초록 ▼

A method and a system for offshore production of liquefied natural gas, wherein natural gas is supplied from an underground source to a field installation for gas treatment. The gas is transferred in compressed form from the field installation to an LNG tanker. The transfer takes place via a pipelin

A method and a system for offshore production of liquefied natural gas, wherein natural gas is supplied from an underground source to a field installation for gas treatment. The gas is transferred in compressed form from the field installation to an LNG tanker. The transfer takes place via a pipeline surrounded by sea water. The compressed gas is supplied to a conversion plant which is provided on the LNG tanker and is arranged to convert at least a part of the gas to liquefied form, and the liquified gas is transferred to storage tanks on board the tanker. When the storage tanks on the LNG tanker are filled up, the pipeline is disconnected from the LNG tanker and connected to another, similar tanker. The pipeline is permanently connected to a submerged buoy which is arranged for introduction and releasable securement in a submerged downwardly open receiving space in the tanker, and which is provided with a swivel unit for transfer of gas under a high pressure.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for offshore production of liquefied natural gas comprising the steps of:A) supplying natural gas from an underground source to a field installation for gas treatment;B) transferring the gas in a compressed form from the field installation to a first LNG tanker through a p

[ We claim:] [1.] A method for offshore production of liquefied natural gas comprising the steps of:A) supplying natural gas from an underground source to a field installation for gas treatment;B) transferring the gas in a compressed form from the field installation to a first LNG tanker through a pipeline surrounded by sea water, said pipeline being capable of heat transfer and having a length that allows the gas to be cooled, said transferring step including supplying the gas to said pipeline at a high temperature relative to the temperature of the sea water;C) cooling the gas within the pipeline to a temperature near the temperature of the sea water;D) feeding the compressed gas to a conversion plant provided on the LNG tanker;E) converting at least a part of the fed compressed gas to liquefied form by expansion of the gas;F) transferring the liquefied gas to storage tanks on board the LNG tanker;G) disconnecting the pipeline when the storage tanks on the LNG tanker are filled; andH) connecting the disconnected LNG pipeline to another tanker, wherein the pipeline is permanently connected to a submerged buoy provided with a swivel unit for transferring gas under a high pressure, and said connecting step includes introducing and releasably securing said submerged buoy in a submerged downwardly open receiving space in the another tanker.