DOE Research
The Final Report concludes that the use of man made salt caverns in LNG receiving can increase scale, improve security and provide a more economical facility than has been achieved in tank based LNG receiving terminals.
Greater Capacity & Better Security
Using salt caverns for gas storage and process equipment on conventionally designed offshore platforms the research confirms that an offshore Gulf of Mexico terminal could be built at costs similar to onshore tank based LNG terminals but with three times the gas storage capacity. In addition, an offshore sited LNG receiving terminal would avoid port and channel congestion while moving all the shipping, handling, storage and security risks away from populated areas.
Proven and Ready
This project was a successful collaboration of the National Energy Technology Laboratory (US Department of Energy) and more than 30 companies from the energy industry which has validated a technical and operational alternative to tank based LNG receiving terminals. Commercial applications of the technologies described in this report can improve the National energy security and accommodates large scale importation of LNG.
DOE Report states “A novel process to use salt caverns to receive ship borne LNG”
The complete final report on a CD is available from the Department of Energy or from Conversion Gas Imports. The executive summary of the report can be accessed from the link provided.
Click the link to download (PDF): Executive Summary Report