Patent ID: 7478975

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a floating liquefaction unit comprising a first docking system; a floating regasification unit comprising a second docking system; and, a shuttle vessel comprising a cryogenic storage system and a third docking system, wherein the shuttle vessel may be docked with the liquefaction unit, docked with the gassification unit, or traveling between the liquefaction unit and the regasification unit, and wherein the third docking system is connectable with the first docking system to allow transfer of a liquified liquefied gas from the liquefaction unit into the cryogenic storage system when the vessel is docked with the liquefaction unit, and connectable with the second docking system to allow transfer of a liquefied gas from the cryogenic storage unit to the gasification unit when the vessel is docked with the gassification unit; wherein the cryogenic storage system comprises: a sealed containment box; a multiplicity of tanks positioned within the box; a pump system positioned within the box and in liquid communication with the tanks; and a vaporizer positioned outside the box and in liquid communication with the pump system.