Open-sea berth LNG import terminal

摘要

Methods and systems for receiving liquefied natural gas (LNG) and deliveringvaporized natural gas to a pipeline in fluid communication with onshore equipmentand methods for importing LNG. In one embodiment, an open-sea berth import terminalincludes a platform, which is fixed to the sea floor and includes two or more setsof berthing structures. LNG carriers berth at the open-sea berth import terminalto transfer LNG to a storage vessel moored at one of the berthing structures. LNGvaporization facilities, either on the storage vessel or the platform, vaporizethe LNG prior to delivery to the pipeline. The storage vessel may include a bargeor another LNG carrier. In other embodiments, the open-sea berth import terminalmay have no storage facilities, but two LNG carriers may berth at the berthingstructures to concurrently perform offloading operations, with one transferringLNG and the other performing other offloading operations to enhance operations.