p28-40_LNG 3 13/03/2019 16:10 Page 4
LIQUEFACTION
Mid-scale LNG export plant in Port of Brownsville
will help address rising global natural gas demand
Jonathan Mosher and Shawn Hoffart of Black & Veatch in Kansas and Larry Snyder of Annova LNG, Houston, Texas
Annova
LNG
and
its
engineering
motor driven compressor in each train.
This heavies stream is sent to a
The compressor single body design
stabilizer where the resulting vapor is
partners are making progress with the
project to source natural gas from the
minimizes
piping,
recovered within the process while the
South Texas and Permian Basin regions
maintenance, and controls while saving
condensed heavies are sent to storage.
and to export shipments to international
on capital cost and space.
These heavy hydrocarbons or natural gas
complexity
of
liquids
markets as early as 2024.
Annova announced in October 2018
Impacts
(NGLs)
can
then
be
used
internally as fuel.
Produced high pressure LNG from
that the joint venture of Black & Veatch
Considering local environmental impacts,
Corp. and Kiewit Energy Group Inc. had
Annova LNG has elected to employ
liquefaction
been
electrical motor drivers as opposed to gas-
expansion
fired turbine drives to minimize local
expanders to maximize production as the
emission sources.
LNG is reduced to atmospheric pressure
awarded
the
engineering,
procurement, and construction contract.
Six trains
South Texas Elective Cooperative’s
undergoes
through
isentropic
parallel
LNG
for storage.
Figure 2: PRICO process for
Single-Mixed Refrigerant
The greenfield LNG facility to be located
highly
electrical
Boil-off gas (BOG) is produced during
in
infrastructure allows such a unique
LNG expansion, heavies stabilization,
liquefaction trains, each using Black &
opportunity.
heat leak into the LNG storage tanks, and
The existing deep-draft shipping channel
Veatch’s proven PRICO® single-mixed
Annova
vapor displacement during LNG carrier
will greatly reduce construction cost
loading.
and schedule.
Brownsville
will
consist
of
six
dependable
LNG
continued
to
gain
refrigeration technology to nominally
momentum by recently securing 405 MW
liquefy 6 million tonnes per annum
of electricity from Magic Valley Electric
The BOG compressor is a two-stage,
of LNG.
Cooperative, a member of the South Texas
single-body machine with interstage
allow
Electric Cooperative.
Annova LNG will operate in three
Each stage will include one gas
quick,
efficient
seaborne
cooling. An advantage of using electric
transportation
With this agreement in place, Magic
motor driven refrigerant compressors is
international markets. The South Texas
Valley Electric Cooperative will become
that there is not a large consumer of
Gulf
the sole power provider to the plant.
fuel gas.
extensive, pre-existing natural gas and
parallel stages. Each stage will treat and
liquefying 2 MTPA of LNG.
Proximity to the Panama Canal will
conditioning train which includes an
Annova
LNG
will
be
amine system for carbon-dioxide removal
provider’s largest customer.
the
Coast
to
a
provides
multitude
access
of
to
an
electric power supply networks.
electric
Advantages
Annova’s unique access to diversified,
and dehydration units for water removal.
As the treated natural gas flows
Therefore, during normal operation, BOG
low-cost feed gas in Texas differentiates it
The gas conditioning infrastructure is
through the refrigerant cores to be cooled,
throughout the facility is recovered,
amongst other US LNG projects. Its feed-
it is withdrawn at the mid-way point at
compressed,
the
gas connector is in Agua Dulce, Texas,
an intermediate temperature.
refrigerant exchanger to be recondensed
which provides access to 10 existing
as LNG, thus reducing operational loss
interstate and intrastate pipelines that
and air emissions.
provide gas locally from the Eagle Ford,
followed
by
two
parallel
1
MTPA
liquefaction trains and common facilities
The heavy hydrocarbons contained
for heavies-handling and LNG expansion
in the feed gas can then be extracted
per stage.
The LNG will be stored on site in
to
prevent
and
returned
to
freezing
at
lower
The marine transfer facilities will
in
the
the Permian Basin, Katy Hub and
Houston Ship Channel.
two single-containment LNG tanks of
temperatures
refrigerant
operate up to three liquid loading arms to
160,000 cubic meters working capacity to
exchanger. Optimization of the recovery
facilitate the loading of 138,000 cubic
This competitive advantage allows
accommodate a flexible offtake schedule.
of light hydrocarbons entrained in the
metres capacity to 180,000 cubic metres
Annova to offer one of the best free-on-
This specific implementation of the
resulting heavy hydrocarbon steam is
capacity LNG carriers that can be
board (FOB) LNG prices, with a lower
PRICO® liquefaction process utilizes
a critical design factor to maximize
received, loaded and discharged within a
commodity multiplier than other US Gulf
a
LNG production.
24-hour period.
Coast projects.
single
bodied
two-stage
electric
The carriers will arrive at Annova
Annova is a unique project that offers
LNG’s marine berth via the Brownsville
numerous
ship channel and remain moored in a new
international communities. This planned
dredge berth area parallel to the channel
facility will fortify the south Texas
centerline during loading.
economic
Additionally, the berth will include a
benefits
future
approximately
165
to
local
by
and
employing
full-time
plant
turning basin to allow maneuverability of
workers in the Brownsville community
vessels arriving and departing.
with an average base wage of $70,000.
Approximately two LNG carriers per
week will be dispatched when the plant is
Income
operating at full capacity. However, the
At its peak, construction will require
actual number per week will depend on
1,200 personnel, with an average of 700
the capacity of the specific vessels and the
on-site
off-take agreements.
construction period and a total of $324
The Port of Brownsville has significant
Figure 1: Annova LNG’s three-stage PRICO® liquefaction process
30
•
LNG journal
• The World’s Leading LNG publication
advantages for a project of this caliber.
jobs
over
the
44-month
million in direct labor income.
Additionally, during the life of this
p28-40_LNG 3 13/03/2019 16:10 Page 5
LIQUEFACTION
through
US as a critical exporter of a vital energy
construction of the Cove Point LNG
operation, Annova expects to provide
fabrication and transportation of modules
source. The 1.0 MTPA trains cater to
export facility in the state of Maryland.
thousands of direct and indirect jobs
from around the world at competitive
customers who are buying in 1.0 MTPA
beyond the local community.
rates.
increments.
project
from
construction
through
accelerate
the
schedule
As regards Annova’s permit progress,
the
Federal
Energy
Regulatory
The company’s project will support an
This Gulf Coast area equips this
The Annova project is backed by a
Commission (FERC) issued Annova
average of 2,753 direct, indirect and
project with a reliable, experienced
world-class equity ownership group,
with a positive draft Environmental
induced Texas jobs each year of the
hydrocarbon work force to support this
Exelon Corp.
Impact Statement (EIS) in December
terminal’s construction, with a total of
time to market effort.
Exelon is a Fortune 100 US utility
$1.1 billion in labor income.
2018.
with an investment grade credit rating
In the draft EIS, FERC concluded that
Flexible
and an US rating history of more than
the environmental impacts from the
international markets, Annova, Black &
The multi-train approach combined with
200 years.
project would be less than significant if
Veatch and Kiewit have designed a
the abundance of low-priced natural gas
Exelon owns and operates the Everett
the mitigations recommended by both the
facility that allows for a rapid and
will provide affordable LNG with high
LNG terminal in Boston, which has been
draft EIS and Annova LNG were
efficient time to market.
reliability and quality.
in operation for more than 45 years and
implemented.
To meet the increasing needs of
Annova plans to complete all LNG
The triple parallel stage arrangement
trains within five years of the final
with two parallel liquefaction trains per
investment decision.
stage contributes to a greater operational
This decisive schedule leverages the
straightforward
of
Black
&
PRICO®
Veatch
and
The patented technology allows for
extensive
rapid startup and shutdown and is
proven reliable in operations with an
expected availability of more than 95
Footprint
In addition, the highly optimized train
capacity
using
PRICO®
technology
The operational flexibility will provide
the
international
Black & Veatch is one of the most
marketplace
with
The US company also has more than
50 years of LNG experience.
Energy
is
one
of
North
America’s largest and most respected
engineering
and
construction
customized LNG purchasing agreements
organizations, with roots dating back
footprint.
that meet that needs of many prospective
to 1884.
the
project
can
consumers and further the position of the
n
occur in late 2019.
and over 110 offices around the globe.
minimizes both equipment count and
Furthermore,
from FERC, Annova expects the FID to
the world with roots dating back to 1915
Kiewit
percent throughout the year.
The final EIS is expected to be issued
in April 2019. Upon final authorization
the US.
respected engineering organizations in
flexibility.
technology
modularization expertise of Kiewit.
is the largest LNG import facility in
Kiewit
recently
completed
the
The article was written by Jonathan
Mosher, Process Engineer, and Shawn
Hoffart, LNG Technology Manager, of
Black & Veatch of Overland Park in Kansas
USA and Larry Snyder, Senior Vice
President of Engineering for Annova LNG
in Houston, Texas.
LNG journal
•
March 2019
•
31
p28-40_LNG 3 13/03/2019 16:10 Page 5
LIQUEFACTION
through
US as a critical exporter of a vital energy
construction of the Cove Point LNG
operation, Annova expects to provide
fabrication and transportation of modules
source. The 1.0 MTPA trains cater to
export facility in the state of Maryland.
thousands of direct and indirect jobs
from around the world at competitive
customers who are buying in 1.0 MTPA
beyond the local community.
rates.
increments.
project
from
construction
through
accelerate
the
schedule
As regards Annova’s permit progress,
the
Federal
Energy
Regulatory
The company’s project will support an
This Gulf Coast area equips this
The Annova project is backed by a
Commission (FERC) issued Annova
average of 2,753 direct, indirect and
project with a reliable, experienced
world-class equity ownership group,
with a positive draft Environmental
induced Texas jobs each year of the
hydrocarbon work force to support this
Exelon Corp.
Impact Statement (EIS) in December
terminal’s construction, with a total of
time to market effort.
Exelon is a Fortune 100 US utility
$1.1 billion in labor income.
2018.
with an investment grade credit rating
In the draft EIS, FERC concluded that
Flexible
and an US rating history of more than
the environmental impacts from the
international markets, Annova, Black &
The multi-train approach combined with
200 years.
project would be less than significant if
Veatch and Kiewit have designed a
the abundance of low-priced natural gas
Exelon owns and operates the Everett
the mitigations recommended by both the
facility that allows for a rapid and
will provide affordable LNG with high
LNG terminal in Boston, which has been
draft EIS and Annova LNG were
efficient time to market.
reliability and quality.
in operation for more than 45 years and
implemented.
To meet the increasing needs of
Annova plans to complete all LNG
The triple parallel stage arrangement
trains within five years of the final
with two parallel liquefaction trains per
investment decision.
stage contributes to a greater operational
This decisive schedule leverages the
straightforward
of
Black
&
PRICO®
Veatch
and
The patented technology allows for
extensive
rapid startup and shutdown and is
proven reliable in operations with an
expected availability of more than 95
Footprint
In addition, the highly optimized train
capacity
using
PRICO®
technology
The operational flexibility will provide
the
international
Black & Veatch is one of the most
marketplace
with
The US company also has more than
50 years of LNG experience.
Energy
is
one
of
North
America’s largest and most respected
engineering
and
construction
customized LNG purchasing agreements
organizations, with roots dating back
footprint.
that meet that needs of many prospective
to 1884.
the
project
can
consumers and further the position of the
n
occur in late 2019.
and over 110 offices around the globe.
minimizes both equipment count and
Furthermore,
from FERC, Annova expects the FID to
the world with roots dating back to 1915
Kiewit
percent throughout the year.
The final EIS is expected to be issued
in April 2019. Upon final authorization
the US.
respected engineering organizations in
flexibility.
technology
modularization expertise of Kiewit.
is the largest LNG import facility in
Kiewit
recently
completed
the
The article was written by Jonathan
Mosher, Process Engineer, and Shawn
Hoffart, LNG Technology Manager, of
Black & Veatch of Overland Park in Kansas
USA and Larry Snyder, Senior Vice
President of Engineering for Annova LNG
in Houston, Texas.
LNG journal
•
March 2019
•
31