EP1383676B1 - Vessel and unloading system - Google Patents
Vessel and unloading system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1383676B1 EP1383676B1 EP02702993A EP02702993A EP1383676B1 EP 1383676 B1 EP1383676 B1 EP 1383676B1 EP 02702993 A EP02702993 A EP 02702993A EP 02702993 A EP02702993 A EP 02702993A EP 1383676 B1 EP1383676 B1 EP 1383676B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- vessel
- srv
- natural gas
- buoy
- shuttle
- 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.)
- Revoked
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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
- 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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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
- B63B25/02—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods
- B63B25/08—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid
- B63B25/12—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid closed
- B63B25/16—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for bulk goods fluid closed heat-insulated
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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
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
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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
- B63B2207/00—Buoyancy or ballast means
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
- F17C2221/03—Mixtures
- F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
- F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
- F17C2265/05—Regasification
Definitions
- the invention relates to a special vessel together with a system for unloading fluid from a vessel to a shore-based infrastructure.
- a system In connection with the transport of fluid such as natural gas from the field to the area in which the natural gas has to be unloaded, a system is often employed involving a number of special vessels and a series of fairly complicated operational steps.
- a known vessel which is commonly employed for this purpose is an LNG carrier, which is equipped with special tanks suitable for storing natural gas in its liquid state.
- at least one additional vessel is often employed for receiving fluid directly from the well and treating the fluid before it is transferred to the LNG carrier.
- the LNG carrier will transfer the load to an intermediate storage unit where the liquefied natural gas is converted to a gaseous state before being transferred to the end user.
- an unloading system is described involving an LNG carrier which is equipped with spherical tanks for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and vaporizers for regasifying the liquefied natural gas.
- LNG liquefied natural gas
- the carrier On arrival at the unloading point, the carrier is moored in such a manner that the vessel is located at a distance from the mooring structure by mooring lines which extend from the bow area to the mooring structure.
- the liquefied natural gas is regasified before being transported in a pipeline system which transfers the natural gas from the carrier to a shore-based installation which in the publication represents the end user.
- the technical solution according to the present invention indicates the use of a submerged buoy structure which has to be brought into abutment in a recess in the vessel's hull for transferring natural gas to shore.
- a substantially simplified solution is achieved which provides advantages both with regard to manning and the equipment situation, since mooring and fluid transfer are implemented by means of one and the same structure.
- US 5564957 discloses a vessel in which a buoy structure is provided for installation in a recess in the bow portion.
- the buoy structure is intended for use as a combined mooring and transfer structure for transport of a liquid medium to and from the vessel.
- the invention has some features in common with the system disclosed in US 6094937 in that use is made of several carriers and several buoy structures for fluid as a part of a transport system.
- there is a basic difference between the systems since the known system is used in connection with loading, while the system according to the invention has to be used for unloading. This is manifested by the fact that a liquefier is provided on board the carrier in US 6094937, while a vaporizer is provided in the LNG tanker according to the invention.
- US 6003603 may be taken as a starting point for the invention.
- US 6003603 discloses the problem of cryogenic transfer through a swivel, and proposes a loading system and method.
- the solution involves the conversion of compressed gas into a liquid for onward transportation by LNG tanker.
- the present invention relates to a system in which liquefied natural gas is vaporised into a gas in a shuttle and regas vessel (SRV) for onward transportation by a submerged pipeline system
- SRV regas vessel
- the vessel with its special functions should be able to form part of a shuttle system which in a preferred embodiment includes a plurality of vessels and a plurality of the buoy structures concerned.
- the object of this system is to achieve the continuous supply of natural gas from the unloading point to the infrastructure.
- the invention provides a system for unloading from a vessel provided with storage tanks for storing natural gas in a liquid state (LNG), wherein a buoy structure is provided in the bottom area of the vessel's hull, characterized in that the vessel is a shuttle and regas vessel (RSV) and that a vaporizer is provided on the shuttle and regas vessel for vaporizing the liquefied natural gas into a gaseous state on arrival at the unloading point, the vaporized gas is transferred directly from the shuttle and regas vessel to a submerged pipeline system, wherein the natural gas is transported in the pipeline system to the shore-based infrastructure.
- LNG liquid state
- RSV shuttle and regas vessel
- the invention also provides a method for transferring natural gas from a shuttle and regas vessel (SRV) included in a system described in the preceding paragraph, characterised in the steps of positioning the SRV in engagement with a buoy structure located at the unloading point, vaporising liquefied natural gas on the SRV, and transferring the vaporised gas directly from the SRV to a submerged pipeline system through the buoy structure, whereby the vaporised gas is transported in the submerged pipeline system from the SRV to the shore based infrastructure.
- SRV shuttle and regas vessel
- the vessel is provided in a simple and inexpensive manner using a standard LNG carrier as the basis.
- the carrier with its storage tanks for liquefied natural gas is equipped with one or more vaporizers preferably in the deck area, and a receiving recess is constructed in the hull for receiving the buoy structure, thus making the vessel suitable for performing several types of operation.
- This special vessel is described as a "Shuttle and Regas Vessel (SRV)", and the vessel may of course also be used as an ordinary LNG carrier.
- the vessel according to the invention is equipped with spherical tanks for storing liquefied natural gas, but other types of storage tanks may also be suitable, such as, for example, membrane tanks. These different types of storage tanks are well-known both from the patent literature and in practical use. Thus it will be up to a person skilled in the art to select the type of tank which is most suitable in the individual case.
- sea water may be utilised as a heat exchange medium in the vaporization process, but also other media such as, for example, propane either alone or together with sea water, and a water-glycol mixture may be suitable vaporization media.
- the buoy structure which is to form part of the system may be designed in many ways. From the patent literature several examples are known of submerged buoy structures which can be connected to a vessel, thus enabling the vessel to rotate freely around the buoy. However, with regard to the buoy structure's mode of operation, rapid connection and disconnection of the buoy are a requirement in order that the unloading of fluid can start almost immediately without delays due to time-consuming mooring procedures.
- the buoy structure When the buoy structure is not in use, it is in a submerged condition. On arrival at the unloading area, the vessel will pick up an auxiliary buoy, which has a line attached to the buoy structure. The line is used to convey the buoy structure to the surface, whereupon the buoy structure is brought into abutment in the vessel's recess.
- buoy structure Around its circumference the buoy structure is equipped with mooring lines which extend down to the mooring points on the seabed. Risers are provided up to the middle of the buoy structure and a swivel structure is arranged above the buoy structure. By means of this arrangement fluid can be passed through the buoy structure via the riser to the submerged pipelines, while at the same time the vessel rotates around the buoy structure. The submerged pipelines transport fluid away from the vessel towards the shore-based infrastructure.
- the invention proposes a system for achieving an efficient unloading of fluid to a shore-based infrastructure.
- two buoy structures and two or more carrier vessels are included in the system.
- the number of vessels included in the system depends on the distance to the loading point.
- One and the same vessel will alternate between different operations such as loading from a loading station, for example in the field, transporting LNG from the loading station to the unloading point and regasifying liquefied natural gas with subsequent transfer to a receiving system on shore.
- the buoy structure On arrival at the unloading point, the buoy structure will be inserted in the receiving recess in the carrier vessel. Liquefied natural gas will be passed from the storage tanks to the vaporizer where the fluid is regasified and passed directly through the buoy structure to submerged pipelines which convey the natural gas to a shore-based infrastructure.
- the shore-based infrastructure may take many forms, as long as the infrastructure is suitable for receiving the regasified fluid which is sent ashore from the carrier and the fluid is further distributed to the end users.
- the infrastructure may comprise a pipeline network which conveys the natural gas directly to the end user or the infrastructure may comprise a depot which is connected to appropriate transport means for further transport of natural gas to the consumers, etc.
- Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic view of the retrofitted LNG carrier "Shuttle and Regas Vessel (RSV)" according to the invention.
- the vessel 1 is illustrated provided with a plurality of tanks 2 for storing liquefied natural gas.
- the figure shows how in the vessel's hull there is provided a conical recess 5 which forms a receiving arrangement for the buoy structure 7 (not illustrated in the drawing).
- the vessel 1 is further provided with at least one vaporizer 4.
- the vessel is also equipped with thrusters 6 in the vessel's bow portion and stern portion respectively.
- Fig. 2 illustrates an arrangement of buoy structures 7 which are connected to a submerged pipeline system.
- the submerged pipeline system comprises a riser 8 which is attached to each of the buoy structures 7, and furthermore a pipeline 9 is connected to the end of the riser 8.
- the pipelines 9 are connected to an on-shore . infrastructure, illustrated here in the figure by the pipeline system 10.
- the buoy structures 7 are equipped with mooring lines 11 extending from the mooring point on the seabed to an attachment on the circumference of the buoy structure.
- Figure 2 illustrates two vessels 1 where one of the vessels 1 is connected to one of the buoy structures 7, while the other vessel 1' illustrates the voyage to/from the loading point.
- the liquefied natural gas is transferred to the vaporizer 4, where the fluid is regasified before being transferred through the buoy structure 7 via the submerged pipelines 9 which are connected to yet another pipeline 10 for bringing natural gas ashore to the infrastructure.
- Figure 3 illustrates the same situation as in figure 2, but in addition it also illustrates the pipeline system's connection to the infrastructure, which in this case is composed of a shore-based pipeline system 12.
- Fig. 4 illustrates the principle for the organisation of the connection of the various vessels to the buoy structures as well as transport to and from the loading station where LNG is loaded on board the vessel.
- four vessels are included in the system.
- both the buoy structures are connected to the vessels 1 and 1' simultaneously.
- the vessel 1 is in the process of completing the unloading of natural gas, while the vessel 1' has just received the buoy structure 7 in the recess 5.
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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)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
- Ship Loading And Unloading (AREA)
- Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)
- Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)
- Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
- Control And Safety Of Cranes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to a special vessel together with a system for unloading fluid from a vessel to a shore-based infrastructure.
- In connection with the transport of fluid such as natural gas from the field to the area in which the natural gas has to be unloaded, a system is often employed involving a number of special vessels and a series of fairly complicated operational steps. A known vessel which is commonly employed for this purpose is an LNG carrier, which is equipped with special tanks suitable for storing natural gas in its liquid state. When loading on board the LNG carrier in the field, at least one additional vessel is often employed for receiving fluid directly from the well and treating the fluid before it is transferred to the LNG carrier. According to common practice, on arrival at the unloading point the LNG carrier will transfer the load to an intermediate storage unit where the liquefied natural gas is converted to a gaseous state before being transferred to the end user.
- These systems, requiring the use of several different special vessels and the performance of related complicated operations, are shown to be complex and extremely costly. It is an object of the present invention to attempt to reduce the number of special vessels which require to be included in such a system, and to improve the characteristics of these special vessels in relation to the operations which have to be carried out.
- The following special vessels and systems are known from the patent literature:
- In US 6089022 an unloading system is described involving an LNG carrier which is equipped with spherical tanks for storing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and vaporizers for regasifying the liquefied natural gas. On arrival at the unloading point, the carrier is moored in such a manner that the vessel is located at a distance from the mooring structure by mooring lines which extend from the bow area to the mooring structure. The liquefied natural gas is regasified before being transported in a pipeline system which transfers the natural gas from the carrier to a shore-based installation which in the publication represents the end user.
- In the arrangement in US 6089022 a single pipeline is employed for unloading the natural gas from the vessel to shore. In figure 1 of the publication this pipeline is illustrated arranged in such a manner that it extends from the bow area, through the mooring structure, from where there is provided yet another pipeline which transfers the natural gas to shore. In the publication there is no indication of any possibility of using a buoy structure or alternative technical solutions, which can be mounted in the vessel's hull for unloading natural gas.
- The technical solution according to the present invention indicates the use of a submerged buoy structure which has to be brought into abutment in a recess in the vessel's hull for transferring natural gas to shore. Compared to the technique disclosed in US 6089022, by means of the buoy structure a substantially simplified solution is achieved which provides advantages both with regard to manning and the equipment situation, since mooring and fluid transfer are implemented by means of one and the same structure.
- US 5564957 discloses a vessel in which a buoy structure is provided for installation in a recess in the bow portion. The buoy structure is intended for use as a combined mooring and transfer structure for transport of a liquid medium to and from the vessel.
- The technique disclosed in this publication differs from the invention in that there is no vaporizer provided on board the vessel, nor is there any indication in the publication that the medium has to be transferred directly to a shore-based installation.
- In US 6094937 a processing plant is described for converting natural gas to a liquid state (LNG) and a shuttle system for transporting LNG from the field. In this shuttle system two buoys and four carriers may be employed for transporting LNG, in order to maintain almost continuous production in the field.
- The invention has some features in common with the system disclosed in US 6094937 in that use is made of several carriers and several buoy structures for fluid as a part of a transport system. However, there is a basic difference between the systems, since the known system is used in connection with loading, while the system according to the invention has to be used for unloading. This is manifested by the fact that a liquefier is provided on board the carrier in US 6094937, while a vaporizer is provided in the LNG tanker according to the invention.
- In US 6094937 there is no suggestion that this loading/transport system will be capable of use in connection with unloading. Nor will a vessel like that in US 6094937 be able to be used for unloading natural gas to a shore-based infrastructure without the need for considerable structural modifications to the vessel.
- In particular, US 6003603 may be taken as a starting point for the invention. US 6003603 discloses the problem of cryogenic transfer through a swivel, and proposes a loading system and method. However, the solution involves the conversion of compressed gas into a liquid for onward transportation by LNG tanker. By contrast, the present invention relates to a system in which liquefied natural gas is vaporised into a gas in a shuttle and regas vessel (SRV) for onward transportation by a submerged pipeline system
- The existing technical solutions disclosed in these known publications demonstrate an inadequacy in relation to the complex requirements which have initiated the present invention.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for unloading fluid, and especially natural gas, wherein the carrier vessel has storage tanks as well as a vaporizer on board, and is arranged to receive a buoy structure which has both a mooring function and a transfer function.
- It is a further object of the present invention that the vessel with its special functions should be able to form part of a shuttle system which in a preferred embodiment includes a plurality of vessels and a plurality of the buoy structures concerned. The object of this system is to achieve the continuous supply of natural gas from the unloading point to the infrastructure.
- The invention provides a system for unloading from a vessel provided with storage tanks for storing natural gas in a liquid state (LNG), wherein a buoy structure is provided in the bottom area of the vessel's hull, characterized in that the vessel is a shuttle and regas vessel (RSV) and that a vaporizer is provided on the shuttle and regas vessel for vaporizing the liquefied natural gas into a gaseous state on arrival at the unloading point, the vaporized gas is transferred directly from the shuttle and regas vessel to a submerged pipeline system, wherein the natural gas is transported in the pipeline system to the shore-based infrastructure.
- The invention also provides a method for transferring natural gas from a shuttle and regas vessel (SRV) included in a system described in the preceding paragraph, characterised in the steps of positioning the SRV in engagement with a buoy structure located at the unloading point, vaporising liquefied natural gas on the SRV, and transferring the vaporised gas directly from the SRV to a submerged pipeline system through the buoy structure, whereby the vaporised gas is transported in the submerged pipeline system from the SRV to the shore based infrastructure.
- Further features of the invention are disclosed in the following paragraphs.
- With the vessel according to the invention, a number of the operations required when using the previously known systems are made superfluous. By means of the invention a number of the operations associated with mooring, connection of pipelines, transfer of liquid cargo from one vessel to another will be made superfluous and/or simplified. In addition, when using the system according to the invention the number of crew members will be reduced, and thereby also the operating costs, due to the fact that both the number of operations performed becomes less and more functions are concentrated on one vessel.
- The design and production of a multi-functional vessel of this kind can be an extremely costly and time-consuming process. It has therefore been an object of the present invention to provide the vessel in a cost-effective manner, thus enabling the vessel to be offered at a competitive price.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention the vessel is provided in a simple and inexpensive manner using a standard LNG carrier as the basis. The carrier with its storage tanks for liquefied natural gas is equipped with one or more vaporizers preferably in the deck area, and a receiving recess is constructed in the hull for receiving the buoy structure, thus making the vessel suitable for performing several types of operation. This special vessel is described as a "Shuttle and Regas Vessel (SRV)", and the vessel may of course also be used as an ordinary LNG carrier.
- In a preferred embodiment, the vessel according to the invention is equipped with spherical tanks for storing liquefied natural gas, but other types of storage tanks may also be suitable, such as, for example, membrane tanks. These different types of storage tanks are well-known both from the patent literature and in practical use. Thus it will be up to a person skilled in the art to select the type of tank which is most suitable in the individual case.
- The principles and equipment to be used in connection with the regasification of the liquefied natural gas also represent known per se technology. Sea water may be utilised as a heat exchange medium in the vaporization process, but also other media such as, for example, propane either alone or together with sea water, and a water-glycol mixture may be suitable vaporization media.
- The buoy structure which is to form part of the system may be designed in many ways. From the patent literature several examples are known of submerged buoy structures which can be connected to a vessel, thus enabling the vessel to rotate freely around the buoy. However, with regard to the buoy structure's mode of operation, rapid connection and disconnection of the buoy are a requirement in order that the unloading of fluid can start almost immediately without delays due to time-consuming mooring procedures.
- When the buoy structure is not in use, it is in a submerged condition. On arrival at the unloading area, the vessel will pick up an auxiliary buoy, which has a line attached to the buoy structure. The line is used to convey the buoy structure to the surface, whereupon the buoy structure is brought into abutment in the vessel's recess.
- Around its circumference the buoy structure is equipped with mooring lines which extend down to the mooring points on the seabed. Risers are provided up to the middle of the buoy structure and a swivel structure is arranged above the buoy structure. By means of this arrangement fluid can be passed through the buoy structure via the riser to the submerged pipelines, while at the same time the vessel rotates around the buoy structure. The submerged pipelines transport fluid away from the vessel towards the shore-based infrastructure.
- The invention proposes a system for achieving an efficient unloading of fluid to a shore-based infrastructure. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, two buoy structures and two or more carrier vessels are included in the system. The number of vessels included in the system depends on the distance to the loading point. One and the same vessel will alternate between different operations such as loading from a loading station, for example in the field, transporting LNG from the loading station to the unloading point and regasifying liquefied natural gas with subsequent transfer to a receiving system on shore. When the unloading of fluid through the buoy structure takes place almost continuously by having at least one vessel connected to one of the buoy structures at all times, while the other vessels are on the way to or from the loading stations, optimal efficiency is achieved in the utilisation of the system.
- On arrival at the unloading point, the buoy structure will be inserted in the receiving recess in the carrier vessel. Liquefied natural gas will be passed from the storage tanks to the vaporizer where the fluid is regasified and passed directly through the buoy structure to submerged pipelines which convey the natural gas to a shore-based infrastructure.
- The shore-based infrastructure may take many forms, as long as the infrastructure is suitable for receiving the regasified fluid which is sent ashore from the carrier and the fluid is further distributed to the end users. For example, the infrastructure may comprise a pipeline network which conveys the natural gas directly to the end user or the infrastructure may comprise a depot which is connected to appropriate transport means for further transport of natural gas to the consumers, etc.
- The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the figures in which:
- Fig. 1 is a side view of a carrier vessel with the necessary equipment.
- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the vessels coupled up to one of the buoy structures.
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the connection of the pipelines with the infrastructure.
- Fig. 4 is a general view of the organisation of the vessels in order to obtain an efficient unloading of fluid.
- Fig. 5 illustrates the vessel connected to both buoy structures simultaneously.
- Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic view of the retrofitted LNG carrier "Shuttle and Regas Vessel (RSV)" according to the invention. The
vessel 1 is illustrated provided with a plurality oftanks 2 for storing liquefied natural gas. The figure shows how in the vessel's hull there is provided a conical recess 5 which forms a receiving arrangement for the buoy structure 7 (not illustrated in the drawing). Thevessel 1 is further provided with at least onevaporizer 4. In order to improve the vessel's manoeuvrability, the vessel is also equipped with thrusters 6 in the vessel's bow portion and stern portion respectively. - Fig. 2 illustrates an arrangement of
buoy structures 7 which are connected to a submerged pipeline system. The submerged pipeline system comprises a riser 8 which is attached to each of thebuoy structures 7, and furthermore a pipeline 9 is connected to the end of the riser 8. The pipelines 9 are connected to an on-shore . infrastructure, illustrated here in the figure by thepipeline system 10. Thebuoy structures 7 are equipped withmooring lines 11 extending from the mooring point on the seabed to an attachment on the circumference of the buoy structure. - Figure 2 illustrates two
vessels 1 where one of thevessels 1 is connected to one of thebuoy structures 7, while the other vessel 1' illustrates the voyage to/from the loading point. On connection with thebuoy structure 7, the liquefied natural gas is transferred to thevaporizer 4, where the fluid is regasified before being transferred through thebuoy structure 7 via the submerged pipelines 9 which are connected to yet anotherpipeline 10 for bringing natural gas ashore to the infrastructure. - Figure 3 illustrates the same situation as in figure 2, but in addition it also illustrates the pipeline system's connection to the infrastructure, which in this case is composed of a shore-based
pipeline system 12. - Fig. 4 illustrates the principle for the organisation of the connection of the various vessels to the buoy structures as well as transport to and from the loading station where LNG is loaded on board the vessel. In this example four vessels are included in the system.
- In fig. 5 both the buoy structures are connected to the
vessels 1 and 1' simultaneously. In the situation illustrated in the figure thevessel 1 is in the process of completing the unloading of natural gas, while the vessel 1' has just received thebuoy structure 7 in the recess 5. By means of this arrangement a uniform transition will be achieved in the unloading process fromvessel 1 to vessel 1', and a continuous flow of natural gas into the submerged pipeline system will thereby be maintained.
Claims (10)
- A system for unloading from a vessel provided with storage tanks for storing natural gas in a liquid state (LNG), wherein a buoy structure is provided in the bottom area of the vessel's hull,
characterized in that the vessel (1) is a shuttle and regas vessel (SRV) and
that a vaporizer (4) is provided on the shuttle and regas vessel for vaporizing the liquefied natural gas into a gaseous state on arrival at the unloading point (7), the vaporized gas is transferred directly from the shuttle and regas vessel (1) to a submerged pipeline system (8,9,10), wherein the natural gas is transported in the pipeline system to the shore-based infrastructure (12). - A system according to claim 1, characterized in that each shuttle and regas vessel (1) is a retrofitted LNG tanker which also may be used as an ordinary LNG carrier.
- A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the shuttle and regas vessel (1) is equipped with a recess (5) in the bottom of the hull, where the recess is designed for receiving a corresponding submerged buoy structure (7) connected to a pipeline system (8) which transfers fluid from storage in the shuttle and regas vessel to the shore-based infrastructure (12).
- A system according to claim 3, characterized in that the shore based infrastructure is a pipeline network (12) which conveys the natural gas directly to the end user, or the infrastructure may comprise a depot which is connected to appropriate transport means for further transport of natural gas to the consumers.
- A system according to any of the proceeding claims, characterized in that two or more shuttle and regas vessels (1, 1') and two buoy structures are included in the system.
- A system according to any of the proceeding claims, characterized in that the shuttle and regas vessel (1) is equipped with thrusters (6,6) in shuttle and regas vessels bow portion and stern portion respectively.
- A method for transferring natural gas from a shuttle and regas vessel (SRV) included in a system according to claims 1 to 5, characterised in the steps of positioning the SRV (1) in engagement with a buoy structure (7) located at the unloading point, vaporising liquefied natural gas on the SRV (1), and transferring the vaporised gas directly from the SRV to a submerged pipeline system (8,9,10) through the buoy structure (7), whereby the vaporised gas is transported in the submerged pipeline system from the SRV to the shore based infrastructure (12).
- A method as claimed in claim 7, in which there are at least two SRVs (1,1') and at least two buoy structures, characterised in that the SRVs travel in a continuous shuttle traffic between a remote loading station and the buoy structures, and are organised in such a manner that at least one SRV is periodically connected to one or another of the buoy structures (7) for transferring the natural gas from the SRV to the shore based infrastructure (12), whereby the supply of gas to the shore based infrastructure is continuous.
- A method for transferring natural gas from a shuttle and regas vessel (SRV) included in a system according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 5, characterized in the steps of positioning the SRV in engagement with a buoy structure located at the unloading point, vaporizing liquefied natural gas on the SRV, and transferring the vaporized gas directly from the SRV to a submerged pipeline system through the buoy structure, whereby the vaporized gas is transported in the submerged pipeline system from the SRV to the shore based, infrastructure.
- A method as claimed in claim 9 in which there are at least two SRVs and at least two buoy structures, characterized in that the SRV's travel in a continuous shuttle traffic between a remote loading station and the buoy structures, and are organized in such a manner that at least one SRV is periodically connected to one or another of the buoy structures for transferring the natural gas from the SRV to the shore based infrastructure, whereby the supply of gas to the shore based infrastructure is continuous.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
NO20011524A NO20011524L (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2001-03-23 | Vessels and unloading system |
NO20011524 | 2001-03-23 | ||
PCT/NO2002/000112 WO2002076819A1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-03-18 | Vessel and unloading system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1383676A1 EP1383676A1 (en) | 2004-01-28 |
EP1383676B1 true EP1383676B1 (en) | 2006-01-25 |
Family
ID=19912299
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP02702993A Revoked EP1383676B1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-03-18 | Vessel and unloading system |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1383676B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2004525816A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20030090686A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1257085C (en) |
AT (1) | ATE316489T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60208877T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1383676T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2257529T3 (en) |
NO (1) | NO20011524L (en) |
PT (1) | PT1383676E (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002076819A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8448673B2 (en) | 2006-11-15 | 2013-05-28 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Transporting and transferring fluid |
US8959931B2 (en) | 2006-09-11 | 2015-02-24 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Transporting and managing liquefied natural gas |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2006052896A1 (en) * | 2004-11-08 | 2006-05-18 | Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V. | Liquefied natural gas floating storage regasification unit |
NO20050856L (en) * | 2005-02-17 | 2006-08-18 | Statoil Asa | System and procedure for offshore unloading and regasification of LNG |
CN100451436C (en) * | 2005-08-10 | 2009-01-14 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Storage conveying method and device for liquiefied natural gas |
US20070214805A1 (en) | 2006-03-15 | 2007-09-20 | Macmillan Adrian Armstrong | Onboard Regasification of LNG Using Ambient Air |
AU2007224992B2 (en) * | 2006-03-15 | 2011-09-01 | Woodside Energy Limited | Onboard regasification of LNG |
AU2007332978B2 (en) | 2006-09-11 | 2014-06-05 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Open-sea berth LNG import terminal |
KR100991994B1 (en) * | 2008-03-28 | 2010-11-04 | 삼성중공업 주식회사 | Lng carrier having lng loading/unloading system |
KR101239341B1 (en) | 2010-09-03 | 2013-03-06 | 삼성중공업 주식회사 | Apparatus and method for regasification of liquefied natural gas |
AU2012216352B2 (en) | 2012-08-22 | 2015-02-12 | Woodside Energy Technologies Pty Ltd | Modular LNG production facility |
CN103738478B (en) * | 2014-01-26 | 2017-07-28 | 中国海洋石油总公司 | Deepwater column exportation buoy |
CN104802952B (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2017-05-03 | 陈佳宇 | Soft floating body unit, pipeline pole based on floating body unit, generating station and air charging model |
WO2017192136A1 (en) * | 2016-05-04 | 2017-11-09 | Innovative Cryogenic Systems, Inc. | Istallation for feeding a gas-consuming member with combustible gas and for liquefying said combustible gas |
RU2714014C1 (en) * | 2019-08-27 | 2020-02-11 | Олег Григорьевич Бардовский | Method of oil products unloading to unequipped shore from tankers |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3590407A (en) * | 1968-11-13 | 1971-07-06 | Mobil Oil Corp | Swivel tanker floating storage system |
NO179986C (en) * | 1994-12-08 | 1997-01-22 | Norske Stats Oljeselskap | Process and system for producing liquefied natural gas at sea |
NO308714B1 (en) * | 1999-07-09 | 2000-10-16 | Moss Maritime As | Underwater evaporator for LNG |
-
2001
- 2001-03-23 NO NO20011524A patent/NO20011524L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2002
- 2002-03-18 WO PCT/NO2002/000112 patent/WO2002076819A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-03-18 DE DE60208877T patent/DE60208877T2/en not_active Revoked
- 2002-03-18 KR KR10-2003-7012389A patent/KR20030090686A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-03-18 ES ES02702993T patent/ES2257529T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-03-18 CN CNB028104803A patent/CN1257085C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-03-18 PT PT02702993T patent/PT1383676E/en unknown
- 2002-03-18 AT AT02702993T patent/ATE316489T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-03-18 JP JP2002575296A patent/JP2004525816A/en active Pending
- 2002-03-18 EP EP02702993A patent/EP1383676B1/en not_active Revoked
- 2002-03-18 DK DK02702993T patent/DK1383676T3/en active
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8959931B2 (en) | 2006-09-11 | 2015-02-24 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Transporting and managing liquefied natural gas |
US8448673B2 (en) | 2006-11-15 | 2013-05-28 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Transporting and transferring fluid |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1383676A1 (en) | 2004-01-28 |
NO20011524L (en) | 2002-09-24 |
DK1383676T3 (en) | 2006-06-06 |
NO20011524D0 (en) | 2001-03-23 |
DE60208877T2 (en) | 2006-09-14 |
WO2002076819A1 (en) | 2002-10-03 |
ES2257529T3 (en) | 2006-08-01 |
PT1383676E (en) | 2006-06-30 |
ATE316489T1 (en) | 2006-02-15 |
CN1257085C (en) | 2006-05-24 |
JP2004525816A (en) | 2004-08-26 |
DE60208877D1 (en) | 2006-04-13 |
CN1511099A (en) | 2004-07-07 |
KR20030090686A (en) | 2003-11-28 |
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