Northeast Gateway LNG facility begins commercial operations
Offshore Staff
MASSACHUSETTS BAY -- The Northeast Gateway (NEG) deepwater LNG facility has begun commercial operations following the arrival of the Excellence vessel at the new NEG Port in Massachusetts Bay, 18 mi (29 km) east of Boston.
Excellence is currently off-loading its cargo of natural gas into the existing HubLine natural gas pipeline system operated by Spectra Energy.
The regasification system developed by Excelerate Energy allows its purpose-built vessels to regasify its cargo of LNG using existing technology in a new application and deliver vaporous natural gas through one of two turret loading buoys located approximately 90 ft (27 m) below the water surface. The vessel draws one of the buoys into a specially designed compartment and connects it to the onboard regasification equipment. The buoys not only act as a conduit for the gas delivery, but also act as a mooring for the vessels, eliminating the need to anchor the ships at the deepwater port.
With its inaugural delivery, Excellence will offload about 1 bcf of gas in order to test all of the port and pipeline systems. The delivery follows preliminary commissioning activities conducted in February 2008. Ultimately, the system is capable of supplying up to approximately 20% of New England's natural gas demand, according to the company.
In addition to their ability to regasify LNG through its on board system, Excelerate Energy's vessels also retain their conventional LNG discharge capability, enabling the vessels to offload at standard land-based LNG terminals as well as into Excelerate Energy's proprietary receipt points around the world.
05/20/2008
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