US3145539A - Offshore storage unit - Google Patents

Offshore storage unit Download PDF

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Publication number
US3145539A
US3145539A US848466A US84846659A US3145539A US 3145539 A US3145539 A US 3145539A US 848466 A US848466 A US 848466A US 84846659 A US84846659 A US 84846659A US 3145539 A US3145539 A US 3145539A
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oil
water
compartment
tank
communicating
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US848466A
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John C Estes
Jr Ray S Lacy
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Bethlehem Steel Corp
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Bethlehem Steel Corp
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Priority to US848466A priority Critical patent/US3145539A/en
Priority to GB35816/60A priority patent/GB904126A/en
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Publication of US3145539A publication Critical patent/US3145539A/en
Priority to DEB59841A priority patent/DE1244658B/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/78—Large containers for use in or under water
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E02B17/027—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto steel structures

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a marine structure for the underwater storage of oil in offshore areas, and includes means for transferring the stored oil to tankers.
  • the invention comprises a compartmented hull with columns extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to project above the surface of the water when the hull is in contact with the marine floor. Platforms at the tops of these columns support the production equipment, the oil treating equipment and the crews quarters.
  • structure can be floated to location on the buoyancy of the hull, and is set up on location by flooding said hull, stability being maintained by means of the columns. Thereafter, through oil piping communicating between the production platform and the columns and hull compartments, storage and discharge of oil is effected. When it is desired to relocate the structure, the same can be refloated by suitably deballasting the hull and columns.
  • One of the objects of this invention is to provide safe and eflicient means for the storage and discharge of oil in offshore areas.
  • Another object of this invention is to provide a structure for the storage and discharge of oil in oflshore areas, which structure can be floated to location, set up in a short period of time, and refloated in a short period of time for use at another site.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide a structure for the storage and discharge of oil in ofishore areas, which structure will be stable in all kinds of weather, whether afloat or aground.
  • FIG. 1 represents a view in elevation of the invention, set up on location at an offshore site with the hull engaging the marine floor.
  • FIG. 2 represents a view in plan of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 represents an enlarged view in elevation, partially diagrammatic, showing the production platform and tank battery, the hull, and the oil and water piping.
  • FIG. 4 represents an enlarged view in plan, partially diagrammatic, showing the hull and compartmentation thereof, the columns and piping, taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 represents an isometric diagrammatic view of the upper portions of the columns and oil piping.
  • FIG. 6 represents an enlarged section in plan, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3, showing the salt water receiver in one of the columns.
  • FIG. 7 represents an enlarged section in elevation, taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6, showing in phantom the valved manifold used in sinking the structure.
  • FIG. 8 represents an enlarged view in elevation of the production platform and tank battery associated therewith.
  • FIG. 9 represents an enlarged View in plan of the central portion of the production platform, and the tank battery associated therewith.
  • the invention is seen to comprise a liquid-tight hull 1, provided with liquid-tight bulkheads 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, subdividing said hull into corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 and central compartments 11 and 12 respectively.
  • Liquid-tight columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, communicat- United States Patent 0 3,145,539 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 ing with corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively, are secured to the hull 1, extending upwardly therefrom, and are of length suflicient to project well above the surface 17 of the water when said hull 1 engages the marine floor 18.
  • semi-cylindrical bulkhead 35 terminates short of top 33, thereby defining an overflow weir 36 for oil passing from tank compartments 27 and 28 through passageway 37 to oil receiver compartment 34.
  • Oil lines 43 and 44 provided respectively with valves 45 and 46 in oil receiver compartment 34, pass inside column 13 to hull 1 and communicate respectively with central compartments 11 and 12 adjacent the tops there of. Extensions 47 and 48 on valves 45 and 46 respective ly permit control of said valves from a position on production platform 20, thereby placing in or removing from communication with said oil receiver compartment said oil lines 43 and 44.
  • Oil filling and unloading lines 49 and 50 communicate between oil line 44 (directly as shown in FIG. 5 or indirectly through a portion of loading header 52 as shown in FIG. 3) and the upper portions of columns 15 and 16 and columns 13 and 14 respectively, being supported by conventional pipe hangers from walkways 51.
  • Loading header 52 communicates with oil line 44 through valve 53, and terminates adjacent column 15.
  • Line 54 provided with valve 55, communicates between oil line 43 and loading header 52 beyond valve 53.
  • Loading header 52 is provided with valved connections 56 and 57 operating unloading stations to which hoses 58 and 59 from tankers moored alongside may be secured. It will be noted that by suitably controlling valved connec tions 56 and 57, either or both loading stations at columns 13 and 15 can be operated.
  • Vents 61 are provided at the tops of columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, at the upper portions of oil lines 43 and '44 below valves 45 and 46 and below bottom wall 21 of tank battery 19, and at the top of housing 31.
  • Salt water supply line 62 communicates between production platform 20 and the top of salt water receiver 42.
  • Salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 communicate between the bottom of salt water receiver 42 and the lower portions of corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 and central compartments 11 and 12 respectively.
  • Salt water receiver is provided with overflow 69, vent 70, and access opening 71 ordinarily closed by means of blind flange 71.
  • a pump 41a on production platform 20 takes sea water through sea chest 73 and deep pump well 41 in column 13 and floods salt water receiver 42 through :salt water supply line 62.
  • the salt water can then pass from salt water receiver 42 through salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 to the lower portions of corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 19 and central compartments 11 and 12 respectively, the displaced air from said corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 19 passing up through columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 respectively and out through vents 61, the displaced air from said central compartments 11 and 12 passing up through oil lines 43 and 44 respectively in column 13 and out through vents 61.
  • salt water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 should initially be closed and salt water lines 67 and 68 open, said lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 being opened after central compartments 11 and 12 have been filled.
  • This can be done by means of the valved manifold 75 shown in phantom in FIG. 7.
  • Manifold 75 comprises vertical line 76, horizontal line 77, and six individually valved lines 78.
  • Manifold 75 is installed by connecting vertical line 76 to salt water supply line 62, and valved lines 78 to salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 6'7 and 68, all by means of conventional fittings which need not be described here.
  • An operator enters salt water receiver 42 through access opening 71 and controls valved lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 to flood the hull compartments and columns in the sequence already described.
  • manifold 75 is disassembled and removed from salt water receiver 42, and blind flange 72 is bolted over access opening 71.
  • a conventional hatch-type opening may be used to the same end.
  • oil receiver compartment 34 is at a level considerably lL'gher than the level of overflow 69 in salt water receiver 42, and that the ratio of the height of oil receiver compartment 34 above marine floor 18 to the height of overflow 69 above marine floor 18 is greater than the ratio of salt water density to oil density.
  • oil receiver compartmnet 34 oil lines 43, 44, 49 and 50 into columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10, and central Compartments 11 and 12, the salt water displaced thereby passing through salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68, into salt water receiver 42 and thence out through overflow 69.
  • a high level float shutdown 79 in the upper part of oil receiver compartment 34, preferably slightly below weir 36, which functions by means of a piping and control system (not shown, but understood by those familiar with the art) to shut off the flow of oil into inlet connections 29 and 30.
  • hose booms 58a and 59a When it is desired to withdraw oil from storage in the structure, the tanker is moored alongside column 13 or 15, and a hose (represented by numeral 58 or 59 in FIG. is connected to one of the loading stations previously described. This particular operation may be expedited by use of hose booms 58a and 59a. (Both loading stations may be used simultaneously to load two tankers.) Valves 56 or 57 are opened or closed depending upon whether both loading stations or one loading station are in use, and if the latter, then upon which loading station is in use, as will be evident to those familiar with the art. Valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 may then be opened. Oil in oil receiver compartment 34 will then flow by gravity to the tanker.
  • the deep well pump 41a on production platform 20 takes sea water from sea chest 73 and deep pump well 41 and passes said water through salt water supply line 62 into salt water receiver 42.
  • the ratio of the height of valves 53 and 55 and of loading line 52 above marine floor 18 to the height of overflow 69 above marine floor 18 is less than the ratio of salt water density to oil density. Consequently, by well known displacement principles, the salt water will pass through salt Water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 into columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and corner compartments 7, S, 9 and 10, and into central compartments 11 and 12 respectively.
  • the displaced oil passes into oil lines 43, 44, 49 and 50 and thence into the tanker. In the event the deep well pump 41a discharges salt water faster than the tanker takes on oil, the excess volume of water is discharged through overflow 69.
  • salt water lines 67 and 63 should initially be closed, and salt Water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 open, said lines 67 and 68 being opened after the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 have been deballasted.
  • Salt water receiver 42 containing salt water up to the level of overflow 69, is drained by means of valve 80, it being recalled that salt water receiver 42 is always above the Water surface 17.
  • Flange 72 is removed and manifold 75 is again assembled and connected as heretofore described.
  • An operator enters salt water receiver 42 through access opening '71 and closes those valved lines 78 leading to salt water lines 67 and 68, the other valved lines 78 being open.
  • Valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 are closed.
  • Those vents 61 commuyering with oil lines 43 and 44' are closed, by means of blind flanges bolted to flanges at the ends of the return bends, or by any other suitable fitting or, to the same end, these vents 61 may be provided with valves which may be closed for this purpose. Compressed air is then introduced into columns 13, 14, 15 and 16'through the vents 61 communicating with the upper portions of said columns.
  • the salt water Under the pressure of the compressed air, the salt water will be displaced through lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 to salt water receiver 42 and out through line 62 and thence overboard through a branch line (not shown) communicating with line 62 below pump 41a at any suitable point, as will be evident to those familiar with the art, which branch line may be opened when such discharge is to be effected.
  • the structure will commence to assume positive buoyancy, and will rise. The rate of ascent, as well as the stability, of the structure (viz., maintaining the same in level condition) can, as will be evident, be controlled by the pressure and distribution of compressed air to the four columns.
  • valved lines 78 leading to salt water lines 67 and 68 may close valved lines 78 leading to salt water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66.
  • Valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 remain closed.
  • Vents 61 communicating with the tops of columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 are closed, as explained before, by means of blind flanges, other suitable fittings, or valves. Compressed air may now be introduced into those vents 61 communicating with the upper portions of oil lines 43 and 44. Salt water displaced in central compartments 11 and 12 will pass through salt water lines 67 and 68 into salt water receiver 42 and out through line 62.
  • central compartments 11 and 12 By means of compressed air, it may be desired simply to pump out the salt water therein by suitable pump means (not shown) as will be evident to those familiar with the art. In this event, these compartments should be vented as, for instance, by leaving open those vents 61 communicating with the upper portions of oil lines 43 and 44.
  • the structure may then be towed to another marine site and set up on location and operated as previously described.
  • platform 81 for crews quarters platform 82 for treating equipment
  • boat landing 83 leading to stairway 84 boat landing 83 leading to walkways 51
  • ladder 85 leading to access opening 71.
  • An ofishore storage apparatus for the storage of oil in marine locations and for the discharge of stored oil to a tanker vessel by means of a hose, comprising a submersible ballastable hull adapted to be floated to location and submerged to engagement with the marine floor, liquid-tight bulkheads in said hull, corner compartments and a central compartment in said hull defined by said liquid-tight bulkheads, columns secured to said hull and extending upwardly therefrom to project above the surface of the water when said hull has been submerged to engagement with the marine floor, said columns communicating with said corner compartments, tank means supported on one of said columns, an oil receiver compartment associated with said tank means, a weir in said oil receiver compartment, a fluid passageway communicating between said tank means and said oil receiver compartment over said weir, a Water receiver compartment in one of said columns, first means to introduce sea Water into said water receiver compartment, second means to introduce sea water from said water receiver compartment to said columns, corner compartments and central compartment, third means to introduce oil into said tank means, and fourth
  • Apparatus as in claim 1 further including high level float shutdown means adjacent said weir in said oil receiver compartment to close said third means when the oil level in said oil receiver compartment rises above a predetermined value.
  • said first means comprising a sea chest in said hull, pumping means having a suction and a discharge and adjacent said tank means, conduit means communicating between said sea chest and said suction, and conduit means communicating between said discharge and the upper portion of said water receiver compartment.
  • said second means comprising third conduit means communicating between the lower portion of said water receiver compartment and the lower portions of said corner compartments, fourth conduit means communicating between the lower portion of said water receiver compartment and the lower portion of said central compartment, and valved means between said first means and said third and fourth conduit means communicable selectively between said first mean and said third conduit means, or between said first means and said fourth conduit means, or between said first means and said third and fourth conduit means.
  • said fourth means comprising first oil conduit means communicating between the lower portion of said oil receiver compartment and the upper portions of said central compartment, and
  • second oil conduit means communicating. between said first oil conduit means and the upper portions of said columns.
  • said fourth means comprising valve means in said oil receiver compartment, first oil conduit means communicating between said valve means and the upper portions of said central compartment, and second oil conduit means communicating between said first oil conduit means and the upper portions of said columns.
  • Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a loading conduit communicating with said fourth means, and at least one valved loading station communicating with said loading conduit and adapted to receive the hose of a tanker vessel for transfer of oil thereto.
  • said apparatus furtherincluding an overflow connection communicating between the interior of said water receiver compartment and the outside of its respective column, the ratio of. the height of the bottom of said oil receiver compartment above the marine floor to the height of said overflow connection above the marine floor, said heights being measured when the hull is in engagement with the marine floor, being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.
  • apparatus further including an overflow connection communicating between the interior of said water receiver compartment and the outside of its respective column, the ratio of the height of said loading station and loading conduit above the marine floor to the height of the overflow connection above the marine floor, said heights being measured when the hull is in engagement with the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
  • Apparatus as in claim 1 further including first vent means communicating with the upper portions of said columns, second vent means communicating with the upper portion of said fourth means below said oilreceiver compartment, means to open or selectively to close said first and second vent means, and means to introduce compressed air to said first vent means or selectively to said second vent means.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine door, a column secured to said tank and of height sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping meanseommunicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel,
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and communicating with the interior thereof, said column being of height sufficient to extend above thesurface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column.
  • pump means to introduce water into said compartment
  • water piping means communicating between the lower portion of said compartment and the lower portion of said tank
  • oil piping means communicating between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel
  • outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmos phere.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submeregd and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and communicating with the interior thereof, said column being of height sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interior of said column, the crosssectional area of said compartment being less than the cross-sectional area of said column, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between the lower portion of said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating between the upper portion of said colurrm and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere.
  • Apparatus as in claim 16 further including shutofi means in said oil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank in communicating relationship therewith and of height sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating etween the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and of height sufiicient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interior of said column, pump means ing between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and of height suflicient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interior of said column, the cross-sectional area of said compartment being less than the crosssectional area of said column, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, being less
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and of height sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, first oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column, second oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartment and the atmosoff means in said first oil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level in said apparatus.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a storage tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment, means securing said compartment to said storage tank at an elevation above the level of the surrounding water when said storage tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said storage tank, oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to said storage tank or selectively communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said storage tank to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a storage tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment, means securing said compartment to said storage tank at an elevation above the level of the surrounding water when said storage tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said lower portion of said storage tank, first oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to said storage tank, second oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said storage tank to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said first oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density, and the ratio of the height of said second oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor being less than the ratio of water density to oil density, said heights being measured when said apparatus
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged base compartment, column means associated with the base compartment forming a separate compartment therefrom and extending above the surface of the water, a water receiver compartment associated with said column means and positioned above the surface of the water, first means to introduce water to said water receiver compartment, overflow means in said water receiver compartment, second and third water conduit means com municating between said water receiver compartment and the lower portions of said base compartment and said column means respectively, an oil receiver compartment associated with said column means positioned above the level of the overflow means in said water receiver com partment, fourth means to introduce oil into said oil receiver compartment, fifth and sixth oil conduit means communicable between said oil receiver compartment and the upper portions of said base compartment and said column means respectively, an oil discharge station associated with said apparatus above the surface of the water, seventh and eighth oil conduit means communicable between said base compartment and said column means respectively and said oil discharge station, and valve means in said oil conduit means operable to place said base compartment in communication with said oil receiver compartment or selectively with said oil discharge station and to place said column means in communica
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged base tank, a water receiver associated with the base tank and located above the surface of the water, a discharge opening in said water receiver communicating with the atmosphere, an oil receiver associated with the base tank, said oil receiver being located above the level of the discharge opening of said Water receiver, water conduit means communicating between said water receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the bottom thereof, oil conduit means communicating between said oil receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the top thereof, oil conduit means communicating be-' tween said base tank and an oil discharge point above the surface of the water, means for introducing water into said water receiver, and means for introducing oil into said oil receiver.
  • the ratio of the height of said oil discharge point above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said water receiver above the bot tom of said base tank being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged base tank, column means secured to said base tank in communicating relationship therewith and projecting above the surface of the water, a water receiver associated with said column means above the surface of the water, a discharge opening in said Water receiver communicating with the atmosphere, an oil receiver associated with said column means above the level of the discharge opening of said Water receiver, water conduit l l means communicating between said Water receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the bottom thereof, first oil conduit means communicating between said oil receiver and a point in said column means adjacent the upper portion thereof, second oil conduit means communicating between said column means and an oil discharge point above the surface of the water, means for introducing water into said water receiver, and means for introducing oil into said oil receiver.
  • the ratio of the height of said oil receiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said discharge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.
  • the ratio of the height of said oil receiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said discharge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density
  • the ratio of the height of said oil discharge point above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being less than the ratio of water density to oil density
  • a rigid tank structure including a hollow base portion mounted on the floor of the body of water and a hollow columnar portion rigidly supported by said base portion and extending up- Wardly therefrom, said base and columnar portions being in communication with each other; said columnar portion extending to a point substantially above the mean surface level of the body of water and including means defining a separate chamber disposed above said mean surface level; conduit means communiacting between said separate chamber and the interior of said base portion; means communicating with the interior of said columnar portion below said separate chamber for introducing stored liq id to and withdrawing stored liquid from said tank structure, and means for supplying water to said separate chamber from the body of water.
  • a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright tank structure rigidly secured to and supported by said base tank structure, the interiors of said tank structures being in communication, said upright tank structure extending above the mean surface level of the body of water and having a horizontal croo s-section which is substantially less than the horizontal extent of said base tank structure; means defining a separate chamber in said upright tank structure, said chamber being located substantially above said mean surface level and in communication with the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; pump means operably connected for supplying water to said chamber from the body of water, and means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure for introducing and discharging stored liquid, said pump means being operative to maintain a predetermined level of water in said chamber during such discharge of stored liquid.
  • a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of Water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure
  • a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal crosssectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure,
  • a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of Water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure, second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which
  • a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substan:
  • said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said means surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of.
  • said upright tank structure is cylindrical and includes a lower portion of larger diameter and a top portion of smaller diameter, said lower portion terminating above said mean surface level and constituting means for accommodating stored liquid, said top portion containing said separate chamber.
  • Marine oil storage apparatus adapted to receive and store oil from an oil supply source and to discharge oil to an oil discharge point, comprising a submerged base tank, a water receiver associated with the base tank and located above the surface of the water, a discharge opening in said water receiver communicating with the atmosphere, water conduit means communicating between said water receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the bottom thereof, oil conduit means communicating between said oil supply source and a point in said base tank adjacent the top thereof or selectively communicating between said base tank and an oil discharge point above the surface of the water, and means for introducing water into said water receiver.
  • base tank means adapted to be submerged in lfi a body of water and located at the floor thereof; a column secured to said tank and of a height to extend substantially above the mean surface level of the body of water when said base tank is located at the floor thereof, the interior of said column communicating with the interior of said base tank means, said column including means defining a compartment within said column and above said mean surface level; pump means operatively arranged to supply water to the interior of said compartment; water piping means communicating between the lower portion of said compartment and the lower portion of said base tank means; oil piping means arranged for selective connection to an oil source or an oil discharge point, said oil piping means communicating with an upper portion of said column and said upper portion of said column communicating with the interior of said base tank means; and outlet means connecting the interior of said compartment to the atmosphere.
  • base tank means adapted to be submerged in a body of water and located at the fioor thereof; a column rigidly mounted on said base tank and projecting upwardly therefrom, said column being of a height to extend above the mean surface level of the body of water when said base tank is located at the floor thereof, the interior of said column communicating with the interior of said base tank means; means defining a compartment within said column and including a partition forming the bottom of said compartment, said partition being located substantially above said mean surface level when said base tank means is located at the floor of the body of water; water piping means extending from said compartment to the lower portion of said base tank means, said water piping means extending from said partition downwardly through said column; means for supplying water downwardly through said water piping means comprising a pump supported by said column, intake means connected to the inlet of said pump and communicating with the body of Water when said base tank means is located at the floor thereof, and means connecting the output of said pump to deliver water to said water piping means; water in said
  • base tank means adapted to be submerged in a body of water and located at the bottom thereof; a hollow column rigidly mounted on said base tank structure and projecting upwardly therefrom, said column being of a height to extend above the mean surface level of the body of water when said base tank is located at the floor thereof; means defining a compartment within said column and including a liquid-tight partition forming the bottom of said compartment, said partition being located substantially above said mean surface level when said base tank means is located at the floor thereof; at least one conduit extending downwardly through said partition and within said column, said at least one conduit communicating with the lower portion of said base tank means; water supply means for supplying water downwardly through said at least one conduit, said water supply means comprising a pump supported by said column; intake means connected to the inlet of said pump and communicating with the body of water when said base tank is located at the floor thereof, and means for directing water from the output of said pump to said at least one conduit; water in said at least one conduit applying 17 to the interior of said

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Description

g- 1964 J. c. ESTES ETAL OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 25, 1959 INVENTORS John C. Esfes Ray 6. Lacy J:
ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1964 J. C. ESTES ETAL OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1959 Mm AW W mad m e A wc 0 L Jr My J m w I7 6 I J. C- ESTES ETAL OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT Aug. 25, 1964 Filed Oct. 23, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 M I f 4 2 6 4 w L a a w, ll u i 4 5 u e n 7 M a u 3 u 4 mm ill 4 I I B P John C. Eafes Roy 6.v Lacy r: By W ATTORNEY J. c. ESTES 'ETAL 1 3,145,539
OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 23, 1959 mvmoxs ATTORNEY w v w .L 0 0 b. 0 a
3,145,539 OFFSHORE STORAGE UNIT John C. Estes and Ray S. Lacy, Jr., Beaumont, Tex., as-
signors to Bethlehem Steel Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Oct. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 848,466 55 Claims. (Cl. 61-465) This invention relates to a marine structure for the underwater storage of oil in offshore areas, and includes means for transferring the stored oil to tankers.
Briefly, the invention comprises a compartmented hull with columns extending upwardly therefrom and adapted to project above the surface of the water when the hull is in contact with the marine floor. Platforms at the tops of these columns support the production equipment, the oil treating equipment and the crews quarters. The
structure can be floated to location on the buoyancy of the hull, and is set up on location by flooding said hull, stability being maintained by means of the columns. Thereafter, through oil piping communicating between the production platform and the columns and hull compartments, storage and discharge of oil is effected. When it is desired to relocate the structure, the same can be refloated by suitably deballasting the hull and columns.
One of the objects of this invention is to provide safe and eflicient means for the storage and discharge of oil in offshore areas.
Another object of this invention is to provide a structure for the storage and discharge of oil in oflshore areas, which structure can be floated to location, set up in a short period of time, and refloated in a short period of time for use at another site.
A further object of this invention is to provide a structure for the storage and discharge of oil in ofishore areas, which structure will be stable in all kinds of weather, whether afloat or aground.
Still other and further objects of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.
Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent like parts in the several views:
FIG. 1 represents a view in elevation of the invention, set up on location at an offshore site with the hull engaging the marine floor.
FIG. 2 represents a view in plan of the invention.
FIG. 3 represents an enlarged view in elevation, partially diagrammatic, showing the production platform and tank battery, the hull, and the oil and water piping.
FIG. 4 represents an enlarged view in plan, partially diagrammatic, showing the hull and compartmentation thereof, the columns and piping, taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 represents an isometric diagrammatic view of the upper portions of the columns and oil piping.
FIG. 6 represents an enlarged section in plan, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3, showing the salt water receiver in one of the columns.
FIG. 7 represents an enlarged section in elevation, taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6, showing in phantom the valved manifold used in sinking the structure.
FIG. 8 represents an enlarged view in elevation of the production platform and tank battery associated therewith.
FIG. 9 represents an enlarged View in plan of the central portion of the production platform, and the tank battery associated therewith.
The invention is seen to comprise a liquid-tight hull 1, provided with liquid- tight bulkheads 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, subdividing said hull into corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 and central compartments 11 and 12 respectively. Liquid- tight columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, communicat- United States Patent 0 3,145,539 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 ing with corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 respectively, are secured to the hull 1, extending upwardly therefrom, and are of length suflicient to project well above the surface 17 of the water when said hull 1 engages the marine floor 18.
Liquid-tight tank battery 19, defined by production platform 20, bottom wall 21, and side walls 22, is supported on column 13 and is braced thereto by members 23. Circular bulkhead 24, extending between the production platform 20 and bottom wall 21, is in non-communicating registry with said column 13. Liquid-tight bulkheads and 26, extending between the production platform 20 and bottom wall 21, pass from side walls 22 to circular bulkhead 24, subdividing tank battery 19 into tank compartments 27 and 28, each provided with oil inlet connections 29 and 30 respectively. A housing 31, defined by walls 32 and top 33, extends upwardly from production platform 20, communicating with tank compartments 27 and 28 and with oil receiver compartment 34 defined by circular bulkhead 24 and semi-cylindrical bulkhead 35, the latter two bulkheads being in communicating relation, their curved surfaces registering. It will be noted that semi-cylindrical bulkhead 35 terminates short of top 33, thereby defining an overflow weir 36 for oil passing from tank compartments 27 and 28 through passageway 37 to oil receiver compartment 34.
Vertically spaced, horizontally disposed liquid- tight bulkheads 38 and 39 cooperate with vertical liquid-tight bulkhead 4t) and a portion of the wall of deep pump well 41 to define salt water receiver 42 in column 13.
Oil lines 43 and 44, provided respectively with valves 45 and 46 in oil receiver compartment 34, pass inside column 13 to hull 1 and communicate respectively with central compartments 11 and 12 adjacent the tops there of. Extensions 47 and 48 on valves 45 and 46 respective ly permit control of said valves from a position on production platform 20, thereby placing in or removing from communication with said oil receiver compartment said oil lines 43 and 44.
Oil filling and unloading lines 49 and 50 communicate between oil line 44 (directly as shown in FIG. 5 or indirectly through a portion of loading header 52 as shown in FIG. 3) and the upper portions of columns 15 and 16 and columns 13 and 14 respectively, being supported by conventional pipe hangers from walkways 51.
Loading header 52 communicates with oil line 44 through valve 53, and terminates adjacent column 15. Line 54, provided with valve 55, communicates between oil line 43 and loading header 52 beyond valve 53. Loading header 52 is provided with valved connections 56 and 57 operating unloading stations to which hoses 58 and 59 from tankers moored alongside may be secured. It will be noted that by suitably controlling valved connec tions 56 and 57, either or both loading stations at columns 13 and 15 can be operated.
Vents 61 are provided at the tops of columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, at the upper portions of oil lines 43 and '44 below valves 45 and 46 and below bottom wall 21 of tank battery 19, and at the top of housing 31.
Salt water supply line 62 communicates between production platform 20 and the top of salt water receiver 42. Salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 communicate between the bottom of salt water receiver 42 and the lower portions of corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 and central compartments 11 and 12 respectively. Salt water receiver is provided with overflow 69, vent 70, and access opening 71 ordinarily closed by means of blind flange 71.
The operation of this invention will now be described.
With hull 1 and columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 sufliciently empty so that the structure is buoyant, the latter is towed to location. At the site, the structure is submerged to engagement with the marine floor 18. This is preferably done as follows. A pump 41a on production platform 20 takes sea water through sea chest 73 and deep pump well 41 in column 13 and floods salt water receiver 42 through :salt water supply line 62. The salt water can then pass from salt water receiver 42 through salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 to the lower portions of corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 19 and central compartments 11 and 12 respectively, the displaced air from said corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 19 passing up through columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 respectively and out through vents 61, the displaced air from said central compartments 11 and 12 passing up through oil lines 43 and 44 respectively in column 13 and out through vents 61. As the structure fills with water, it will of course submerge. In this sinking operation, we prefer to first flood central compartments 11 and 12, and then corner compartments 7, 8, 9, and 10 and the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 associated therewith. To do so, salt water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 should initially be closed and salt water lines 67 and 68 open, said lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 being opened after central compartments 11 and 12 have been filled. This can be done by means of the valved manifold 75 shown in phantom in FIG. 7. Manifold 75 comprises vertical line 76, horizontal line 77, and six individually valved lines 78. Manifold 75 is installed by connecting vertical line 76 to salt water supply line 62, and valved lines 78 to salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 6'7 and 68, all by means of conventional fittings which need not be described here. An operator enters salt water receiver 42 through access opening 71 and controls valved lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 to flood the hull compartments and columns in the sequence already described. After the structure has been bottomed on marine floor 18, manifold 75 is disassembled and removed from salt water receiver 42, and blind flange 72 is bolted over access opening 71. In place of the particular form of access opening 71 and blind flange 72 shown, a conventional hatch-type opening may be used to the same end.
The structure is now-ready to receive oil. By means of suitable piping, oil from the source passes through inlet connections 29 and 39 into tank compartments 27 and 28 respectively of tank battery 19. When these tank compartments 27 and 28 are filled, the oil will rise in passageway 37 and will flow over weir 36 into oil receiver compartment 34. It will be noted that oil receiver compartment 34 is at a level considerably lL'gher than the level of overflow 69 in salt water receiver 42, and that the ratio of the height of oil receiver compartment 34 above marine floor 18 to the height of overflow 69 above marine floor 18 is greater than the ratio of salt water density to oil density. Therefore, by well-known displacement principles, when valves 45 and 46 are opened, oil will flow from oil receiver compartmnet 34 through oil lines 43, 44, 49 and 50 into columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10, and central Compartments 11 and 12, the salt water displaced thereby passing through salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68, into salt water receiver 42 and thence out through overflow 69. If for any reason the oil level in oil receiver compartment 34 rises too high, there is a high level float shutdown 79 in the upper part of oil receiver compartment 34, preferably slightly below weir 36, which functions by means of a piping and control system (not shown, but understood by those familiar with the art) to shut off the flow of oil into inlet connections 29 and 30.
When it is desired to withdraw oil from storage in the structure, the tanker is moored alongside column 13 or 15, and a hose (represented by numeral 58 or 59 in FIG. is connected to one of the loading stations previously described. This particular operation may be expedited by use of hose booms 58a and 59a. (Both loading stations may be used simultaneously to load two tankers.) Valves 56 or 57 are opened or closed depending upon whether both loading stations or one loading station are in use, and if the latter, then upon which loading station is in use, as will be evident to those familiar with the art. Valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 may then be opened. Oil in oil receiver compartment 34 will then flow by gravity to the tanker. When the level of oil in oil receiver compartment 34 has fallen so that the oil no longer flows by gravity, then the deep well pump 41a on production platform 20 takes sea water from sea chest 73 and deep pump well 41 and passes said water through salt water supply line 62 into salt water receiver 42. It will be noted that the ratio of the height of valves 53 and 55 and of loading line 52 above marine floor 18 to the height of overflow 69 above marine floor 18 is less than the ratio of salt water density to oil density. Consequently, by well known displacement principles, the salt water will pass through salt Water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 into columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and corner compartments 7, S, 9 and 10, and into central compartments 11 and 12 respectively. The displaced oil passes into oil lines 43, 44, 49 and 50 and thence into the tanker. In the event the deep well pump 41a discharges salt water faster than the tanker takes on oil, the excess volume of water is discharged through overflow 69.
When it is desired to relocate the structure, it is refloated by deballasting columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 1t), and central compartments 11 and 12. It is preferred to first deballast columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 1t), and then to deballast central compartments 11 and 12. To do this, salt water lines 67 and 63 should initially be closed, and salt Water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 open, said lines 67 and 68 being opened after the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and corner compartments 7, 8, 9 and 10 have been deballasted. Salt water receiver 42, containing salt water up to the level of overflow 69, is drained by means of valve 80, it being recalled that salt water receiver 42 is always above the Water surface 17. Flange 72 is removed and manifold 75 is again assembled and connected as heretofore described. An operator enters salt water receiver 42 through access opening '71 and closes those valved lines 78 leading to salt water lines 67 and 68, the other valved lines 78 being open. Valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 are closed. Those vents 61 commuincating with oil lines 43 and 44' are closed, by means of blind flanges bolted to flanges at the ends of the return bends, or by any other suitable fitting or, to the same end, these vents 61 may be provided with valves which may be closed for this purpose. Compressed air is then introduced into columns 13, 14, 15 and 16'through the vents 61 communicating with the upper portions of said columns. Under the pressure of the compressed air, the salt water will be displaced through lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 to salt water receiver 42 and out through line 62 and thence overboard through a branch line (not shown) communicating with line 62 below pump 41a at any suitable point, as will be evident to those familiar with the art, which branch line may be opened when such discharge is to be effected. The structure will commence to assume positive buoyancy, and will rise. The rate of ascent, as well as the stability, of the structure (viz., maintaining the same in level condition) can, as will be evident, be controlled by the pressure and distribution of compressed air to the four columns.
The operator may then open valved lines 78 leading to salt water lines 67 and 68, and may close valved lines 78 leading to salt water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66. Valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 remain closed. Vents 61 communicating with the tops of columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 are closed, as explained before, by means of blind flanges, other suitable fittings, or valves. Compressed air may now be introduced into those vents 61 communicating with the upper portions of oil lines 43 and 44. Salt water displaced in central compartments 11 and 12 will pass through salt water lines 67 and 68 into salt water receiver 42 and out through line 62.
Instead of deballasting central compartments 11 and 12 by means of compressed air, it may be desired simply to pump out the salt water therein by suitable pump means (not shown) as will be evident to those familiar with the art. In this event, these compartments should be vented as, for instance, by leaving open those vents 61 communicating with the upper portions of oil lines 43 and 44.
The structure may then be towed to another marine site and set up on location and operated as previously described.
Other features cooperating to effect the desired premises are platform 81 for crews quarters, platform 82 for treating equipment, boat landing 83 leading to stairway 84, the latter in turn leading to walkways 51, and ladder 85 leading to access opening 71.
Although we have shown and described our invention in considerable detail, we do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but may use such substitutions, modifications or equivalents thereof as are embraced within the scope of our invention or as pointed out in the claims.
We claim:
1. An ofishore storage apparatus for the storage of oil in marine locations and for the discharge of stored oil to a tanker vessel by means of a hose, comprising a submersible ballastable hull adapted to be floated to location and submerged to engagement with the marine floor, liquid-tight bulkheads in said hull, corner compartments and a central compartment in said hull defined by said liquid-tight bulkheads, columns secured to said hull and extending upwardly therefrom to project above the surface of the water when said hull has been submerged to engagement with the marine floor, said columns communicating with said corner compartments, tank means supported on one of said columns, an oil receiver compartment associated with said tank means, a weir in said oil receiver compartment, a fluid passageway communicating between said tank means and said oil receiver compartment over said weir, a Water receiver compartment in one of said columns, first means to introduce sea Water into said water receiver compartment, second means to introduce sea water from said water receiver compartment to said columns, corner compartments and central compartment, third means to introduce oil into said tank means, and fourth means to introduce oil from said oil receiver compartment to said columns and central compartment.
2. Apparatus as in claim 1, further including high level float shutdown means adjacent said weir in said oil receiver compartment to close said third means when the oil level in said oil receiver compartment rises above a predetermined value.
3. Apparatus as in claim 1, said first means comprising a sea chest in said hull, pumping means having a suction and a discharge and adjacent said tank means, conduit means communicating between said sea chest and said suction, and conduit means communicating between said discharge and the upper portion of said water receiver compartment.
4. Apparatus as in claim 1, said second means comprising third conduit means communicating between the lower portion of said water receiver compartment and the lower portions of said corner compartments, fourth conduit means communicating between the lower portion of said water receiver compartment and the lower portion of said central compartment, and valved means between said first means and said third and fourth conduit means communicable selectively between said first mean and said third conduit means, or between said first means and said fourth conduit means, or between said first means and said third and fourth conduit means.
5. Apparatus as in claim 1, said fourth means comprising first oil conduit means communicating between the lower portion of said oil receiver compartment and the upper portions of said central compartment, and
second oil conduit means communicating. between said first oil conduit means and the upper portions of said columns.
6. Apparatus as in claim 1, said fourth means comprising valve means in said oil receiver compartment, first oil conduit means communicating between said valve means and the upper portions of said central compartment, and second oil conduit means communicating between said first oil conduit means and the upper portions of said columns.
7. Apparatus as in claim 1, further including a loading conduit communicating with said fourth means, and at least one valved loading station communicating with said loading conduit and adapted to receive the hose of a tanker vessel for transfer of oil thereto.
8. Apparatus as in claim 1, said apparatus furtherincluding an overflow connection communicating between the interior of said water receiver compartment and the outside of its respective column, the ratio of. the height of the bottom of said oil receiver compartment above the marine floor to the height of said overflow connection above the marine floor, said heights being measured when the hull is in engagement with the marine floor, being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.
9. Apparatus as in claim 7, said apparatus further including an overflow connection communicating between the interior of said water receiver compartment and the outside of its respective column, the ratio of the height of said loading station and loading conduit above the marine floor to the height of the overflow connection above the marine floor, said heights being measured when the hull is in engagement with the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
10. Apparatus as in claim 9, and the ratio of the heightof the bottom of said oil receiver compartment above the marine floor to the height of said overflow connection above the marine floor, said heights being measured when the hull is in engagement with the marine floor, being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.
11. Apparatus as in claim 1, further including first vent means communicating with the upper portions of said columns, second vent means communicating with the upper portion of said fourth means below said oilreceiver compartment, means to open or selectively to close said first and second vent means, and means to introduce compressed air to said first vent means or selectively to said second vent means.
12. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine door, a column secured to said tank and of height sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping meanseommunicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel,
and outlet means in said compartment communicating be-- tween said compartment and the atmosphere.
13. Apparatus as in claim 12, further including shutoff means in said oil piping means responsive to a pre-- determined oil level.
14. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and communicating with the interior thereof, said column being of height sufficient to extend above thesurface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column.
adjacent the upper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interior of said column, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between the lower portion of said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmos phere.
15. Apparatus as in claim 14, further including shutoif means in said oil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level.
16. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submeregd and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and communicating with the interior thereof, said column being of height sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interior of said column, the crosssectional area of said compartment being less than the cross-sectional area of said column, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between the lower portion of said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating between the upper portion of said colurrm and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere.
17. Apparatus as in claim 16, further including shutofi means in said oil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level.
18. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank in communicating relationship therewith and of height sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating etween the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
19. Apparatus as in claim 18, further including shutoff means in said oil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level in said apparatus.
20. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and of height sufiicient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interior of said column, pump means ing between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
21. Apparatus as in claim 20, further including shutoif means in said oil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level in said apparatus.
22. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and of height suflicient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof and not directly communicating with the interior of said column, the cross-sectional area of said compartment being less than the crosssectional area of said column, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, oil piping means communicating between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column or selectively communicating between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment above the bottom thereof and communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
23. Apparatus as in claim 22, further including shutoff means in said oil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level in said apparatus.
24. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a column secured to said tank and of height sufficient to extend above the surface of the surrounding water when said tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment in said column adjacent the upper portion thereof, pump means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said tank, first oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said column and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to the upper portion of said column, second oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said column and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said apparatus to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartment and the atmosoff means in said first oil piping means responsive to a predetermined oil level in said apparatus.
7 26. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a storage tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment, means securing said compartment to said storage tank at an elevation above the level of the surrounding water when said storage tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said compartment and the lower portion of said storage tank, oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to said storage tank or selectively communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said storage tank to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere.
27. Apparatus as in claim 26, the ratio of the height of said oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
28. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a storage tank adapted to be submerged and stably supported adjacent the marine floor, a compartment, means securing said compartment to said storage tank at an elevation above the level of the surrounding water when said storage tank is stably supported adjacent the marine floor, means to introduce water into said compartment, water piping means communicating between said lower portion of said storage tank, first oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and an oil source to introduce oil to be stored to said storage tank, second oil piping means communicable between the upper portion of said storage tank and a tanker vessel to discharge oil from said storage tank to said tanker vessel, and outlet means in said compartment communicating between said compartment and the atmosphere, the ratio of the height of said first oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density, and the ratio of the height of said second oil piping means above the marine floor to the height of said outlet means above the marine floor being less than the ratio of water density to oil density, said heights being measured when said apparatus is stably supported adjacent the marine floor.
29. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged base compartment, column means associated with the base compartment forming a separate compartment therefrom and extending above the surface of the water, a water receiver compartment associated with said column means and positioned above the surface of the water, first means to introduce water to said water receiver compartment, overflow means in said water receiver compartment, second and third water conduit means com municating between said water receiver compartment and the lower portions of said base compartment and said column means respectively, an oil receiver compartment associated with said column means positioned above the level of the overflow means in said water receiver com partment, fourth means to introduce oil into said oil receiver compartment, fifth and sixth oil conduit means communicable between said oil receiver compartment and the upper portions of said base compartment and said column means respectively, an oil discharge station associated with said apparatus above the surface of the water, seventh and eighth oil conduit means communicable between said base compartment and said column means respectively and said oil discharge station, and valve means in said oil conduit means operable to place said base compartment in communication with said oil receiver compartment or selectively with said oil discharge station and to place said column means in communica tion with said oil receiver compartment or selectively with said oil discharge station.
30. Apparatus as in claim 29, the ratio of the height of said oil receiver compartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and said column means to the height or" said overflow means in said water receiver compartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and said column means being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.
31. Apparatus as in claim 29, the ratio of the height of said oil discharge station above the bottoms of said base compartment and said column means to the height of said overflow means in said Water receiver compartmerit above the bottoms of said base compartmentand said column means being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
32. Apparatus as in claim 29, the ratio of the height of said oil receiver compartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and said column means to the height of said overflow means in said water receiver compartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and said column means being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density, and the ratio of the height of said oil discharge station above the bottoms of said base compartment and said column means to the height of said overflow means in said water receiver compartment above the bottoms of said base compartment and said column means being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
33. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged base tank, a water receiver associated with the base tank and located above the surface of the water, a discharge opening in said water receiver communicating with the atmosphere, an oil receiver associated with the base tank, said oil receiver being located above the level of the discharge opening of said Water receiver, water conduit means communicating between said water receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the bottom thereof, oil conduit means communicating between said oil receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the top thereof, oil conduit means communicating be-' tween said base tank and an oil discharge point above the surface of the water, means for introducing water into said water receiver, and means for introducing oil into said oil receiver.
34. Apparatus as in claim 33, the ratio of the height of said oil receiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said discharge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank-being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.
35. Apparatus as in claim 33, the ratio of the height of said oil discharge point above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said water receiver above the bot tom of said base tank being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
36. Apparatus as in claim 33, the ratio of the height of said oil receiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said discharge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density, and the ratio of the height of said oil discharge point above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
37. Marine oil storage apparatus comprising a submerged base tank, column means secured to said base tank in communicating relationship therewith and projecting above the surface of the water, a water receiver associated with said column means above the surface of the water, a discharge opening in said Water receiver communicating with the atmosphere, an oil receiver associated with said column means above the level of the discharge opening of said Water receiver, water conduit l l means communicating between said Water receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the bottom thereof, first oil conduit means communicating between said oil receiver and a point in said column means adjacent the upper portion thereof, second oil conduit means communicating between said column means and an oil discharge point above the surface of the water, means for introducing water into said water receiver, and means for introducing oil into said oil receiver.
38. Apparatus as in claim 37, the ratio of the height of said oil receiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said discharge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density.
39. Apparatus as in claim 37, the ratio of the height of said oil discharge point above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
40. Apparatus as in claim 37, the ratio of the height of said oil receiver above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said discharge opening in said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being greater than the ratio of water density to oil density, and the ratio of the height of said oil discharge point above the bottom of said base tank to the height of said water receiver above the bottom of said base tank being less than the ratio of water density to oil density.
41. In apparatus for storage, below the surface of a body of water, of a water-immiscible liquid having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a rigid tank structure including a hollow base portion mounted on the floor of the body of water and a hollow columnar portion rigidly supported by said base portion and extending up- Wardly therefrom, said base and columnar portions being in communication with each other; said columnar portion extending to a point substantially above the mean surface level of the body of water and including means defining a separate chamber disposed above said mean surface level; conduit means communiacting between said separate chamber and the interior of said base portion; means communicating with the interior of said columnar portion below said separate chamber for introducing stored liq id to and withdrawing stored liquid from said tank structure, and means for supplying water to said separate chamber from the body of water.
42. In apparatus for storage, below the surface of a body of Water, of a water-immiscible liquid having a specilic gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright tank structure rigidly secured to and supported by said base tank structure, the interiors of said tank structures being in communication, said upright tank structure extending above the mean surface level of the body of water and having a horizontal croo s-section which is substantially less than the horizontal extent of said base tank structure; means defining a separate chamber in said upright tank structure, said chamber being located substantially above said mean surface level and in communication with the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; pump means operably connected for supplying water to said chamber from the body of water, and means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure for introducing and discharging stored liquid, said pump means being operative to maintain a predetermined level of water in said chamber during such discharge of stored liquid.
43. In apparattus for storing, under a body of Water, water-immiscible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the fioor of the body of Water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means in cluding a pump for supplying water from the body of Water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structure by the body of water in which said base tank structure is immersed.
44. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of Water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structureby the body of water in which said base tank structure is immersed, and further comprising a horizontal platform disposed above said mean surface level, said platform being mounted on and supported by said upright tank structure.
45. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communiacting with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said means surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying Water from the body of water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structure 13 by the body of water in which said base tank structure is immersed, and wherein said upright tank structure includes a transverse bulkhead disposed above said mean surface level and defining the bottom of said separate chamber.
46. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal crosssectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structure by the body of water in which said base tank structure is immersed, and wherein said upright tank structure includes a transverse bulkhead disposed above said mean surface level and defining the bottom of said separate chamber, and wherein said first conduit means extends from said bulkhead downwardly through the interior of said upright tank structure, and said second conduit means extends from said bulkhead upwardly through said separate chamber.
47. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, Water-immiscible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of Water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structure by the body of water in which said base tank structure is immersed, and wherein said separate chamber is provided with a laterally opening overflow effective to limit the hydrostatic head established by supplying water to said separate chamber.
48. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright 14 hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structure by the body of water in which said base tank structure is immersed, and further comprising a horizontal platform disposed above said mean surface level, said platform being mounted on and supported by said upright tank structure, and wherein said pump is mounted on said platform, said apparatus further comprising a pump in take duct extending downwardly from said platform through the interior of said upright tank structure, said intake duct having an inlet end disposed below said mean surface level and opening laterally through the wall of said upright tank structure.
19. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immisible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1,0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of Water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure, second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structure by the body of Water in which said-base tank structure is immersed, and wherein said first conduit means includes an elongated horizontally extending discharge manifold disposed adjacent the bottom of said base tank structure.
50. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, water-immiscible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substan:
l tial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said means surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of. Water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structure by the body of water in which said base tank structure is immersed, and wherein said upright tank structure is cylindrical and includes a lower portion of larger diameter and a top portion of smaller diameter, said lower portion terminating above said mean surface level and constituting means for accommodating stored liquid, said top portion containing said separate chamber.
51. In apparatus for storing, under a body of water, Water-immiscible liquids having a specific gravity less than 1.0, the combination of a hollow base tank structure mounted on the floor of the body of water; an upright hollow tank structure secured to and rigidly supported by said base tank structure and communicating with the interior thereof, the horizontal cross-sectional area of said upright tank structure being substantially smaller than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of said base tank structure and the height of said upright tank structure being such that the top thereof is located a substantial distance above the mean surface level of the body of water, said upright tank structure including means defining therein a separate chamber located substantially above said mean surface level; first conduit means communicating between the interior of said separate chamber and the lower portion of the interior of said base tank structure; second conduit means communicating with the interior of said upright tank structure below said separate chamber and via which stored liquid can be supplied to and discharged from said tank structures, and means including a pump for supplying water from the body of Water to said separate chamber to establish a hydrostatic head applied via said first conduit means to the interior of said base tank structure, which head is greater than the hydrostatic head applied exteriorly to said base tank structure by the body of water in which said base tank structure is immersed, and wherein said upright tank structure is cylindrical and includes a lower portion of larger diameter and a top portion of smaller diameter, said lower portion terminating above said means surface level and constituting means for accommodating stored liquid, said top portion containing said separate chamber, and further comprising a horizontal work platform of substantial extent mounted on said top portion and a laterally projecting landing platform secured to said lower portion at said mean surface level.
52. Marine oil storage apparatus adapted to receive and store oil from an oil supply source and to discharge oil to an oil discharge point, comprising a submerged base tank, a water receiver associated with the base tank and located above the surface of the water, a discharge opening in said water receiver communicating with the atmosphere, water conduit means communicating between said water receiver and a point in said base tank adjacent the bottom thereof, oil conduit means communicating between said oil supply source and a point in said base tank adjacent the top thereof or selectively communicating between said base tank and an oil discharge point above the surface of the water, and means for introducing water into said water receiver.
53. In an underwater oil storage apparatus, the combination of base tank means adapted to be submerged in lfi a body of water and located at the floor thereof; a column secured to said tank and of a height to extend substantially above the mean surface level of the body of water when said base tank is located at the floor thereof, the interior of said column communicating with the interior of said base tank means, said column including means defining a compartment within said column and above said mean surface level; pump means operatively arranged to supply water to the interior of said compartment; water piping means communicating between the lower portion of said compartment and the lower portion of said base tank means; oil piping means arranged for selective connection to an oil source or an oil discharge point, said oil piping means communicating with an upper portion of said column and said upper portion of said column communicating with the interior of said base tank means; and outlet means connecting the interior of said compartment to the atmosphere.
54. In an underwater oil storage apparatus, the combination of base tank means adapted to be submerged in a body of water and located at the fioor thereof; a column rigidly mounted on said base tank and projecting upwardly therefrom, said column being of a height to extend above the mean surface level of the body of water when said base tank is located at the floor thereof, the interior of said column communicating with the interior of said base tank means; means defining a compartment within said column and including a partition forming the bottom of said compartment, said partition being located substantially above said mean surface level when said base tank means is located at the floor of the body of water; water piping means extending from said compartment to the lower portion of said base tank means, said water piping means extending from said partition downwardly through said column; means for supplying water downwardly through said water piping means comprising a pump supported by said column, intake means connected to the inlet of said pump and communicating with the body of Water when said base tank means is located at the floor thereof, and means connecting the output of said pump to deliver water to said water piping means; water in said water piping means applying to the interior of said base tank means a hydrostatic head substantially greater than that applied to said base tank means exteriorly by the body of water in which said base tank means is submerged when said base tank means and water piping means are filled with liquid; and oil piping means arranged for selective connection to an oil source or an oil discharge point, said oil piping means communicating with an upper portion of said column and said upper portion communicating with the interior of said base tank means.
55. In an underwater oil storage apparatus, the combination of base tank means adapted to be submerged in a body of water and located at the bottom thereof; a hollow column rigidly mounted on said base tank structure and projecting upwardly therefrom, said column being of a height to extend above the mean surface level of the body of water when said base tank is located at the floor thereof; means defining a compartment within said column and including a liquid-tight partition forming the bottom of said compartment, said partition being located substantially above said mean surface level when said base tank means is located at the floor thereof; at least one conduit extending downwardly through said partition and within said column, said at least one conduit communicating with the lower portion of said base tank means; water supply means for supplying water downwardly through said at least one conduit, said water supply means comprising a pump supported by said column; intake means connected to the inlet of said pump and communicating with the body of water when said base tank is located at the floor thereof, and means for directing water from the output of said pump to said at least one conduit; water in said at least one conduit applying 17 to the interior of said base tank means a hydrostatic head substantially greater than that applied to said base tank means exteriorly by the body in which the same is submerged when said base tank means and said at least one conduit are filled with liquid; oil piping means arranged for selective connection to an oil source or an oil discharge point, said oil piping means communicating with the interior of said base tank means via at least an upper portion of said column; and means whereby Water passing upwardly via said at least one conduit, during introduction of oil by said oil piping means, is discharged above said mean surface level.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Harris Mar. 17, 1953 Watts Jan. 17, 1956 Monti et al. June 5, 1956 Brooks Jan. 26, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 11, 1958 OTHER REFERENCES International, March 10, 1958, page 101.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE CERTIFICATE OF @URRECTIN Patent No. 3 145,539 August 25 1964 John C, Estes et a1 It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and" that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below Column 2 line 68, for "blind flange 710" read blind flange 72, column 9 line 33 after "said insert compartment and the column 11, line 55 for oroossection" read cross-section line 68 for "apparattus" read apparatus Signed and sealed this 8th day of December 1964,
(SEAL) Arrest:
ERNEST W..- SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Aitesiing Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims (1)

1. AN OFFSHORE STORAGE APPARATUS FOR THE STORAGE OF OIL IN MARINE LOCATIONS AND FOR THE DISCHARGE OF STORED OIL TO A TANKER VESSEL BY MEANS OF A HOSE, COMPRISING A SUBMERSIBLE BALLASTABLE HULL ADAPTED TO BE FLOATED TO LOCATION AND SUBMERGED TO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MARINE FLOOR, LIQUID-TIGHT BULKHEADS IN SAID HULL, CORNER COMPARTMENTS AND A CENTRAL COMPARTMENT IN SAID HULL DEFINED BY SAID LIQUID-TIGHT BULKHEADS, COLUMNS SECURED TO SAID HULL AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM TO PROJECT ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THE WATER WHEN SAID HULL HAS BEEN SUBMERGED TO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE MARINE FLOOR, SAID COLUMNS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CORNER COMPARTMENTS, TANK MEANS SUPPORTED ON ONE OF SAID COLUMNS, AN OIL RECEIVER COMPARTMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TANK MEANS, A WEIR IN SAID OIL RECEIVER COMPARTMENT, A FLUID PASSAGEWAY COMMUNICATING BETWEEN SAID TANK MEANS AND SAID OIL RECEIVER COMPARTMENT OVER SAID WEIR, A WATER RECEIVER COMPARTMENT IN ONE OF SAID COLUMNS, FIRST MEANS TO INTRODUCE SEA WATER INTO SAID WATER RECEIVER COMPARTMENT, SECOND MEANS TO INTRODUCE SEA WATER FROM SAID WATER RECEIVER COMPARTMENT TO SAID COLUMNS, CORNER COMPARTMENTS AND CENTRAL COMPARTMENT, THIRD MEANS TO INTRODUCE OIL INTO SAID TANK MEANS, AND FOURTH MEANS TO INTRODUCE OIL FROM SAID OIL RECEIVER COMPARTMENT TO SAID COLUMNS AND CENTRAL COMPARTMENT.
US848466A 1959-10-23 1959-10-23 Offshore storage unit Expired - Lifetime US3145539A (en)

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GB35816/60A GB904126A (en) 1959-10-23 1960-10-19 Marine oil storage apparatus
DEB59841A DE1244658B (en) 1959-10-23 1964-11-25 Oil storage facility at sea

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US20130287502A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-10-31 Seahorse Equipment Corp Ballast System For Floating Offshore Platforms
US9227702B2 (en) * 2012-04-30 2016-01-05 Seahorse Equipment Corp Ballast system for floating offshore platforms
US20180135267A1 (en) * 2015-02-06 2018-05-17 Maritime Offshore Group Gmbh Offshore foundation structure with gangway and improved boat landing
US10738430B2 (en) * 2015-02-06 2020-08-11 Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe Ag Offshore foundation structure with gangway and improved boat landing
CN107585269A (en) * 2017-09-29 2018-01-16 强海海洋（深圳）科技控股有限公司 A kind of seawater solid oil tank platform, system and its method of construction
WO2023132827A1 (en) * 2022-01-06 2023-07-13 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Remote inspection of marine vessels

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GB904126A (en) 1962-08-22
DE1244658B (en) 1967-07-13

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