To accommodate its customers and the recent advances in LNG
ship technology, Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP (DCP) is planning to upgrade its
existing offshore pier to enable the safe docking, off-loading, and departure
from the pier of larger-sized LNG vessels now coming into service worldwide.
The pier modifications will provide greater flexibility
for LNG shippers to acquire and schedule LNG cargoes from a variety of supply
sources, and provide American consumers with greater access to worldwide supplies
of LNG. An adequate supply of natural gas from LNG delivered to Cove Point will
assist to stabilizing energy costs for homes and businesses in the Mid Atlantic
and Northeast United States. This project will also enable DCP to compete more
effectively for LNG supplies and remain competitive with similar terminals throughout
the world.
The modifications will enable DCP to receive vessels carrying
larger cargoes than the current maximum capacity. Currently, vessels with a
capacity of no greater than 148,000 cubic meters can be handled. The modifications
will allow DCP to receive vessels carrying cargoes of up to 267,000 cubic meters.
To the extent that DCP shippers opt to use the larger vessels, they could deliver
comparable quantities of LNG using fewer ships; however, even after the pier
is reinforced, the Terminal will remain capable of receiving the types of ships
that are in use today.
The Project will result in:
The addition of new breasting and mooring dolphins (the dolphins are the
structural features, inclusive of support pilings in the water, needed for
the breasting panels and mooring hooks).
Addition of about 150 feet to each end of the existing offshore platform.
Service platform modifications.
Upgrading the docking control system.
Relocating some security systems.
This project does not include the addition of LNG storage
tanks, increasing throughput requiring additional ship arrivals, or changing
the purpose of the facility. With the proposed modifications, there is a possibility
of less ships transiting to Cove Point due to larger carrier size and more efficient
transport.
The current unloading rates of the Cove Point Terminal, as
listed in DCP’s FERC Gas Tariff Sheet, are an average of 10,200 cubic
meters per hour and a maximum of 12,000 cubic meters per hour. The unloading
rates will not change with this proposed project.
A Letter of Intent (LOI) and a Preliminary Waterway Suitability
Assessment (WSA) were submitted to the USCG on May 5, 2008 and May 6, 2008,
respectively.
Dominion filed its application for the Pier Reinforcement
Project with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Feb. 4, 2009. The docket
number is CP09-60.