초록 ▼

A method and a system for offshore production of liquefied natural gas, wherein natural gas is supplied from an underground source (4) to a subsea production plant (1). The gas is transferred under a high pressure directly from the production plant (1) to an LNG tanker (6), the transfer taking place

A method and a system for offshore production of liquefied natural gas, wherein natural gas is supplied from an underground source (4) to a subsea production plant (1). The gas is transferred under a high pressure directly from the production plant (1) to an LNG tanker (6), the transfer taking place through a pipeline (5) surrounded by sea water and causing the temperature of the high pressure gas to be lowered to a desired low temperature. This gas is supplied to a conversion plant (12) provided on the LNG tanker (16) and arranged for converting at least a part of the gas to liquid form, and the liquefied gas is transferred to storage tanks (17) on board the vessel (6). When the storage tanks (17) on the LNG tanker (6) are filled up, the pipeline is disconnected from the LNG tanker and connected to another similar tanker, the pipeline being permanently connected to a submerged buoy (8) which is arranged for introduction and releasable securement in a submerged downwardly open receiving space (11) in the tanker (6), and which is provided with a swivel unit for transfer of gas under a high pressure.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A system for offshore production of liquefied natural gas, comprising a production plant to which natural gas is supplied from an underground source; a pipeline surrounded by sea water for transferring gas under a high pressure from the production plant to a LNG tanker, the LNG tan

[ We claim:] [1.] A system for offshore production of liquefied natural gas, comprising a production plant to which natural gas is supplied from an underground source; a pipeline surrounded by sea water for transferring gas under a high pressure from the production plant to a LNG tanker, the LNG tanker comprising a plant for conversion of at least a part of the gas to a liquefied form by expansion of the gas and storage tanks for storage of liquefied gas on the tanker; wherein the production plant is a subsea production plant and the pipeline extends directly between the production plant and the LNG tanker, the pipeline having a sufficient length so that the gas is cooled to a desired low temperature during its transfer from the production plant to the LNG tanker; and wherein the pipeline includes an end which is remote from the production plant, said end being permanently connected to at least one submerged buoy which is arranged for introduction and releasable securement in a submerged downwardly open receiving space at the bottom of the LNG tanker, and which is provided with a swivel unit for transfer of gas under a high pressure.