Neptune LNG seeking permit to decommission deepwater LNG port

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said that Neptune LNG filed for a permit to decommission the Neptune Deepwater LNG port in U.S. waters off the coast of Marblehead, Massachusetts. 

The proposed decommissioning work plan will include the complete removal of the hot tap assembly that attaches the Neptune LNG line to the Algonquin LNG hubline, three transition manifolds, two submerged turret loading buoys, and 16 mooring lines consisting of wire rope and chain.

The applicant’s preferred work plan proposes to abandon in place 13.1 miles of 24-inch pipeline which is buried 1.5 feet below the mudline, and 16 suction piles that will be capped with trawl guards.

This proposed action will result in the addition of 11,500 square feet of new structures sitting 6.4 feet above the mudline in waters of the U.S.

Neptune LNG proposed three alternatives for the removal or abandonment of the suction piles.

In 2013, Neptune LNG requested and was granted a temporary five-year suspension of its Deepwater port license from the U.S. Maritime Administration.

The Neptune LNG Deepwater port consists of a dual buoy system where specially designed shuttle and regasification vessels moor, convert the liquefied natural gas into a vapor, and discharge the fuel into a subsea pipeline.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, called for public comments on the work proposed by Neptune LNG to be submitted by March 29, 2017.

LNG World News Staff