Page 2: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 15, 1977)

Repairs * AND Modifi- cations

SHIPS, BARGES, OFFSHORE RIGS •Repairs, modifications, conversions, new construction. •Structural, machinery, electrical, and joiner work. Joiner installations and modifications. •Pipe Shops for structural and pressure piping.

Pipe Bending, Beveling, Threading, Welding-

All Materials. Certified Testing to 10,000 pounds. X-Ray and Ultra-Sonic inspections. •Berthside floating cranes and rigging services to 300 tons. •Painting, Sandblasting, Tank Cleaning, and

Carpenter work. •Purchasing, Engineering, Job Planning, and

Supervision. •Salvage, Haul-Outs, Bottom Repairs, and

Cleaning to 300 tons. •All work to A.B.S., Lloyd's, U.S.C.G., and

A.S.M.E. Codes. A.B.S. and U.S.C.G.

Surveyors in residence. •Service at your berth, our dock, world-wide,

Round the clock.

Marathon LeTourneau Offshore Company,

P. O. Box 61865, Houston, Texas 77208, (713) 659-7444.

TWX: 910-881-3710 MTHLETOFF HOU

Marathon's Yards

Brownsville, Texas (512) 831-4561,

TWX: 910-870-1729 MTGHLFMAR BRO

Vicksburg, Mississippi (601) 636-4132,

TWX: 810-999-0521 MTHMARINE VICS

Singapore 652-744 Telex: 21658 MARALET

Cable: MARALET

Clydebank, Scotland (041) 952-2040,

TLX: 77591 MARATHON GLASGW marathon

Conoco And Mitsui Group

Verify Feasibility Of

Floating Methanol Plant

The technical and economic feasibility of a floating methanol plant has been verified in a joint study by Continental Oil Com- pany (Conoco), High Ridge Park,

Stamford, Conn. 06904, and a

Tokyo group of Mitsui compa- nies consisting of Mitsui & Co.,

Ltd., Toyo Engineering Corpo- ration, and Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

The concept was advanced as a means of developing natural gas reserves in remote offshore areas. Such a floating plant would convert natural gas into the liq- uid, methanol, at the production site for transshipment by tankers.

In a joint announcement, the firms said they have been pro- ceeding since March 1976, with a study on a plant of 2,200-tons- per-day capacity. "This study, which is almost complete, con- firms that a floating plant is technically feasible and more eco- nomical than land-based construc- tion," they stated.

Their research stemmed from earlier studies performed sepa- rately by Conoco and the Jap- anese group. Conoco's studies, initiated in 1972, sought devel- opment of methods to develop gas fields too remote or too small to justify pipeline installations to shore. Studies by the Japanese group in 1974, based on a 1,000- ton-per-day plant, "obtained sat- isfactory results as to its tech- nical and economic possibilities."

The joint study covered deliv- ery systems to the plant, the question of converting a used tanker or building a new barge, detailed design of plant and ves- sel, transportation of methanol products, and potential methanol utilization.

The group listed three key ad- vantages : where pipeline con- struction is uneconomic such a plant could be transferred from field to field; it could be built to exacting specifications in a ship- yard, avoiding potential delays and the difficulties and higher costs of building a facility in a remote offshore area; and it would obviate the need for large investments in harbors, roads and related shore facilities.

Both Conoco and the Mitsui group are considering the possi- bility of making more definitive studies, especially of aspects not considered in detail in the study.

True or False?

All towboat ratchets are alike!

False.

ONLYOff AMERICAN RATCHETS ...have upset forged one piece barrels with tapped integral threads to prevent pull out. ...are built to a quality standard and not down to price. ...have no welded insert or parts. ...are of all precision forged construction. "THE NO. 1

PERFORMER"

Write today for complete information or phone: 412/771-4514

CM AMERICAN

DIVISION COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION * P. O. BOX 74, McKEES ROCKS. PENNSYLVANIA 15136

MARITIME

REPORTER

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Audit of Circulation, Inc.

No. 10 Volume 39

Subsidiary of Elpac. Inc. BllldWOllh Shipyard, illC. Builds Better 8502 Cypress Street/P O Box 5426/Houston. Texas 77012/(713) 928-5051

IN THE HEART OF HOUSTON

Bludworth specializes in marine repa rs; sandblasting and painting; and construction of inland and offshore marine equipment.

Located on Brady Island on the Houston Ship Channel • One (1) Drydock: 1500 Tons (76' x 150') • Two (2) Marine Railways: lOOOand 2C)COTons • Covered Fabrication Facilities • 4,000 Feet of Water Frontage 10

Maritime Reporter/Engineering News