WO1999048752A1 - System for offshore loading of cold media - Google Patents

System for offshore loading of cold media Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999048752A1
WO1999048752A1 PCT/NO1999/000099 NO9900099W WO9948752A1 WO 1999048752 A1 WO1999048752 A1 WO 1999048752A1 NO 9900099 W NO9900099 W NO 9900099W WO 9948752 A1 WO9948752 A1 WO 9948752A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
loading
pipe
ball joint
vessel
installation
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO1999/000099
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christian Wille Mosgren, Jr.
Vidar Holmøy
Original Assignee
Hitec Marine As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hitec Marine As filed Critical Hitec Marine As
Priority to AU30608/99A priority Critical patent/AU3060899A/en
Publication of WO1999048752A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999048752A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
    • B63B27/24—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to a system for offshore loading of cold media.
  • Transportation of natural gas from an offshore oil field today greatly is performed by use of submarine pipelines from larger oil and gas fields.
  • the field developments of today and in the future, however, may be substantially smaller than in the past and also may have shorter production periods. Further- more, the fields may be situated at relatively large depths and far away from infrastructure which could be used. In relation to this scenery, separate pipelines easily may too costly.
  • LNG is kept at a low temperature, around -162 °C. At such temperatures non rubber qualities has not so good properties that they can be used. Therefore there exists today no flexible hose which can solve the task.
  • Sturdy ball joints are today manufactured for the use in offshore loading systems for oil. Such may rotate 360° corresponding to a swivel, and may additionally be moved about 25° in all directions. Such ball joints may be used also for other types of media with corresponding modification of design, materials and packings.
  • the loading system for cold media comprises spherical ball joints 1. Principally there may be used three ball joints 1 for a connection, but in practical use it will be most suitable to use a larger number, such as six ball joints 1, e.g. two ball joints 1 at each joint.
  • the ball joints 1 principally will function as rotational swivels and additionally the one half of the ball joints 1 may be placed at an angle of approximately 25° from the centre axis of the other part.
  • the diameter of the pipes may typically be around 500 mm.
  • the loading pipe 2 may comprise rigid piping between the ball joints 1 and the complete system preferably may be thermally isolated.
  • the system normally will comprise a return pipe 3 with corresponding ball joints 1 to allow vapourated gas to return to a cooler.
  • the return pipe 3 is manufactured in the same way as the loading pipe 2 comprising rigid pipings and they are connected in parallel between the vessels. Typical dimension for the return pipe 3 is about 300 mm.
  • the connection and operation of the loading system 3 is as follows.
  • a shuttle tanker 4 arrives at a field installation 5, which may be a vessel or a buoy or such
  • the loading pipe 2 as such and the return pipe 3 will suspend from a loading tower 7 on the installation in stored s position as disclosed in figure 1 with dotted lines 8.
  • the loading pipe 2 may be pulled over by transfer lines and connecting the end piece 10 of the loading pipe 2 to a connection o device 11 on board.
  • the connection device 11 normally will be arranged in a house 12 in such a way that the connection operation as such may be accomplished in a place protected against moisture.
  • the end piece 10 will be protected against ice with a cover. Based on this the cooling of the pipes may be s performed before the connecting operation, thereby giving a time reduction.
  • the atmosphere in the house 12 may be neutralized by supply of a gas such as nitrogen or by supply of dry air.
  • the end piece 10 comprises a valve to be opened after installation in the connection device 11.
  • the return pipe 3 is handled, connected and 0 opened in the same way.
  • Emptying of the loading pipe 2 after the loading operation has been terminated may be done very simple as safe by letting the medium flow out of the loading pipe 2. Possibly an inert gas or nitrogen may be supplied at the uppermost point 5 of the loading pipe 2.
  • the loading system comprises overpressure valves and 5 other types of valves, such as for emergency descent, according to prevailing rules and regulations.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Joints Allowing Movement (AREA)
  • Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)

Abstract

System for offshore loading of cold media, comprising several rigid pipe pieces (2), each pipe piece (2) being connected with another pipe piece with at least one ball joint (1), the pipe pieces (2) being connected with the installation (5) respectively the vessel (4) with at least one ball joint (1), the two parts thereby being connected with a ball joint (1) being able to freely rotate in relation to each other and assume an angle in relation to each other.

Description

System for offshore loading of cold media The present invention is related to a system for offshore loading of cold media. Transportation of natural gas from an offshore oil field today greatly is performed by use of submarine pipelines from larger oil and gas fields. The field developments of today and in the future, however, may be substantially smaller than in the past and also may have shorter production periods. Further- more, the fields may be situated at relatively large depths and far away from infrastructure which could be used. In relation to this scenery, separate pipelines easily may too costly.
Today about 50 % of the crude oil from the Norwegian base is transported by the use of ships. Loading offshore only is performed by the use of flexible hoses. Processing and loading offshore now is considered also for natural gas. One possible method is to produce LNG ( iquid Natural Gas ) from the natural gas and thereafter load the gas into appropriate ships for transportation. Loading of LNG is today performed in specially adapted harbour under static conditions thereby using swivels and steel pipings. Offshore there is a need to use a flexible piping system because the ship naturally will move in relation to the installation from which the loading is performed, due to variations in wind as well as in currents, waves and also because the draft of the ship is changed during loading.
LNG is kept at a low temperature, around -162 °C. At such temperatures non rubber qualities has not so good properties that they can be used. Therefore there exists today no flexible hose which can solve the task.
If a system with pipes and rotational swivels should be used, there would be a need for six swivels, possibly more, to take care of all translations such as heaving, hunting, swaying and rotations such as gearing, rolling, stamping. This results in a need for a very high number of piping bends, flanges, packings etc., all giving reason to possible complications during manufacturing, installation and operation. For example there is a large risk of substantial bending moments in the piping system.
The above mentioned disadvantages are avoided and other 2 advantages are achieved by use of the present invention as defined with the features stated in the claims.
Sturdy ball joints are today manufactured for the use in offshore loading systems for oil. Such may rotate 360° corresponding to a swivel, and may additionally be moved about 25° in all directions. Such ball joints may be used also for other types of media with corresponding modification of design, materials and packings.
With the loading system according to the present invention is achieved that there is a need only for a small number of bends and connections, which facilitates the flow- through of the content and which is advantageous for emptying and degassing the system.
In the drawing figure 1 ϋscloses a side view of a connected loading system according to thf;. present invention and figure 2 discloses the system in a ground view.
The loading system for cold media according to the present invention, comprises spherical ball joints 1. Principally there may be used three ball joints 1 for a connection, but in practical use it will be most suitable to use a larger number, such as six ball joints 1, e.g. two ball joints 1 at each joint.
To perform the loading operation without using flexible hoses or rotation swivels, substantial advantages are achieved by the large relative movements which must be accommodated by the ball joints 1. The ball joints 1 principally will function as rotational swivels and additionally the one half of the ball joints 1 may be placed at an angle of approximately 25° from the centre axis of the other part. The diameter of the pipes may typically be around 500 mm. The loading pipe 2 may comprise rigid piping between the ball joints 1 and the complete system preferably may be thermally isolated.
The system normally will comprise a return pipe 3 with corresponding ball joints 1 to allow vapourated gas to return to a cooler. The return pipe 3 is manufactured in the same way as the loading pipe 2 comprising rigid pipings and they are connected in parallel between the vessels. Typical dimension for the return pipe 3 is about 300 mm.
The connection and operation of the loading system 3 according to the invention is as follows. When a shuttle tanker 4 arrives at a field installation 5, which may be a vessel or a buoy or such, the loading pipe 2 as such and the return pipe 3 will suspend from a loading tower 7 on the installation in stored s position as disclosed in figure 1 with dotted lines 8.
After the mooring hawser is transferred from the mooring barrel to the chain stopper on the shuttle tanker 4, the loading pipe 2 may be pulled over by transfer lines and connecting the end piece 10 of the loading pipe 2 to a connection o device 11 on board. The connection device 11 normally will be arranged in a house 12 in such a way that the connection operation as such may be accomplished in a place protected against moisture. The end piece 10 will be protected against ice with a cover. Based on this the cooling of the pipes may be s performed before the connecting operation, thereby giving a time reduction. The atmosphere in the house 12 may be neutralized by supply of a gas such as nitrogen or by supply of dry air. The end piece 10 comprises a valve to be opened after installation in the connection device 11. The return pipe 3 is handled, connected and 0 opened in the same way.
Emptying of the loading pipe 2 after the loading operation has been terminated, may be done very simple as safe by letting the medium flow out of the loading pipe 2. Possibly an inert gas or nitrogen may be supplied at the uppermost point 5 of the loading pipe 2.
It will also be possible to perform inspection, maintenance and reparation on the loading pipe 2 as well as the return pipe 3 by pulling these on to one of the vessels, preferably the vessel 5 on which the loading tower 7 stands. 0 A conflict possibly could rise between the loading pipe
2, the return pipe 3 and the mooring hawser by relative movement of the vessels 4 and 5. This is solved by connecting these vessels to the shuttle tanker 4 at different levels.
The loading system comprises overpressure valves and 5 other types of valves, such as for emergency descent, according to prevailing rules and regulations.

Claims

Patent claims
s 1. System for offshore loading of cold media, CHARAC¬
TERIZED IN comprising several rigid pipe pieces ( 2 ) , each pipe piece ( 2 ) being connected with another pipe piece with at least one ball joint (1), the pipe pieces (2) being connected with the installation (5) respectively the vessel (4) with at least one o ball joint (1), the two parts thereby being connected with a ball joint (1) being able to freely rotate in relation to each other and assume an angle in relation to each other.
2. System according to preceding claim, CHARACTERIZED IN each joint connection comprising two ball joints (1). s 3. System according to preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED
IN a piping system extending from the vessel (4) to the installation for airing of the tanks of the vessel (4) during loading, comprising rigid pipe pieces (3) and ball joint (1) for transfer of polluted gas to the installation for cleaning or storing. 0 4. System according to preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED
IN a cover being adapted to close up the end piece ( 10 ) of the pipe piece ( 3 ) in such a way that the pipe piece ( 3 ) may be cooled down before connection to the connecting device (11) of the vessel (4), whereby the cover is removed when the end piece 5 (10) is situated within the house (12).
0
5
PCT/NO1999/000099 1998-03-24 1999-03-24 System for offshore loading of cold media WO1999048752A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU30608/99A AU3060899A (en) 1998-03-24 1999-03-24 System for offshore loading of cold media

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO19981332 1998-03-24
NO981332A NO981332L (en) 1998-03-24 1998-03-24 Cold media offshore loading system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999048752A1 true WO1999048752A1 (en) 1999-09-30

Family

ID=19901843

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO1999/000099 WO1999048752A1 (en) 1998-03-24 1999-03-24 System for offshore loading of cold media

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3060899A (en)
NO (1) NO981332L (en)
WO (1) WO1999048752A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1283159A1 (en) * 2001-08-06 2003-02-12 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Hydrocarbon fluid transfer system
FR2854126A1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2004-10-29 Dominique Pellissier Boat for recovering floating pollutants has floating sweeper arms deployed in V-configuration at front to guide pollutants into opening for recovery
US7322308B2 (en) 2005-03-21 2008-01-29 Bluewater Energy Services Bv Mooring apparatus with moveable ballast weight
WO2019122316A1 (en) 2017-12-22 2019-06-27 Fmc Technologies System for transferring cryogenic product between two ships placed side by side
RU2774086C2 (en) * 2017-12-22 2022-06-15 Фмс Текноложи System for pumping cryogenic product between two vessels placed next to each other

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3984059A (en) * 1973-03-13 1976-10-05 Robert Henry Davies Liquid handling
US4220177A (en) * 1977-02-08 1980-09-02 Fmc Corporation Offshore loading system with articulated manifolds
US4388948A (en) * 1979-05-28 1983-06-21 Fmc Corporation Articulated loading arm for the transfer of fluids

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3984059A (en) * 1973-03-13 1976-10-05 Robert Henry Davies Liquid handling
US4220177A (en) * 1977-02-08 1980-09-02 Fmc Corporation Offshore loading system with articulated manifolds
US4388948A (en) * 1979-05-28 1983-06-21 Fmc Corporation Articulated loading arm for the transfer of fluids

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1283159A1 (en) * 2001-08-06 2003-02-12 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Hydrocarbon fluid transfer system
WO2003016128A1 (en) * 2001-08-06 2003-02-27 Single Buoy Moorings Inc Hydrocarbon fluid transfer system
EP1308384A2 (en) * 2001-08-06 2003-05-07 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Hydrocarbon fluid transfer system
EP1308384A3 (en) * 2001-08-06 2003-09-03 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Hydrocarbon fluid transfer system
US6923225B2 (en) 2001-08-06 2005-08-02 Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. Hydrocarbon fluid transfer system
US7066219B2 (en) 2001-08-06 2006-06-27 Single Buoy Moorings Inc. Hydrocarbon fluid transfer system
FR2854126A1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2004-10-29 Dominique Pellissier Boat for recovering floating pollutants has floating sweeper arms deployed in V-configuration at front to guide pollutants into opening for recovery
US7322308B2 (en) 2005-03-21 2008-01-29 Bluewater Energy Services Bv Mooring apparatus with moveable ballast weight
WO2019122316A1 (en) 2017-12-22 2019-06-27 Fmc Technologies System for transferring cryogenic product between two ships placed side by side
RU2774086C2 (en) * 2017-12-22 2022-06-15 Фмс Текноложи System for pumping cryogenic product between two vessels placed next to each other
US11667356B2 (en) 2017-12-22 2023-06-06 Fmc Technologies System for transferring cryogenic product between two ships placed side by side

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO981332L (en) 1999-09-27
AU3060899A (en) 1999-10-18
NO981332D0 (en) 1998-03-24

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