US 6,889,522 B2Granted

LNG floating production, storage, and offloading scheme

AssigneeABB Lummus Global, Randall Gas Technologies

InventorsDonald Prible, Robert R. Huebel, Jorge H. Foglietta

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Abstract

A process and apparatus for exploitation and liquefaction of natural gas in offshore stranded gas reserves. Two ordinary nautical vessels are used to produce, store and unload LPG and LNG. Typical front end processing is performed on the first vessel. The treated inlet gas is transported to the second vessel where the stream goes through liquefaction and storage until it is offloaded to a transport vessel for shipment. The liquefaction process utilizes two refrigerant cycles that utilize two expanded refrigerants, at least one of which is circulated in a gas phase refrigeration cycle. The refrigerants and the inlet gas stream are transported between the two vessels by the use of piping. Electricity can be generated to provide power for the compression sections of the refrigeration cycles. Turbines, engines, or boilers from the vessels can be used for generating electricity since they are no longer needed for locomotion purposes.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A system for liquefaction of natural gas offshore comprising:

a first stationary vessel that remains stationary during production of LNG;
a front end gas treating process unit mounted on the first stationary vessel for treating a process stream to produces a treated inlet gas streams;
a second stationary vessel that remains stationary during production of the LNG;
a gas phase refrigerant liquefaction process unit comprising at least one refrigerant expander for expanding at least one gas phase refrigerant stream, at least one booster compressor attached to the expander for compressing the at least one gas phase refrigerant stream, at least one recycle compressor for further compressing the at least one gas phase refrigerant stream, and at least one heat exchanger for liquefying the treated inlet gas stream to produce the LNG, wherein the expander, the booster compressor, and the heat exchanger are mounted on the second stationary vessel and the recycle compressor is mounted on the first stationary vessel for producing the LNG;
an expander for expanding the LNG:
an LNG storage facility mounted on the second stationary vessel to store the LNG;
and
piping for transporting a treated inlet gas stream between the first stationary vessel and the second stationary vessel an offloading facility mounted on the second stationary vessel for unloading the LNG to transport vessels.

5 more elements

A system for liquefaction of natural gas offshore comprising:

p1 a first stationary vessel that remains stationary during production of LNG;
a second stationary vessel that remains stationary during production of the LNG;
a front end gas treating process unit mounted on the first vessel for treating an inlet gas stream to produce a treated inlet gas stream;
a generator for generating electricity mounted on a vessel selected flour the group consisting of the first stationary vessel, the second stationary vessel, and combinations thereof;
a gas phase refrigerant liquefaction process unit comprising at least one refrigerant expander for expanding at least one gas phase refrigerant streams at least one booster compressor attached to the expander for compressing the at least one gas phase refrigerant stream, at least one recycle compressor for further compressing the at least one gas phase refrigerant stream, and at least one heat exchanger for liquefying the treated inlet gas stream to produce the LNG, wherein the expander, the booster compressor, and the heat exchanger are mounted on the second stationary vessel and the recycle compressor is mounted on the first stationary vessel for producing LNG,
an expander for expanding the LNG;
an LNG storage facility mounted on the second stationary vessel for storing the LNG;
an unloading facility mounted on the second stationary vessel for unloading the LNG;
and
piping for transporting the treated inlet gas stream between the first stationary vessel and the second stationary vessel.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/455,467Filed 5 Jun 2003 · us provisional application
Priority: 6 Jun 2002
Published: US 2003/0226373 A111 Dec 2003
Granted: 10 May 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

F25J 1/0278
Offshore use, e.g. during shipping: unit being stationary, e.g. on floating barge or fixed platform
B63B 27/24
Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers: of pipe-lines
B63B 27/34
Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures: using pipe-lines
B63B 35/44
Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for: floating buildings, stores,…