Method and apparatus for delivering natural gas to remote locations

• US 20080110091A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Small Ventures USA LLC
• Original Assignee: Small Ventures USA LLC
• Inventors: Perkins, William, Beale, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US12/004,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20080110091A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 48/190
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/24 of pipe-lines
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/34 using pipe-lines anchoring arrangements for special vessels with mooring turrets B63B21/507; buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids, e.g. liquids B63B22/021
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 1/002 Storage in barges or on ships
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0153 Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/035 High pressure (>10 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/036 Very high pressure, i.e. above 80 bars
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0142 with specified pump type, e.g. piston or impulsive type
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0157 Compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0302 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0332 by burning a combustible
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0337 by cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/0393 using a vaporiser
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0443 Flow or movement of content
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/025 Reducing transfer time
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/05 Regasification
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/061 : for supply of supplying vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/068 : Distribution pipeline networks
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0105 : Ships
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/011 : Barges
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0121 : Platforms
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0581 : Power plants
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 9/02 : with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/04 : for distribution of gas

Abstract

Initially, a ship containing LNG sails to an existing offshore natural gas pipeline. Such pipelines are often found on offshore natural gas platforms. The ship containing LNG then connects to a gasification device, which may be located on the ship, the platform, or on another ship (e.g., a barge). This gasification device, in turn, connects to the pipeline and supplies the pipeline with natural gas. In this manner, natural gas can be supplied to an existing pipeline without involving a land-based gasification device.

Claims

1. A method of delivering liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a destination, comprising:

supplying an amount of LNG to gasification equipment;

converting the LNG into natural gas;

inserting the natural gas into a pipeline located offshore; and

delivering the natural gas to an existing natural gas pipeline system.

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the supplying step further includes supplying the LNG using a ship.

3. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the pipeline located offshore is associated with an existing gas well.

4. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the gasification equipment is located on a barge.

5. The method as described in claim 1, wherein the converting step further comprises applying heat to the LNG through a vaporizer.

6. A system for delivering liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a destination, comprising:

a container of LNG;

gasification equipment connected to the container of LNG, wherein the gasification equipment converts the LNG to natural gas;

an offshore pipeline connected to the gasification equipment, wherein the natural gas produced by the gasification equipment is inserted into the offshore pipeline thereby providing natural gas to entitles connected to the pipeline.

7. The system as described in claim 6, wherein the container of LNG is a ship.

8. The system as described in claim 6, wherein the offshore pipeline is associated with an existing gas well.

9. The system as described in claim 6, wherein the gasification equipment is located on a barge.

10. The system as described in claim 6, further comprising a vaporizer to apply heat to the LNG.

11. A system for delivering liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a destination, comprising:

a container means for containing LNG;

a gasification means for converting the LNG to natural gas, the gasification means being connected to the container of LNG;

an offshore pipeline connected to the gasification equipment, wherein the natural gas produced by the gasification means is inserted into the offshore pipeline thereby providing natural gas to entitles connected to the pipeline.

12. The system as described in claim 11, wherein the container means is a ship.

13. The system as described in claim 11, wherein the offshore pipeline is associated with an existing gas well.

14. The system as described in claim 11, wherein the gasification means is located on a barge.

15. The system as described in claim 11, further comprising a vaporization means for vaporizing the LNG by applying heat.