Analysis of offshore LNG storage and transportation technologies based on patent informatics

Abstract As International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2020 Regulations on sulphur limits took effects, increasing interests in LNG are witnessed worldwide, since LNG is believed to be a promising alternative for the reduction of air pollution. The aim of this paper is to study the technological advancements of offshore LNG storage and transportation technologies based on patent informatics. Patent informatics is the analysis of patents in order to unveil patent information. In this work, past patenting activities in the studied technological domain were reviewed, the most active technological participants were identified, worldwide patent portfolios were constructed, and text mining and clustering of the key technologies were conducted. Results of the study can help to identify technological opportunities in the area of offshore LNG storage and transportation, and may serve as a reference for decision makers to formulate strategic plan for future technological development.