EP2195232B1 - Installation for transferring a fluid between a tanker and a fixed structure - Google Patents
Installation for transferring a fluid between a tanker and a fixed structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2195232B1 EP2195232B1 EP20080834750 EP08834750A EP2195232B1 EP 2195232 B1 EP2195232 B1 EP 2195232B1 EP 20080834750 EP20080834750 EP 20080834750 EP 08834750 A EP08834750 A EP 08834750A EP 2195232 B1 EP2195232 B1 EP 2195232B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- vessel
- installation
- carrier structure
- fluid
- water
- 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.)
- Not-in-force
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 46
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 57
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000003032 molecular docking Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 7
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 7
- 241001125840 Coryphaenidae Species 0.000 description 6
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000003949 liquefied natural gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000003915 liquefied petroleum gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000007123 defense Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- 241001609030 Brosme brosme Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002441 reversible effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
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
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
-
- 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
-
- 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
- B63B27/30—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures
- B63B27/34—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures using pipe-lines
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/0318—Processes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/3802—With vehicle guide or support, e.g., service station
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a facility for transferring a fluid between a transport vessel and a fluid reservoir on a fixed structure according to the preamble of claim 1.
- the present invention is particularly applicable to the transfer of liquid hydrocarbons such as liquefied gases such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) between a transport vessel and a fixed structure.
- This fixed structure is, for example, a liquefaction unit or a regasification terminal during the loading of the vessel, or a fluid reservoir during unloading.
- ship loading and unloading stations comprising a fluid transfer platform fixed on the seabed by a fixing structure placed on the bottom of the sea called “jacket ".
- the platform supports articulated fluid transfer arms for connection to ship transom systems known as "manifolds" on the ship.
- Known loading stations further include a set of dolphins (commonly referred to as "dolphins”) to absorb the ship's docking energy and moor it after docking.
- the dolphins are also set on the seabed by rigid metal piles.
- the fluid transfer platform is connected to a reservoir located on the coast or on a fixed platform at sea by a flexible pipe or a partially or totally immersed pipeline.
- This type of transfer station requires a sufficient depth of water for the ship's draft. Nevertheless, when the ship is moored to the dolphins, it is not free to orient itself to the elements. In addition, without adequate protection against swells generally provided by a dyke, the relative movements between the ship and the loading station are very significant. The forces applied on the mooring lines between the vessel and the dolphins are therefore important, which implies that the transfer station must be placed in a sheltered site.
- the semi-submersible assemblies are placed away from the loading platform, on either side of it for the respective mooring of the front and the rear of the ship.
- These bearing structures are massive since they include pillars about 10 meters in diameter and uprights having a very large water contact surface with respect to the overall volume of the structure.
- the load-bearing structures when connected to the ship by the mooring lines have a significant inertia, so that the assembly constituted by the structure and the ship absorb the swell in short time.
- the support structure being dynamically heavy, it can have a significant inertia compared to the inertia of the ship which is docked to him considering the high mass the water which the weight, and the surface of high contact with the expanse of water in which it floats. Significant constraints therefore continue to apply on the mooring lines between the ship and the supporting structures.
- the load-bearing structures allow, by their weight, to absorb the swell in the small time, they remain nevertheless, by their large surface of contact with the water, very sensitive to the waves or the swell on the water body in very bad weather, especially when the swell is greater than six meters.
- the anchor lines of the load-bearing structures must be oversized to withstand the swell in case of heavy weather.
- US 2005/0145154 describes a docking installation of a floating vessel comprising a perforated structure.
- An object of the invention is to obtain a transfer facility that can be used easily away from the coast by limiting the dynamic forces due to docking, mooring constraints between the ship and the supporting structure, and which can nevertheless withstand waves of very high heights under extreme conditions.
- the subject of the invention is an installation according to claim 1.
- the plant according to the invention may comprise one or more of the features of the dependent claims 2 to 11.
- the invention further relates to a transport assembly according to claim 12.
- the transport assembly may include one or more of the features of claims 13 and 14.
- the invention also relates to a transfer method according to claim 15.
- the terms “longitudinal” and “transverse” refer to the elongated direction of a ship or a supporting structure.
- the terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the direction of flow of a fluid during the unloading of this fluid from the vessel to the transfer facility.
- FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a first set 10 of liquid hydrocarbon transport according to the invention.
- This assembly 10 applies to the transport and transfer of liquefied hydrocarbons, especially liquefied gas, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or any other type of liquefied gas.
- liquefied gas such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or any other type of liquefied gas.
- the transport assembly comprises a transport vessel 12, floating on a body of water 14, a fluid transfer installation 16 disposed in the body of water 14 to receive the ship 12, and a fixed or terminal structure 18 located on the coast away from the transfer facility 16 to receive the fluid discharged by the transfer facility 16, or to produce or store the fluid to be loaded on the ship 12 by the transfer facility 16 .
- the transport assembly 10 is entirely reversible, that is to say that the transfer installation 16 can be used either to load the vessel 12 with a fluid stored or produced in the the terminal 18, either conversely, discharge a fluid contained in the ship 12 and convey it to the terminal 18. Only the latter case will be described by way of example in all that follows.
- the body of water 14 is an expanse of salt water such as a sea or an ocean, or an expanse of fresh water such as a lake.
- the body of water rests on a solid bottom 20.
- the installation 16 is advantageously mounted in a body of water 14 with a depth of between 25 meters and 70 meters, although greater depths, notably up to 150 meters can be considered.
- the transport vessel 12 comprises a floating hull 22 delimiting a lateral mooring edge 24, and at least one liquefied fluid storage tank 26 disposed in the hull 22.
- the ship 12 further comprises, along its mooring edge 24, mooring lines 28 fixed respectively at the front, at the rear and in the median part of the ship 12. These lines comprise in particular a point located at the bow of the ship 12, a point located at the stern of the ship 12 and cross lines in the central part of the ship.
- the reservoir 26 comprises a plurality of manifolds 30 which open transversely with respect to the vessel 12, substantially in the middle part of the vessel 12.
- Each manifold 30 is provided at its outer end with a connection flange and advantageously with a removable connection piece 32 adapted to protrude beyond the side edge 24 for the connection of a fluid transfer line.
- connection flange and advantageously with a removable connection piece 32 adapted to protrude beyond the side edge 24 for the connection of a fluid transfer line.
- the terminal 18 is disposed for example on the coast, or at sea, away from the transfer facility 16.
- the terminal 18 comprises liquefied hydrocarbon storage tanks. These tanks are located for example at the output of a liquefied hydrocarbon production plant equipped with a liquefaction train, in the case where the transfer facility 16 is used to charge fluid into the ship 12.
- the terminal 18 is connected to the transfer installation 16 via a cryogenic conduit 34 immersed in the body of water 14 and connected to at least one fluid reservoir of the terminal 18.
- the conduit 34 is for example the "Pipe-in-Pipe” type, marketed by Flexi France under the trade name C-PIP (Cryogenic Pipe in Pipe).
- C-PIP Crystalogenic Pipe in Pipe
- the transfer facility 16 includes a fixed platform 40 for connecting the cryogenic conduit 34, and a floating dock 42 for receiving and docking the vessel 12 at the facility 16.
- the platform 40 comprises a support 44 situated above the surface of the body of water 14, the pillars 46 for fixing the support 44 to the bottom of the body of water 14, and a connection assembly 48 to the cryogenic conduit 34 carried by the support 44.
- the pillars 46 are for example made in the form of parallel members interconnected by a lattice of metal beams, or are made by tubular boxes. They are fixed at their lower end on the bottom 20 of the body of water on which they rest, and at their upper end, under the support 44. Thus, the platform 40 remains substantially immobile vertically whatever the conditions of agitation of the body of water 14.
- connection assembly 48 receives an upstream end of the cryogenic duct 34.
- the floating dock 42 comprises a perforated bearing structure 60, mooring fixing studs 28 on the structure 60, docking fenders 63, and flexible anchoring lines 64 of the carrying structure 60 on the bottom 20 of the expanse of water 14.
- the transfer facility 16 further includes a fluid transfer assembly 65 between the vessel 12 and the connection assembly 48, for hydraulically connecting the manifolds 30 of the reservoir 14 to the connection assembly 48.
- the carrier structure 60 comprises a light perforated lattice 66 defining interior spaces 68 for circulating water of large volume, so that the carrier structure 60 is substantially transparent to the agitation of the body of water 14 and especially to the swell.
- the structure 60 and its mesh 66 are of elongate shape along an axis YY 'substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis XX' of the ship 12 when the ship 12 is docked on the platform 42.
- the mesh 66 has a substantially constant horizontal section over its entire height.
- the horizontal section is of polygonal outline.
- the height of the mesh 66 is moreover substantially constant.
- the mesh 66 comprises a plurality of vertical beams 70, a plurality of horizontal uprights 72 connecting the beams 70 to define elementary meshes 73 parallelepipeds and a plurality of oblique crosspieces 74 each connecting a beam 70 to a post 72 through a mesh 73.
- the beams 70, the uprights 72 and the sleepers 74 are all made of hollow metal tubes assembled together. These tubes have a small maximum diameter, so that the perimeter of the carrier structure 60, projected in a horizontal plane is greater than at least 50 times the maximum diameter of the tubes forming the beams 70, the uprights 72 and the cross members 74.
- the cavities delimited within the hollow tubes are separated from the water circulation spaces 68 by the sealed walls forming the tubes.
- the carrier structure 60 floats spontaneously away from the bottom when immersed in the body of water 14, having at least one upper region of non-zero height which protrudes above the surface of the body. water body 14.
- the beams 70 have a larger diameter than the cross-members 74, which cross-members 74 have a larger diameter than the uprights 72.
- the beams 70 are distributed along the contour of the carrier structure 60 and along the central axis YY 'within the carrier structure 60.
- the diameter of the beams 70 is of the order of 2 m (about 80 inches) , and between 1 m and 4 m and their height, which defines the constant height of the structure 60 is of the order of 24 m and between 15 m and 30 m.
- the posts 72 connect the beams 70 perpendicularly to the axis of the structure 60. They have a diameter of the order of 0.6 m (24 inches) and between 0.3 m and 0.9 m.
- the sleepers 74 have a diameter between 0.6 m and 0.9 m (between 30 and 50 inches).
- the weight of the structure is generally of the order of 3200 tons to be less than 5% of the maximum weight of the ship 12.
- the trellis 66 of the structure 60 thus defines, according to its outer envelope, an upstream vertical surface 80 for docking the ship, a downstream vertical surface 82, opposite to the upstream surface 80 and extending facing the platform 40, a horizontal upper surface 84 for supporting the transfer assembly 65, and a lower surface 86 extending facing the bottom 20 of the body of water, away from this bottom 20.
- the platform 40 extends facing a median portion of the opposite surface 82, away from it.
- the distance between the surface 82 of the platform 40 is between 15 m and 30 m.
- the structure 60 further defines two substantially transverse vertical end surfaces 88, 90 connecting the upstream and downstream surfaces 80, 82 to the longitudinal ends of the supporting structure 60.
- the structure 60 thus defines, within the envelope between the surfaces 80 to 90, an overall volume which is the sum of the volume of the tubes forming the lattice 60 and the volume of the internal spaces 68 delimited between the tubes.
- the interior spaces 68 are defined between the tubes forming the lattice 66. They open out from the supporting structure 60 through the surfaces 80 to 90 to allow the circulation of water through the structure 60, making the structure 60 transparent to the swell.
- the ratio of the volume occupied by the interior spaces 68 to the sum of the volume of the interior spaces 68 and the volume occupied by the tubes forming the trellis 66 is greater than 0.9 .
- this ratio is between 0.95 and 0.99.
- the carrier structure 60 is highly perforated, so that it offers locally in all points of the structure 60, a small surface in contact with the water per unit volume, and a large space for the circulation of water through the structure.
- the structure 60 When the structure 60 is disposed in the body of water 14, it floats in the body of water 14 by being immersed substantially at mid-height.
- the upper surface 84 is thus disposed above the surface of the body of water.
- the fastening pads 62 of the mooring lines 28 are arranged on the upper surface 84, along the vertical docking surface 80. They are distributed at the front, at the rear and in the middle of the structure 60.
- the anchor lines 64 are distributed around the structure 60 to limit its movement in a horizontal plane.
- the floating dock 42 comprises two pairs of anchor lines 64 extending outwardly of the structure 60, in opposite axial directions, each pair extending from the vertical docking surface 80 and the the opposite vertical surface 82.
- Each line 64 comprises an anchoring means 92, fixed in the bottom 20 of the body of water 14, and a joint link 94 connecting the anchoring means 92 to a tube of the mesh 66.
- the composite link 94 comprises a combination of a chain and a cable forming a catenary.
- the composite link 94 has, at rest, a relaxed form in J. It is likely to stretch linearly during a displacement of the supporting structure 60, in particular during the docking of the ship along the surface 80.
- the carrier structure 60 is displaceable locally horizontally on a limited stroke around a central rest position.
- This race is for example between 15 m and 30 m from the perimeter of the structure 60 in its rest position.
- the tusks 63 are fixed on the mesh 66 along the vertical docking surface 80. They are intended to be interposed between the lateral edge 24 of the ship 12 and the supporting structure 60, when the ship is moored on the structure 60.
- the structure 60 comprises two parallel sets of tusks 63 placed at different heights on the surface 80.
- the structure 60 comprises, for example, a first series of horizontal defenses 63 and a second series of vertical defenses 63.
- the fluid transfer assembly 65 is mounted on the upper surface 84 of the carrier structure 60. It comprises, from upstream to downstream, a ship connection station 100 located in the vicinity of the docking surface 80, and a station 102 for connection to the platform, located in the vicinity of the opposite surface 82.
- the ship connection station 100 comprises upstream flexible connecting pipes 104 to the ship, a fixed gantry 106 for supporting the lines 104 and a mobile gantry 108 for moving the lines 104 to the ship 12.
- the pipes 104 are formed by transport hoses, flexible over substantially their entire length.
- Each duct 104 extends between a fixed end secured to the fixed gantry 108 and a movable free end 110 provided with a connecting piece to a connector 32, and an emergency disconnect valve.
- the upstream flexible pipes 104 are hydraulically connected to the connection station 102 through the fixed gantry 106.
- the mobile gantry 108 is movable relative to the fixed gantry 106 to the outside of the ship between a retracted position on the upper surface 84, and a laterally projecting position outside the upper surface 84.
- the gantry 108 is provided, for each pipe 104, with a winch 112 for suspending the free end 110 of the flexible pipe 104.
- the pipe 104 then extends in a chain between its fixed end and its free end 110 in a vertical plane substantially perpendicular to the axis YY '.
- the pipe 104 is thus movable in this plane between a recessed position, in which the free end 110 extends facing the upper surface 84, and a connection position to the ship 12, in which the free end 110 makes protruding away from the surface 84 beyond the surface 80 opposite the body of water 14.
- the station 102 includes a manifold 120 attached to the upper surface 84, and downstream flexible pipes 122 connecting the manifold 120 to the connection assembly 48 on the platform 40.
- the collector 120 is hydraulically connected upstream to the upstream flexible pipes 104, and downstream to the downstream flexible pipes 122.
- the downstream flexible pipes 122 are flexible over substantially their entire length. They are hanged in a chain between the connection assembly 48 and the collector 120, opposite the intermediate space 124 which is exposed downwards, extending above the water body 14 between the floating dock 42 and the fixed platform 40. They extend in a vertical plane substantially perpendicular to the axis YY ', substantially in the extension of the upstream flexible pipes 104.
- Each duct 122 is provided with an emergency disconnection device 126 disposed opposite the space 124 to separate the duct 122 into an integral upstream section of the platform 42 and free with respect to the platform 40, and an integral downstream section. platform 40 and free from dock 42.
- the transfer assembly 65 located on the carrier structure 60, and the connection assembly 48 located on the fixed platform thus form, when connected together, a fluid conveying device between the vessel 12 and the conduit of transport 34.
- the floating dock 42 is maintained anchored in the bottom 20 of the body of water 14 via the anchor lines 64.
- the fixed platform 40 s then extends opposite the opposite vertical surface 82 of the supporting structure 60, substantially in the middle of this surface 82.
- the downstream flexible pipes 122 hydraulically connect the connection station 102 on the supporting structure 60 to the connection assembly 48 on the platform 40.
- the mobile gantry 108 is placed in its retracted position to maintain the free ends 110 of the upstream flexible pipes 104 opposite the upper surface 84.
- the mesh 66 of the supporting structure 60 is light and very perforated, so it is insensitive to the agitation of the body of water 14 at the surface or depth resulting from the swell or currents.
- the water of the expanse 14 thus circulates almost freely through the interior spaces 68.
- the floating dock 42 is therefore able to withstand extreme difficult conditions, in particular a swell with a vertical amplitude greater than 6 meters.
- the ship 12 approaches the floating dock 42 with a view to its docking, as visible on the Figure 1 .
- the lateral edge 24 of the ship is brought opposite the vertical docking surface 80 by aligning the axis X-X 'of the ship 12 parallel to the axis YY' of the supporting structure 60.
- the carrying structure 60 is anchored in the bottom 20 of the body of water by flexible lines 64, it is likely to move slightly from its rest position to the fixed platform 40 during the docking of the ship, by tension flexible lines 64 fixed on the docking surface 80. This allows the ship 12 to dock with a speed of between 0.3 m / s and 1 m / s without causing damage to the transfer installation 16, while by allowing damping of the docking shock.
- the ship 12 is then secured to the carrier structure 60 and moves together with it under the effect of the agitation of the body of water.
- the carrier structure 60 has a negligible mass compared to that of the ship 12, and a low local interaction with the water circulating in the interior spaces 68, it has a very low inertia compared to that of the ship 12, which which strongly limits the tensions exerted on the mooring lines 28 and the fixing studs 62.
- the ship 12 is kept substantially fixed in position relative to the platform 40 by means of the supporting structure 60 and anchor lines 64.
- the flexible anchoring lines 64 take just the forces due to the movement local ship 12, the inertia of the carrier structure 60 being negligible. Lines 64 do not therefore need to be dimensioned for considerable effort.
- the removable connectors 32 are attached to the free end of the manifolds 30 to protrude beyond the side edge 24 of the vessel to the supporting structure 60.
- the mobile gantry 108 is then moved from its retracted position to its extended position to bring the free end 110 of each upstream flexible pipe 104 into contact with a connector 32 to connect them.
- a continuous passage of fluid circulation is then achieved. This passage extends from upstream to downstream, successively in the manifold 30 and the coupling 32, in the upstream flexible pipe 104, in the gantry 106, in the manifold 120, in the downstream flexible pipe 122, in the assembly of connection 48, then in the cryogenic conduit 34.
- the liquefied fluid contained in the reservoir 26 is then discharged through this circulation passage, from the vessel 12, through the transfer assembly 65 located on the floating dock 42, through the connection assembly 38 on the platform 40 , and through the conduit 34, to the terminal 18.
- the emergency disconnection valves on the upstream flexible pipe 104 or on the downstream flexible pipe 122 are disconnectable, which avoids accidentally discharging fluid on the vessel 12, on the floating dock 42, or on the platform 40.
- the second transport assembly 140 according to the invention differs from the first set 10 by the arrangement of the transfer installation 16.
- the fixed platform 40 is placed in the axial extension of the floating dock 42, facing an end surface 90 of this dock.
- the downstream flexible pipes 122 are therefore parallel to the axis YY 'of the platform 42, perpendicular to the axis of the upstream flexible pipes 104.
- the operation of the assembly 140 is moreover analogous to that of the assembly 10.
- the third transport assembly 150 differs from the first set in that the transfer facility 16 is devoid of a fixed platform 40.
- the transport duct 34 comprises a substantially rigid section 152 immersed, and a rising flexible section 156.
- the submerged section 152 connects the terminal 18 to the coast at a point 154 on the bottom 20 located in the vicinity of the carrier structure 60.
- the flexible section 156 is fixed on the structure 60 at its upstream connecting end 59. It has an S-shaped configuration.
- the supporting structure 60 carries the connection assembly 48 which is connected to the connecting end 59.
- the fourth transport assembly 160 differs from the third assembly 150 in that the rigid section 152 of the transport duct 34 is connected to a reservoir 162 situated on a platform 164 situated at sea and fixed on the seabed by pillars 166.
- the ratio of the volume of the interior spaces to the sum of the volume of the perforated lattice and the volume of the interior spaces is not specified and can be less than 0.9.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Rigid Pipes And Flexible Pipes (AREA)
- Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)
- Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
- Supply Devices, Intensifiers, Converters, And Telemotors (AREA)
Abstract
Description
La présente invention concerne une installation de transfert d'un fluide entre un navire de transport et un réservoir de fluide sur une structure fixe selon le préambule de la revendication 1.The present invention relates to a facility for transferring a fluid between a transport vessel and a fluid reservoir on a fixed structure according to the preamble of claim 1.
La présente invention s'applique notamment au transfert d'hydrocarbures liquides comme des gaz liquéfiés tels que du gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL) ou du gaz de pétrole liquéfié (GPL) entre un navire de transport et une structure fixe. Cette structure fixe est, par exemple, une unité de liquéfaction ou un terminal de regazéification lors du chargement du navire, ou un réservoir de fluide lors de son déchargement.The present invention is particularly applicable to the transfer of liquid hydrocarbons such as liquefied gases such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) between a transport vessel and a fixed structure. This fixed structure is, for example, a liquefaction unit or a regasification terminal during the loading of the vessel, or a fluid reservoir during unloading.
Compte tenu de certaines contraintes de sécurité et de déplacement des navires, il est préférable de procéder aux opérations de transfert de fluide en maintenant le navire hors d'un port, dans des eaux plus profondes, par exemple à quelques centaines de mètres de la côte.Given certain safety constraints and vessel movements, it is preferable to carry out fluid transfer operations by keeping the ship out of a port, in deeper waters, for example a few hundred meters from the coast. .
Pour réaliser de telles opérations en pleine mer, on connaît notamment des postes de chargement et de déchargement de navires comprenant une plateforme de transfert de fluide fixée sur le fond de la mer par une structure de fixation posée sur le fond de la mer dénommée « jacket ». La plateforme supporte des bras articulés de transfert de fluide, destinés à être raccordés à des systèmes de traverse du navire dénommés « manifolds » sur le navire.To carry out such operations on the high seas, there are in particular ship loading and unloading stations comprising a fluid transfer platform fixed on the seabed by a fixing structure placed on the bottom of the sea called "jacket ". The platform supports articulated fluid transfer arms for connection to ship transom systems known as "manifolds" on the ship.
Les postes de chargement connus comprennent en outre un ensemble de ducs d'albe (généralement désignés par le terme anglais « dolphins ») pour absorber l'énergie d'accostage du navire et l'amarrer après son accostage. Les ducs d'albe sont également fixés sur le fond de la mer par des piles métalliques rigides.Known loading stations further include a set of dolphins (commonly referred to as "dolphins") to absorb the ship's docking energy and moor it after docking. The dolphins are also set on the seabed by rigid metal piles.
La plateforme de transfert de fluide est raccordée à un réservoir situé sur la côte ou sur une plateforme fixe en mer par une conduite flexible ou un pipeline partiellement ou totalement immergé.The fluid transfer platform is connected to a reservoir located on the coast or on a fixed platform at sea by a flexible pipe or a partially or totally immersed pipeline.
Ce type de poste de transfert exige une profondeur d'eau suffisante pour le tirant d'eau du navire. Néanmoins, lorsque le navire est amarré aux ducs d'albe, il n'est pas libre de s'orienter face aux éléments. De plus, sans une protection adéquate contre la houle généralement assurée par une digue, les mouvements relatifs entre le navire et le poste de chargement sont très significatifs. Les efforts appliqués sur les lignes d'amarrage entre le navire et les ducs d'albe sont donc importants, ce qui implique que le poste de transfert doit être placé dans un site abrité.This type of transfer station requires a sufficient depth of water for the ship's draft. Nevertheless, when the ship is moored to the dolphins, it is not free to orient itself to the elements. In addition, without adequate protection against swells generally provided by a dyke, the relative movements between the ship and the loading station are very significant. The forces applied on the mooring lines between the vessel and the dolphins are therefore important, which implies that the transfer station must be placed in a sheltered site.
Pour pallier ce problème,
Les ensembles semi-submersibles sont placés à l'écart de la plateforme de chargement, de part et d'autre de celle-ci pour l'amarrage respectif de l'avant et de l'arrière du navire. Ces structures porteuses sont massives puisqu'elles comprennent des piliers d'environ 10 mètres de diamètre et des montants présentant une surface de contact avec l'eau très importante par rapport au volume global de la structure.The semi-submersible assemblies are placed away from the loading platform, on either side of it for the respective mooring of the front and the rear of the ship. These bearing structures are massive since they include pillars about 10 meters in diameter and uprights having a very large water contact surface with respect to the overall volume of the structure.
Ainsi, les structures porteuses, lorsqu'elles sont raccordées au navire par les lignes d'amarrage présentent une inertie importante, de sorte que l'ensemble constitué par la structure et le navire absorbent la houle en petit temps.Thus, the load-bearing structures, when connected to the ship by the mooring lines have a significant inertia, so that the assembly constituted by the structure and the ship absorb the swell in short time.
Une telle installation ne donne cependant pas entière satisfaction. En effet, la structure porteuse étant dynamiquement lourde, elle peut présenter une inertie non négligeable par rapport à l'inertie du navire qui lui est amarré compte tenu de la masse élevée l'eau qui la leste, et de la surface de contact élevée avec l'étendue d'eau dans laquelle elle flotte. Les contraintes importantes continuent donc à s'appliquer sur les lignes d'amarrage entre le navire et les structures porteuses.Such an installation does not, however, give complete satisfaction. Indeed, the support structure being dynamically heavy, it can have a significant inertia compared to the inertia of the ship which is docked to him considering the high mass the water which the weight, and the surface of high contact with the expanse of water in which it floats. Significant constraints therefore continue to apply on the mooring lines between the ship and the supporting structures.
En outre, bien que les structures porteuses permettent, par leur poids, d'absorber la houle dans le petit temps, elles restent néanmoins, par leur grande surface de contact avec l'eau, très sensible aux vagues ou à la houle sur l'étendue d'eau dans des conditions de très mauvais temps, notamment lorsque la houle est supérieure à six mètres. Par suite, les lignes d'ancrage des structures porteuses doivent être surdimensionnées pour résister à la houle en cas de gros temps.In addition, although the load-bearing structures allow, by their weight, to absorb the swell in the small time, they remain nevertheless, by their large surface of contact with the water, very sensitive to the waves or the swell on the water body in very bad weather, especially when the swell is greater than six meters. As a result, the anchor lines of the load-bearing structures must be oversized to withstand the swell in case of heavy weather.
Un but de l'invention est d'obtenir une installation de transfert qui puisse être utilisée facilement à l'écart de la côte en limitant les efforts dynamiques dus à l'accostage, les contraintes d'amarrage entre le navire et la structure porteuse, et qui peut néanmoins résister à des vagues de hauteurs très importantes dans des conditions extrêmes.An object of the invention is to obtain a transfer facility that can be used easily away from the coast by limiting the dynamic forces due to docking, mooring constraints between the ship and the supporting structure, and which can nevertheless withstand waves of very high heights under extreme conditions.
A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une installation selon la revendication 1.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an installation according to claim 1.
L'installation selon l'invention peut comprendre l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques des revendications dépendantes 2 à 11.The plant according to the invention may comprise one or more of the features of the dependent claims 2 to 11.
L'invention a en outre pour objet un ensemble de transport selon la revendication 12.The invention further relates to a transport assembly according to
L'ensemble de transport peut comprendre une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques des revendications 13 et 14.The transport assembly may include one or more of the features of
L'invention a également pour objet un procédé de transfert selon la revendication 15.The invention also relates to a transfer method according to claim 15.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple, et faite en se référant aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels :
- la
figure 1 est une vue schématique de dessus d'une première installation de transfert selon l'invention, avant l'accostage d'un navire de transport d'hydrocarbures ; - la
figure 2 est une vue analogue à lafigure 1 après l'accostage du navire ; - la
figure 3 est une vue en coupe, prise suivant un plan transversal de l'installation de lafigure 2 lors d'un transfert d'hydrocarbures entre l'installation et le navire ; - la
figure 4 est une vue analogue à lafigure 1 d'une deuxième installation de transfert selon l'invention. - la
figure 5 est une vue analogue à lafigure 3 d'une troisième installation de transfert selon l'invention ; et - la
figure 6 est une vue analogue à lafigure 3 d'une quatrième installation selon l'invention.
- the
figure 1 is a diagrammatic view from above of a first transfer installation according to the invention, before the berthing of a hydrocarbon transport vessel; - the
figure 2 is a view similar to thefigure 1 after docking the vessel; - the
figure 3 is a sectional view, taken along a transverse plane of the installation of thefigure 2 during a transfer of hydrocarbons between the installation and the vessel; - the
figure 4 is a view similar to thefigure 1 a second transfer installation according to the invention. - the
figure 5 is a view similar to thefigure 3 a third transfer installation according to the invention; and - the
figure 6 is a view similar to thefigure 3 of a fourth installation according to the invention.
Dans tous ce qui suit, les termes « longitudinal » et « transversal » s'entendent par rapport à la direction allongée: d'un navire ou d'une structure porteuse. Les termes « amont » et « aval » s'entendent par rapport au sens de circulation d'un fluide lors du déchargement de ce fluide depuis le navire vers l'installation de transfert.In all of the following, the terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" refer to the elongated direction of a ship or a supporting structure. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the direction of flow of a fluid during the unloading of this fluid from the vessel to the transfer facility.
Les
Cet ensemble 10 s'applique au transport et au transfert d'hydrocarbures liquéfiés, notamment de gaz liquéfié, tel que du gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL), du gaz de pétrole liquéfié (GPL), ou tout autre type de gaz liquéfié.This
L'ensemble de transport comprend un navire de transport 12, flottant sur une étendue d'eau 14, une installation 16 de transfert de fluide disposée dans l'étendue d'eau 14 pour recevoir le navire 12, et une structure fixe ou terminal 18 situé sur la côte à l'écart de l'installation de transfert 16 pour recevoir le fluide déchargé par l'installation de transfert 16, ou pour produire ou stocker le fluide destiné à être chargé sur le navire 12 par l'installation de transfert 16.The transport assembly comprises a
Dans tout ce qui suit, on comprendra aisément que l'ensemble de transport 10 est entièrement réversible, c'est-à-dire que l'installation de transfert 16 peut être utilisée soit pour charger dans le navire 12 un fluide stocké ou produit dans le terminal 18, soit à l'inverse, décharger un fluide contenu dans le navire 12 et le convoyer vers le terminal 18. Seul ce dernier cas sera décrit à titre d'exemple dans tout ce qui suit.In all that follows, it will be readily understood that the
L'étendue d'eau 14 est une étendue d'eau salée comme une mer ou un océan, ou une étendue d'eau douce comme un lac.The body of
L'étendue d'eau repose sur un fond solide 20. L'installation 16 est avantageusement montée dans une étendue d'eau 14 de profondeur comprise entre 25 mètres et 70 mètres, bien que des profondeurs supérieures, allant notamment jusqu'à 150 mètres puissent être envisagées.The body of water rests on a
Le navire de transport 12 comprend une coque 22 flottante délimitant un bord latéral d'amarrage 24, et au moins un réservoir 26 de stockage de fluide liquéfié disposé dans la coque 22.The
Le navire 12 comprend en outre, le long de son bord d'amarrage 24, des lignes d'amarrage 28 fixées respectivement à l'avant, à l'arrière et dans la partie médiane du navire 12. Ces lignes comprennent notamment une pointe située à l'avant du navire 12, une pointe située à l'arrière du navire 12 et des lignes traversières dans la partie centrale du navire.The
Le réservoir 26 comprend une pluralité de manifolds 30 qui débouchent transversalement par rapport au navire 12, sensiblement dans la partie médiane du navire 12.The
Chaque manifold 30 est muni à son extrémité extérieure d'une bride de connexion et avantageusement, d'un raccord de connexion 32 amovible apte à faire saillie au-delà du bord latéral 24 pour le raccordement d'une ligne de transfert de fluides. De tels raccords sont décrits par exemple dans les demandes françaises n°
Le terminal 18 est disposé par exemple sur la côte, ou en mer, à l'écart de l'installation de transfert 16. Le terminal 18 comprend des réservoirs de stockage d'hydrocarbures liquéfiés. Ces réservoirs sont situés par exemple en sortie d'une usine de production d'hydrocarbures liquéfiés, munie d'un train de liquéfaction, dans le cas où l'installation de transfert 16 est utilisée pour charger du fluide dans le navire 12.The
Le terminal 18 est raccordé à l'installation de transfert 16 par l'intermédiaire d'un conduit cryogénique 34 immergé dans l'étendue d'eau 14 et raccordé à au moins un réservoir de fluide du terminal 18. Le conduit 34 est par exemple du type « Pipe-in-Pipe », commercialisé par la société Flexi France sous le nom commercial C-PIP (Cryogenic Pipe in Pipe). La distance qui sépare l'installation 16 du terminal 18 est supérieure à 100 mètres et généralement comprise entre 500 mètres et 1 500 mètres.The
L'installation de transfert 16 comprend une plateforme fixe 40 pour le raccordement du conduit cryogénique 34, et un quai flottant 42 pour recevoir et amarrer le navire 12 à l'installation 16.The
Comme illustré par la
Les piliers 46 sont par exemple réalisées sous forme de membrures parallèles reliées entre elles par un treillis de poutrelles métalliques, ou sont réalisées par des caissons tubulaires. Ils sont fixés à leur extrémité inférieure sur le fond 20 de l'étendue d'eau sur laquelle ils s'appuient, et à leur extrémité supérieure, sous le support 44. Ainsi, la plateforme 40 reste sensiblement immobile verticalement quelques soient les conditions d'agitation de l'étendue d'eau 14.The
L'ensemble de raccordement 48 reçoit une extrémité amont du conduit cryogénique 34.The
Comme illustré par les
L'installation de transfert 16 comprend en outre un ensemble 65 de transfert de fluide entre le navire 12 et l'ensemble de raccordement 48, destiné à raccorder hydrauliquement les manifolds 30 du réservoir 14 à l'ensemble de raccordement 48.The
Selon l'invention, la structure porteuse 60 comprend un treillis ajouré léger 66 délimitant des espaces intérieurs 68 de circulation d'eau de grand volume, pour que la structure porteuse 60 soit sensiblement transparente à l'agitation de l'étendue d'eau 14 et notamment à la houle.According to the invention, the
Comme illustré par les
Dans l'exemple représenté sur les
Le treillis 66 comprend une pluralité de poutres verticales 70, une pluralité de montants 72 horizontaux raccordant les poutres 70 pour définir des mailles élémentaires 73 parallélépipédiques et une pluralité de traverses obliques 74 raccordant chacune une poutre 70 à un montant 72 à travers une maille 73.The
Les poutres 70, les montants 72 et les traverses 74 sont toutes réalisées à base de tubes métalliques creux assemblés entre eux. Ces tubes présentent un diamètre maximal faible, de sorte que le périmètre de la structure porteuse 60, pris en projection dans un plan horizontal est supérieur à au moins 50 fois le diamètre maximal des tubes formant les poutres 70, les montants 72 et les traverses 74. Les cavités délimitées au sein des tubes creux sont séparées des espaces de circulation d'eau 68 par les parois étanches formant les tubes.The
Ainsi, la structure porteuse 60 flotte spontanément à l'écart du fond lorsqu'elle est immergée dans l'étendue d'eau 14, en présentant au moins une région supérieure de hauteur non nulle qui fait saillie au-dessus de la surface de l'étendue d'eau 14.Thus, the
Les poutres 70 présentent un diamètre supérieur à celui des traverses 74, lesquelles traverses 74 présentent un diamètre supérieur à celui des montants 72.The
Les poutres 70 sont réparties le long du contour de la structure porteuse 60 et le long de l'axe central Y-Y' au sein de la structure porteuse 60. Le diamètre des poutres 70 est de l'ordre de 2 m (environ 80 pouces), et compris entre 1 m et 4 m et leur hauteur, qui définit la hauteur constante de la structure 60 est de l'ordre de 24 m et comprise entre 15 m et 30 m.The
Les montants 72 raccordent les poutres 70 perpendiculairement à l'axe de la structure 60. Ils présentent un diamètre de l'ordre de 0,6 m (24 pouces) et compris entre 0,3 m et 0,9 m.The
Les traverses 74 présentent un diamètre compris entre 0,6 m et 0,9 m (entre 30 et 50 pouces).The
Ainsi, le poids de la structure est généralement de l'ordre de 3200 tonnes pour être inférieur à 5% du poids maximum du navire 12.Thus, the weight of the structure is generally of the order of 3200 tons to be less than 5% of the maximum weight of the
Le treillis 66 de la structure 60 définit donc, suivant son enveloppe extérieure, une surface verticale amont 80 d'accostage du navire, une surface verticale aval 82, opposée à la surface amont 80 et s'étendant en regard de la plateforme 40, une surface supérieure horizontale 84 de support de l'ensemble de transfert 65, et une surface inférieure 86 s'étendant en regard du fond 20 de l'étendue d'eau, à l'écart de ce fond 20.The
La plateforme 40 s'étend en regard d'une partie médiane de la surface opposée 82, à l'écart de celle-ci. La distance qui sépare la surface 82 de la plateforme 40 est comprise entre 15 m et 30 m.The
La structure 60 définit en outre deux surfaces d'extrémité verticales 88, 90 sensiblement transversales, raccordant les surfaces amont et aval 80, 82 aux extrémités longitudinales de la structure porteuse 60.The
La structure 60 définit donc, à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe entre les surfaces 80 à 90, un volume global qui est la somme du volume des tubes formant le treillis 60 et du volume des espaces intérieurs 68 délimités entre les tubes.The
Les espaces intérieurs 68 sont définis entre les tubes formant le treillis 66. Ils débouchent à l'extérieur de la structure porteuse 60 à travers les surfaces 80 à 90 pour permettre la circulation d'eau au travers de la structure 60, rendant la structure 60 transparente à la houle.The
Selon l'invention, et pour assurer cette transparence à la houle, le rapport du volume occupé par les espaces intérieurs 68 à la somme du volume des espaces intérieurs 68 et du volume occupé par les tubes formant le treillis 66 est supérieur à 0,9. De préférence, ce rapport est compris entre 0,95 et 0,99.According to the invention, and to ensure this transparency to the swell, the ratio of the volume occupied by the
Ainsi, la structure porteuse 60 est fortement ajourée, de sorte qu'elle offre localement en tous points de la structure 60, une faible surface en contact avec l'eau par unité de volume, et un espace important pour la circulation de l'eau à travers la structure.Thus, the
Lorsque la structure 60 est disposée dans l'étendue d'eau 14, elle flotte dans l'étendue d'eau 14 en y étant immergée sensiblement à mi-hauteur. La surface supérieure 84 est donc disposée au dessus de la surface de l'étendue d'eau.When the
Les plots de fixation 62 des lignes d'amarrage 28 sont disposés sur la surface supérieure 84, le long de la surface verticale d'accostage 80. Ils sont répartis à l'avant, à l'arrière et au milieu de la structure 60.The
Les lignes d'ancrage 64 sont réparties autour de la structure 60 pour limiter son déplacement dans un plan horizontal. Dans l'exemple représenté par la
Chaque ligne 64 comprend un moyen d'ancrage 92, fixé dans le fond 20 de l'étendue d'eau 14, et un lien mixte 94 raccordant le moyen d'ancrage 92 à un tube du treillis 66.Each
Le lien mixte 94 comprend une combinaison d'une chaîne et d'un câble formant une caténaire. Le lien mixte 94 présente au repos, une forme détendue en J. Il est susceptible de se tendre linéairement lors d'un déplacement de la structure porteuse 60, notamment lors de l'accostage du navire le long de la surface 80.The
Ainsi, la structure porteuse 60 est déplaçable localement horizontalement sur une course limitée autour d'une position centrale de repos. Cette course est par exemple comprise entre 15 m et 30 m à partir du périmètre de la structure 60 dans sa position de repos.Thus, the
Les défenses 63 sont fixées sur le treillis 66 le long de la surface verticale d'accostage 80. Elles sont destinées à être interposées entre le bord latéral 24 du navire 12 et la structure porteuse 60, lorsque le navire est amarré sur la structure 60.The
Dans l'exemple représenté sur la
En variante, la structure 60 comprend par exemple une première série de défenses 63 horizontale et une deuxième série de défenses 63 verticales.In a variant, the
L'ensemble de transfert de fluide 65 est monté sur la surface supérieure 84 de la structure porteuse 60. Il comprend, d'amont en aval, une station 100 de connexion au navire située au voisinage de la surface d'accostage 80, et une station 102 de connexion à la plateforme, située au voisinage de la surface opposée 82.The
La station 100 de connexion au navire comprend des conduites flexibles amont 104 de raccordement au navire, un portique fixe 106 de support des conduites 104 et un portique mobile 108 de déplacement des conduites 104 vers le navire 12.The
De manière classique, les conduites 104 sont formées par des flexibles de transport, souples sur sensiblement toute leur longueur. Chaque conduite 104 s'étend entre une extrémité fixe solidaire du portique fixe 108 et une extrémité libre mobile 110 munie d'un embout de connexion à un raccord 32, et d'une vanne de déconnexion d'urgence.In a conventional manner, the
Les conduites flexibles amont 104 sont raccordées hydrauliquement à la station de connexion 102 à travers le portique fixe 106.The upstream
Le portique mobile 108 est déplaçable par rapport au portique fixe 106 vers l'extérieur du navire entre une position rétractée sur la surface supérieure 84, et une position en saillie latérale à l'extérieur de la surface supérieure 84.The
Le portique 108 est muni, pour chaque conduite 104, d'un treuil 112 pour suspendre l'extrémité libre 110 de la conduite flexible 104.The
La conduite 104 s'étend alors en chaînette entre son extrémité fixe et son extrémité libre 110 dans un plan vertical sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe Y-Y'. La conduite 104 est ainsi déplaçable dans ce plan entre une position en retrait, dans laquelle l'extrémité libre 110 s'étend en regard de la surface supérieure 84, et une position de connexion au navire 12, dans laquelle l'extrémité libre 110 fait saillie à l'écart de la surface 84 au-delà de la surface 80 en regard de l'étendue d'eau 14.The
La station 102 comprend un collecteur 120 fixé sur la surface supérieure 84, et des conduites flexibles aval 122 raccordant le collecteur 120 à l'ensemble de raccordement 48 sur la plateforme 40.The
Le collecteur 120 est raccordé hydrauliquement en amont aux conduites flexibles amont 104, et en aval, aux conduites flexibles aval 122.The
Les conduites flexibles aval 122 sont souples sur sensiblement toute leur longueur. Elles sont pendues en chaînette entre l'ensemble de raccordement 48 et le collecteur 120, en regard de l'espace intermédiaire 124 dégagé vers le bas, s'étendant au-dessus de l'étendue d'eau 14 entre le quai flottant 42 et la plateforme fixe 40. Elles s'étendent dans un plan vertical sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe Y-Y', sensiblement dans le prolongement des conduites flexibles amont 104.The downstream
Chaque conduite 122 est munie d'un dispositif de déconnexion d'urgence 126 disposé en regard de l'espace 124 pour séparer la conduite 122 en une section amont solidaire du quai 42 et libre par rapport à la plateforme 40, et une section aval solidaire de la plateforme 40 et libre par rapport au quai 42.Each
L'ensemble de transfert 65 situé sur la structure porteuse 60, et l'ensemble de raccordement 48 situé sur la plateforme fixe forment donc, lorsqu'ils sont raccordés entre eux, un dispositif de convoyage de fluide entre le navire 12 et le conduit de transport 34.The
Le fonctionnement de l'ensemble de transport 10 selon l'invention, lors d'une opération de déchargement du fluide contenu dans un navire de transport 12 en vue de son transfert dans un réservoir du terminal 18, va maintenant être décrit.The operation of the
Initialement, en l'absence de navire 12 ou lors de son approche, le quai flottant 42 est maintenu ancré dans le fond 20 de l'étendue d'eau 14 par l'intermédiaire des lignes d'ancrage 64. La plateforme fixe 40 s'étend alors en regard de la surface verticale opposée 82 de la structure porteuse 60, sensiblement au milieu de cette surface 82.Initially, in the absence of
Les conduites flexibles aval 122 raccordent hydrauliquement la station de connexion 102 sur la structure porteuse 60 à l'ensemble de raccordement 48 sur la plateforme 40.The downstream
En outre, le portique mobile 108 est placé dans sa position rétractée pour maintenir les extrémités libres 110 des conduites flexibles amont 104 en regard de la surface supérieure 84.In addition, the
Le treillis 66 de la structure porteuse 60 étant léger et très ajouré, il est donc peu sensible à l'agitation de l'étendue d'eau 14 en surface ou en profondeur résultant de la houle ou des courants. L'eau de l'étendue 14 circule donc quasiment librement à travers les espaces intérieurs 68.The
Le quai flottant 42 est donc apte à endurer des conditions extrêmes difficiles, notamment une houle d'amplitude verticale supérieure à 6 mètres.The floating
Puis, lorsque des conditions météorologiques requises sont rencontrées, par exemple lorsque la houle est inférieure à 2,5 mètres d'amplitude, le navire 12 s'approche du quai flottant 42 en vue de son accostage, comme visible sur la
Le bord latéral 24 du navire est amené en regard de la surface verticale d'accostage 80 en alignant l'axe X-X' du navire 12 parallèlement à l'axe Y-Y' de la structure porteuse 60.The
La structure porteuse 60 étant ancrée dans le fond 20 de l'étendue d'eau par des lignes flexibles 64, elle est susceptible de se déplacer légèrement depuis sa position de repos vers la plateforme fixe 40 lors de l'accostage du navire, par tension des lignes flexibles 64 fixées sur la surface d'accostage 80. Ceci permet au navire 12 d'accoster avec une vitesse comprise entre 0,3 m/s et 1 m/s sans causer de dommages à l'installation de transfert 16, tout en permettant un amortissement du choc d'accostage.The carrying
Lorsque le bord du navire 24 est placé parallèlement à la surface 80, au contact des défenses d'absorption 63, les lignes d'amarrage 28 du navire sont fixées sur les plots de fixation 62 du quai flottant 42. Les lignes flexibles 64 reprennent alors leur configuration en J, ramenant ainsi la structure porteuse 60 vers sa position de repos.When the edge of the
Le navire 12 est alors rendu solidaire de la structure porteuse 60 et se déplace conjointement avec celle-ci sous l'effet de l'agitation de l'étendue d'eau.The
Toutefois, la structure porteuse 60 présentant une masse négligeable par rapport à celle du navire 12, et une faible interaction locale avec l'eau circulant dans les espaces intérieurs 68, elle présente une très faible inertie par rapport à celle du navire 12, ce qui limite fortement les tensions s'exerçant sur les lignes d'amarrage 28 et les plots de fixation 62.However, the
Dans cette configuration, le navire 12 est maintenu sensiblement fixe en position par rapport à la plateforme 40 par l'intermédiaire de la structure porteuse 60 et des lignes d'ancrage 64. Les lignes flexibles d'ancrage 64 reprennent juste les efforts dus au mouvement local du navire 12, l'inertie de la structure porteuse 60 étant négligeable. Les lignes 64 ne nécessitent donc pas d'être dimensionnées pour des efforts considérables.In this configuration, the
Puis, les raccords amovibles 32 sont fixés à l'extrémité libre des manifolds 30 pour faire saillie au-delà du bord latéral 24 du navire vers la structure porteuse 60.Then, the
Le portique mobile 108 est ensuite déplacé de sa position rectractée à sa position déployée pour amener l'extrémité libre 110 de chaque conduite flexible amont 104 au contact d'un raccord 32 pour les connecter.The
Un passage continu de circulation de fluide est alors réalisé. Ce passage s'étend d'amont en aval, successivement dans le manifold 30 et le raccord 32, dans la conduite flexible amont 104, dans le portique 106, dans le collecteur 120, dans la conduite flexible aval 122, dans l'ensemble de raccordement 48, puis dans le conduit cryogénique 34.A continuous passage of fluid circulation is then achieved. This passage extends from upstream to downstream, successively in the manifold 30 and the
Le fluide liquéfié contenu dans le réservoir 26 est alors déchargé à travers ce passage de circulation, depuis le navire 12, à travers l'ensemble de transfert 65 situé sur le quai flottant 42, à travers l'ensemble de raccordement 38 sur la plateforme 40, et à travers le conduit 34, jusqu'au terminal 18.The liquefied fluid contained in the
En cas de problème lors du transfert, les vannes de déconnexion d'urgence sur la conduite flexible amont 104 ou sur la conduite flexible aval 122 sont déconnectables, ce qui évite de décharger accidentellement du fluide sur le navire 12, sur le quai flottant 42, ou sur la plateforme 40.In the event of a problem during the transfer, the emergency disconnection valves on the upstream
Le deuxième ensemble de transport 140 selon l'invention, représenté sur la
En effet, la plateforme fixe 40 est placée dans le prolongement axial du quai flottant 42, en regard d'une surface d'extrémité 90 de ce quai.Indeed, the fixed
Les conduites flexibles aval 122 sont donc parallèles à l'axe Y-Y' du quai 42, perpendiculairement à l'axe des conduites flexibles amont 104.The downstream
Le fonctionnement de l'ensemble 140 est par ailleurs analogue à celui de l'ensemble 10.The operation of the
Le troisième ensemble de transport 150, représenté sur la
Le conduit de transport 34 comprend un tronçon sensiblement rigide 152 immergé, et un tronçon flexible montant 156.The
Le tronçon immergé 152 raccorde le terminal 18 sur la côte à un point 154 sur le fond 20 situé au voisinage de la structure porteuse 60.The submerged
Le tronçon flexible 156 est fixé sur la structure 60 à son extrémité amont de raccordement 59. Il présente une configuration en S. La structure porteuse 60 porte l'ensemble de raccordement 48 qui est raccordé à l'extrémité de raccordement 59.The
Le quatrième ensemble de transport 160 diffère du troisième ensemble 150 en ce que le tronçon rigide 152 du conduit de transport 34 est raccordé à un réservoir 162 situé sur une plateforme 164 située en mer et fixée sur le fond de la mer par des piliers 166.The
Plus généralement, l'invention concerne aussi une installation de transfert d'un fluide entre un navire de transport et et un réservoir de fluide sur une structure fixe, du type comprenant :
- un conduit de transport du fluide vers la structure fixe, au moins en partie immergé dans une étendue d'eau ;
- un dispositif de convoyage de fluide entre le navire et le conduit de transport, raccordé à une extrémité de raccordement du conduit de transport ; et
- un quai flottant d'amarrage du navire, placé au voisinage de l'extrémité de raccordement, et mobile localement dans l'étendue d'eau, le quai flottant comprenant :
- une structure porteuse destinée à être partiellement immergée dans l'étendue d'eau, la structure porteuse comprenant un treillis ajouré délimitant des espaces intérieurs de circulation d'eau destinés à déboucher dans l'étendue d'eau,
- des lignes souples d'ancrage de la structure sur le fond de l'étendue d'eau ;
- des moyens de fixation de lignes d'amarrage du navire sur la structure porteuse,
- a conduit for conveying the fluid to the fixed structure, at least partially immersed in a body of water;
- a fluid conveying device between the ship and the transport pipe, connected to a connecting end of the transport pipe; and
- a floating mooring dock of the ship, placed in the vicinity of the connecting end, and movable locally in the body of water, the floating dock comprising:
- a bearing structure intended to be partially immersed in the body of water, the supporting structure comprising a perforated lattice defining interior water circulation spaces intended to open into the body of water,
- flexible anchoring lines of the structure on the bottom of the body of water;
- means for fixing the ship's mooring lines on the supporting structure,
Dans cette installation, le rapport du volume des espaces intérieurs à la somme du volume du treillis ajouré et du volume des espaces intérieurs n'est pas précisé et peut être inférieur à 0,9.In this installation, the ratio of the volume of the interior spaces to the sum of the volume of the perforated lattice and the volume of the interior spaces is not specified and can be less than 0.9.
Claims (15)
- Installation (16) for transferring a fluid between a transport vessel (12) and a fluid reservoir on a fixed structure (18), of the type comprising:- a conduit (34) which is for transporting the fluid towards the fixed structure (18) and which is at least partially submerged in a body of water (14);- a device (65, 48) which is for conveying fluid between the vessel (12) and the transport conduit (34) and which is connected to a connection end (59) of the transport conduit (34); and- a floating platform (42) which is for securing the vessel (12) and which is positioned beside the connection end (59) and which is locally movable in the body of water (14), the floating platform (42) comprising:characterised in that the ratio of the volume of the internal spaces (68) to the total of the volume of the open-work trellis (66) and the volume of the internal spaces (68) is greater than 0.9.• a carrier structure (60) which is intended to be partially submerged in the body of water (14), the carrier structure (60) comprising an open-work trellis (66) which delimits internal spaces (68) which are for circulation of water and which are intended to open in the body of water (14);• flexible lines (64) for anchoring the structure to the bottom (20) of the body of water (14);• means (62) for fixing lines (28) for securing the vessel to the carrier structure (60);
- Installation (16) according to claim 1, characterised in that the conveying device (65, 48) comprises a fluid transfer assembly (65) which is mounted on the open-work trellis (66), the transfer assembly (65) comprising at least one flexible upstream fluid transfer conduit (104) which is intended to be connected to the vessel (12).
- Installation (16) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a fixed support platform (40) which comprises at least one pillar (46) which is fixed to the bottom of the body of water (141), the conveying device (65, 48) comprising an assembly (48) which is for connection to the transport conduit (34) and which is carried by the support platform (40), the connection end (59) of the transport conduit (34) being connected to the connection assembly (48) on the support platform (40).
- Installation (16) according to claim 3, taken in combination with claim 2, characterised in that the transfer assembly (65) comprises at least one flexible downstream fluid transfer conduit (122) which is intended to be connected to the connection assembly (48) on the support platform (40).
- Installation (16) according to claim 4, characterised in that the support platform (40) and the carrier structure (60) together delimit an intermediate space (124), the or each flexible downstream conduit (122) being provided with emergency disconnection means (126) which extend opposite the intermediate space.
- Installation (16) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the carrier structure (60) has a shape which is elongate along an axis (Y-Y') delimiting a lateral surface (80) for docking the vessel and an opposite lateral surface (82), the lateral surfaces (80, 82) extending between two ends of the carrier structure (60), the support platform (40) being positioned opposite the opposing surface (82) between those ends or in axial continuation of the carrier structure (60) opposite one of the ends.
- Installation according to claim 2, characterised in that the conveying device (65, 48) comprises an assembly (48) for connection to the transport conduit (34) carried by the carrier structure (60), the connection end (59) of the transport conduit (34) being connected to the connection assembly (48) on the carrier structure (60).
- Installation (16) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the or each flexible upstream conduit (104) is capable of at least partially projecting away from the carrier structure (60) towards the vessel (12), the or each flexible upstream conduit (104) being provided with emergency disconnection means.
- Installation (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio of the volume of the internal spaces (68) to the total of the volume of the open-work trellis (66) and the volume of the internal spaces (68) is between 0.95 and 0.99.
- Installation (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the open-work trellis comprises a plurality of tubular beams (70, 72, 74) which are connected to each other, the perimeter of the carrier structure (60) when viewed in projection in a horizontal plane being greater than at least fifty times the maximum diameter of the beams (70, 72, 74).
- Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the trellis has a horizontal section which is substantially constant over the entire height thereof.
- Assembly (10; 140) for transporting a fluid characterised in that it comprises:- a transport vessel (12) of the fluid; and- an installation (16) according to any one of the preceding claims,the vessel (12) being secured to the floating platform (42) by means of securing lines (28) which are fixed to the fixing means of the securing lines (62) so that the vessel (12) moves vertically together with the floating platform (42).
- Assembly (10; 140) according to claim 12, characterised in that the weight of the carrier structure (60) is less than 5% of the weight of the vessel (12).
- Assembly (10; 140) according to either claim 12 or claim 13, characterised in that the installation (16) comprises a single floating platform (42) for securing the vessel (12), the vessel (12) being secured only to the single securing floating platform (42).
- Method for transferring a fluid in a transport assembly (10; 140) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that it comprises the following steps:- moving the vessel (12) towards the floating platform (42) in order to dock it opposite a docking surface (80) of the carrier structure (60);- positioning securing lines (28) in order to fixedly join the vessel (12) and the carrier structure (60), the carrier structure (60) being movable vertically together with the vessel;- hydraulic connection between a fluid reservoir (26) which is carried by the vessel and the connection end of the transport conduit (34) by means of the conveying device (65, 48) across or above the floating platform (42);- transferring fluid between the vessel (12) and the transport conduit (34) of the fluid.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR0757527A FR2920753B1 (en) | 2007-09-12 | 2007-09-12 | INSTALLATION FOR TRANSFERRING A FLUID BETWEEN A TRANSPORT SHIP AND A FIXED STRUCTURE |
PCT/FR2008/051586 WO2009044052A2 (en) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-09-05 | Installation for transferring a fluid between a tanker and a fixed structure |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2195232A2 EP2195232A2 (en) | 2010-06-16 |
EP2195232B1 true EP2195232B1 (en) | 2012-02-15 |
Family
ID=39415257
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20080834750 Not-in-force EP2195232B1 (en) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-09-05 | Installation for transferring a fluid between a tanker and a fixed structure |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8590472B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2195232B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE545577T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2008306796B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0816853A2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2380513T3 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2920753B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009044052A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2944256B1 (en) * | 2009-04-09 | 2012-12-21 | Eurodim Sa | SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING FLUIDS BETWEEN TWO VESSELS PLACED SIDE-SIDE |
FR2967990B1 (en) * | 2010-11-30 | 2014-11-28 | Saipem Sa | SUPPORT INSTALLED AT SEA EQUIPPED WITH A CONNECTION DEVICE AND VALVES USEFUL FOR PURGING FLEXIBLE CONDUITS |
EP2789531B1 (en) * | 2013-04-08 | 2016-03-16 | IMPaC Offshore Engineering GmbH | Floating lng and/or lpg production, storage and loading platform |
CN104554689B (en) * | 2015-02-03 | 2016-09-28 | 重庆燃气集团股份有限公司 | A kind of method to landing stage supply natural gas |
JP6788020B2 (en) * | 2015-12-30 | 2020-11-18 | コリア シップビルディング アンド オフショア エンジニアリング カンパニー リミテッド | Liquefied gas carrier |
CN109854574A (en) * | 2017-11-30 | 2019-06-07 | 付景满 | A kind of fluid flow guiding system |
DK3877249T3 (en) | 2018-11-06 | 2023-05-01 | Totalenergies Onetech | Floating fluid loading/unloading structure moored in a body of water, associated installation, method and process |
FR3095187B1 (en) * | 2019-04-17 | 2022-08-12 | Technip France | Fluid loading and unloading system, associated installation and method |
GB201912462D0 (en) * | 2019-08-30 | 2019-10-16 | Fujifilm Mfg Europe Bv | Gas seperation elements and modules |
Family Cites Families (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3154118A (en) * | 1962-04-23 | 1964-10-27 | Tippetts Abbett Mccarthy Strat | Fluid loading rig |
NL6414787A (en) * | 1964-12-18 | 1966-06-20 | ||
US3366088A (en) * | 1967-01-30 | 1968-01-30 | Robert G. Gibson | Floating oil harbor |
US3541622A (en) * | 1968-04-05 | 1970-11-24 | Eugene H Harlow | Floating pier for loading and unloading vessels |
US3621662A (en) * | 1969-09-29 | 1971-11-23 | Brown & Root | Underwater storage structure and method of installation |
US3712330A (en) * | 1970-10-16 | 1973-01-23 | M Davis | Liquid spill collection system |
US3765463A (en) * | 1971-03-22 | 1973-10-16 | Gulf Research Development Co | Offshore terminal |
US3839977A (en) * | 1971-09-29 | 1974-10-08 | C Bradberry | Floating marine terminal |
US4261398A (en) * | 1979-06-13 | 1981-04-14 | Fmc Corporation | Deepwater offshore loading apparatus |
US6125780A (en) * | 1997-04-15 | 2000-10-03 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Floating barge-platform and method of assembly |
US7107925B2 (en) * | 2001-12-12 | 2006-09-19 | Single Buoy Moorings Inc. | Weathervaning LNG offloading system |
GB2399329B (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2005-02-02 | Bluewater Energy Services Bv | Mooring apparatus |
US7287484B2 (en) * | 2003-05-01 | 2007-10-30 | David Charles Landry | Berthing method and system |
US7299760B2 (en) * | 2004-03-05 | 2007-11-27 | Sofec, Inc. | Floating LNG import terminal and method for docking |
EP1705112A1 (en) * | 2005-03-22 | 2006-09-27 | Single Buoy Moorings Inc. | Enhanced side-by-side mooring construction |
US8186170B2 (en) * | 2007-05-29 | 2012-05-29 | Sofec, Inc. | Floating LNG regasification facility with LNG storage vessel |
-
2007
- 2007-09-12 FR FR0757527A patent/FR2920753B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2008
- 2008-09-05 BR BRPI0816853 patent/BRPI0816853A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2008-09-05 EP EP20080834750 patent/EP2195232B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2008-09-05 AU AU2008306796A patent/AU2008306796B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2008-09-05 US US12/677,870 patent/US8590472B2/en active Active
- 2008-09-05 WO PCT/FR2008/051586 patent/WO2009044052A2/en active Application Filing
- 2008-09-05 AT AT08834750T patent/ATE545577T1/en active
- 2008-09-05 ES ES08834750T patent/ES2380513T3/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2009044052A2 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
WO2009044052A3 (en) | 2009-11-05 |
ATE545577T1 (en) | 2012-03-15 |
US8590472B2 (en) | 2013-11-26 |
AU2008306796A1 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
EP2195232A2 (en) | 2010-06-16 |
FR2920753A1 (en) | 2009-03-13 |
ES2380513T3 (en) | 2012-05-14 |
US20100300545A1 (en) | 2010-12-02 |
BRPI0816853A2 (en) | 2015-03-17 |
AU2008306796B2 (en) | 2012-03-01 |
FR2920753B1 (en) | 2010-11-19 |
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