Study of Process for Offshore LNG Production

해상에서의 LNG 생산을 위한 공정 고찰

Liquefied Natural Gas(LNG) continues to attract modern gas industries as well as domestic markets as their main energy source in the recent years. This is mainly because LNG is inherently cleaner and more energy efficiency than other fuels. Offshore LNG production plant is of interest to many oil producing companies all over the world. This article discuss about the production process encountered while developing such a production facility. Typical offshore oil and gas processing required for oil stabilization and other optional units that can be added to the facilities. The production process can broadly be divided into five major units namely, (i) Oil Stabilization unit, (ii) Gas Treatment unit, (iii) Methane Recovery unit, (iv) Distillation unit and (v) LNG Liquefaction unit. The process simulation was carried out for each unit with a given wellhead composition. The topside facilities of offshore LNG production plant will be very similar to the process adopted in offshore processing platform along with the typical onshore LNG production plant. However, the process design problems associated with FPSO motion to be taken care of while developing floating LNG production plant.