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 connecting to the existing Spectra Energy pipeline system’s HubLineSM, which will deliver
the natural gas to consumers in Massachusetts and throughout New England.
Neptune has received all federal, state and local permits and approvals to proceed with construction.
Pipeline construction and testing are planned for mid-July through September 2008. Work on the pipeline
connection to the HubLineSM and the buoy installation are scheduled to begin in May and end in September 2009.
Neptune will be prepared to receive LNG shipments by late 2009.
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 (mmscfd) of natural gas to the
region, or enough to heat 1.5 million homes, and 750 mmscfd 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.
SUEZ LNG NA is the sole owner of the Neptune Project; a 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.
Click here to view
a Neptune Project Update [551 KB]
Click here to view the Location Map of the
Proposed Neptune LNG Pipeline and Terminal