Methods of manufacturing apparatus and systems for liquefaction of natural gas

A method of manufacturing a water-based apparatus for liquefaction, wherein the water-based apparatus comprises a hull defining a bow, a stern, and a centerline axis extending from the bow to the stern and the water-based apparatus is configured to be moored to an at-shore location, the method comprising:

• providing a structure to contain a plurality of LNG storage tanks in the hull and below an upper deck of the hull so as to create a void space between the plurality of LNG storage tanks and the upper deck;
• determining a weight of an AER System;
• locating a ballast medium in the void space, the ballast medium having a simulated weight approximate to the weight of the AER System;
• determining a deflection of the hull caused by the simulated weight;
• and
• moving the ballast medium off the void space while attaching the AER System to the hull so that the weight of the ballast medium supported by the hull is reduced in proportion to the simulated weight applied by the AER System in order to maintain the deflection of the hull while the AER System is attached.

A method of manufacturing a water-based apparatus for at-shore liquefaction, the method comprising:

• receiving a hull assembled at a first location, wherein the received hull includes a plurality of LNG storage tanks assembled in the hull;
• assembling an AER Module at a second location different from the first location;
• locating a ballast fluid in a void space above the plurality of LNG storage tanks to obtain a deflection at the second location;
• maintaining the deflection by incrementally releasing the ballast fluid while attaching the AER Module at the second location so that a weight applied by the ballast fluid is reduced in proportion to a weight applied by the AER Module;
• attaching the AER Module to an upper deck of the hull at the second location;
• testing systems of the AER Module and the hull at the second location;
• and
• moving the hull to an at-shore location different from the first location and the second location.

A method of manufacturing an at-shore water-based apparatus for liquefaction of natural gas, wherein the water-based apparatus comprises a hull defining a bow, a stern, and a centerline axis extending from the bow to the stern and the water-based apparatus is configured to be moored to an at-shore location, the method comprising:

• determining a weight of an AER System;
• providing a structure for a plurality of LNG storage tanks that are spaced apart in a single row along the centerline axis of the hull, wherein top surfaces of the LNG storage tanks are spaced apart from an upper deck to define a void space, wherein the void space is sized and shaped to be capable of containing an amount of fluid having a weight that is approximately equal to the weight of the AER System;
• determining a deflection of the upper deck caused by the weight of the AER System;
• locating a ballast medium in the void space, the ballast medium having a simulated weight approximate to the weight of the AER System;
• moving the ballast medium off the void space while attaching the AER System to the upper deck so that the weight of the ballast medium is reduced in proportion to the weight applied by the AER System in order to maintain the deflection of the upper deck while the AER System is attached;
• assembling the plurality of LNG storage tanks in the hull;
• and
• coupling the AER System with the LNG storage tanks, wherein the LNG storage tanks are operatively configured to receive the LNG from the AER System and operatively configured to output the LNG to an LNG transport vessel that is separate from the water-based apparatus.