EP0621841B1 - Systeme de transfert de fluides - Google Patents

Systeme de transfert de fluides Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0621841B1
EP0621841B1 EP93903335A EP93903335A EP0621841B1 EP 0621841 B1 EP0621841 B1 EP 0621841B1 EP 93903335 A EP93903335 A EP 93903335A EP 93903335 A EP93903335 A EP 93903335A EP 0621841 B1 EP0621841 B1 EP 0621841B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ramp
pipe
hook
point
flexible pipe
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93903335A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0621841A1 (fr
Inventor
Arne Smedal
Käre SYVERTSEN
Edward Tan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Advanced Production and Loading AS
Original Assignee
MARINE CONSULTING GROUP AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MARINE CONSULTING GROUP AS filed Critical MARINE CONSULTING GROUP AS
Publication of EP0621841A1 publication Critical patent/EP0621841A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0621841B1 publication Critical patent/EP0621841B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D9/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids when loading or unloading ships
    • B67D9/02—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids when loading or unloading ships using articulated pipes
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a fluid transfer system comprising a fluid conducting flexible pipe having a first and second connector end, which pipe during use extends over an area of water, preferably totally or partially submerged in the water, between a first and second hook-up point and, when not in use, is stored near the first hook-up point, a ramp curved downward in the vertical plane for supporting the flexible pipe during the transfer thereof from storage position to position for use, and vice versa, and a means, e.g., a lifting cable, for feeding out/hauling in the flexible pipe via said curved ramp, the lower detached end of which is situated at a distance from the adjacent first hook-up point.
  • a means e.g., a lifting cable
  • the invention was developed primarily in connection with the need for a fluid transfer system between a maritime floating oil storage facility, for example a large barge with oil storing capacity, and a so-called shuttle tanker.
  • the oil tank barge is anchored or dynamically positioned at the oil production field and serves as an intermediate storage means for the oil produced. From this barge the oil is loaded over into tankers, which on arrival at the field are connected to the barge by suitable mooring means, whereafter a fluid conducting pipe connection is established between the barge and tanker.
  • the fluid conducting pipe connection is formed by a fluid conducting pipe which, when not in use, is stored on the barge.
  • this flexible fluid conducting pipe When this flexible fluid conducting pipe is to be utilized for fluid transfer between the barge and tanker, the flexible pipe from the barge is fed down into the water via a ramp curved downward in the vertical plane, which supports the flexible pipe in the initial phase of connection. As soon as a sufficient length of the flexible pipe has been fed out and is suspended down in the water from the barge, the other end of the pipe is hauled on board the tanker and there is hooked up to a manifold, or the like. The flexible pipe end at the barge is also connected to a suitable hook-up point on the barge, whereafter the fluid transfer may begin. During the fluid transfer the flexible pipe is suspended between the barge and the tanker, more or less submerged in water, or if desired is freely suspended above the water surface.
  • the flexible pipe is disconnected on the tanker side and dropped down into the water, whereafter it is disconnected on the barge side and then hauled in via the aforementioned curved ramp, to be stored on the barge until it is to be used again.
  • the hook-up on the barge side can lead to difficulties due to the fact that feeding out the relatively long flexible fluid conducting pipe requires a ramp which must have a certain degree of minimum curve, in order thereby to avoid damaging bend stresses on the pipe. This means that the ramp must extend some distance out from the barge, usually from one of its ends.
  • the hook-up point on the barge is preferentially situated very close to, almost in, the actual end of the barge, which means that there is a considerable distance between the pipe's barge connector end and the hook-up point on the barge -- a distance rendering it more difficult to connect the pipe connector end to the hook-up point on the barge.
  • An object of the invention is to provide a fluid transfer system where, in particular, this connection problem is solved in a simple and reliable manner, and according to the invention it is therefore proposed that in a fluid transfer system of the type described above, the ramp shall be movably mounted for movement from a position for feeding out/hauling in the pipe to a position closer and so oriented relative to the adjacent hook-up point that said first connector end may be brought into at least approximately aligned coupling position vis á vis the adjacent first hook-up point.
  • the ramp is used as a means for moving the flexible pipe so that it may relatively easily be connected to the adjacent hook-up point.
  • the ramp may be moved horizontally or vertically or in intermediate diagonal directions, all depending on the positioning and orientation of the ramp end and the hook-up point relative to one another.
  • the ramp is designed so as to extend outward over the hook-up point, and it is thus pivotably mounted in the vertical plane. It is particularly advantageous for the pivotal movement to utilize a parallelogram joint mechanism.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 are shown a section of a barge 1 and a section of a tanker 2.
  • Barge 1 serves as a temporary storage facility for oil.
  • Tanker 2 is a tankship that fetches oil from barge 1 and brings it to a terminal on shore.
  • a mooring connection represented here by a hawser 3 between the barge and tanker.
  • the fluid transfer connection is established, here represented by a flexible pipe 4.
  • flexible pipe 4 When flexible pipe 4 is not in use, it will be stored in its extended state on the barge deck 5.
  • flexible pipe 4 is fed out from barge 1, so that it hangs down in the water, as shown in Fig. 1.
  • a line 6 With the aid of a line 6 the downward suspended pipe end is drawn up to tanker 2 and connected there to a hook-up point 7, as shown in Fig. 2.
  • the other end of flexible pipe 4 is connected to a hook-up point 8 near the end of barge 1.
  • the connection at hook-up point 8 may take place before flexible pipe 4 is manipulated and connected to hook-up point 7, or the connection may take place after pipe 4 has been connected to the tanker hook-up point 7.
  • the hook-up points 8 and 7 represent, respectively, a first and second hook-up point.
  • pipe 4 is disconnected at 7 and lowered into the sea again with the aid of line 6, whereafter pipe 4 is drawn up and placed on deck 5 of barge 1 to be stored there until the next fluid transfer is to take place.
  • the first hook-up point 8 is located at the stern end of barge 1, see Fig. 3.
  • pipe 4 is flexible, it requires a certain minimum radius with respect to bends. Therefore, during transition from the storage position on deck 5 of barge 1 to the suspended position down into the water, as shown in Fig. 1, the flexible pipe must be provided with support in the form of a uniform curve, with an acceptable bend radius, and to secure this support there is used a ramp curved downward in the vertical plane.
  • the first connector end 9 of pipe 4 will be situated at a considerable distance from hook-up point 8, as is shown in Fig. 3.
  • a ramp arrangement 10 comprising a ramp 11 capable of swing movement in the vertical plane. Ramp 11 is mounted to swing/pivot in the vertical plane by means of a parallelogram joint mechanism 12, which enables ramp 11 to be moved between the normal ramp position shown in Fig. 3 and the lifted, upper ramp position in Fig. 4.
  • Flexible pipe 4 is fed out with the aid of a flexible member, here indicated as a wire/cable 13, and will be suspended therefrom when the pipe is brought clear of ramp 11, see Fig. 4.
  • a flexible member here indicated as a wire/cable 13
  • ramp 11 When ramp 11 is swung from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4, pipe 4 and the first connector end 9 thereof will accordingly move with it, so that the pipe connector end 9 is steered in under hook-up point 8.
  • Cable 13 leads to a winch, not shown, which in Fig. 4 may be activated to draw up connector end 9 for connection to hook-up point 8.
  • a steering device 14 is provided at the bottom of ramp 11, at the free end thereof. This serves to steer and maneuver the pipe end so that when being fed out the pipe is controllably moved in when pipe end 9 has passed the lower main roller 16, until lifting cable 13 in the end piece comes into contact with the lower main roller 16 or the ramp support surface 15 or, conversely, so that the pipe end is steered in onto ramp 11 when the pipe is to be hauled in.
  • Ramp 11 is constructed with supporting rollers 15 to form a roller path for the support of pipe 4, and similar rollers are also used, as indicated, on the rest of the ramp arrangement 10 and also on deck 5 for rolling support of the pipe.
  • FIG. 5-10 showing six typical sequential steps in the feeding out of a pipe, with connection of the upper end of the pipe to the hook-up point on the barge.
  • Fig. 5 the pipe is shown in a final phase of the actual feeding-out or discharge process.
  • Ramp 11 is in its normal, down-swung supporting position, as in Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 7 ramp 11 is swung slightly further upward, and Fig. 8 shows ramp 11 in a steadily increasing upward swung state. It is apparent that the first connector end 9 of pipe 4 below the ramp is moving closer and closer to hook-up point 8.
  • the circles 12' drawn in Figs. 6-10 are included to illustrate the swing/pivot pattern of the parallelogram joint mechanism, which enables the movement of ramp 11 shown in Figs. 5-10.
  • connector end 9 is disconnected from hook-up point 8, and pipe 4 is lowered down slightly with the aid of cable 13, to the position shown in Fig. 10, and the process is then reversed.
  • the invention is shown and described above in connection with a preferred embodiment, where the ramp extends in the same vertical plane as that in which the hook-up point lies.
  • the inventive idea resides in the fact that the ramp is used as a maneuvering element to bring the connector end of the pipe into a position that is close enough and so oriented relative to the hook-up point that connection can take place, preferably with the aid of a cable used during feeding out/hauling in of the pipe; therefore, it is also within the scope of the invention to conceive of an embodiment where the hook-up point is situated to the side of the ramp, with the ramp then being designed for pivotal movement horizontally, in order thus to manipulate the pipe into correct hook-up position.
  • different pivot mechanisms from the one shown and described may be used. Such pivot arrangements will be well known to a person skilled in the art.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Pipeline Systems (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Fluid-Pressure Circuits (AREA)
  • Lubricants (AREA)
  • Catalysts (AREA)
  • Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Claims (4)

  1. Système de transfert de fluide, comprenant un tube flexible de conduction de fluide (4) présentant une première (9) et une seconde extrémité de connexion, ce tube s'étendant en utilisation sur une étendue d'eau, de préférence en totalité ou en partie immergé dans l'eau, entre un premier (8) et un second (7) point d'accrochage et, lorsqu'il n'est pas utilisé, il est stocké (5) à proximité du premier point d'accrochage (8); une rampe (11) incurvée vers le bas dans le plan vertical pour supporter le tube flexible (4) pendant son transfert depuis la position de stockage jusqu'à la position d'utilisation, et inversement ; et des moyens (13), par exemple un câble de levage, pour sortir/hisser le tube flexible (4) via ladite rampe incurvée (11), dont l'extrémité inférieure est située à distance du premier point d'accrochage adjacent, caractérisé en ce que la rampe (11) est montée de manière mobile (12) pour se déplacer depuis une position pour sortir/hisser le tube jusqu'à une position plus rapprochée et orientée par rapport au point d'accrochage adjacent (8) de telle façon que ladite première extrémité de connexion (9) peut être amenée dans une position d'accouplement au moins approximativement alignée vis-à-vis du premier point d'accrochage adjacent (8).
  2. Système de transfert de fluide selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la rampe (11) est montée en pivotement dans le plan vertical.
  3. Système de transfert de fluide selon l'une ou l'autre des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que la rampe (11) est montée en pivotement via un mécanisme à joint à parallélogramme (12).
  4. Système de transfert de fluide selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que sur l'extrémité libre de la rampe est prévu un dispositif de direction (14) pour manoeuvrer le tube flexible (4) et l'extrémité (9) du tube, de telle façon que lorsque le tube est sorti, il est déplacé de manière commandée vers l'intérieur jusqu'à ce que le câble de levage (13), ou similaire, vienne en contact avec la surface de support (15) de la rampe, ou bien il est dirigé vers la rampe lorsqu'il est hissé.
EP93903335A 1992-01-20 1993-01-07 Systeme de transfert de fluides Expired - Lifetime EP0621841B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO920250 1992-01-20
NO920250A NO174380C (no) 1992-01-20 1992-01-20 Fluidumoverföringssystem
PCT/NO1993/000004 WO1993013976A1 (fr) 1992-01-20 1993-01-07 Systeme de transfert de fluides

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0621841A1 EP0621841A1 (fr) 1994-11-02
EP0621841B1 true EP0621841B1 (fr) 1996-05-15

Family

ID=19894794

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93903335A Expired - Lifetime EP0621841B1 (fr) 1992-01-20 1993-01-07 Systeme de transfert de fluides

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0621841B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE138024T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU663161B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE69302675T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK0621841T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2087716T3 (fr)
FI (1) FI943416A (fr)
GR (1) GR3020367T3 (fr)
NO (1) NO174380C (fr)
WO (1) WO1993013976A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NO174381C (no) * 1992-01-20 1994-04-27 Marine Consulting Group As Anordning for håndtering og lagring av et böyelig langstrakt legeme
NO300998B1 (no) * 1995-09-08 1997-09-01 Hitec Marine As Renne for en slange for overföring av olje mellom to flytende konstruksjoner
US5944448A (en) * 1996-12-18 1999-08-31 Brovig Offshore Asa Oil field installation with mooring and flowline system
NO312715B1 (no) 1999-10-27 2002-06-24 Statoil Asa System for offshore overföring av flytendegjort naturgass

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3773093A (en) * 1972-03-20 1973-11-20 G Eustace Bow liquid cargo handling system
US3833032A (en) * 1972-10-31 1974-09-03 Exxon Research Engineering Co Tandem mooring-loading system
JPS62231883A (ja) * 1986-03-31 1987-10-12 Kawasaki Heavy Ind Ltd 舶用ホ−スダビツト装置
NO318172B1 (no) * 1990-01-30 2005-02-14 Advanced Prod & Loading As Lastearrangement for lasting av fluider i et fartoy til havs
US5064327A (en) * 1990-09-10 1991-11-12 Research Engineeering & Manufacturing, Inc. Oblique point fastener
NO174381C (no) * 1992-01-20 1994-04-27 Marine Consulting Group As Anordning for håndtering og lagring av et böyelig langstrakt legeme

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO920250D0 (no) 1992-01-20
FI943416A0 (fi) 1994-07-19
NO174380B (no) 1994-01-17
FI943416A (fi) 1994-08-22
DK0621841T3 (da) 1996-06-03
DE69302675D1 (de) 1996-06-20
GR3020367T3 (en) 1996-09-30
WO1993013976A1 (fr) 1993-07-22
AU3463593A (en) 1993-08-03
NO920250L (no) 1993-07-21
AU663161B2 (en) 1995-09-28
EP0621841A1 (fr) 1994-11-02
DE69302675T2 (de) 1996-11-07
NO174380C (no) 1994-04-27
ES2087716T3 (es) 1996-07-16
ATE138024T1 (de) 1996-06-15

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