CA2220092C - A method of loading and treatment of hydrocarbons - Google Patents
A method of loading and treatment of hydrocarbons Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2220092C CA2220092C CA002220092A CA2220092A CA2220092C CA 2220092 C CA2220092 C CA 2220092C CA 002220092 A CA002220092 A CA 002220092A CA 2220092 A CA2220092 A CA 2220092A CA 2220092 C CA2220092 C CA 2220092C
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- Prior art keywords
- buoy
- vessel
- oil
- stp
- gas
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
- B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
- B63B21/507—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers with mooring turrets
- B63B21/508—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers with mooring turrets connected to submerged buoy
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B22/00—Buoys
- B63B22/02—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel
- B63B22/021—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids, e.g. liquids
- B63B22/026—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids, e.g. liquids and with means to rotate the vessel around the anchored buoy
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
- B63B27/24—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Pipeline Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A method of loading and treatment of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon mixture produced on an offshore production platform, a production vessel or a well installation when producing oil and gas from a reservoir, wherein the mixture is supplied to a gas treatment vessel (12) via a buoy loading system comprising a buoy (14) of the STL/STP
type, and is treated on board the vessel (12) for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) or an LPG mixture stored in tanks on the vessel.
Simultaneously with the supply of the hydrocarbon mixture, oil is also supplied to the vessel (12) via the same buoy (14), the buoy including a multi-course STP connector, the oil being transferred directly from the STP connector via a pipeline (23) and an unloading means (25) on the vessel (12) to a tanker (13) for storage and transport of the supplied oil.
type, and is treated on board the vessel (12) for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) or an LPG mixture stored in tanks on the vessel.
Simultaneously with the supply of the hydrocarbon mixture, oil is also supplied to the vessel (12) via the same buoy (14), the buoy including a multi-course STP connector, the oil being transferred directly from the STP connector via a pipeline (23) and an unloading means (25) on the vessel (12) to a tanker (13) for storage and transport of the supplied oil.
Description
WO 96!36529 PCT/N09i6/0~IIS
A method of loading and treatment of hydrocarbons The present invention relates to a method of: loading and treatment of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon mixture produced on a:n offshore production platform, a production vessel o=~ a well installation when producing oil and gas from a reservoir, wherein the mixture is supplied to a gas treatment vessel via a buoy loading system comprising a buoy of the STL/STP type, and a.s o treated on board the vessel for producing liquefied nai~ural gas (LNG) or an LPG mixture stored in tanks on the vessel.
In offshore production of hydrocarbons ( oil and gas ) it is known to use production vessels based on the so-ca,la_ed STP
technique (STP = Submerged Turret Production). In this technique there is used a submerged buoy of the type comprising a central bottom-anchored member communicating with the topical underground source via at least one flexible riser, and which is provided with a swivel unit for the transfer of fluid under a high pressure to a production plant on the vessel. On the ceni~ral buoy ao member there is rotatably mounted an outer buoyancy member which a.s arranged for introduction and releasable secureme:nt in a submerged, downwardly open receiving space at the bottom of the vessel, so that the vessel is able to turn on the anchored central buoy member under the influence of wind, waves and water as currents. For a further description of this technique rej:erence may ~s.g. be made to Norwegian laying-open print No. 17E~ 5_29 and to international patent application No. PCT/N094/00119,.
In offshore loading and unloading of hydrocarbons it is also known to use a so-called STL buoy (STL = Submerged Turret 3o Loading) which is based on the same principle as the STP buoy, but 'which has a simpler swivel means than the STP swivel which normally has several through-going passages or coursers . For a further description of this buoy structure reference may e.g. be made to international patent application No. PCT/N092/00056.
3s By means of the STL/STP technique there is achieved that one is able to carry out loading/unloading as well as offshore production of hydrocarbons in nearly all weathers, a connection as well as a disconnection between vessel arid buoy beinl~ able to be carried out in a simple and quick manner, also under very difficult weather conditions with high waves . Further, the buoy may remain connected to the vessel in all weathers, a quick disconnection being able to be carried out if a weather limitation should be~ exceeded.
s ~ The ob j ect of the invention. is to provide a flexible system .for simultaneous loading of oil and gas ; via an STL/STP
buoy to one or more vessels. ~. . .. ,, For the achievement of the above-mentioned ob j ect there is provided a method of the introductorily stated type which, o according to the invention, is characterized in that, simultane ously with the supply of the hydrocarboin mixture, oil as also .
supplied to the gas treatment vessel via said buoy, the buoy including an STP connector having pipe courses for the respective fluids, the oil being transferred directly from the STP 'connector via a pipeline and an unloading means on the vessel to a tanker f or storage and transport of the supplied oil .. :. . . . ~ .
Hy :means of the method according to the invention there .
. is obtained, a very flexible , system . for simultaneous loadz ng of ~oil~and gas via a loading buoy to one or'more vessels.. ,F.urther, Zo there .is achieved that one can load oil and simultaneousl~r can harvest. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and/or. gas which would.
other~rise be reinj ected into ~ the reservoir... . .
According to a first broad aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of loading and 25Ytreatment of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon mixture produced on an offshore production platform, a production vessel or a well installation when producing oil and gas from a reservoir, wherein the mixture is supplied to a gas treatment vessel via a buoy loading system comprising a buoy of the STZ/STP type., and 30~i5 treated on board the gas treatment vessel for producing liquefied natural gas (ZNG) or an ZPG mixture stored in tanks on the gas treatment vessel, wherein WO 96136529 ~ PCTlN096/OOI18 2a simultaneously with the supply of the hydrocarbon mixture, oil is also supplied to the gas treatment vessel via .said buoy, the buoy including an STP connector having pipe courses for the respective fluids, the oil being transferred directly from STP
connector via a pipeline and an unloading means on the gas treatment vessel to a tanker for storage and transport of the supplied oil.
The invention~will be :further described below .in connection with exemplary embodiments with reference to the z5~accompanying drawings,-wherein~
Fig. 1 shows a'schematic view of an offshore installa-tion 'and a vessel for..the supply of gas and/or~an LPG mixture;
Fig . Z .shows a schemattic view o.f interconnected vessels .
for carrying out the method according to the~inventiom;..
ao Fig. 3 shows- a longitudinally sectioned view of an STP
connector for use in ~simu~taneous loading of oil and LPG mixture;
and Fig_ 4 shows a longitudinally sectioned view of a modified STP connector for loading of oil only...
35 Fig. 1 shows- a - production platform 1, ~ a conventional floating loading buoy 2 and . a vessel '3 which is anchored ~to ' a submerged,_ bottom-anchored buoy 4 (the anchoring system is not shown ) of the introductorily mentioned STL or STP type, the buoy 4 being introduced and secured in a submerged receiving space at the bottom of the vessel 3. A number of risers 5 for transport of hydrocarbons .from the production platform 1 extend between the base 6 of the platform and the buoy 4. Similar risers 7 and 8, respectively, extend between the platform base and the loading buoy Z .and a production vessel 9, respectively: Further, there is shown a production well 10 which communicates with a reservoir (not shown) and which is connected to the platform 1 'through fbowlines 11.
Previously, it has been customary to reinject LPG
and/or gas, so that the value of this hydrocarbon fraction has not been utilized.. However, with the system shown in Fig . 1, this hydrocarbon fraction may be utilized, in that the risers 5 constitute pipe courses for gas and/or LPG of this type, so that the ,gas or the LPG mixture is supplied to the vessel 3 via the is buoy 4, the buoy then cooperating with a suitable STP connector»
The vessel 3 may be an hPG or an LNG vessel, for treatment of the topical gas or LPG mixture. Normally, it will be necessary to return some of the gas, and this is done via one of the risers zo ,Fig» .2 shows a system comprising interconnected vessels for use in carrying out the method according to the invention.
As shown, the system comprises a first vessel 12 which in this case is presupposed to be an LPG production vessel, and a second vessel 13 in the form of an oil tanker. The vessel 12 25 is anchored town STP buoy 14 which is secured in a submerged receiving space 15 at the bottom of the vessel and which is connected to an anchoring or mooring system comprising mooring lines 16 connected to chain sections 17 at the sea bed 1B.
Buoyancy elements 19 are attached. to the mooring .lines 16 to so facilitate the mooring.. In practice the ocean depth may be several thousand meters with such a system..
A number of risers 20 extend between the sea bed 18 and the STP buoy 14, the risers at the bottom being connected to respective fastening or base members 21. In this case the risers 35 comprise a riser 20a for transport of oil, a riser 20b for transport of LPG or gas, and a riser 20c for return of gas. At their upper ends the risers are connected to respective pipe courses in the bottom-anchored central member ( not further shown ) of the buoy 14, which cooperates with an STP connector WO 96!36529 PCT/N096100II8 (also called rotating connector) which is adapted for. transfer of the topical fluids to or from the production vessel 12 (see Fig. 3).. This is shown.to comprise a number of tanks 22 for storage of the topical product, i.e. LPG mixture in the present CdSe. ~ ~ ..
Hydrocarbons in liquid or gaseous condition are supplied to the risers from platforms, production vessels, production wells or other suitable installations,;for example as shown in Fig. 1. w As mentioned, 'the vessel 12 in this case is a produc-tion vessel for LPG mixture, and therefore it has no capacity for storage of oil which 3s supplied through the risers 20 simultane-ously with the hydrocarbon mixture., The supplied oil therefore is transferred directly from the STP connector via a pipeline 23 15 which is shown to extend along the deck.24 of the vessel, to.an unloading means 25.: Between the unloading means 2S and the second vessel, i.e.. the oil tanker 13, there is arranged a pipeline 26, and the oil as transported through this.pipeline to tanks 27 on aboard the oil tanker 13. The oil tanker 13 is moored _to the zo .production vessel 12 , by means of .a mooring line '28: In this manner it is possible to load or supply oil and gas/LPG to two different vessels vis one and the same STL/STP buoy 'i4.
In practice it takes a relatively short time, less than 24 hours, to fill an oil tanker, whereas it takes a substantially 25 longer time, several weeks up to months, to fill the tanks on a vessel processing gas or an LPG mixture from hydrocarbon=carrying formations.. .
When the production vessel 12 is ready for unloading of the processed gas, the vessel is disconzaected from the loading buoy 14 in order to go to the unloading site. The other vessel 13 may then use the buoy 14, this vessel also being presupposed to be provided faith a submerged receiving space (not shown) for this purpose. As mentioned, the vessel 1~ is an oil tanker, and therefore has no possibility for treatment of the gas from the topical reservoir.. In order to be able to utilize the system for oil loading in this situation, there is used an insert member or adapter for modification in connection with the buoy 14, so that its pipe courses for gas transport are shut off, and so that the oil-carrying pipe courses of the buoy are used in accordance with " WO 96136529 PCT/N096l00118 the conventional STL concept. This modification will be further described with reference to Fig. 4.
Fig. 3 shows an axial section of a rotating connector' device (STP connector) 31 of the type disclosed in the aforemen s tinned international application No. PCT/N094/00119, and to which reference -is here made for a further description thereof.. Briefly stated, such a connector device includes a swivel device having a number of fluid courses for interconnection between a buoy of the above-mentioned type and a pipe system on the topical vessel, to wherein the swivel device comprises a female member and a male member which can be inserted axially into or withdrawn from each other, the female member being permanently fastened to the ..
bottom;anchored central member of the buoy.- .
In Fig. 3 there is suggested a buoy 30 corresponding to 5 the buoy l4 and which is presupposed to be .introduced into and secured in a receiving space in a vessel, e.g. the vessel 12.. The rotating connector 31 includes a female member 32 which is permanently fitted in the upper end of the central member 33 of the buoy 30. A male member 34 is introduced into the female zo member, the male member being raisable and .lowerable :by means of a hydraulic hack 35 forming part of an operating means 36~ The rotating connector also comprises a guide sleeve 37 for guiding of the male member 34. ~ ~.
In the illustrated embodiment the central member 33 of~
zs the buoy comprises three pipe courses for fluid transport, as described above for the buoy 14. Thus, therelis provided a pipe course 38 for transfer of oil, a pipe course 39 for transfer of gas or LPG, and a pipe course 40 f.or return of gas. Additional pipe courses could be provided according to requirement. The male so member 34 of the connector device 31 is provided with axially extending pipe courses 41, 42, 43. The lower ends of these pipe courses communicate with respective ones of the pipe courses 38, 39, 40 via respective annular spaces 44 arranged between the male member 34 and the female member 32, whereas the upper ends of the 35 pipe courses communicate with associated pipelines 45, 46,-47 on the vessel via respective annular spaces 48 arranged between the male member 34 and the guide sleeve 37. The rotating connector device 31 thus permits supply of oil and gas/LPG to the vessel, and return of gas from the vessel, even if the vessel together .. WO 96136529 ~ PCT/N096/00l.l8 With the outer buoyancy member of the buoy turn about the bottom-anchored central member of the buoy under the influence of wind, Waves and water currents.
Fig. 4 shows an axial section of an STP connector 50 which is modified to be used only for oil transfer, i..e. in accordance with the conventional STL concept, as described above.
In this embodiment an insert member or adapter 51 is inserted into the female member 32 fitted -in the buoy 30, which adapter is designed to shut off the pipe courses in the buoy which are not to be used, ~i.e. the pipe course 39 for gas/LPG and the pipe course 40 for return of gas. The adapter 51 and the female member 32 define an annular space 52 communicating with the pipe course 38 of the buoy 30 for oil and with a pipe course 53 which extends axially through the adapter 51 ,and via a convent3.ona1 STL
coupling head 54 communicates with a 'pipe member 55 l.eadirig to a pipeline for oil transport, e.g.. the pipeline 23 described above .
In order. for the previous STP connector.. to be com-patible with conventional STL connectors, the pipe course 53 is ao arranged centrally in the adapter 51.. The adapter which is inserted into the 5TP connector, may .be inserted either by the gas treatment vessel 12 or the oil tanker 13. In order to install the adapter 51, the male member 34 of the STP connector firstly must be pulled up from the female member 32 and stowed away.
25 As soon as the gas treatment vessel 22 is back on the field, it may connect itself to the loading buoy 30. The adapter 51 then firstly must be withdrawn from the female member 32 in the buoy 30, and the male member 34 of the original STP coupling, which opens the pipe courses for transfer of the topical additional fluids, 3p must be, inserted into the female member..
A method of loading and treatment of hydrocarbons The present invention relates to a method of: loading and treatment of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon mixture produced on a:n offshore production platform, a production vessel o=~ a well installation when producing oil and gas from a reservoir, wherein the mixture is supplied to a gas treatment vessel via a buoy loading system comprising a buoy of the STL/STP type, and a.s o treated on board the vessel for producing liquefied nai~ural gas (LNG) or an LPG mixture stored in tanks on the vessel.
In offshore production of hydrocarbons ( oil and gas ) it is known to use production vessels based on the so-ca,la_ed STP
technique (STP = Submerged Turret Production). In this technique there is used a submerged buoy of the type comprising a central bottom-anchored member communicating with the topical underground source via at least one flexible riser, and which is provided with a swivel unit for the transfer of fluid under a high pressure to a production plant on the vessel. On the ceni~ral buoy ao member there is rotatably mounted an outer buoyancy member which a.s arranged for introduction and releasable secureme:nt in a submerged, downwardly open receiving space at the bottom of the vessel, so that the vessel is able to turn on the anchored central buoy member under the influence of wind, waves and water as currents. For a further description of this technique rej:erence may ~s.g. be made to Norwegian laying-open print No. 17E~ 5_29 and to international patent application No. PCT/N094/00119,.
In offshore loading and unloading of hydrocarbons it is also known to use a so-called STL buoy (STL = Submerged Turret 3o Loading) which is based on the same principle as the STP buoy, but 'which has a simpler swivel means than the STP swivel which normally has several through-going passages or coursers . For a further description of this buoy structure reference may e.g. be made to international patent application No. PCT/N092/00056.
3s By means of the STL/STP technique there is achieved that one is able to carry out loading/unloading as well as offshore production of hydrocarbons in nearly all weathers, a connection as well as a disconnection between vessel arid buoy beinl~ able to be carried out in a simple and quick manner, also under very difficult weather conditions with high waves . Further, the buoy may remain connected to the vessel in all weathers, a quick disconnection being able to be carried out if a weather limitation should be~ exceeded.
s ~ The ob j ect of the invention. is to provide a flexible system .for simultaneous loading of oil and gas ; via an STL/STP
buoy to one or more vessels. ~. . .. ,, For the achievement of the above-mentioned ob j ect there is provided a method of the introductorily stated type which, o according to the invention, is characterized in that, simultane ously with the supply of the hydrocarboin mixture, oil as also .
supplied to the gas treatment vessel via said buoy, the buoy including an STP connector having pipe courses for the respective fluids, the oil being transferred directly from the STP 'connector via a pipeline and an unloading means on the vessel to a tanker f or storage and transport of the supplied oil .. :. . . . ~ .
Hy :means of the method according to the invention there .
. is obtained, a very flexible , system . for simultaneous loadz ng of ~oil~and gas via a loading buoy to one or'more vessels.. ,F.urther, Zo there .is achieved that one can load oil and simultaneousl~r can harvest. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and/or. gas which would.
other~rise be reinj ected into ~ the reservoir... . .
According to a first broad aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method of loading and 25Ytreatment of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon mixture produced on an offshore production platform, a production vessel or a well installation when producing oil and gas from a reservoir, wherein the mixture is supplied to a gas treatment vessel via a buoy loading system comprising a buoy of the STZ/STP type., and 30~i5 treated on board the gas treatment vessel for producing liquefied natural gas (ZNG) or an ZPG mixture stored in tanks on the gas treatment vessel, wherein WO 96136529 ~ PCTlN096/OOI18 2a simultaneously with the supply of the hydrocarbon mixture, oil is also supplied to the gas treatment vessel via .said buoy, the buoy including an STP connector having pipe courses for the respective fluids, the oil being transferred directly from STP
connector via a pipeline and an unloading means on the gas treatment vessel to a tanker for storage and transport of the supplied oil.
The invention~will be :further described below .in connection with exemplary embodiments with reference to the z5~accompanying drawings,-wherein~
Fig. 1 shows a'schematic view of an offshore installa-tion 'and a vessel for..the supply of gas and/or~an LPG mixture;
Fig . Z .shows a schemattic view o.f interconnected vessels .
for carrying out the method according to the~inventiom;..
ao Fig. 3 shows- a longitudinally sectioned view of an STP
connector for use in ~simu~taneous loading of oil and LPG mixture;
and Fig_ 4 shows a longitudinally sectioned view of a modified STP connector for loading of oil only...
35 Fig. 1 shows- a - production platform 1, ~ a conventional floating loading buoy 2 and . a vessel '3 which is anchored ~to ' a submerged,_ bottom-anchored buoy 4 (the anchoring system is not shown ) of the introductorily mentioned STL or STP type, the buoy 4 being introduced and secured in a submerged receiving space at the bottom of the vessel 3. A number of risers 5 for transport of hydrocarbons .from the production platform 1 extend between the base 6 of the platform and the buoy 4. Similar risers 7 and 8, respectively, extend between the platform base and the loading buoy Z .and a production vessel 9, respectively: Further, there is shown a production well 10 which communicates with a reservoir (not shown) and which is connected to the platform 1 'through fbowlines 11.
Previously, it has been customary to reinject LPG
and/or gas, so that the value of this hydrocarbon fraction has not been utilized.. However, with the system shown in Fig . 1, this hydrocarbon fraction may be utilized, in that the risers 5 constitute pipe courses for gas and/or LPG of this type, so that the ,gas or the LPG mixture is supplied to the vessel 3 via the is buoy 4, the buoy then cooperating with a suitable STP connector»
The vessel 3 may be an hPG or an LNG vessel, for treatment of the topical gas or LPG mixture. Normally, it will be necessary to return some of the gas, and this is done via one of the risers zo ,Fig» .2 shows a system comprising interconnected vessels for use in carrying out the method according to the invention.
As shown, the system comprises a first vessel 12 which in this case is presupposed to be an LPG production vessel, and a second vessel 13 in the form of an oil tanker. The vessel 12 25 is anchored town STP buoy 14 which is secured in a submerged receiving space 15 at the bottom of the vessel and which is connected to an anchoring or mooring system comprising mooring lines 16 connected to chain sections 17 at the sea bed 1B.
Buoyancy elements 19 are attached. to the mooring .lines 16 to so facilitate the mooring.. In practice the ocean depth may be several thousand meters with such a system..
A number of risers 20 extend between the sea bed 18 and the STP buoy 14, the risers at the bottom being connected to respective fastening or base members 21. In this case the risers 35 comprise a riser 20a for transport of oil, a riser 20b for transport of LPG or gas, and a riser 20c for return of gas. At their upper ends the risers are connected to respective pipe courses in the bottom-anchored central member ( not further shown ) of the buoy 14, which cooperates with an STP connector WO 96!36529 PCT/N096100II8 (also called rotating connector) which is adapted for. transfer of the topical fluids to or from the production vessel 12 (see Fig. 3).. This is shown.to comprise a number of tanks 22 for storage of the topical product, i.e. LPG mixture in the present CdSe. ~ ~ ..
Hydrocarbons in liquid or gaseous condition are supplied to the risers from platforms, production vessels, production wells or other suitable installations,;for example as shown in Fig. 1. w As mentioned, 'the vessel 12 in this case is a produc-tion vessel for LPG mixture, and therefore it has no capacity for storage of oil which 3s supplied through the risers 20 simultane-ously with the hydrocarbon mixture., The supplied oil therefore is transferred directly from the STP connector via a pipeline 23 15 which is shown to extend along the deck.24 of the vessel, to.an unloading means 25.: Between the unloading means 2S and the second vessel, i.e.. the oil tanker 13, there is arranged a pipeline 26, and the oil as transported through this.pipeline to tanks 27 on aboard the oil tanker 13. The oil tanker 13 is moored _to the zo .production vessel 12 , by means of .a mooring line '28: In this manner it is possible to load or supply oil and gas/LPG to two different vessels vis one and the same STL/STP buoy 'i4.
In practice it takes a relatively short time, less than 24 hours, to fill an oil tanker, whereas it takes a substantially 25 longer time, several weeks up to months, to fill the tanks on a vessel processing gas or an LPG mixture from hydrocarbon=carrying formations.. .
When the production vessel 12 is ready for unloading of the processed gas, the vessel is disconzaected from the loading buoy 14 in order to go to the unloading site. The other vessel 13 may then use the buoy 14, this vessel also being presupposed to be provided faith a submerged receiving space (not shown) for this purpose. As mentioned, the vessel 1~ is an oil tanker, and therefore has no possibility for treatment of the gas from the topical reservoir.. In order to be able to utilize the system for oil loading in this situation, there is used an insert member or adapter for modification in connection with the buoy 14, so that its pipe courses for gas transport are shut off, and so that the oil-carrying pipe courses of the buoy are used in accordance with " WO 96136529 PCT/N096l00118 the conventional STL concept. This modification will be further described with reference to Fig. 4.
Fig. 3 shows an axial section of a rotating connector' device (STP connector) 31 of the type disclosed in the aforemen s tinned international application No. PCT/N094/00119, and to which reference -is here made for a further description thereof.. Briefly stated, such a connector device includes a swivel device having a number of fluid courses for interconnection between a buoy of the above-mentioned type and a pipe system on the topical vessel, to wherein the swivel device comprises a female member and a male member which can be inserted axially into or withdrawn from each other, the female member being permanently fastened to the ..
bottom;anchored central member of the buoy.- .
In Fig. 3 there is suggested a buoy 30 corresponding to 5 the buoy l4 and which is presupposed to be .introduced into and secured in a receiving space in a vessel, e.g. the vessel 12.. The rotating connector 31 includes a female member 32 which is permanently fitted in the upper end of the central member 33 of the buoy 30. A male member 34 is introduced into the female zo member, the male member being raisable and .lowerable :by means of a hydraulic hack 35 forming part of an operating means 36~ The rotating connector also comprises a guide sleeve 37 for guiding of the male member 34. ~ ~.
In the illustrated embodiment the central member 33 of~
zs the buoy comprises three pipe courses for fluid transport, as described above for the buoy 14. Thus, therelis provided a pipe course 38 for transfer of oil, a pipe course 39 for transfer of gas or LPG, and a pipe course 40 f.or return of gas. Additional pipe courses could be provided according to requirement. The male so member 34 of the connector device 31 is provided with axially extending pipe courses 41, 42, 43. The lower ends of these pipe courses communicate with respective ones of the pipe courses 38, 39, 40 via respective annular spaces 44 arranged between the male member 34 and the female member 32, whereas the upper ends of the 35 pipe courses communicate with associated pipelines 45, 46,-47 on the vessel via respective annular spaces 48 arranged between the male member 34 and the guide sleeve 37. The rotating connector device 31 thus permits supply of oil and gas/LPG to the vessel, and return of gas from the vessel, even if the vessel together .. WO 96136529 ~ PCT/N096/00l.l8 With the outer buoyancy member of the buoy turn about the bottom-anchored central member of the buoy under the influence of wind, Waves and water currents.
Fig. 4 shows an axial section of an STP connector 50 which is modified to be used only for oil transfer, i..e. in accordance with the conventional STL concept, as described above.
In this embodiment an insert member or adapter 51 is inserted into the female member 32 fitted -in the buoy 30, which adapter is designed to shut off the pipe courses in the buoy which are not to be used, ~i.e. the pipe course 39 for gas/LPG and the pipe course 40 for return of gas. The adapter 51 and the female member 32 define an annular space 52 communicating with the pipe course 38 of the buoy 30 for oil and with a pipe course 53 which extends axially through the adapter 51 ,and via a convent3.ona1 STL
coupling head 54 communicates with a 'pipe member 55 l.eadirig to a pipeline for oil transport, e.g.. the pipeline 23 described above .
In order. for the previous STP connector.. to be com-patible with conventional STL connectors, the pipe course 53 is ao arranged centrally in the adapter 51.. The adapter which is inserted into the 5TP connector, may .be inserted either by the gas treatment vessel 12 or the oil tanker 13. In order to install the adapter 51, the male member 34 of the STP connector firstly must be pulled up from the female member 32 and stowed away.
25 As soon as the gas treatment vessel 22 is back on the field, it may connect itself to the loading buoy 30. The adapter 51 then firstly must be withdrawn from the female member 32 in the buoy 30, and the male member 34 of the original STP coupling, which opens the pipe courses for transfer of the topical additional fluids, 3p must be, inserted into the female member..
Claims (2)
1. A method of loading and treatment of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon mixture produced on an offshore production platform, a production vessel or a well installation when producing oil and gas from a reservoir, wherein the mixture is supplied to a gas treatment vessel via a buoy loading system comprising a buoy of the STL/STP type, and is treated on board the gas treatment vessel for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) or an LPG mixture stored in tanks on the gas treatment vessel, wherein simultaneously with the supply of the hydrocarbon mixture, oil is also supplied to the gas treatment vessel via said buoy, the buoy including an STP connector having pipe courses for the respective fluids, the oil being transferred directly from the STP connector via a pipeline and an unloading means on the gas treatment vessel to a tanker for storage and transport of the supplied oil.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein an adapter transforming the STP connector to an STL-compatible connector is placed in the STP connector, the adapter having a central pipe course for oil and simultaneously shutting off the remaining fluid-carrying pipe courses through the STP connector.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO951977A NO951977L (en) | 1995-05-18 | 1995-05-18 | Method of loading and processing of hydrocarbons |
| NO951977 | 1995-05-18 | ||
| PCT/NO1996/000118 WO1996036529A1 (en) | 1995-05-18 | 1996-05-14 | A method of loading and treatment of hydrocarbons |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2220092A1 CA2220092A1 (en) | 1996-11-21 |
| CA2220092C true CA2220092C (en) | 2007-05-01 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002220092A Expired - Lifetime CA2220092C (en) | 1995-05-18 | 1996-05-14 | A method of loading and treatment of hydrocarbons |
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| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2220092C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2014264804B2 (en) * | 2013-05-06 | 2018-03-08 | Single Buoy Moorings Inc. | Deepwater disconnectable turret system with lazy wave rigid riser configuration |
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1996
- 1996-05-14 CA CA002220092A patent/CA2220092C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2220092A1 (en) | 1996-11-21 |
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