OPEN-SEA BERTH LNG IMPORT TERMINAL

Methods and systems for receiving liquefied natural gas (LNG) and deliver ing vaporized natural gas to a pipeline in fluid communication with onshore equipment and methods for importing LNG. In one embodiment, an open-sea bert h import terminal includes a platform, which is fixed to the sea floor and i ncludes two or more sets of berthing structures. LNG carriers berth at the o pen-sea berth import terminal to transfer LNG to a storage vessel moored at one of the berthing structures. LNG vaporization facilities, either on the s torage vessel or the platform, vaporize the LNG prior to delivery to the pip eline. The storage vessel may include a barge or another LNG carrier. In oth er embodiments, the open-sea berth import terminal may have no storage facil ities, but two LNG carriers may berth at the berthing structures to concurre ntly perform offloading operations, with one transferring LNG and the other performing other offloading operations to enhance operations.