Method for conversion of a vessel for use as floating liquefied natural gas facility

Abstract

A method for conversion of a Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) to an FLNG vessel for offshore stranded gas reservoirs and at-shore or near-shore Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals.

1 . A method for conversion of a floating vessel having internal cargo holds, which comprise:
 a) forming a plurality of deck sections;   b) removing the plurality of deck sections from the vessel;   c) removing a deck from each of the plurality of deck sections;   d) rotating each of the plurality of deck sections 180 degrees in a vertical plane;   e) removing each lateral support member from each of the plurality of deck sections;   f) attaching a new deck to each of the plurality of deck sections, each new deck having a tank dome opening therethrough;   g) attaching a new support member to each of the plurality of deck sections;   h) positioning a tank in each of the internal cargo holds, each tank having an upper tank section;   i) rotating, further, each of the plurality of deck sections 180 degrees in the vertical plane; and   j) attaching each deck section to the vessel, wherein each tank dome opening is aligned with the upper tank section.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a Very Large Ore Carrier. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 dry docking the vessel,   cleaning the deck,   removing a hatch coaming from each of the plurality of deck sections prior to rotating each of the plurality of deck sections 180 degrees in a vertical plane; and   attaching a new hatch coaming about each tank dome opening.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tank is an independent Type-B prismatic liquefied natural gas tank. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the plurality of deck sections comprises:
 dividing each of two hull sides of the vessel below a connection of each longitudinal support member to a respective one of the two hull sides into an upper hull side shell and a lower hull side;   dividing a cargo hold inner wall below the connection of one of the plurality of longitudinal support members to one of the hull sides into a cargo hold upper inner wall and a cargo hold lower inner wall; and   dividing each upper hull side shell at each of the cargo hold upper inner walls; and   dividing the deck at each of the cargo hold upper inner walls.   
     
     
         6 . The method  claim 1 , wherein the deck above each internal cargo hold further includes at least one opening therethrough for communication with the internal cargo hold. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching a new support member to each of the plurality of deck sections further comprises:
 attaching the new support member to the new deck; and   attaching the new support member to each of the longitudinal support members for strengthening the deck section.   
     
     
         8 . A method for conversion of a floating vessel having an internal cargo hold, which comprises:
 a) forming a deck section above the internal cargo hold;   b) removing the deck section from the vessel;   c) removing a deck from the deck section;   d) rotating the deck section 180 degrees in a vertical plane;   e) attaching a new deck to the deck section, the new deck having a tank dome opening therethrough;   f) attaching a new support member to the deck section;   g) positioning a tank in the internal cargo hold, the tank having an upper tank section;   h) further rotating the deck section 180 degrees in the vertical plane; and   i) attaching the deck section to the vessel, wherein the tank dome opening is aligned with the upper tank section.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the vessel is a Very Large Ore Carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
 dry docking the vessel,   cleaning the deck,   removing a hatch coaming from the deck section prior to rotating the deck section 180 degrees in a vertical plane; and   attaching a new hatch coaming about the tank dome opening.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the tank is an independent Type-B prismatic liquefied natural gas tank. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein forming the deck section comprises:
 dividing each of two hull sides of the vessel below a connection of each longitudinal support member to a respective one of the two hull sides into an upper hull side shell and a lower hull side;   dividing a cargo hold inner wall below the connection of one of the plurality of longitudinal support members to one of the hull sides into a cargo hold upper inner wall and a cargo hold lower inner wall;   dividing each upper hull side shell at a cargo hold upper inner wall adjacent the internal cargo hold; and   dividing the deck at the cargo hold upper inner wall adjacent the internal cargo hold.   
     
     
         13 . The method  claim 8 , wherein the deck above the internal cargo hold further includes an opening therethrough for communication with the internal cargo hold. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein attaching a new support member to the deck section further comprises:
 attaching the new support member to the new deck; and   attaching the new support member to each of the longitudinal support members for strengthening the deck section.