METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OFFSHORE PRODUCTION OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS

摘要

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.