US20150031252A1 - System for mooring a production vessel - Google Patents

System for mooring a production vessel Download PDF

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Publication number
US20150031252A1
US20150031252A1 US14/384,630 US201314384630A US2015031252A1 US 20150031252 A1 US20150031252 A1 US 20150031252A1 US 201314384630 A US201314384630 A US 201314384630A US 2015031252 A1 US2015031252 A1 US 2015031252A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
buoys
vessel
floating
risers
floating production
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US14/384,630
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Yile Li
Joao Paulo Juliao Matsuura
Jan Hendrik Gerretsen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shell USA Inc
Original Assignee
Shell Oil Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shell Oil Co filed Critical Shell Oil Co
Priority to US14/384,630 priority Critical patent/US20150031252A1/en
Assigned to SHELL OIL COMPANY reassignment SHELL OIL COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LI, YILE, MATSUURA, JOAO PAULO JULIAO
Assigned to SHELL OIL COMPANY reassignment SHELL OIL COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GERRETSEN, Jan Hendrik
Publication of US20150031252A1 publication Critical patent/US20150031252A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • B63B22/02—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel
    • B63B22/021—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids, e.g. liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • B63B22/02—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel
    • B63B22/021—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids, e.g. liquids
    • B63B22/023—Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids, e.g. liquids submerged when not in use
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B2021/003—Mooring or anchoring equipment, not otherwise provided for

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a system and method for mooring a production vessel comprising two or more buoys.
  • Floating production vessels are often used to capture oil and gas produced from deepwater production wells. Risers are used to carry oil and gas from the subsea wellhead to the floating production vessel. The vessels are typically moored in place to prevent excessive movement while the floating production vessel is connected to the risers.
  • Floating production vessels are typically connected to the risers using a swivel and turret system to allow the vessel to weathervane around the risers to stay aligned with the prevailing weather.
  • These swivel and turret systems are complex and expensive, especially when used in high pressure and/or high temperature conditions. They also require intensive maintenance programs. In cyclonic or iceberg-prone environments, these turrets are typically disconnectable, adding to their complexity.
  • the invention provides a system for mooring a floating production vessel comprising: a) two or more buoys anchored to the seafloor that are also connected directly to the floating production vessel; and b) one or more risers connected to at least one of the buoys that is also connected to one or more subsea wellheads or manifolds wherein the buoys are not connected to the floating vessel by a swivel and turret system.
  • the invention also provides a method of mooring a floating production vessel comprising: providing two or more buoys that are anchored to the seafloor; and connecting the two or more buoys to the floating vessel wherein the buoys are not connected to the floating vessel by a swivel and turret system.
  • the invention further provides a method of protecting the floating vessel and the production risers from the effects of a storm comprising: a) providing two or more buoys that are anchored to the seafloor and connected to a floating production vessel; b) providing one or more production risers that are connected to a source of oil and gas production on the seafloor and to at least one of the buoys; c) disconnecting all buoys that are connected to the one or more production risers from the floating production vessel, protecting both the former and the latter from the effects of a storm; and d) submerging all buoys to a depth of at least 10 meters below sea level.
  • FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a floating production vessel moored to two buoys.
  • FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a floating production vessel moored to two buoys connected together.
  • FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a floating production vessel disconnected from two buoys.
  • FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a floating production vessel disconnected from two buoys connected together.
  • a floating production vessel preferred for use with the mooring system is a ship-shaped vessel or another elongated vessel.
  • the vessel can be an FPSO (floating production storage and offloading) vessel, an FSO (floating storage and offloading) vessel, an FLNG (floating liquefied natural gas) vessel or any other similar vessel that is used for capturing oil and gas from a subsea oil and gas well.
  • FPSO floating production storage and offloading
  • FSO floating storage and offloading
  • FLNG floating liquefied natural gas
  • This vessel can be used in a number of ways, all of which are suitable for use with the mooring system claimed herein.
  • the vessel can be used to process the oil and gas, store it for some period of time and then offload the oil and gas to another vessel or to a pipeline.
  • the vessel does not process the oil and gas, but it merely stores it and then offloads it to another vessel.
  • the natural gas from the well would be processed and liquefied onboard the vessel.
  • the floating production vessel is moored in place by connecting the vessel to two or more buoys.
  • the buoys are anchored to the seafloor by mooring lines.
  • the buoys are typically spread-moored, meaning that mooring lines extend out in an at least somewhat horizontal direction to provide horizontal resistance to movement of the buoys.
  • the buoys are moored with at least two mooring lines. In one embodiment at least one of the buoys is moored with at least three mooring lines and in another embodiment at least one of the buoys is moored with at least four mooring lines.
  • the mooring lines of the different buoys can be placed in such a manner as to provide an optimal resistance to horizontal movement of the floating production vessel when connected to the buoys.
  • the buoys are directly connected to the floating production vessel without the use of a swivel and turret system. Embodiments of methods of connecting and disconnecting the buoys from the floating production vessel will be described herein.
  • a swivel and turret system In conventional mooring systems, a swivel and turret system is used to provide weathervaning capability to the floating production vessel.
  • the swivel and turret allows the vessel to rotate to be pointed in the direction of the oncoming environmental loads to reduce total load on the moorings.
  • the swivel and turret systems can be external to the floating production vessel or internal to the floating production vessel. These systems are complex and expensive, as they must be designed to allow for the flow of oil and gas from the risers to the ship regardless of the direction or degree of rotation around the swivel and turret.
  • the ability to rotate completely around is not always a requirement for the floating production vessels, and the present invention provides a mooring system that is much simpler and less expensive than the conventional swivel and turret systems.
  • the swivel and turret systems become harder to design and more complex when dealing with oil and gas at high pressure and/or high temperature.
  • the risers are used to transport the oil and gas from the subsea wells, manifolds or other subsea apparatus to the floating production vessel. Since fields usually have a plurality of wells and/or other subsea apparatus, a plurality of risers are required to transport the oil and gas.
  • the risers are connected in some fashion to the buoys so that the buoy can provide sufficient buoyancy to hold the weight of the riser.
  • Risers may be connected to only one buoy.
  • risers are connected to two or more buoys. By connecting risers to more than one buoy, the capacity for risers can be increased. This is especially helpful when producing oil and gas at high temperature and/or high pressure because the risers are thicker and heavier as a result of the more difficult conditions. If a swivel and turret system were used, the number of risers would be limited to the capacity of the one swivel and turret system.
  • the risers may be connected to the buoys when they are installed at the well-site even if the floating production vessel is not at the well-site.
  • the buoys provide buoyancy for the risers, but it is preferred for the buoys once connected to the risers to be at least partially submerged. It is more preferred for the buoys to be below the depth where wave action, shipping traffic, or iceberg passage will have a significant impact on the risers.
  • the buoys are preferably lifted into contact with the floating production vessel and connected in any suitable manner to maintain the connection between the buoy and the floating production vessel.
  • messenger lines may be used to connect to the buoys and then pull in the buoys into position under the vessel. The buoys are then pulled in further and secured onto the vessel.
  • the risers can be connected to the production and/or storage system on the floating production vessel and then the flow of oil and gas can be initiated.
  • the buoys are connected to each other. This is helpful in maintaining the position of the buoys with respect to each other when they are not connected to the floating production vessel.
  • the connecting line may be tensioned when the buoys are disconnected to help maintain the buoy positions.
  • the connected floating production vessel Due to the nature of the spread-mooring system, the connected floating production vessel has a limited ability to move and rotate with the weather. In the event of any significant predictable threats such as hurricanes, cyclones, icebergs, etc. the floating production vessel can be disconnected from the buoys so that it can escape the threat. Once disconnected, the buoys are submerged to a depth below the zone of significant wave action. Later, the floating production vessel can be reconnected with the buoys and production can be reinitiated.
  • the buoys can be disconnected and submerged if the floating production vessel will be leaving the well-site.
  • the buoys may be submerged to a depth of at least 10 m below the sea level, preferably at least 25 m below sea level and more preferably at least 50 m below sea level.
  • the preferred depth for the buoys may be dependent on the conditions present at the well-site.
  • This system provides a disconnectable, low-cost, mechanically simple system for mooring floating production vessels involved in deepwater developments in hurricane/cyclone and iceberg-prone zones that can accommodate a larger number of risers than is possible with conventional systems.
  • This additional riser capacity can also translate to the ability to use heavier and larger risers that are able to handle demanding high pressure and/or high temperature reservoir conditions.
  • FIG. 1 An embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 1 .
  • Floating production vessel 10 floats on the surface 50 of the ocean.
  • the floating production vessel is connected to two buoys 20 .
  • the buoys are moored by mooring lines 30 that are anchored to the seafloor 60 .
  • risers 40 are connected to the buoys. Since the buoys 20 are connected to the floating production vessel 10 , the risers can be connected to production and/or storage equipment on the vessel.
  • FIG. 2 Another embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 2 . Everything is similar to that depicted in FIG. 1 , except that in this embodiment, the two buoys are connected by connecting line 70 .
  • This can be any type of line connecting the two buoys. This line is especially useful when the floating production vessel disconnects from the buoys because it helps keep the buoys moving in unison.
  • FIG. 3 depicts the mooring system when the floating production vessel has disconnected from the buoys. This can happen, for example, when a hurricane, cyclone or iceberg is headed towards the well-site.
  • the buoys are disconnected and submerged below the level of significant wave action and iceberg impact.
  • the floating production vessel 10 can then move out of the path of the storm.
  • the buoys and risers are protected from the storm and the resulting waves.
  • FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the mooring system when the floating production vessel has disconnected from the buoys.
  • the buoys are connected together by connecting line 70 .
  • the connecting line is preferably tensioned to help keep the buoys in place.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Revetment (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
  • Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
US14/384,630 2012-03-14 2013-03-12 System for mooring a production vessel Abandoned US20150031252A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14/384,630 US20150031252A1 (en) 2012-03-14 2013-03-12 System for mooring a production vessel

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201261610680P 2012-03-14 2012-03-14
US14/384,630 US20150031252A1 (en) 2012-03-14 2013-03-12 System for mooring a production vessel
PCT/US2013/030312 WO2013138260A1 (en) 2012-03-14 2013-03-12 System for mooring a production vessel

Publications (1)

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US20150031252A1 true US20150031252A1 (en) 2015-01-29

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US14/384,630 Abandoned US20150031252A1 (en) 2012-03-14 2013-03-12 System for mooring a production vessel

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20150031252A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CN (1) CN104203742B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU2013232402B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BR (1) BR112014022102B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB2513076A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
MY (1) MY179351A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO20141099A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
WO (1) WO2013138260A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106005291A (zh) * 2016-06-02 2016-10-12 哈尔滨工程大学 一种长圆形fpso船
WO2019071655A1 (zh) * 2017-10-13 2019-04-18 大连理工大学 一种串联空心微珠复合材料浮筒的张力筋腱定位系统
US10421523B2 (en) 2017-07-31 2019-09-24 NOV APL Limited Spread moored buoy and floating production system
WO2024124186A1 (en) * 2022-12-09 2024-06-13 Sofec, Inc. Marine terminals and processes for using same

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107972827B (zh) * 2017-12-11 2024-06-28 深圳市海斯比浮岛科技开发有限公司 浮式码头及其浮体结构
SG11202100999SA (en) * 2018-07-31 2021-02-25 Sofec Inc Disconnectable spread mooring and riser tower system and method
CN109098692B (zh) * 2018-08-07 2020-03-06 中国石油大学(北京) 一种水下悬浮丛式管汇的安装方法
CN116353796B (zh) * 2023-04-19 2024-05-31 广东海洋大学 一种海上平台极端台风下的漂浮自救装置

Citations (3)

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US6453838B1 (en) * 2000-10-20 2002-09-24 Ocean Production Technology, Llc Turret-less floating production ship
US7628224B2 (en) * 2007-04-30 2009-12-08 Kellogg Brown & Root Llc Shallow/intermediate water multipurpose floating platform for arctic environments
US20110092115A1 (en) * 2008-05-19 2011-04-21 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Disconnectable turret mooring system with a weighted riser-supporting buoy

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US4604961A (en) * 1984-06-11 1986-08-12 Exxon Production Research Co. Vessel mooring system
NO160914C (no) * 1986-03-24 1989-06-14 Svensen Niels Alf Boeyelastningssystem for offshore petroleumsproduksjon.
GB8905364D0 (en) * 1989-03-09 1989-04-19 Britoil Plc Offshore oil production system
GB0002703D0 (en) * 2000-02-08 2000-03-29 Victoria Oilfield Dev Limited Mooring and flowline system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6453838B1 (en) * 2000-10-20 2002-09-24 Ocean Production Technology, Llc Turret-less floating production ship
US7628224B2 (en) * 2007-04-30 2009-12-08 Kellogg Brown & Root Llc Shallow/intermediate water multipurpose floating platform for arctic environments
US20110092115A1 (en) * 2008-05-19 2011-04-21 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Disconnectable turret mooring system with a weighted riser-supporting buoy

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106005291A (zh) * 2016-06-02 2016-10-12 哈尔滨工程大学 一种长圆形fpso船
US10421523B2 (en) 2017-07-31 2019-09-24 NOV APL Limited Spread moored buoy and floating production system
WO2019071655A1 (zh) * 2017-10-13 2019-04-18 大连理工大学 一种串联空心微珠复合材料浮筒的张力筋腱定位系统
WO2024124186A1 (en) * 2022-12-09 2024-06-13 Sofec, Inc. Marine terminals and processes for using same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN104203742A (zh) 2014-12-10
BR112014022102B1 (pt) 2022-03-03
GB201414011D0 (en) 2014-09-24
MY179351A (en) 2020-11-04
BR112014022102A2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 2017-06-20
WO2013138260A1 (en) 2013-09-19
AU2013232402B2 (en) 2016-05-19
GB2513076A (en) 2014-10-15
AU2013232402A1 (en) 2014-08-28
NO20141099A1 (no) 2014-09-12
CN104203742B (zh) 2016-11-09

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AS Assignment

Owner name: SHELL OIL COMPANY, TEXAS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LI, YILE;MATSUURA, JOAO PAULO JULIAO;SIGNING DATES FROM 20140506 TO 20140516;REEL/FRAME:033795/0979

AS Assignment

Owner name: SHELL OIL COMPANY, TEXAS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GERRETSEN, JAN HENDRIK;REEL/FRAME:033951/0709

Effective date: 20131113

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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