OA20191A - Floating fluid loading/offloading structure moored in a body of water, related installation, method and process. - Google Patents

Abstract

The structure (18), comprises : - a hull (30) extending longitudinally along a longitudinal hull axis (A-A'),; - a mooring equipment (34), comprising a first group (60) of mooring lines (62) connected to an anchor on the bottom of the body of water (12), the mooring lines (62) of the first group (60) protruding laterally beyond a first side of the hull (30), opposite the second side of the hull (30). The mooring equipment (34) comprises a second group (64) of mooring lines (66) protruding laterally beyond the second side, and connected to an anchor located away from the second side on the bottom of the body of water. The mooring lines (62) of the first group (60) are connected on the first side of the hull (30), the space (82) facing a second lateral wall (40) of the hull (30) being free of mooring lines.

Description

Fioating fluid loading/offloading structure moored in a body of water, related installation, method and process

The présent invention concerns a fioating fluid loading/offloading structure moored in a body of water, comprising:

- a hull extending longitudinally along a longitudinal hull axis, the hull comprising a bottom wall, a first latéral wall on a first side of the hull, a second latéral wall on a second side of the hull, opposite the first side, each of the bottom wall, first latéral wall, and second latéral wall, being placed in contact with the body of water,

- a mooring equipment, comprising a first group of mooring lines connected to an anchor on the bottom of the body of water, the mooring lines of the first group protruding laterally beyond the first side, opposite the second side, the mooring equipment comprising a second group of mooring lines protruding laterally beyond the second side, opposite from the first side, and connected to an anchor located away from the second side on the bottom of the body of water;

Such a fioating structure is for example a Fioating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) able to receive liquid natural gas (LNG) from a LNG tanker and to gasify the LNG to form a natural gas to be exported onshore.

In variant, the fioating structure is a Fioating Liquefied Natural Gas unit (FLNG) able to receive natural gas from a réservoir and to liquefy the natural gas to form LNG.

In another variant, the fioating structure is a Fioating Production Storage and Offloading unit (FPSO) intended to receive fluid produced from the bottom of the body of water for processing the hydrocarbons.

Such structures can be spread moored i.e. moored with mooring lines at least at the four corners of the hull. The mooring lines protrude from the hull away to the bottom of the body of water into which they are anchored.

Such structures are relatively easy to anchor. They are moreover very stable. Nevertheless, these structures are not entirely satisfactory. The structures cannot be easily freed from their mooring equipment, in case the atmospheric conditions become inappropriate forfluid offloading. Moreover, when the loading/offloading ofthe fluid has to be carried out side by side with a ship, the mooring lines prevent access of the ship in the vicinity ofthe huli.

To overcome this problem, WO2006/101395 discloses a floating structure which is moored totally underwater. Mooring lines extend from the bottom wall of the hull to the bottom of the body of water.

Nevertheless, underwater mooring is quite complex. The connection of the mooring lines to the hull requires using spécifie equipment, divers and/or ROV to put in place the mooring lines. Similarly, spécifie equipment, divers and/or ROV must also be used to disconnect the mooring lines in case of necessity.

The underwater mooring requires many spécifie equipment and structural modifications on the hull. Hence, it is not very economical and it makes the structure not easiîy disconnectable.

One aim of the invention is therefore to provide a floating fluid loading/offloading structure which is robustly moored on the bottom of the body of water, but which remains easily disconnectable and economicaliy attractive, whiie allowing an easy approach of a loading/offloading ship close to the structure.

To this aim, the subject-matter of the invention is a floating fluid loading/offloading structure of the above-mentioned type, characterized in that the mooring lines of the first group are connected above the surface of the body of water on the first side of the hull, the space facing the second latéral wall being free of mooring lines.

The floating structure according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or according to any technicai feasible combination:

- the mooring lines of the second group are connected apart from the second side of the hull,

- the mooring lines of the second group are connected underwater on the bottom wall, laterally apart from the second latéral wall,

- the mooring equipment comprises a pad eye, protruding below the bottom wall, the second group of mooring lines being connected to the pad eye,

- the mooring lines of the second group of mooring lines are connected on the first side of the hull, at least a bent section of each mooring line of the second group of mooring lines passing along the first latéral wall and below the bottom wall,

- the mooring equipment comprises at least a bending shoe fixed on the first latéral wall and/or on the bottom wall, the bent section being received in the bending shoe,

- the mooring equipment comprises at least an underwater stopper fixed on the first latéral wall and/or on the bottom wall, and a slotted pipe connected to the underwater stopper,

- the hull defines a first hull end and a second hull end, the first group of mooring lines comprises at least one first mooring line extending from the first hull end, the first mooring line making an angle comprised between 0° and 90° with the longitudinal hull axis in projection in a horizontal plane, the first group of mooring lines comprising at least one second mooring line at the second hull end, the second mooring line making an angle comprised between 90° and 180° with the longitudinal hull axis, in projection in a horizontal plane,

- the hull defines a first hull end and a second hull end, the second group of mooring lines comprises at least one first mooring line extending from the first hull end, the first mooring line making an angle comprised between 270° and 360° with the longitudinal hull axis in projection in a horizontal plane, the first group of mooring lines comprising at least one second mooring line at the second hull end, the second mooring line making an angle comprised between 180° and 270° with the longitudinal hull axis, in projection in a horizontal plane,

- the mooring equipment comprises at least a tensioning winch placed on the hull, each mooring line of the first group being able to be connected to at least one ofthe tensioning winch, the mooring equipment comprising at least a deck stopper for each mooring line of the first group,

- each mooring line is a rope and/or a chain, and

- the hull comprises at least a fluid processing unit, the hull being preferably a FSRU, a FLNG and/or a FPSO.

I he invention also relates to a fluid loading/offloading installation comprising:

- at least a fluid collecting and/or distributing structure;

- a fluid loading/offloading structure as defined above ;

- at least a pipe connecting the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure to the fluid loading/offloading structure, the pipe extending from the first side of the fluid loading/offloading structure to the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure.

The fluid loading/offloading installation according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or according to any technical feasible combination:

- the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure is chosen among a floating platform such as spread moored barge, a fixed platform such as a jacket and/or an underwater structure such as a PLEM or a PLET and, .- the pipe is a flexible pipe.

The invention also concems a method of installing a floating fluid loading/offloading structure moored in a body of water comprising the following steps:

- providing a hull extending longitudinally along a longitudinal hull axis, the hull comprising a bottom wall, a first latéral wall on a first side of the hull, a second latéral wali on a second side of the hull, opposite the first side, each of the bottom wall, first latéral wall, and second latéral wall being placed in contact with the body of water;

- providing a mooring equipment, comprising a first group of mooring Unes connected to an anchor on the bottom of the body of water, the mooring Unes of the first group protruding laterally beyond the first side, opposite the second side, the mooring equipment comprising a second group of mooring lines protruding laterally beyond the second side, opposite from the first side, and connected to an anchor located away from the second side and ;

characterized by connecting the mooring lines of the first group above the surface of the body of water on the first side of the hull, and letting free of mooring lines the space facing the second latéral wall. .

The invention also relates to a process for loading/offloading a fluid comprising the following steps:

- - providing a floating fluid loading/offloading structure as defined above, moored in a body of water;

- placing a ship having at least a fluid réservoir along the fluid loading/offloading structure along the second side of the hull without interférence with any mooring line ;

- advantageously mooring the ship to the floating fluid loading/offloading structure;

- installing at least pipe between the floating fluid loading/offloading structure and the ship and;

- conveying a fluid from the floating fluid loading/offloading structure to the ship or/and from the ship to the floating fluid loading/offloading structure.

The invention will be better understood based on the following description, given solely as an example, and made in accordance with the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is an end view of a first fluid loading/offloading installation comprising a first floating loading/offloading structure according to the invention;

- figure 2 is a detailed view of the mooring of the floating structure of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 is a top view of the floating structure of figure 2;

- figure 4 is a view of a bottom pad eye, fixed to the bottom wall of the hull in the floating structure of figure 2;

- figure 5 is a schematic top view of deck stoppers and winch adapted to the mooring of at least a group of mooring lines of the structure of figure 2;

- figure 6 is a view similar to figure 2 of a second floating loading/offloading installation according to the invention;

- figure 7 is a top view of the structure of figure 6;

- figure 8 is a view similar to figure 1 illustrating a third fluid loading/offloading installation according to the invention;

figure 9 is a view similar to figure 2 of a third floating loading/offloading installation according to the invention;

- figure 10 is a top view of the structure of figure 9.

A first loading/offloading installation 10 according to the invention, placed in a body of water 12, is shown schematically in figure 1. The installation 10 is intended to be used by at least a ship 14 to load/offload a fluid.

The fluid is for example a hydrocarbon fluid such as liquid natural gas (LNG). The liquid natural gas is intended to be transferred in the installation 10 and conveyed from the installation 10 to a network after regasification (not represented) to be used by users.

The body of water 12 is here a lake, a river, a sea, and/or an océan. The depth of the body of water, in the vicinity of the installation is comprised between 15 m and 150 m.

The loading/offloading installation 10 here comprises a fluid collecting and/distributing structure 16, a floating fluid loading/offloading structure 18 according to the invention, and at least a pipe 20 connecting the floating fluid loading/offloading structure 18 and the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16.

In the example shown in figure 1, the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16 is for example a structure fixed on the bottom 22 of the body of water 12, such as a fixed jacket.

In a variant (not shown), the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16 is a floating structure such as spread moored barge.

The fluid collecting and/or distributing structure for example comprises at least a fluid distributor 24 intended to collect and/or distribute a fluid from the pipe 20 to an external network.

The floating fluid offloading/loading structure 18 comprises a hull 30, floating at the surface of the body of water 12, at least a fluid processing unit 32, carried by the hull 30 and a mooring equipment 34 able to rnoor the hull 30 at a spécifie position in the body of water 12.

In this example, the floating fluid loading/offloading structure 18 is a FSRU (Floating

Storage and Regasification Unit). The fluid processing unit 32 comprises at least a regasification unit able to transform liquid natural gas into a gas form.

In a variant (not shown), the floating fluid loading/offloading structure 18 is a FLNG (Floating Liquefied Natural Gas), intended to receive fluid gaseous hydrocarbons produced from the bottom of the body of water to produce LNG. The fluid processing unit 32 comprises a liquefÿing unit able to liquefy natural gas into LNG.

In another variant (not shown), the floating fluid loading/offloading structure 18 is a FPSO (Floating Production Storage and/offloading) intended to collect liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons from the bottom of the body of water 12. The fluid processing unit 32 is then a purification and treatment unit of the liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons.

As shown in figure 3, the hull 30 extends longitudinally along a longitudinal hull axis A-A’, between a first hull end 37 and a second hull end 39. In reference to figures 1 to 3, the hull 30 comprises at least a first latéral wall 36 on a first side 38 of the hull 30, and a second latéral wall 40 on a second side 42 of the nul! 30.

The hull 30 comprises a bottom wall 44, located below the first latéral wall 36 and the second latéral wall 40, and at least a deck 46. The first latéral wall 36, and the second latéral wall 40 are partially immersed in the body of water 12.

The first latéral wall 36 and the first side 38 are located facing the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16.

The second wall 40 and the second side 42 are located opposite the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16. The ship 14 is able to approach the hull 30 on the second side 42 and to moor to the hull 30 along the second side 42, as it will be described later.

The first latéral wall 36 and the second latéral wall 40 are partially in contact with the body of water 12. They define the most exterior surface of the hull 30 on their respective side 38, 42.

The bottom wall 44 connects the first latéral wall 36 to the second latéral wall 40. The bottom wall 44 is totally immersed in the body of water 12, below the surface. In this figures, the bottom wall 44 is represented fiat, however it can be of any shape.

The first laterai wall 36, the second latéral wall 40 and the bottom wall 44 together define an inner space 48 of the hull 30, which is upwardly closed by the deck 46.

The deck 46 is here located above the surface of the body of water 12. It for example comprises a guard-rail at its periphery 50.

The fluid processing unit 32, as described above, is located on the deck 46 and/or in the inner space 48. It advantageousiy comprises at least a fluid réservoir and fluid processing equipment, such as pumps, evaporators, heat exchanger, separators, compressors...

The first side 38 of the hull 30 is generally delimited inwards by a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis A-A’, downwards by the bottom wall 44, and outwards by the first latéral wall 36.

The second side 42 of the hull 30 is generally delimited inwards by a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis A-A’, downwards by the bottom wall 44, and outwards by the second laterai waii 40.

The mooring equipment 34 comprises a first group 60 of mooring lines 62, extending laterally apart from the hull 30 from the first side 38, and a second group 64 of mooring fines 66, extending laterally apart from the hull 30, away from the second side 42 of the hull 30.

The mooring equipment 34 further comprises, for the mooring lines 62 of the first group 60, at least a tensioning winch 68 and for each mooring line 62, at least a deck stopper 70.

The mooring equipment 34 comprises, for the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64, at least a pad eye 72 connected to the bottom wall 44 of the hull 30, or to the first latéral wall 36 and apart from the second latéral wall 40.

Each mooring line 62 of the first group 60 extends in a catenary shape from a first point 74 located above the surface of the body of water 12 on a first side 38 of the longitudinal axis A-A’ to a second point 76 anchored in the bottom 22 of the body of water 12, laterally away from the first latéral wall 36 on the first side 38 of the hull 30. Each mooring line 62 extends facing the first latéral wall 36 away from the first latéral wall 36.

Each mooring line 62 is preferably formed of a rope and/or of a chain.

The first point 74 of each mooring line 62 is preferably located on the deck 46, and is maintained on the deck 46 with a deck stopper 70. The second point 76 is preferably provided with an anchor inserted in the bottom 22 of the body of water 12.

At least the mooring iine 62, preferentiah’y at least three mooring lines 62, extend from a first point 74 located in the vicinity of the first hull end 37.

The second point 76 of each mooring line 62 extending from the vicinity of the first hull end 37 protrudes away from the huH 30 beyond the first end 37, in projection on the longitudinal axis A-A’.

Preferably, in projection in a horizontal plane (see figure 3), each mooring line 62 in the vicinity of the first hull 37 is indined with regard to the longitudinal axis A-A’ and defines an angle a with the longitudinal' axis A-A’. The angle a is preferentiaîiy comprised between 0° and 90°, preferably between 30° and 60°.

At least one mooring line 62, preferentiaîiy at least three mooring lines 62, also extends from a first point located in the vicinity of the second hull end 39.

The second point 76 of each mooring line 62 extending from the vicinity of the second hull end 39 protrudes away from the hull 30 beyond the second end 39 in projection on the longitudinal axis A-A'.

Preferably, in projection in a horizontal plane (see figure 3), each mooring line 62 in the vicinity of the second hull end 39 is indined with regard to the longitudinal axis A-A’ and defines an angle tf with the longitudinal axis A-A’_ The angle a’ is preferentiaîiy comprised between 90° and 180°, preferably between 120° and 150°.

Each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 extends in a catenary shape from a first point 78 located below the surface of water, away from the second latéral wall 40 and from the first latéral wall 36, to a second point 80 anchored in the bottom 22 of the body of water 12, laterally away from the second latéral wall 40 on the second side 42 of the hull 30.

Each mooring line 66 is preferably formed of a rope and/or of a chain.

Preferentiaîiy, the first point 78 of each mooring line 66 is connected to the pad eye 72, below the bottom wall 44, laterally away from the second latéral wall 40. The second point 80 is preferably provided with an anchor inserted in the bottom 22 of the body of water 12.

At least the mooring line 66, preferentially at least three mooring lines 66, extend from a first point 78 located in the vicinity of the first hull end 37.

The second point 80 of each mooring line 66 extending from the vicinity of the first hull end 37 protrudes away from the hull beyond the first hull end 37, in projection on the longitudinal axis A-A’.

Preferably, in projection in an horizontal plane (see figure 3), each mooring line 66 in the vicinity of the first hull end 37 is inclined with regard to the longitudinal axis A-A’ and defines an angle a” with the longitudinal axis A-A’. The angle a” is preferentially comprised between 270° and 360°, preferably between 300° and 330°.

At least one mooring line 66, preferentially at least three mooring lines 66, extend from a second point 80 located in the vicinity of the second hull end 39.

The second point 80 of each mooring line 66 extending from the vicinity of the second hull end 39 protrudes away from the hull 30 beyond the second hull end 39, in projection on the longitudinal axis A-A’.

Preferably, in projection in an horizontal plane (see figure 3), each mooring line 66 is inclined with regard to the longitudinal axis A-A’ and defines an angle a’” with the longitudinal axis A-A’. The angle a’” is preferentially comprised between 180° and 270°, preferably between 210° and 240°.

Each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 extends to a second point 80 located away from the hull 30 beyond the second latéral wall 40 on the bottom of the body of water 12.

Hence, each mooring line 62 of the first group 60 protrudes away from the hull 30 on the first side of the hull 38, and each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 protrudes away beyond the second latéral wall 40 ofthe hull 30.

The first point 78 and the second point 80 of each second mooring line 66 are located below the body of water 12.

Hence, the space 82 located facing the second latéral wall 40 away from the hull 30 is free of mooring lines 66. The space 82 is therefore totally available for the approach and mooring of a ship 14, without interférence with any mooring lines and the ship 14.

In reference to figure 5, the tensioning winch 68 is preferably located on or above the deck 46. It is able to seize at least a part of each mooring line 62 to tension it, before the mooring line 62 is blocked in the deck stopper 70.

The deck stopper 70 comprises a channel 90 receiving and guiding each mooring line 66, and a blocker 92 selectively opérable between an inactive configuration, in which the mooring line 66 is free to translate in the channel 90, and a blocking configuration, in which the mooring line 62 is blocked in the channel 90.

Preferentially, the mooring equipment 34 comprises at least a pad eye 72 located in the vicinity of the first hull end 37, and at least a pad eye 72, located in the vicinity of the second hull end 39.

in the example of figure 4, the pad eye 72 comprises at least a partition 94 fixed to the bottom wall 44 and protruding down from the bottom wall 44 and at least an eyeiet 96 in which one mooring line 66 of the second group 64 is fixed.

As shown in figure 1, the pipe 20 connects at least a fluid processing unit 32 on the floating fluid loading/loading structure 18 to an equipment on the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16.

In the example of figure 1, the pipe has a U-shape. It is partially immersed in the body of water. Its ends are connected respectively to the floating fiuid loading/loading structure 18 and to the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16 above the surface of water.

The ship 14 is abie to position itself in the space 82 facing the second wail 40. it is able to be moored to the hull 30. The hull 30 and/or the ship 14 are equipped with a discharging equipment comprising at ieast a fiuid conveying eiement 98 such as but not iimited to a marine loading arm of hose, a pipe, a hose, or/and a riser.

The set-up of the loading/offloading installation 10 will be now briefly described. Initially, a first point 78 on a first section of each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 is attached underwaterto the pad eye 72.

A second section of each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 is laid on the bottom of the body of water 12 and it is anchored at a second point 80 on the bottom of the body of water 12, at a position defined above.

Then, the respective free ends of the first section and of the second section of each mooring line 66 are connected together. The mooring line 66 then adopts a catenary shape.

Subsequently, each mooring line 62 of the first group 60 is laid in the body of water 12 and is anchored at its second point 76 in the bottom 22 of the body of water 12. A buoy (not shown) is placed around the first point 74 of each mooring line 62.

Then, the free end of each mooring line 62 of the first group 60 is puîled by the tensioning winch 68 to be inserted into the deck stopper 70 in its inactive configuration. When the mooring line 62 is sufficiently tensioned so that the hull 30 occupies its nominal position, the blocker 92 of the corresponding deck stopper 70 is activated and the first point 74 of each mooring line 62 ofthe first group 60 is blocked on the deck 46.

In use, a ship 14 containing fluid, in particular a LNG tanker, can freely approach the hull 30 on the second side 42, without interfering with mooring lines 66 or with any other mooring equipment 34. The ship 14 preferentially adopts an orientation parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A’ of the hull 30. The hull 30 and the ship 14 are then placed side by side. Then, the ship 14 is advantageously moored to the hull 30 and the fluid conveying element 98 is put in place.

In the example of a FSRU, the fluid, preferentially LNG, circulâtes from the ship 14 réservoir to the fluid processing unit 32, to be loaded in a réservoir of the fluid processing unit 32. Then, the fluid is evaporated and is conveyed towards the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16 through the pipe 20.

When the ship 14 has discharged ail the required fluid, it is able to move away from the hull 30 without interférence with mooring lines 62.

Thanks to the invention, the connection/disconnection of the hull 30 to its mooring equipment 34 is very simple to carry out, since ail the mooring lines 62 of the first group 60 located on the first side 38 can easily be connected / disconnected from the surface. Only the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64 must be disconnected from under water. Moreover, there is no interférence between the ships 14 intended to îoad/unload the fluid and the hull 30, allowing a safe and efficient approach of the ship towards the hull 30.

A second installation 110 according to the invention is shown in figures 6 and 7.

The second installation 110 differs from the first installation 10 by the configuration of the second group 64 of mooring lines 66.

Each mooring line 66 ofthe second group 64 is connected to the hull 30 at a first point 78 located on the first side 38 of the hull 30. The first point 78 is preferentially located on the deck 46, above the surface of the body of water 12.

The mooring equipment 34 of the second installation 110 further differs from the mooring equipment 34 of the first installation 10 in that it comprises a deck stopper 70 for each mooring line 66 of the second group 64, in addition to the deck stopper 70 for each mooring line 62 of the first group 60.

Moreover, the mooring equipment 34 comprises a tensioning winch 68 which can be spécifie to the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64, or which can be the same as the mooring lines 62 of the first group 60.

Preferentially, the mooring equipment 34 further comprises, for each mooring line 66 of the second group 64, a bending shoe 112 fixed on the first latéral wall 36 and/or on the bottom wall 44, in the vicinity of the transition between the first latéral wall 36 and the bottom wall 44.

The bending shoe 112 provides an external guiding surface 114 onto which each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 is able lay. The guiding surface 114 has a controlled radius of curvature, e.g. comprised between 1 m and 10 m.

Hence, each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 has a bent section 116 extending from the first point 78 downwardly along the first latéral wall 36 to the bending shoe 112, from the bending shoe 112 below the bottom wall 44, and beyond the second latéral wall 40 to the second point 78.

As in the first installation 10, the space 82 located facing the second latéral wall 40 is therefore free of mooring lines 66.

i he setup of the second installation 110 is particularly easy, since it does not require the use of a diver to connect the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64. As for the mooring lines 62 of the first group 60, the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64 are laid in the water, with a buoy at the first point 78. Then, the hull 30 is passed above the mooring 5 lines 66 of the second group 64. The free ends of the mooring lines 66 are pulled to the deck 46 on the first side 38 of the longitudinal axis A-A’, advantageously by using a tensioning winch 68.

Each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 is inserted in the channel 90 of a deck stopper 70 with the blocker 92 in the inactive configuration and is progressively 10 tensioned. When the tensioning of the mooring line 66 is sufficient, the blocker 92 is activated to block the first point 78 of the mooring line in the channel 90.

Thereafter, the mooring lines 62 of the first group 60 are put in place, as described above for the first installation 10.

The second installation 110 according to the invention is therefore very easy to connect 15 ordisconnect.

A third installation 120 according to the invention is shown in figures 9 and 10,

The third installation 120 differs from the first installation 10 by the configuration of the second group 64 of mooring lines 66.

Each mooring line 66 of the second group 64 is connected to the hull 30 at a underwater 20 stopper 122 located on the first side 38 or the bottom side 40 of the hull 30. The first point 78 is preferentially located on the deck 46, above the surface of the body of water 12.

The mooring equipment 34 of the third installation 122 further differs from the mooring equipment 34 of the first installation 10 in that it comprises a split pipe 124 for each mooring line 66 of the second group 64, connected to the underwater stopper 122. The 25 split pipe 124 guides the first chain link i.e. thé chain link at first point 78 on each mooring line 66 of the second group to its position in the underwater stopper 122.

Moreover, the mooring equipment 34 comprises a tensioning winch 68 which can be spécifie to the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64, or which can be the same as the mooring lines 62 of the first group 60.

As in the first installation 10, the space 82 located facing the second latéral wall 40 is therefore free of mooring lines 66.

The setup of the third installation 120 is particularly easy, since it does not require the use of a diver to connect the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64. As for the mooring lines 62 of the first group 60, the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64 are laid in the water, with a buoy at the first point 78. Then, the hull 30 is passed above the mooring lines 66 of the second group 64. The free ends of th© mooring lines 66 are pulled to the deck 46 on the first side 38 of the longitudinal axis A-A’, advantageously by using a tensioning winch 68,

Each first link of the mooring line 66 of the second group 64 is inserted in a corresponding split pipe 124 sliding towards the underwater stopper 122,

Thereafter, the mooring lines 62 of the first group 60 are put in place, as described above for the first installation 10.

The third installation 120 according to the invention is therefore very easy to connect or disconnect with decreased risk of chain link twist compared to second installation.

A variant of the installations 10, 110, 120 disclosed above is shown in figure 8. In this variant, the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure 16 is located underwater. The structure 16 is for example a pipeline end manifold (PLEM) and/or a pipeline end termination (PLET).

The pipe 20 is for example a flexible riser having as shown in figure 8, a wavy configuration.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS:

   1 .-Floating fluid loading/offloading structure (18), moored in a body of water (12), comprising :

   - a hull (30) extending iongitudinally along a longitudinal hull axis (A-A), the hull (30) comprising a bottom wall (44), a first latéral wall (36) on a first side (38) of the hull (30), a second latéral wall (40) on a second side (42) of the hull (30), opposite the first side (38), each of the bottom wall (44), first latéral wall (36), and second latéral wall (40), being placed in contact with the body of water (12);

   - a mooring equipment (34), comprising a first group (60) of mooring lines (62) connected to an anchor on the bottom of the body of water (12), the mooring lines (62) of the first group (60) protruding laterally beyond the first side (38), opposite the second side (42), the mooring equipment (34) comprising a second group (64) of mooring lines (66) protruding laterally beyond the second side (42), opposite from the first side (38), and connected to an anchor located away from the second side (42) on the bottom of the body of water;

   characterized in that the mooring lines (62) of the first group (60) are connected above the surface of the body of water (12) on the first side (38) of the hull (30), the space (82) facing the second latéral wall (40) being free of mooring lines.
2. 2,-Floating structure (18) according to claim 1, wherein the mooring lines (66) of the second group (64) are connected apart from the second side (42) ofthe hull (30).
3. 3,- Floating structure (18) according to any one of the preceding ciaims, wherein the mooring lines (66) of the second group (64) are connected underwater on the bottom wall (44), laterally apart from the second latéral waïi (40).
4. 4,- Floating structure (18) according to claim 3, wherein the mooring equipment (34) comprises a pad eye (72), protruding below the bottom wall (44), the second group (64) of mooring lines (66) being connected to the pad eye (72).
5. 5,- Floating structure (18) according to any one of ciaims 1 and 2, wherein the mooring lines (66) of the second group (64) of mooring lines are connected on the first side (38) of the hull (30), at least a bent section (116) of each mooring line (66) of the second group (64) of mooring lines (66) passing along the first latéral wall (36) and below the bottom wall (44).
6. 6,- Floating structure (18) according to claim 5, wherein the mooring equipment (34) comprises at least a bending shoe (112) fixed on the first latéral wall (36) and/or on the bottom wall (44), the bent section (116) being received in the bending shoe (112).
7. 7,- Floating structure (18) according to claim 5, wherein the mooring equipment (34) comprises at least an underwater stopper (122) fixed on the first latéral wall (36) and/or on the bottom wall (44), and a slotted pipe (124) connected to the underwater stopper (122).
8. 8,- Floating structure (18) according to any one of the preceding daims, wherein the hull (30) defines a first hull end (37) and a second hull end (39), the first group (60) of mooring lines (62) comprises at least one first mooring line (62) extending from the first hull end (37), the first mooring line (62) making an angle comprised between 0 ° and 90° with the longitudinal hull axis (A-A’) in projection in a horizontal plane, the first group (60) of mooring lines (62) comprising at least one second mooring line (62) at the second hull end (39), the second mooring line (62) making an angle comprised between 90° and 180° with the longitudinal hull axis (A-A’), in projection in a horizontal plane.
9. 9,- Floating structure (18) according to any one of the preceding daims, wherein the hull (30) defines a first hull end (37) and a second hull end (39), the second group (60) of mooring lines (64) comprises at least one first mooring line (66) extending from the first hull end (37), the first mooring line (62) making an angle comprised between 270 ° and 360° with the longitudinal hull axis (A-A⁵) in projection in a horizontal plane, the first group (60) of mooring lines (62) comprising at least one second mooring line (62) at the second hull end (39), the second mooring line (62) making an angle comprised between 180° and 270° with the longitudinal hull axis (A-A’), in projection in a horizontal plane.
10. 10,- Floating structure (18) according to any one of the preceding daims, wherein the mooring equipment (34) comprises at least a tensioning winch (68) placed on the hull (30), each mooring line (62) of the first group (60) being abie to be connected to at least one of the tensioning winch (68), the mooring equipment (34) comprising at least a deck stopper (70) for each mooring line (62) of the first group (60).
11. 11,- Floating structure (18) according to any one of the preceding daims, wherein each mooring line (62, 66) is a rope and/or a chain.
12. 12.- Floating structure (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hull (30) comprises at least a fluid processing unit (32), the hull (30) being preferably a FSRU, a FLNG and/or a FPSO.
13. 13.- Fluid loading/offloading installation (10; 110; 120) comprising:

    - at least a fluid collecting and/or distributing structure (16);

    - a fluid loading/offloading structure (18) according to any one of the preceding claims;

    - at least a pipe (20) connecting the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure (16) to the fluid loading/offloading structure (18), the pipe (20) extending from the first side (38) of the fluid loading/offloading structure (18) to the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure (16).
14. 14,- Fluid loading/offloading installation (10; 110; 120) according to claim 13, wherein the fluid collecting and/or distributing structure (16) is chosen among a floating platform such as spread moored barge, a fixed platform such as a jacket and/or an underwater structure such as a PLEM or a PLET.
15. 1 5.- Fluid loading/offloading installation (10; 110; 120) according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the pipe (20) is a flexible pipe.
16. 16,- Method of installing a floating fluid loading/offloading structure (18) moored in a body of water (12) comprising the following steps:

    - providing a hull (30) extending longitudinally along a longitudinal hull axis (A-A’), the hull (30) comprising a bottom wall (44). a first latéral wall (36) on a first side (38) of the hull (30), a second latéral wall (40) on a second side (42) of the hull (30), opposite the first side (38), each of the bottom wall (44), first latéral wall (36), and second latéral wall (40) being placed in contact with the body of water (12);

    - providing a mooring equipment (34), comprising a first group (60) of mooring lines (62) connected to an anchoron the bottom of the body of water (12), the mooring lines (62) of the first group (60) protruding laterally beyond the first side (38), opposite the second side (42), the mooring equipment (34) comprising a second group (64) of mooring lines (66) protruding laterally beyond the second side (42), opposite from the first side (38), and connected to an anchor located away from the second side (42);

    characterized by connecting the mooring lines (62) of the first group (60) above the surface of the body of water (12) on the first side (38) of the hull (30), and letting free of mooring lines the space (82) facing the second latéral wall (40).
17. 17,- Process for loading/offloading a fluid, comprising the following steps:

    - providing a floating fluid loading/offloading structure (18) according to any one of daims 1 to 12 moored in a body of water (12):

    - piacing a ship (14) having at least a fluid réservoir along the fluid loading/offloading structure (18) along the second side of the hull (30) without interférence with any mooring line ;

    - advantageously mooring the ship (14) to the floating fluid loading/offloading structure (18);

    - installing at least pipe (20) between the floating fluid loading/offloading structure (18) and ths ship (14);

    - conveying a fluid from the floating fluid loading/offloading structure (18) to the ship (14) or/and from the ship (14) to the floating fluid loading/offloading structure (18).

    ABSTRACT

    Floating, fluid loading/offloadinq structure moored in a body of waten related installation, method and process

    The structure (18), comprises :

    - a hull (30) extending longitudinaily along a longitudinal hull axis (A-A’),;

    - a mooring equipment (34), comprising a first group (60) of mooring lines (62) connected to an anchor on the bottom of the body of water (12), the mooring lines (62) of the first group (60) protruding laterally beyond a first side of the hull (30), opposite the second side of the hull (30).

    The mooring equipment (34) comprises a second group (64) of mooring lines (66) protruding laterally beyond the second side, and connected to an anchor located away from the second side on the bottom of the body of water.

    The mooring lines (62) of the first group (60) are connected on the first side of the hull (30), the space (82) facing a second latéral wall (40) ofthe hull (30) being free of mooring lines.