KR20200087189A - Offshore floating oil production, storage and unloading methods using floating structures - Google Patents

Abstract

Offshore floating oil production, storage and unloading methods include receiving hydrocarbons from at least one of FPSO, production risers, or wellheads of the seabed by floating hulls; Treating the received hydrocarbon forming a hydrocarbon product in the floating hull; Storing the hydrocarbon product in a floating hull; And unloading the stored hydrocarbon product. The floating hull includes a circle in plan view of the hull, and the floating hull is also connected in series to the bottom surface, the top deck surface, in series and symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis, and also extends downward from the top deck surface toward the bottom surface. Has at least three connected parts. The at least three connected portions include an upper cylindrical portion, a lower conical portion, a cylindrical neck portion, and a set of fins fixed to the hull and configured to provide hydrodynamic performance through linear and quadratic damping.

Description

Offshore floating oil production, storage and unloading methods using floating structures

This embodiment relates generally to a method for operating a floating platform, storage and unloading (FPSO) vessel.

The present invention relates to a method for operating a floating production, storage and unloading (FPSO) vessel, and in particular a hull design and loading system for floating drilling, production, storage and unloading (FDPSO) vessels.

The present invention satisfies these needs.

Various embodiments provide a method for offshore floating oil production, storage and unloading, the method comprising: (a) at least one of the wellhead of an FPSO, production riser, or subsea by floating hull; Receiving hydrocarbons from; (b) treating the received hydrocarbon forming a hydrocarbon product in the floating hull; (c) storing the hydrocarbon product in a floating hull-the floating hull includes a circle when viewed from a plan view of the hull, and the floating hull includes (i) a bottom surface; (Ii) a normal deck surface; (Iii) at least three connected in series and configured symmetrically about the vertical axis, extending from the normal deck surface downward to the bottom surface, and also including an upper cylindrical portion, a lower conical portion, and a cylindrical neck portion. part; And (iii) a set of fins fixed to the hull and configured to provide hydrodynamic performance through linear and quadratic damping; And (d) unloading the stored hydrocarbon product to at least one of an oil tanker or a pipeline.

Along with the accompanying drawings, the detailed description will be better understood.

1 is a top plan view of an FPSO vessel and an oil tanker moored to an FPSO vessel according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the FPSO vessel of FIG. 1.
3 is an enlarged detail version of a side view of the FPSO vessel shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed version of the top plan view of the FPSO vessel shown in FIG. 1.
5 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a hull for an FPSO vessel according to the present invention.
6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a hull for an FPSO vessel according to the present invention.
7 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an FPSO vessel according to the present invention, showing a central column housed in a bore passing through the hull of an FPSO vessel.
8 is a cross-sectional view of the central column of FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8.
9 is a side view of the FPSO vessel of FIG. 7 showing an alternative embodiment of the central column, in accordance with the present invention.
10 is a cross-sectional view of the central column of FIG. 9 taken along line 11-11.
11 is an alternative embodiment of the center column and mass trap seen along lines 11-11 in FIG. 9, according to the present invention.
12 is a top plan view of a movable rope connection according to the present invention.
13 is a side view of the movable tether connection of FIG. 12 shown in partial cross-section along line 13-13.
14 is a side view of the movable tether connection of FIG. 13 shown in partial cross-section along line 14-14.
15 is a side view of a ship according to the invention.
16 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 15 taken along line 16-16 shown in cross section.
17 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 15 seen along line 17-17 as shown in cross section.
18 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel of FIG. 15 seen along line 18-18 as shown in section.
This embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the enumerated figures.

Before describing the device in detail, it will be understood that the device is not limited to a particular embodiment and can be implemented or implemented in various ways.

The present invention provides a floating platform, storage and unloading (FPSO) vessel with multiple alternative hull designs, multiple alternative central column designs and a movable tether system for unloading operations, and the movable tether system provides an oil tanker to an FPSO vessel. It can be oriented over a wide arc.

The present invention particularly relates to methods for producing, storing and unloading offshore suspended oil.

The first step of the method involves receiving hydrocarbons from at least one of the FPSO, the production riser, or the wellhead of the seabed by a floating hull.

The next step involves treating the received hydrocarbons to form hydrocarbon products in the floating hull.

The method then continues with the storage of hydrocarbon products in the floating hull, the floating hull is uniquely circular in plan view of the hull, the floating hull is connected in series with the bottom surface, the normal deck surface, and the vertical axis. It includes at least three connected parts which are symmetrically constructed, wherein the connected parts extend downward from the normal deck surface toward the bottom surface, and the at least three connected parts are an upper cylindrical part, a lower conical part, a cylindrical neck part, And a set of fins fixed to the hull and configured to provide hydrodynamic performance through linear and quadratic damping, and the present invention also continues to unload stored hydrocarbon products.

Referring now to the drawings, a unique hull can be seen.

The FPSO vessel 10 according to the invention is shown in plan view in FIG. 1 and in side view in FIG. 2.

The FPSO vessel 10 has a hull 12 and a central column 14 can be attached to the hull 12 and extended downward.

The FPSO vessel 10 floats in water W and is used for the production, storage and/or unloading of minerals such as those that can be harvested by mining resources from the Earth, such as hydrocarbons and crude oil and natural gas. Can be used.

The FPSO vessel 10 can be assembled on land using known methods (similar to ship building) and towed to an offshore location, generally below the offshore location of the oilfield and/or gas field on Earth. Will be in.

Anchor lines 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d to be fastened to anchors at the seabed (not shown) moore the FPSO vessel 10 to the desired location. The anchor line is generally referred to as anchor line 16, and elements described herein that are similarly related to each other will share a common identification number and will also be distinguished from each other by a suffix character.

In a typical use case for an FPSO vessel 10, crude oil is produced from the earth beneath the seabed below the vessel 10, transferred into the hull 12, temporarily stored in the hull, and temporarily stored in the hull, and the tanker for transportation to an onshore facility T). The tanker T is temporarily moored to the FPSO vessel 10 by a hawser 18 during unloading operations. Hose 20 extends between hull 12 and tanker T to transfer crude oil and/or other fluid from FPSO vessel 10 to tanker T.

3 is a side view of the FPSO vessel 10. 4 is a top plan view of the FPSO vessel 10, each of which is larger and more detailed than the corresponding FIGS. 2 and 1. The hull 12 of the FPSO vessel 10 is a circular top deck surface 12a, an upper cylindrical portion 12b extending downwardly from this deck surface 12a, and downwardly extending from this upper cylindrical portion 12b The upper conical portion 12c tapered inward, the cylindrical neck portion 12d extending downward from the upper conical portion 12c, and the lower conical portion extending downward from the neck portion 12d and extending outward. 12e, and the lower cylindrical portion 12f extending downwardly from the lower conical portion 12e. Here, the lower conical portion 12e is described as having an inverted cone shape or having an inverted cone shape opposite to the upper conical portion 12c, wherein the upper conical portion is described as having a regular cone shape. The FPSO vessel 10 is preferably floating such that the surface of the water intersects the top conical portion 12c, where it is said that the waterline is in the shape of a forward cone.

The FPSO vessel 10 is preferably loaded and/or ballasted to hold the waterline at the bottom of the top conical portion 12c. When the FPSO vessel 10 is properly installed and floating, the cross section of the hull 12 passing through any horizontal plane is preferably circular.

The hull 12 can be designed and sized to meet the requirements of a specific application, and service can be requested from the Marine Institute of the Netherlands (Marin) to provide design parameters optimized to meet the design requirements for a specific application. .

In this embodiment, the upper cylindrical portion 12b has approximately the same height as the neck portion 12d, and the height of the lower cylindrical portion 12f is about 3 to 4 times greater than the height of the upper cylindrical portion 12b. The lower cylindrical portion 12f has a larger diameter than the upper cylindrical portion 12b. The upper conical portion 12c has a greater height than the lower conical portion 12e.

5 and 6 are side views showing an alternative design for the hull.

FIG. 5 shows the hull 12h having a circular top deck surface 12i (essentially identical to the top deck surface 12a) at the top of the top conical section 12j, the top conical section extending downward It is tapered inward.

A cylindrical neck portion 12k is attached to the lower end of the upper conical portion 12j and extends downward from this upper conical portion 12j. The lower conical portion 12m is attached to the lower end of the neck portion 12k, and extends downward from the neck portion 12k while opening outward. The lower cylindrical portion 12n is attached to the lower end of the lower conical portion 12m and extends downward from the lower conical portion 12m. An important difference between hull 12h and hull 12 is that hull 12h does not have an upper cylindrical portion corresponding to upper cylindrical portion 12b in hull 12. Otherwise, the upper conical portion 12j corresponds to the upper conical portion 12c, the neck portion 12k corresponds to the neck portion 12d, and the lower conical portion 12m to the lower conical portion 12e. And the lower cylindrical portion 12n corresponds to the lower cylindrical portion 12f.

Each of the lower cylindrical portion 12n and the lower cylindrical portion 12f has a circular bottom deck (not shown), which is circular, except that the central portion 14 extends downward from the circular bottom deck. Similar to the normal deck surface 12a.

6 is a side view of the hull 12p, which has a normal deck 12q similar to the normal deck surface 12a. The upper cylindrical portion 12r extends downward from the top deck 12q, and corresponds to the upper cylindrical portion 12b.

The upper conical portion 12s is attached to the lower end of the upper cylindrical portion 12r and extends downward while tapering inward. The upper conical portion 12s corresponds to the upper conical portion 12c in FIG. 1. The hull 12p in FIG. 6 does not have a cylindrical neck portion corresponding to the cylindrical neck portion 12d in FIG. 3.

Instead, the upper end portion of the lower conical portion 12t is connected to the lower portion of the upper conical portion 12s, and the lower conical portion 12t extends downward while opening outward. The lower conical portion 12t in FIG. 6 corresponds to the lower conical portion 12e in FIG. 3.

The lower cylindrical portion 12u is attached at the upper end to the lower end of the lower conical portion 12t, for example by welding, and extends downward, corresponding essentially to the lower cylindrical portion 12f in FIG. 3 in size and construction. The bottom plate 12v (not shown) encloses the lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 12u, and the lower end of the hull 12 in FIG. 3 and the hull 12h in FIG. 5 are similarly enclosed by the bottom plate. , Each bottom plate may be configured to receive each central column corresponding to the central column 14 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to Figures 7-11, an alternative embodiment of the central column is shown. 7 is a side view of an FPSO vessel 10 partially cut away to show the central column 22 according to the present invention. The FPSO vessel 10 has a normal deck surface 20a with an opening 20b through which the central column 22 can pass. In this embodiment, the center column 22 can be retracted, and the upper end 22a of the center column 22 can be raised above the normal deck surface 20a. When the center column 22 is fully retracted, the FPSO vessel 10 can move through shallower water than when the center column 22 is fully extended. U.S. Patent 6,761,508, issued to Haun, provides further details relating to this and other aspects of the invention and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

7 shows a central column 22 that is partially retracted, the central column 22 can be extended to a depth where the upper end 22a is located within the lowest cylindrical portion 20c of the FPSO vessel 10. . FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the central column 22 seen along line 8-8 in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of a mass trap 24 located at the bottom end 22b of the central column 22 Indicates. The mass trap 24 (shown in this embodiment as having a hexagonal shape in plan view) is used when the FPSO vessel 10 floats in water and is subjected to wind, waves, currents and other forces. It is weighted with water to stabilize it. Although the center column 22 is shown in FIG. 8 as having a hexagonal cross section, it is a design choice.

9 is a side view of the FPSO vessel 10 of FIG. 7 partially cut away to show the central column 26, in accordance with the present invention. The center column 26 is shorter than the center column 22 in FIG. 7. The upper end 26a of the central column 26 can move up and down within the opening 20b in the FPSO vessel 10, with the central column 26, the FPSO vessel 10, Only 2 meters or a few meters can be operated with the FPSO vessel 20 protruding below the bottom.

In order to stabilize the FPSO vessel 10, a mass trap 28, which can be filled with water, is fixed to the lower portion 26b of the central column 26.

10 is a cross-section of the central column 26 seen along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

In this embodiment of the center column, the center column 26 has a square cross-section, and the mass trap 28 has a pentagonal shape when viewed from the top view of FIG. 10.

In an alternative embodiment of the central column of FIG. 9 seen along line 10-10, the central column CC and mass trap MT are shown in FIG. 11 in top plan view. In this embodiment, the center column CC has a triangular shape when viewed in a cross section, and the mass trap MT has a circular shape when viewed in a top plan view.

Referring to FIG. 3, the FPSO vessel hull 12 has a cavity or concave portion 12x indicated by an imaginary line, which is a central opening that enters into the bottom portion of the lower cylindrical portion 12f of the FPSO vessel hull 12 to be. The upper end 14a of the central column 14 projects into essentially the entire depth of the recess 12x.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the center column 14 is effectively in the form of a cantilever beam from the bottom of the lower cylindrical portion 12f, much like a column fixed to a hole, but the center column 14 is an FPSO vessel hull. (12) extends downward into the floating water. In order to stabilize the hull 12, a mass trap 17 for holding a water weight body is attached to the lower end 14b of the central column 14.

While various embodiments of the central kilum have been described, the central column is optional, and may be completely absent or replaced by other structures that project from the bottom of the FPSO vessel to help stabilize the vessel.

One application for the FPSO vessel 10 shown in FIG. 3 is the production and storage of hydrocarbons and related fluids and minerals and other resources, such as crude oil and natural gas, that can be harvested or obtained from the earth and/or water. As shown in FIG. 3, the production risers P1, P2, P3 are pipes or tubes, for example, crude oil can flow deep inside the earth through the pipes or tubes to the FPSO vessel 10, the floating drilling machine It has a significant storage capacity in the tank inside the hull 12.

In FIG. 3, the production risers P1, P2, P3 are shown to be located on the outer surface of the hull 12, and the product will enter the hull 12 through the opening in the normal deck surface 12a. will be. Alternative configurations are available for the FPSO vessel 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, produced inside the opening 20b providing an open passageway from the bottom of the FPSO vessel 10 to the top of the FPSO vessel 10. The riser can be positioned. The production risers are not shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, but can be located on the outer surface of the hull or inside the opening 20b. The upper end of the production riser can end at the desired position relative to the hull, so that the product can enter directly into the desired storage tank inside the hull.

The FPSO vessel 10 of FIGS. 7 and 9 can be used to drill into the earth to find or extract resources, particularly hydrocarbons such as crude oil and natural gas, so the vessel is floating, produced, stored and unloaded (FDPSO ) Become a ship.

For this application, the mass tank (MT) 24 or 28 will have a central opening from the top surface to the bottom surface, the drill string can pass through the opening, and the drill string FDPSO ( It is a structural design that can be used to accommodate inside the opening 20b of 10). A derrick crane (not shown) for handling, lowering, rotating and raising the drill pipe and the assembled drill string will be provided on the normal deck surface 20d of the FPSO vessel 10, the drill pipe and the assembled drill The string extends downward from the derrick crane, passing through the opening 20b of the FPSO vessel 10, the interior of the center column 22 or 26, the center opening of the mass tank 24 or 28 (not shown) and water To enter the seabed below.

After the drilling has been successfully completed, a production riser can be installed and resources such as crude oil and/or natural gas can be received and stored in tanks located inside the FPSO vessel. US Patent Application Publication 2009/0126616, the sole inventor of Sriniba, describes the placement of tanks on the hull of FPSO vessels for the storage of oil and water ballasts, and is incorporated by reference. In one embodiment of the present invention, a heavy ballast, such as a slurry of hematite and water, can preferably be used in the outer ballast tank. The slurry is preferred, preferably 1 part hematite and 3 parts water, but a permanent ballast such as concrete may be used. Concrete with heavy aggregates such as hematite, barite, brown iron, magnetite, steel punching and steel ball may be used, but preferably, a high density material may be used in the form of a slurry. In this way, the drilling, production and storage aspects of the floating drilling, production, storage and unloading vessel of the present invention have been described, but the description of the unloading function of the FDPSO vessel remains.

Returning to the unloading function of the FDPSO vessel of the present invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the transport tanker T moored to the FPSO vessel 10 by a rope 18 (rope or cable), and the hose 20 A extends from the FPSO vessel 10 to the tanker T. The FPSO vessel 10 is settled on the seabed through anchor lines 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and the position and orientation of the tanker T is influenced by wind direction, wind, wave action and force and direction of the tide. Receive.

Thus, the tanker T is oriented with respect to the FPSO vessel 10, because the bow of the tanker is moored to the FPSO vessel 10 and the stern forms an alignment determined by the balance of forces. As the forces of the wind, waves, and tides change, the tanker T may move to the position indicated by the virtual line A or the position indicated by the virtual line B. If the net force that leads the tanker T toward the FPSO vessel 10 rather than the direction away from the FPSO vessel 10 changes, the tanker T may be used using a chisel or temporary settling system (both not shown). ) Can be kept at a minimum safe distance from the FPSO vessel 10, so the rope 18 remains taut.

If the forces (and other forces) of the wind, waves, and tides remain static and constant, the tanker T is oriented to a position where all the forces acting on this tanker are in equilibrium, and the tanker T is also positioned at that position. Will be kept on. However, this is generally not the case in natural environments. In particular, the direction and speed of the wind or the force sometimes changes, and due to the change in the force acting on the tanker T, the tanker T moves to a different position where the various forces are again in equilibrium. Thus, as various forces acting on the tanker T (eg, forces due to the action of wind, waves and tides) change, the tanker T moves relative to the FPSO vessel 10.

12-14, together with FIGS. 1 and 2, show a movable rope connection 40 in an FPSO vessel according to the present invention, which helps to accommodate the movement of the transport tanker relative to the FPSO vessel.

12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the top view of the movable rope connecting portion 40. In one embodiment, the movable rope connection 40 comprises a tubular channel 42 that is substantially completely enclosed with a rectangular cross section and a longitudinal slot 42a in the sidewall 42b; A set of stand-offs 44, including stand-offs 44a, 44b, which connect tubular channels 42 horizontally to the outer upper wall 12w of hull 12 of FIGS. 1-4; A trolley 46 that is captured and movable inside the tubular channel 42; A trolley shackle 48 attached to the trolley 46 and providing a connection point; And a plate 50 that is rotatably attached to the trolley saddle 48 through the plate saddle 52.

The plate 50 has an approximately triangular shape, and the apex portion of the triangle is attached to the plate saccle 52 through a pin 54 passing through a hole in the plate saccle 50. The plate 50 has a hole 50a adjacent to another point of the triangle and a plate hole 50b adjacent to the final point of the triangle. The rope 18 ends with a double connection point 18a, 18b, which connects to the plate 50 through each of the holes 50a, 50b. Alternatively, the double ends 18a, 18b, the plate 50 and/or the shackle 52 can be removed, the rope 18 can be directly connected to the shackle 48, and the rope 18 is a trolley Other variations of the method connected to 46 are also available.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the movable tether connection 40 shown in partial cross-section along line 13-13 of FIG. 12. The side view of the tubular channel 42 is shown in cross section. The wall 42b with the slot 42a is a relatively high vertical outer wall, and the outer surface of the opposite inner wall 42c has the same height.

The stand-off 44 is attached to the outer surface of the inner wall 42c, for example by welding. The vertical walls 42b have a pair of horizontal walls 42d, 42e facing each other and relatively short, except that they have horizontal longitudinal slots 42a extending over almost the entire length of the tubular channel 42. It extends between the vertical walls 42b, 42c to completely enclose the tubular channel 42.

14 is a side view of a tubular channel 42 shown in partial cross-section to show the side of the trolley 46. The trolley 46 includes a base plate 46a having four rectangular openings 46b, 46c, 46d, 46e, the rectangular openings of which are mounted on four axes 46j, 46k, 46m, 46n. To accommodate the wheels 46f, 46g, 46h, 46i respectively, the four axles are attached to the base plate 46a via stand-off.

The tanker T is moored to the FPSO vessel 10 of FIGS. 1-4 via a rope 18, which is attached to the movable trolley 46 via plates 50 and saddles 48, 52. Since the trolley 46 freely rolls back and forth in the horizontal plane within the tubular channel 42, as the wind, waves, tides and/or other forces act on the tanker T, the tanker T will It can be moved while drawing an arc around the FPSO vessel 10 at a radius determined by its length. As best seen in FIG. 4, the tubular channel 42 extends in an arc of about 90 degrees around the hull 12 of the FPSO vessel 10. The tubular channels 42 have opposite ends 42f and 42g, each of which is enclosed to provide a stop for the trolley 46. Since the stand-offs 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d are the same length, the tubular channel 42 has a radius of curvature that matches the radius of curvature of the outer wall 12w of the hull 12. The trolley 46 freely rolls back and forth at the ends 42f, 42g of the tubular channel 42 inside the enclosed tubular channel 42. By stand-offs 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, the tubular channel is spaced from the outer wall 12w of the hull 12, and the hose 20 and anchor line 16c are tubular with the outer wall 12w. It passes through the space formed between the inner walls 42c of the channel 42.

In general, the tanker T will be located at a position relative to the FPSO vessel 10 (here referred to as a downwind location for the FPSO vessel 10) by the force of wind, waves and tides. As the force that moves the tanker T away from the stationary FPSO vessel 10 in the wind direction is applied to the tanker T by the action of wind, waves and tides, the rope 18 is tensioned. Will remain. Due to the balance of forces neutralizing the tendency of the trolley 46 to move, the trolley 46 is stopped inside the tubular channel 42.

When the direction of the wind changes, the tanker T can move relative to the FPSO vessel 10, and as the tanker T moves, the wheels 46f, 46g, 46h, 46i, the wall of the tubular channel 42 ( Pressing against the inner surface of 42b), trolley 46 will roll inside tubular channel 42. As the wind continues in its new fixed direction, trolley 46 will settle inside tubular channel 42, and the force to roll trolley 46 is neutralized.

Restrict the movement of the tanker (T) using one or more chisel, preventing, for example, the tanker (T) from moving too close to the FPSO vessel (10) or surrounding the FPSO vessel (10) due to substantial changes in wind direction. can do.

For flexibility in accommodating wind direction, the FPSO vessel 10 preferably has a second movable tether connection 60 located opposite the movable tether connection 40. The tanker T may be moored to the movable rope connecting portion 40 or the movable rope connecting portion 60, depending on which one better accommodates the tanker T in the wind direction of the FPSO vessel 10.

The movable rope connection 60 is essentially the same as the movable rope 40 in design and construction, and is equipped with a caught free-rolling trolley car having its own slotted tubular channel and a shackle passing through the slot of the tubular channel. Have. Each movable rope connection 40, 60 is believed to be able to accommodate the movement of the tanker T within a circular arc of about 270 degrees, so a single unloading operation (movement of the trolley occurring inside one of the movable rope connections) Great flexibility is provided during the transition from one loading operation to another (by the choice between movable rope connections on opposite sides).

The action of wind, waves and tides can exert a large force on the tanker T, especially during a storm or gust, which exerts a great force on the trolley 46 and this force is a slot in the tubular channel 42 A large force is applied to the mold wall 42b (FIG. 13). The slot 42a weakens the wall 42b, and when sufficient force is applied, the wall 42b can be bent, so that the slot wide enough for the trolley 46 to stick out of the tubular channel 42 ( 42a) can be opened. The tubular channel 42 will need to be designed and made to withstand the expected forces. The inner corner in the tubular channel 42 can be strengthened for reinforcement, and spherical wheels can be used. The tubular channel is only one means for providing a movable rope connection. An I-beam (with an opposite flange attached to the center web) can be used as a rail instead of a tubular channel, and a trolley car or other rolling or sliding device can be held on the outer flange and movable on it. The gantry crane is similar to that of the gantry crane, except that the gantry crane is intended to accept the vertical force, and the movable rope connection needs to be adapted to receive the horizontal force exerted through the rope 18. . Any type of rail, channel or track can be used for the movable rope connection if the trolley or any type of rolling movable or sliding device is able to move longitudinally on the rail, channel or track and is otherwise held. The following patents are related by reference to all that is taught in this patent, in particular what is taught on how to design and make movable connections. U.S. Patent 5,595,121 (invention name "Amusement Ride and Self-propelled Vehicle Therefor", granted to Elliott et al.); 6,857,373 (invention name "Variably Curved Track-Mounted Amusement Ride", granted to Checketts, etc.); 3,941,060 (invention name "Monorail System", granted to Morsbach; 4,984,523 (invention name "Self-propelled Trolley and Supporting Track Structure", Dehne, etc.); and 7,004,076 (invention name "Material Handling System Enclosed Track" Arrangement”, Traubenkraut, etc.) are all incorporated by reference for all purposes in their entirety. As described herein and in the patents related by reference, horizontal orientation while being held inside the tubular channel 42. Various means can be used to resist horizontal forces, such as the force exerted on the FPSO vessel 10 through the rope 18 from the tanker T, while providing lateral movement by, for example, trolley 46 rolling back and forth. Can.

Wind, waves and tides exert a lot of force on the FDPSO or FPSO vessel of the present invention, and in addition to other movements, vertical or vertical movement or vertical fluctuation occurs. The production riser is a pipe or tube extending from the wellhead of the seabed to the FDPSO or FPSO (collectively referred to herein as FPSO). The production riser is anchored to the seabed and can also be anchored to the FPSO. The fluctuation of the FPSO vessel up and down causes alternating tensile and compressive forces to the production riser, thus causing fatigue and damage to the production riser. One aspect of the present invention is to minimize the up and down fluctuation of the FPSO vessel.

15 is a side view of an FDPSO or FPSO vessel 80 according to the present invention. The ship 80 has a hull 82 and a circular top deck surface 82a, and the cross section of the hull 82 passing through any horizontal plane when the hull 82 is suspended and stationary is preferably circular. The upper cylindrical portion 82b extends downward from the circular normal deck surface 82a, and the upper conical portion 82c extends downward from the upper cylindrical portion 82b and also tapers inward. Vessel 80 may have a cylindrical neck portion 82d extending downwardly from upper conical portion 82c (so more like vessel 10 in FIG. 3), but does not have such a cylindrical neck portion Does not. Instead, the lower conical portion 82e extends downward from the upper conical portion 82c and opens outward. The lower cylindrical portion 82f extends downward from the lower conical portion 82e. The hull 82 has a bottom surface 82g. The lower conical portion 82e is described herein as having an inverted cone shape or having an inverted cone shape opposite to the upper conical portion 82c, where the upper conical portion is described as having a forward cone shape.

The FPSO vessel 80 is shown to float so that the surface of the water crosses the upper cylindrical portion 82b when loaded and/or ballasted. In this embodiment, the upper conical portion 82c has a substantially higher vertical height than the lower conical portion 82e, and the upper cylindrical portion 82b has a vertical height that is slightly larger than the lower cylindrical portion 82f. .

In order to reduce up and down fluctuations and otherwise stabilize the vessel 80, a set of fins 84 are attached to the lower and outer portions of the lower cylindrical portion 82f, as shown in FIG. have. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel 80 seen along lines 16-16 in FIG. 15. As can be seen in FIG. 16, the pin 84 includes four pin portions 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d, and these pin portions are gaps 86a, 86b, 86c, 86d (commonly a gap (86)). The gap 86 is the space between the pin portions 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d, which provides a location for receiving the production riser and anchor lines outside the hull 82 without contact with the pin 84 do. The anchor lines 88a, 88b, 88c, 88d in FIGS. 15 and 16 are received in the gaps 86a, 86b, 86c, 86d, respectively, and secure the FDPSO and/or FPSO vessel 80 to the seabed. Production risers (90a, 90b, 90c, 90d, 90e, 90f, 90g, 90e, 90g, 90h, 90i, 90j, 90k, 90m) are housed in the gap 86, crude oil, natural gas and/or leached minerals Such resources are transferred from the earth below the seabed to the tank in the vessel 80. The central portion 92 extends from the bottom 82g of the hull 82.

FIG. 17 is a side view of FIG. 15 shown in a vertical section, showing a simplified view of the tank in the hull 82 in section. The produced resources flowing through the production riser 90 are stored in the inner annular tank 82h. The central vertical tank 82i can be used, for example, as a separator vessel for separating and/or storing oil, water and/or gas. The outer annular tank 82j having an outer wall conforming to the shape of the upper conical portion 82c and the lower conical portion 82e can be used to hold ballast water and/or to store the produced resources. In this embodiment, the outer ring-shaped tank 82k has an irregular trapezoidal cross section defined by the lower conical portion 82e at the top and the lower cylindrical portion 82f having a vertical inner wall and a horizontal lower bottom wall. It has a cavity, but the tank 82k can be used for ballast and/or storage. An annular tank 82m, which is shaped like a washer or donut having a square or rectangular cross section, is located in the lowermost outermost portion of the hull 82. The tank 82m can be used for storage of produced resources and/or ballast water. In one embodiment, the tank 82m holds a slurry of hematite and water, and in another embodiment the tank 82m holds about 1 part hematite and about 3 parts water.

A pin 84 for reducing up and down fluctuations is shown in cross section in FIG. 17. Each cross section of the pin 84 has the shape of a right triangle in the vertical cross section, and the 90° angle is located adjacent to the bottom outer wall of the lower cylindrical portion 82f of the hull 82, so the bottom edge of the triangle ( 84e) is the bottom surface 82g and co-planar of the hull 82, as can be seen in FIG. 17, the triangular hypotenuse 84f is the distal end of the triangular bottom edge 84e ( 84g) upwards and inwardly, attaching to the outer wall of the lower cylindrical portion 82f at a point slightly higher than the lower edge of the outer wall of the lower cylindrical portion 82. Experimentation may be required to determine the size of the pin 84 to obtain the optimum effect. The starting point is that the bottom edge 84e extends radially outward at a distance that is approximately half of the vertical height of the lower cylindrical portion 82f, and the hypotenuse 84f is the lower cylindrical portion from the bottom 82g of the hull 82 ( It is attached to the lower cylindrical portion 82f at a point approximately 1/4 of the vertical height of 82f). Another starting point is that if the radius of the lower cylindrical portion 82f is R, the bottom edge 84e of the pin 84 is radially outward additional 0.05 to 0.20 R, preferably about 0.10 to 0.15 R, more preferably It extends by about 0.125 R.

18 is a cross-section of the hull 82 of the FDPSO and/or FPSO vessel 80 seen along lines 18-18 of FIG. 17. The radial support members 94a, 94b, 94c, 94d provide structural support for the inner annular tank 82h, which tank is shown to have four compartments separated by the radial support member 94 . The radial support members 96a, 96b, 96c, 96d, 96e, 96f, 96g, 96h, 96i, 96j, 96k, 96m provide structural support for the outer annular tanks 82j and tanks 82k, 82m . The outer annular tank 82j and the tanks 82k, 82m are partitioned by a radial support member 96.

FPSO vessels according to the invention, such as FPSO vessels 10, 20, 80, can be made onshore, preferably in shipyards, using conventional shipbuilding materials and techniques. The FPSO vessel preferably has a circular shape in plan view, but a polygonal shape is advantageous in terms of drying cost, so a flat and flat metal plate can be used without bending the plate to a desired curvature. FPSO vessel hulls having a polygonal shape with facets in plan view, as described in US Pat. No. 6,761,508, issued to Haun and incorporated by reference, are included in the present invention. If a polygonal shape is selected and a movable tether connection is desired, the tubular channel or rail can be designed with an appropriate radius of curvature and can also be mounted with a suitable standoff to provide a movable tether connection. When the FPSO vessel is made according to the description of the FPSO vessel 10 of FIGS. 1-4, the FPSO vessel is moved to its final destination without a central column, the FPSO vessel is settled at its desired location, and the FPSO vessel is moved to the It may be desirable to install the central column offshore after settling in position. For the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 9, when the FPSO vessel is on land, a central column is installed, the central column is retracted to the top position, and the FPSO vessel is its final destination with the central column fully retracted and installed. It would be desirable to tow up. After the FPSO vessel is positioned at its desired location, the central column can be extended to the desired depth, and the mass trap at the bottom of the central column can be filled to help stabilize the hull against wind, wave and tidal action. have.

After the FPSO vessel is settled, otherwise the installation of this vessel is completed, if a derrick crane is installed, a floating drilling rig can be used to drill through exploration or production wells, and can also be used to produce or store resources or products. To unload the fluid cargo stored on the FPSO vessel, a transport tanker is sent near the FPSO vessel.

1-4, messenger lines may be stored on the reels 70a and/or 70b. One end of the messenger line is shot from the FPSO vessel 10 to the tanker T by a pyrotechnic gun and is caught by a person in the tanker T. The other end of the messenger line can be attached to the tanker end 18c (FIG. 2) of the rope 18, and a person in the tanker pulls the rope end 18c of the rope 18 towards the tanker T The end of the tanker may be attached to a suitable structure of the tanker T. Then the person in the tanker T can shoot one end of the messenger line to the person in the FPSO vessel, and the person in the tanker end 20a of the hose 20 (FIG. 2) Will be put on. The person in the tanker can then pull the tanker end 20a of the hose 20 into the tanker to engage the proper connection of the tanker for fluid communication between the FPSO vessel and the tanker. Typically, the cargo will be unloaded to the tanker from a reservoir on the FPSO vessel, but vice versa, in which case the cargo of the tanker is unloaded to the FPSO vessel for storage.

The hose can be as large as, for example, a 20 inch diameter, but hose hanging and unloading can take a long time, typically many hours, but less than a day. During this time, as the wind direction changes, the tanker T will typically be oriented in the wind direction of the FPSO vessel and move slightly around, which is accommodated in the FPSO vessel through the movable rope connection, so that the tanker without interruption of unloading work Can move significantly for FPSO vessels, perhaps in the range of 270 degrees arc. In the event of a large storm or gust, the unloading operation can be stopped and, if desired, the tanker can be separated from the FPSO vessel by unscrewing the rope 18. After the typical and smooth unloading operation is completed, the hose end 20a can be separated from the tanker, and the hose reel 20b is used to rewind the hose 20 onto the hose reel 20b in the FPSO vessel. Can. A second hose and hose reel 72 are provided on the FPSO vessel for use with the second movable rope connection 60 on the opposite side of the FPSO vessel 10. Then, the tanker end 18c of the rope 18 can be separated, so that the tanker T moves away, so that the received cargo can be transported to a land port facility. The messenger line can be used to pull the tanker end 18c of the rope 18 back to the FPSO vessel, which can float in the water adjacent to the FPSO vessel or the tanker end 18c of the rope 18 ) Can be attached to a reel (not shown) on the deck 12a of the FPSO vessel 10, and the double ends 18a, 18b of the rope 18 (FIG. 12) are attached to the movable rope connection 40. While connected and held, the rope 18 can be wound onto a reel for storage on an FPSO vessel.

The present invention relates to a method for producing, storing and unloading offshore suspended oil, the method comprising first receiving hydrocarbons from at least one of the FPSO, the production riser or the wellhead of the seabed by a specially shaped floating hull. Includes.

The next step involves treating the received hydrocarbons to form hydrocarbon products in the floating hull.

The method continues by storing the hydrocarbon product in a uniquely shaped floating hull, the floating hull having a circular shape in plan view of the hull, the floating hull having a bottom surface; Normal deck surface; And at least three connected portions connected in series and symmetrically configured with respect to the vertical axis, the connected portions extending downward from the normal deck surface toward the bottom surface, and the at least three connected portions are upper cylindrical portion, lower side. Conical section, cylindrical neck section, and a set of fins fixed to the hull and configured to provide hydrodynamic performance through linear and quadratic damping.

Both linear damping and secondary damping are empirical approaches to quantify the hydrodynamic behavior of suspended bodies in incompressible homogeneous Newtonian fluids. In various embodiments, each of the fins and hulls of the floating drilling rig is designed and constructed to provide hydrodynamic performance through linear and quadratic damping, which is a numerical method (linear or nonlinear method) to determine an accurate estimate of viscous damping. ) To include numerical evaluation and experimentation.

Compared to conventional circular floaters that do not include fin features, the hull described herein with a set of fins can contribute to the better hydrodynamic performance (associated with damping) of the FPSO. The shape and/or size of the pins can also have a positive effect, contributing to better hydrodynamic performance (related to damping). However, fins of different shapes and/or sizes may react differently in water embodiments where algae can affect flow and pressure, which can vary greatly depending on the shape and/or size of the fins.

The method continues by unloading the stored hydrocarbon product to at least one of the tanker or pipeline.

In an embodiment, the method contemplates mooring a floating hull to the seabed.

In an embodiment of the method, the floating hull has an upper frustoconical side portion that engages a cylindrical neck portion, the upper cylindrical side portion extending downward from the main deck, and the upper frustoconical side portion below the upper cylindrical side portion. Located and maintained above the waterline for the depth of transport of the oil drilling, production, storage and unloading vessels and also partially below the waterline for the working depth of the vessel, the upper frustoconical side portion is the diameter of the upper cylindrical side portion It has a diameter that gradually decreases from.

In an embodiment, the method includes installing a side surface extending from the bottom surface of the hull.

In an embodiment, the method includes the use of a plurality of pin portions, which are separated from each other by a gap providing a location for receiving the production riser and anchor lines outside the hull without contact with the pin. have.

In an embodiment, the method includes the use of pins in a set of pins to reduce up and down fluctuations, which pins have the shape of a right triangle when viewed in a vertical section.

In an embodiment, the method includes using a pin having a bottom edge, and the triangle is coplanar with the bottom surface of the hull.

In an embodiment, the method includes the outer wall of the lower cylindrical portion at a point where the hypotenuse of the triangle of the pin extends upwards and inwards from the distal end of the triangular bottom edge, slightly higher than the lowest edge of the outer wall of the hull. Includes a pin attached to.

In an embodiment, the method comprises using a uniquely shaped hull with a central column, a central column with a square cross section, and a pentagonal mass trap.

In an embodiment, the method comprises using at least three connected portions that can be connected in series and symmetrically configured about a vertical axis, the connected portions extending downward from the normal deck surface towards the floor surface. It is.

The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as the basis of the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use the invention in various ways.

Although these embodiments have been described with emphasis on embodiments, it should be understood that embodiments within the scope of the appended claims may be practiced differently than specifically described herein.

Claims (10)

As a method for producing, storing and unloading offshore floating oil,
a. Receiving hydrocarbons from at least one of the FPSO, the production riser, or the wellhead of the seabed by a floating hull;
b. Treating the received hydrocarbon forming a hydrocarbon product in the floating hull;
c. Storing the hydrocarbon product in the floating hull, wherein the floating hull comprises a circle when viewed in plan view of the hull, and
The floating hull,
Ⅰ. Floor surface;
Ii. Normal deck surface;
Ⅲ. At least three connected parts connected in series and configured symmetrically about the vertical axis, extending from the normal deck surface downward to the bottom surface, and also including an upper cylindrical part, a lower conical part, and a cylindrical neck part; And
Ⅳ. A set of fins fixed to the hull and configured to provide hydrodynamic performance through linear and quadratic damping; And
d. A method of offshore floating oil production, storage and unloading comprising the step of unloading the stored hydrocarbon product to at least one of a tanker or a pipeline. According to claim 1,
The floating hull is moored to the seabed. According to claim 1,
The floating hull has an upper frustoconical side portion that engages the cylindrical neck portion, the upper cylindrical side portion extends downward from the main deck, and the upper frustoconical side portion is located below the upper cylindrical side portion and is also petroleum. The drilling, production, storage and unloading vessels are maintained above the waterline for the depth of transport and also partially below the waterline for the working depth of the vessel, the upper frustoconical lateral portion progressive from the diameter of the upper cylindrical side portion Method, having a decreasing diameter. According to claim 1,
And installing a side extending from the hull bottom surface. According to claim 1,
Using a plurality of pin portions, the plurality of pin portions being separated from each other by a gap providing a location for receiving the production riser and anchor lines outside the hull without contact with the set of pins. How it is done. According to claim 1,
The method of the set of pins for reducing up and down fluctuations, wherein the pins have a shape of a right triangle when viewed in a vertical section. According to claim 1,
The method of claim 1, wherein the pin in the set of pins has a bottom edge and the triangle is co-planar with the bottom surface of the hull. According to claim 1,
The triangular hypotenuse of the pin of the set of pins extends upwards and inwards from the distal end of the triangular bottom edge, attaching to the outer wall of the lower cylindrical portion at a point slightly higher than the lowest edge of the outer wall of the hull. Become, how. According to claim 1,
The method, wherein the hull comprises a central column, a central column with a square cross section, and a pentagonal mass trap. According to claim 1,
The method, wherein the at least three connected portions can be connected in series and can also be configured symmetrically about a vertical axis, the at least three connected portions extending downward from the normal deck surface toward the floor surface.

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