Patent ID: 8186170

Claim:
An offshore LNG terminal for providing a continuous supply of gas to a subsea gas pipeline ( 18 ), comprising: an offshore mooring turret ( 16 ) operatively connected to at least one subsea gas pipeline ( 18 ); an LNG storage vessel ( 14 ) coupled to said mooring turret ( 16 ) and having at least one LNG storage tank ( 14 a ); an LNG regasification vessel ( 12 ) which is a separate and distinct vessel from said LNG storage vessel ( 14 ), coupled to said LNG storage vessel ( 14 ) by a pivot connection coupling ( 30 ) whereby said LNG regasification vessel ( 12 ) can be pivoted with respect to said LNG storage vessel ( 14 ), said LNG regasification vessel ( 12 ) having an LNG vaporization unit ( 12 d ) for converting LNG to compressed gas; a separate LNG carrier vessel ( 22 ) arranged and designed for docking to said LNG regasification vessel ( 12 ); an LNG supply line path ( 19 s , 19 b ) arranged and designed to deliver LNG to said LNG vaporization unit ( 12 d ) from said LNG carrier vessel ( 22 ), an LNG supply line path ( 19 s ) from said LNG carrier vessel ( 22 ) to said at least one LNG storage tank ( 14 a ), and an LNG supply line path ( 19 t ) from said at least one LNG storage tank ( 14 a ) to said LNG vaporization unit ( 12 d ) so that LNG may be supplied to said LNG vaporization unit ( 12 d ) continuously from either said LNG carrier vessel ( 22 ) or said at least one LNG storage tank ( 14 a ); a compressed gas supply line ( 19 g ) arranged and designed to continuously deliver gas from said LNG vaporization unit ( 12 d ) to said subsea gas pipeline ( 18 ); and wherein said LNG storage vessel ( 14 ) has a forward end ( 13 ) and an aft end ( 15 ), said LNG storage vessel ( 14 ) rotatably coupled to said mooring turret ( 16 ) at said forward end ( 13 ) and to said regasification vessel ( 12 ) at said aft end ( 15 ).