LNG IMPORT TERMINALS: “OFFSHORE VS ONSHORE”: A SITE AND CONCEPT SCREENING METHODOLOGY

摘要

Shell Global Solutions has developed a concept screening methodology that uses a combination of commercial, permitting and technical criteria to assist business developers to decide on the most suitable offshore LNG terminal concept for a specific market. As LNG terminals are generally sited relatively close to densely populated areas permitting in these locations often proves difficult, moving developers to consider offshore solutions. rnThese offshore alternatives include:rn1. Floating Storage Regas Units (FSRU) • Offshore Gravity Based Structures (GBS) rn2. Converted LNG Carrier (submerged or external turret) rn3. Platform Based Import Terminals rnWhilst none of these alternatives have yet been built, they rely largely on proven technologies. Their technical novelty lies more in the way their various components are integrated into a single working system. As each system possesses different strengths and weakness, the real challenge is to determine which solution is best suited to a particular location rnThe matching of these solutions to the complexity of the gas market requirements such as gas demand profile, send out pressure/temperature and interruptability of gas supply, when combined with local technical site factors such as metocean conditions and issues surrounding permitting procedures and stakeholder engagement, ensures this selection of the correct import terminal solution is a significant challenge. rnThis concept-screening methodology provides a structured mechanism for combining commercial market, local site and permitting conditions to logically rank the various alternatives against their respective costs. This approach has already proven invaluable to ensure selection of the right terminal concept in an early project development phase, avoiding regret time and expenditure by focusing quickly on the right concept taking all essential multi discipline parameters into account. In addition it allows stakeholders a transparent and quantified insight into the decision making process, a vital step in today’s complex permitting climate.