Florida Deepwater Port for LNG Facility Approved
October 27, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
The construction of a deepwater port for liquefied natural gas (LNG) 28 miles southwest of Tampa Bay was approved by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
The Port Dolphin facility will be used to transfer imported oil and natural gas from carrier vessels to shore via sub-sea pipelines.
Typically, the main apparatus of the port is submerged most of the time, and is marked by a buoy. A tanker pulls the apparatus up, connects and offloads.
When the deepwater port is not being used, the apparatus submerges, which minimizes its environmental impact.
When the Port Dolphin facility is operational, it is expected to deliver about 400 million cubic feet of natural gas per day to Florida facilities, with the ability to deliver up to 1,200 million cubic feet a day at peak capacity, according to the DOT.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2013, and operations are expected to begin later that year.
As part of the approval agreement, officials for Port Dolphin Energy agreed to provide employment and training opportunities to U.S. mariners on ships using the port.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).