The BlueOcean Energy liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal is a floating facility with a deck area about the size of four football fields. It contains LNG and natural gas transfer systems, LNG storage tanks and LNG regasification equipment.
16 steel mooring chains will anchor the terminal firmly to the ocean floor. The lines will connect to an internal turret mooring system, a cylindrical structure integrated into the forward end of the terminal.
Four groups of four mooring lines each will extend from the turret in a circular pattern. Anchor piles will secure the anchor chain to the seabed.
The terminal will be able to rotate in a full circle around its turret axis in response to currents, winds and waves. This ability to "weathervane" offers maximum capability to operate safely in a wide range of sea and weather conditions. The design benefits from decades of ExxonMobil and industry offshore platform experience, including with hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico.
The oil and natural gas industry uses floating offshore systems, known as floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facilities, for developments around the globe. ExxonMobil operates some of the largest FPSOs in the world.
An overseas shipbuilding facility, highly experienced in constructing large floating offshore structures with oil or natural gas processing equipment on board, will likely build the BlueOcean Energy terminal. Designed to operate in place for at least 25 years, the terminal will be removed from its offshore location and decommissioned at the end of its operational life.
It will be staffed 24/7, year-round, by personnel who will live on board during their shifts. Total employment associated with the floating terminal is expected to be between 80 to 100 people.
