Floating LNG import terminal and method for docking

US7299760B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SOFEC, INC. · US

Inventors

• L. Terry Boatman · Katy, US
• Yonghui Liu · Houston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 4, 2005
• Grant date: Nov 27, 2007
• Expiry date: Jan 10, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B63B21/50
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A floating terminal for offloading an LNG carrier vessel in the sea. The floating terminal of open frame construction is moored toward its front end with a rotatable mooring arrangement so that the terminal may weathervane in response to environmental forces. Marine thrusters are provided at the aft end of the terminal for swinging the terminal away from and back toward a line defined by the path toward the terminal of an approaching LNG carrier. Offloading equipment and heat exchangers are provided on a deck of the floating structure. When an LNG carrier vessel approaches the terminal, the thrusters swing the floating terminal away from the carrier vessel approach line while a hawser at the front end of the terminal pulls the vessel close to the terminal. The floating terminal swings back toward the carrier vessel in response to operating the marine thrusters in an opposite direction until the carrier vessel and floating terminal are side-by-side. The hawser continues to pull the carrier vessel forward with respect to the terminal until loading arms at the side of the terminal are aligned side-by-side with a manifold of the carrier vessel.