LNG Production Facility on Gravity-Based Structure for Ice Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LNG production facilities on gravity-based structures face challenges such as corrosion, increased metal consumption, complex ballasting, large draft for transportation, and limited operation in heavy ice conditions, leading to inefficient and costly installations.

Innovation Solution

A liquefied natural gas production complex on a gravity-based structure with a specific layout of topside modules and compartments, including interconnecting and equipment modules, supported by a reinforced concrete GBS design, allowing for efficient installation and operation in ice conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If steel GBS is used for LNG production facility, then structural strength is improved, but corrosion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure combining steel GBS for structural strength with concrete ballast compartments and protective coatings. The steel provides the necessary mechanical strength while the concrete and coating systems protect against corrosion, creating a multi-material solution that addresses both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If steel GBS thickness is increased to withstand ice impacts, then ice impact resistance is improved, but metal consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice impact resistanceVSAvoidmetal consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses concrete ballast compartments as a counterweight alternative to thick steel plating. The concrete ballast provides the necessary mass and protection against ice impacts without requiring excessive steel thickness, thereby reducing metal consumption while maintaining ice impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The structure combines steel with concrete ballast to achieve ice impact resistance. The concrete provides mass and protection against ice forces, allowing the steel skin to be thinner than it would need to be if made entirely of steel, thus reducing overall metal consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If solid ballast is used in GBS, then structural stability is improved, but ballasting/de-ballasting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidballasting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates water ballast tanks that can be filled or emptied to adjust the facility's draft and stability. This hydraulic ballasting system replaces solid ballast, providing the necessary structural stability while enabling flexible and simple ballasting/de-ballasting operations through water transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

4Strength

If GBS has large draft for transportation, then structural capacity is improved, but transportation capability through shallow water deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural capacityVSAvoidtransportation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The facility is designed with adjustable ballast tanks that allow dynamic control of draft during transportation. By emptying ballast tanks, the draft is reduced for navigating shallow water areas. Once positioned, ballast is added to achieve the required structural capacity and stability for operation, providing adaptability across different operational phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Adaptability or versatility

If floating facility design is used, then installation flexibility is improved, but operation in ice conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidice condition operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The facility is segmented into a gravity-based structure that rests on the seabed rather than floating. This GBS design provides a stable, fixed platform that can withstand ice forces, while still allowing flexible module installation on the deck. The segmentation between the submerged GBS structure and the above-deck modules enables both ice resistance and installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250230975A1Integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility on a gravity-based structure (GBS)

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 PUBLICHNOE AKTSIONERNOE OBSHCHESTVO NOVATEK

AI summary

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) production complex includes a gravity-based structure (GBS), with liquid storage tanks inside and topside modules on the GBS top slab including interconnecting modules along the GBS top slab centerline, and equipment modules at least some of which are on each side. Equipment modules include: first row on one side: at least one module of reception installations, a condensate stabilization installation, and an acid gas removal installation, and at least one module of mixed refrigerant compressors, second row on the other side: modules of gas dehydration, mercury removal, wide fraction of light hydrocarbons extraction, fractionation and liquefaction installations, and at least one module of boil-off gas, fuel gas system and heating medium compressors; the equipment modules along the GBS short end include: one or more power plant modules, modules with the main technical room and emergency diesel generators, and auxiliary systems modules.