongas.com/html/heat_exchanger.htmlhttp://www.netl.doe.gov/


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Fi+ure 52 : T&e ,is&op Pro%ess : re:+$sifi%$)ion of LNG 'ire%)ly fro*o%e$n )$n8ers for s)or$+e in un'er+roun' s$l) %$verns

'ource9

E-$*ple of $ ,is&op Pro%ess LNG *por) Ter*in$l

3reeom %NG Terminal "as announce !y 5NG 'torage, in cto!er @ as a ne"

offshore %NG import facility in the Gulf of 2exico !ase on the patente Bishop

6rocess vapori-ation technology com!ine "ith gas storage in unergroun, man+

mae salt caverns. The pro/ect is the first propose commercial application of the

Bishop 6rocess] for an %NG terminal. 3reeom %NG is intene to have an initial

sen+out capacity of 1 !illion cu!ic feet of gas per ay. 5NG plans to file a permit

application !y Puly @. 3ollo"ing government approval, construction coul !egin

!y August @D. The terminal coul then !e in service !y 'eptem!er @. 1.

Pl$)for* ,$se' LNG *por) Ter*in$l

The regasification facilities are locate on the offshore platform. %NG "oul !e

elivere !y ships an converte to natural gas on the platform an immeiatelyflo"e through the pipeline to shore. The carriers "ill still !e re#uire to remain in

!erth for a longer perio than the normal 1@ + @ hour offloaing perio hence

incurring aitional emurrage costs.>0 'ince there is no storage capacity on the

1Conversion Gas (mports %.6. $CG(& 9 """.conversiongas.com

@'ai ,2i)e * 2ei/erin), Poram 'hell Glo!al 'olutions (nternational B.8.9 LNG 2mport Terminas34Offshore vs Onshore5 A 'ite 6 Concept 'creening 7etho(oog8, 1th (nternational Conference on

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, #&
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platform for the %NG or vapori-e natural gas, the gas gri has to !e a!le to a!sor!

large amounts of gas in a short perio, in aition to the mar)et allo"ing for an

interrupte supply of gas. Ta!le sho"s a comparison of uration times for

ifferent types of offshore %NG facilities. The 26E5 an the propose 3reeom %NG

are also examples of 6latform !ase %NG import terminals !ut "ith significant

storage capacity for the vapori-e natural gas.

T$(le 2 : Vessel ,er)&in+ Dur$)ion Es)i*$)e

3acility 8essel Berthing 4uration Estimate

nshore ays;year.

$M vessels ^ 1@hrs each to unloa&

3'=U 1 ays;year

$ times a "ee) ^ @hrs each to !erth, unloa an e+

!erth&

6latform "ith no storage Up to @ ays;year

$ vessels ^ @.+ . ays each to unloa&

'ource9 Chan, A. et al9 Evaluation f %i#uefie Natural Gas =eceiving Terminals 3or

'outhern California, @+@ Group 6ro/ect Thesis, University of California,

'anta Bar!ara. April @.

E-$*ple of $ Pl$)for* ,$se' LNG *por) Ter*in$l

Crys)$l Ener+y Cle$rw$)er Por) "oul use an existing oil platform locate 11

miles offshore xnar California, 6latform Grace, to import %NG.

%i#uefie Natural Gas $%NG+1&,4oha, Fatar. 2arch, @

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Fi+ure 57 : Pl$)for* Gr$%e

=econfiguration of the platform "oul

involve installing an %NG transfer

system, a cool o"n system, six %NG

pumps, six %NG vapori-ers, an

reinstalling an upgraing the

platform


50/54


unergroun pipeline "oul tie into an existing J 'outhern California Gas

Company pipeline at their preferre pipeline tie+in point near Camarillo.

#EY CONSDERATONS FOR OFFSHORE LNG

As outline in this report, a num!er of critical issues impact offshore %NG pro/ects,ranging from technical feasi!ility an thus cost to the intense competitive process

for permitting an siting these pro/ects. The pro/ects are attractive for presenting

solutions to a num!er of other challenges, such as pu!lic acceptance of safety an

security associate "ith onshore %NG import terminal operations* reuce impacts

to sensitive coastal "etlans ecosystems* reeployment of offshore natural gas

pipeline systems that are unerutili-e as a result of maturing fiels an epleting

prouction on the continental shelf of the U.'. ffshore %NG pro/ects also a

flexi!ility to the North American natural gas supply portfolio. ne issue that has

!een raise for Gulf of 2exico pro/ects is potential marine impacts from =8

systems.

+re Potential (nvironmental mpacts -ith OR. SystemsManagea&le/

Because they use sea"ater to "arm an convert %NG !ac) to a gaseous phase,

=8 an open+loop 'T8 systems have triggere concerns a!out potential

environmental impacts to marine ecosystems. These systems can !e use for

either onshore or offshore %NG terminal operations. 4etails of =8 systems for

propose offshore %NG facilities are sho"n in Ta!le D.

T$(le 7 6 Approve' $n' Propose' Offs&ore LNG F$%ili)ies wi)& ORV $n'Open:loop STV Desi+ns

LNG F$%ili)y Lo%$)ion E-pe%)e'Flow R$)e3*illion+$l/'$y4

"$)erDep)&

3f)4

Are$fil)ere'38*0/ye$r4

n)$8es%reen

Si9e3**4

n)$8eflow r$)e3f)/se%4

Gulf %aning'hell$Approve&

miles ' of%a)e Charles,%A

1D 11.@ D. .

Compass 6ortConoco6hillips

11 miles ' of2o!ile Bay(nlet

1D M@ [email protected] D. .

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Fi+ure 5= 6 NOAA Re' Dru* Cu*ul$)ive *p$%)s )o Re%overy Curve

'ource9 NAA 3isheries '3'C 11 Pan I'ummary of Gulf %aning Entrainment

2ortality AnalysisJ

Accoring to the Conoco6hillips %NG 8apori-er ptions 'tuy,Dthe =8 is easy to

operate an maintain !ecause of its simple structure. The conition of the panels

can easily !e chec)e from the outsie uring operation. The falling "ater film

system provies sta!ility in the heat transfer mechanism. Although the noise levels

are slightly higher than su!merge com!ustion vapori-er $'C8&, it is still "ithin

accepta!le inustrial limits. 'ome methos of reucing impingement inclue

installing screen systems "ith fish returns, passive inta)e systems, fish iversion

an avoiance systems $e.g., !arrier nets, lights, soun, an !u!!le /ets& an lo"

velocity inta)es.M

D3oster 0heeler U'A Corp9 %NG 8apori-er ptions 'tuy for Conoco6hillips Compass 6ort GB' %NG=eceiving Terminal 6re+3EE4. cto!er @.

MAllen, Ashley. E6A ffice of 0ater9 =uantif8ing Potentia Environmenta an( Economic 2mpacts,0or)shop on %i#uefie Natural Gas $%NG& 3acilities. April @, @

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The follo"ing mitigations are incorporate into the esign an operation of the =8

system to avoi an minimi-e the impact of entrainment;impingement.

The center of the sea"ater inta)e array shoul !e site at D ft !elo" mean sea

level

A maximum sea"ater through+screen inta)e velocity of . ft;s shoul !e

maintaine, see Error9 =eference source not foun.

A monitoring plan, approve !y NAA 3isheries, shoul !e esta!lishe an

implemente, to measure the levels of mortality to marine fisheries species

associate "ith the operation of the =8 sea"ater inta)e.

The =8 technology re#uires a sta!le platform environment to prevent sloshing

of heating "ater an %NG an "oul not !e accepta!le for use on a moore

ship.

SU!!ARY AND CONCLUSONS

W'till "or)ing on thisX

The El 6aso Energy Brige pro/ect may !e the first ne" %NG receiving terminal to

!e !uilt an operate in the U.'. in more than @ years an the first offshore %NG

receiving terminal in the "orl. Three Energy Brige %NG ships are !eing !uilt in

'outh >orea an the first is scheule to !e elivere !efore the en of @,

"hilst the secon ship is scheule for April @. The thir ship is scheule for

@D. Accoring to Excelerate Energy, the Energy Brige Terminal is expecte to !e

in operations !y Panuary @H. Excelerate has also announce a secon pro/ect,

the Northeast Gate"ay Energy Brige to !e locate in Gloucester, 2assachusetts

"hich is expecte to !e operational in @M. 0ith respect to fixe structures, the

Exxon2o!il GB' pro/ect offshore of 8enice, (taly is proviing a lesson in emerging

technologies as "ell as engineering esign an implementation.

There are several ifferent options for siting offshore %NG regasification namely

shallo" "ater or eep"ater locations, near shore or eep offshore locations. The

U' Coast Guar;2aritime Aministration9 3inal Environmental (mpact 'tatement for the 6ort 6elican%lc 4eep"ater 6ort %icense Application. August @.

HExcelerate Energy9 """.excelerateenergy.com

CEE-BEG-UT Austin, Offshore LNG Receiving Terminas, $"
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choice epens on regional geographical an socioeconomic conitions an also

availa!le pipeline infrastructure. The offshore %NG terminal may !e a continuous

!aseloa "ith significant storage of %NG or natural gas on site or the terminal may

operate as an intermittent supplier "here the %NG on elivery from the %NG ship is

immeiately vapori-e an fee as natural into the pipeline an there is no %NG or

natural gas storage facility on site.

An issue facing the ifferent types of %NG offshore terminals that use open loop

vapori-ers, li)e =8 an open+loop 'T8s is impingement an entrainment of marine

organisms at the inta)e. 8arious mitigation methos have !een propose in "ith

NAA involvement.

ffshore %NG regasification provies a means of meeting U.'. natural gas emans.

The total average sen out capacity of the propose offshore terminals is H. Bcf;

or . Tcf a year an the pea) sen out capacity is 1. Bcf; or . Tcf per year.

2ost of the pro/ecte %NG imports re#uire to meet the eficit in natural gas supply

!y @@ of . Tcf per year coul !e met !y the nine propose offshore terminals, if

all the terminals are !uilt.

Documents

Lng Offshore Receiving Terminals