Expandable LNG processing plant

Abstract

An LNG processing plant positioned at a processing location adjacent to a body of water is described. The LNG processing plant includes A) a first phase LNG processing plant for processing an initial plant capacity of LNG, the first phase LNG processing plant including a plurality of first phase facilities, each first phase facility provided with plant equipment related to a pre-determined function associated with the processing of LNG, wherein one or more of the plurality of first phase facilities is arranged on a deck of a structure wherein the deck is arranged above the level of the water at a selected offshore or near-shore location; and, B) one or more second phase facilities provided on the deck of the structure to provide a second phase LNG processing plant, said second phase LNG processing plant having a maximum plant capacity that is higher than the initial plant capacity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an expandable liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing plant. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention are related to LNG production plants. Other embodiments of the invention are related to natural gas regasification plants.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Large volumes of natural gas (i.e., primarily methane) are located in remote areas of the world. This gas has significant value if it can be economically transported to market. Natural gas (“NG”) is routinely transported from an onshore LNG production plant to another location in its liquid state as liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) by way of loading the LNG in the cryogenic storage tanks of purpose built large ocean going vessels known as “LNG Carriers”. Liquefaction of the natural gas makes it more economical to transport as LNG occupies only about 1 / 600th of the volume than the same amount of natural gas does in its gaseous state. Prior to liquefaction, raw nat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0031]B) expanding the plant capacity of the first phase LNG processing plant in one or more incremental stages by providing one or more second phase facilities on the deck of the structure to provide a second phase LNG processing plant, said second phase LNG processing plant having a maximum plant capacity that is higher than the initial plant capacity, wherein the deck of the structure is sized to provide a pre-allocated space for the installation of the one or more second phase facilities on the deck of the structure.

[0032]In one form, the step of processing LNG from the first phase LNG processing plant during step B). In one form, the step of arranging the one or more of the plurality of first phase facilities towards a first end of the deck with the pre-allocated space being arranged towards a second opposite end of the deck. In one form, the step of arranging the one or more of the plurality of first phase facilities towards a first side of the deck with the pre-allocated space being arranged towards a second opposite side of deck.

[0033]In one form, the initial plant capacity of the first phase LNG processing plant is in the range of 0.5 to 7 million tons per annum of LNG. In one form, the maximum plant capacity after the step of expanding to the second phase LNG processing plant is in the range of 2 million to 70 million tons per annum of LNG. In one form, the step of sizing the one or more of the plurality of first phase facilities for processing both the initial plant capacity and the maximum plant capacity.

[0034]In one form, the step of locating one or more of second phase facilities is on a fixed platform, a semi-submersible or a jacket structure. In one form, the method comprising providing the one or more second phase facilities as modules having a weight of greater than 7,000 tons. In one form, the modules have a weight of greater than 8,000 tons and up 100,000 tons.

Problems solved by technology

The costs associated with the construction and installation of a jetty to allow berthing of an LNG Carrier is a major cost.

The cost of traditional onshore LNG storage and offloading facilities has continued to increase through the years and is now a very significant component of the total installed cost for an LNG project.

Given their size and complexity, the costs associated with the implementation of a complete LNG liquefaction plant at sea are extremely high.

The cost of LNG storage and offloading facilities has continued to increase through the years and is now a very significant component of the total installed cost for an LNG project.

Images