NEPTUNE PROJECT
Neptune, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) offshore deepwater port, is being built approximately 10 miles off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts.
The Neptune port will consist of a buoy system where LNG vessels will moor and discharge natural gas by using onboard vaporization equipment. The natural gas will be transported via a 13-mile-long sub-sea pipeline lateral connecting to the existing Spectra Energy pipeline system’s HubLineSM, which will deliver the natural gas to consumers in Massachusetts and throughout New England.
The pipeline lateral was laid and buried in 2008. The buoy installation and also the installation of the pipeline manifolds and hot tap that will connect the pipeline lateral to the HubLineSM are planned to begin in May 2009 and conclude in September 2009, in preparation for Neptune’s first cargoes. This represents the second and final phase of the construction process.
This project will help New England diversify its energy and natural gas supply mix and also meet its growing demand for natural gas. Currently, LNG accounts for about 20% of New England’s natural gas and 40% of the gas on a very cold day. Demand for natural gas is forecast to increase at a rate of about 1.5% per year for the long term.
Neptune will provide New England with additional supplies of LNG. When completed, the project will be capable of delivering approximately 400 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) of natural gas to the region, or enough to heat 1.5 million homes, and 750 MMscf/d on a peak winter day.
Neptune’s operations center is located at the Cruiseport, 6 Rowe Square, in Gloucester. Two LNG tankers are now being built in South Korea by Samsung Heavy Industries, and two support vessels are being built domestically by Boston Towing & Transportation.
A subsidiary of GDF SUEZ, SUEZ LNG NA, is the sole owner of the Neptune Project; another subsidiary, Neptune LNG LLC, is the project developer. An affiliate company, Distrigas of Massachusetts LLC, has been delivering LNG to New England since 1971 through the Everett LNG Import Terminal. This is the longest operating LNG terminal in the U.S.
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a Neptune Project Update [710 KB]
Click here to view a Neptune Project Overview [881 KB]
Click here to view the Location Map of the Neptune LNG Pipeline and Terminal