ABSTRACT A methodology has been developed to evaluate proposed offshore LNG receiving terminals. This methodology, developed during the actual evaluation of a proposed facility, includes all facets affecting the proposed facility, i.e. technical, siting, legal and economic. INTRODUCTION In the evaluation of LNG receiving terminals the feasibility of such a project is thoroughly examined with particular attention being given to the current and near-future technical state-of-the art and to indigeneous peculiarities of the location. There are over 200 LNG facilities in service throughout the world; however, with the possible exception of Canvey Island (U. K.), which is for all practical purposes and onshore installation, there is no offshore LNG receiving terminal in existence anywhere today. An offshore LNG receiving terminal is a single segment of a master LNG import project. For purposes of this paper, the terminal is considered as a separate segment unrelated to the master import project as shown in Figure 1. The offshore terminal is defined as a baseload facility: receiving LNG from one or more LNG carriers, storing the liquid, vaporizing the LNG and delivering the vaporized gas to shore via pipeline. The facility would also supply support functions for LNG carriers. A general description of an offshore LNG receiving terminal is presented here to show the types of subsystems needed and their relative function within the overall terminal process. (A simplified typical process flow diagram is shown in Figure 2.) LNG is unloaded from the ship by submerged pumps in the cargo tanks. During the unloading period, vapor will be displaced from the terminal storage tanks; some of this vapor is normally piped to the ship through a vapor-return line to fill the LNG volume being pumped out. When more vapor is displaced from the terminal storage tanks than can be returned to the ships, the excess vapor is compressed and discharged into the pipeline or vented. The LNG send-out system incorporates two stages of send-out pumps in series. The first-stage pumps may be located either inside or outside each tank; each tank should have a spare pump. It is possible to reinject the boil-off vapor at this level, thus reducing the equipment needed, as well as saving power. The second-stage send out pumps are required to boost the LNG to the final pipeline pressure and deliver the LNG to the regasification system, which in turn vaporizes and heats the gas for injection into the distribution system. These are referred to herein as "vaporizers" despite their single-phase superheating function. For purposes of evaluation, the facility configurations have been divided into five generalcategories:Natural Island Facility - A terminal sited on a natural landmass, surrounded by water.Artificial Island Facility (Including Coastline Extensions) - A terminal sited on a foundation created by building up the seabed floor to above the waterline, adding to the floor structure as opposed to resting upon or being supported by the natural floor structure (see Figure 3).