It is estimated there are more than 100 Tcf of offshore associated gas reserves and more than 1,200 Tcf of offshore non-associated stranded gas reserves throughout the world. A future ban against flaring for offshore oil and gas production, coupled with growing global energy demand, creates a strong need to find commercially viable ways to recover the gas. Randall Gas Technologies has developed NicheLNGSM technology to meet this need. The technology utilizes gaseous phase refrigerants and there is no hydrocarbon liquid inventory on the vessel except the LNG product. This mitigates the safety issues with most other conventional mixed refrigerant LNG technologies. The design also utilizes standard gas processing equipment components, such as turboexpanders, platefin heat exchangers, and centrifugal compressors.
The NicheLNG technology converts a proven onshore LNG production technique into a compact topside production process, suitable to be carried on board a relatively small sized Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. This process enables the offshore recovery of small reserves or associated gas with a supply rate of 0.5 to 2.0 MMTPA (75 to 300 MMscfd).
A typical NicheLNG FPSO carries up to three liquefaction trains that process up to 2.0 MMTPA (300 MMscfd). A 250 meter long FPSO holds 170,000 m3 of LNG in storage and up to 35,000 m3 of LPG. The LNG to LPG tank ratio is flexible; the number of tanks required will determine the vessel size.