THE NEXT GENERATION OF LNG PLANTS

摘要

Trinidad and Tobago's Atlantic LNG plant has demonstrated how an innovative approach to project implementation can achieve lower capital costs and a reduction in the time from conception to start-up. As a result, it is now the industry benchmark on both counts despite using previous generation LNG technology. To meet the growing pressures in the LNG market over the next decade, further substantial reductions in full chain LNG costs will be required. With the liquefaction unit comprising nearly 50% of LNG plant cost, this is an obvious target for further cost reduction. Improvements in liquefaction process efficiency offered by a new technology and additional cost reduction innovations can lead to an overall unit cost reduction of up to 25% for the next generation of LNG plants. With this objective, a collaborative alliance and industrial pre-project development program has been undertaken to capture innovations and cost reductions while confirming the expected benefits of a new LNG technology based on two different but complementary processes developed by Gaz de France (GdF) and IFP. These have been rigorously and critically investigated and objectively compared with current established processes. The scope of the program, conducted with the participation of engineering companies and major equipment fabricators, has included the development of engineering definitions and cost estimates to demonstrate clearly the benefits of these processes. The program has shown that it is possible to design and construct a unit that can produce from 2 to 5 million tonnes per annum using single or dual Frame 7EA gas turbine drivers. This Paper Presents the significant findings and comparative conclusions of this collaborative work, addresses the key issues of innovation, efficiency and operability and discusses the potential commercial impact and timing of the project implementation of the Next Generation of LNG plants.