WO2005032942A1 - Systeme de dechargement de gaz - Google Patents

Systeme de dechargement de gaz Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005032942A1
WO2005032942A1 PCT/US2004/030052 US2004030052W WO2005032942A1 WO 2005032942 A1 WO2005032942 A1 WO 2005032942A1 US 2004030052 W US2004030052 W US 2004030052W WO 2005032942 A1 WO2005032942 A1 WO 2005032942A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
seafloor
floating structure
gas
onshore
electricity
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/030052
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jack Pollack
Hein Wille
Original Assignee
Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.
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
Priority claimed from US10/923,577 external-priority patent/US6973948B2/en
Application filed by Single Buoy Moorings, Inc. filed Critical Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.
Priority to CA002537496A priority Critical patent/CA2537496C/fr
Priority to CN2004800269205A priority patent/CN1852832B/zh
Priority to MXPA06003074A priority patent/MXPA06003074A/es
Priority to BRPI0414561-5A priority patent/BRPI0414561B1/pt
Priority to EP04784045.9A priority patent/EP1663786A4/fr
Publication of WO2005032942A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005032942A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F17C1/007—Underground or underwater storage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0332—Safety valves or pressure relief valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0352—Pipes
    • F17C2205/0364—Pipes flexible or articulated, e.g. a hose
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/031—Not under pressure, i.e. containing liquids or solids only
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2225/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2225/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2225/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2225/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2225/035—High pressure, i.e. between 10 and 80 bars
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0135—Pumps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0157—Compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0369—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel
    • F17C2227/0376—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in wall contact
    • F17C2227/0379—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in wall contact inside the vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
    • F17C2227/0388—Localisation of heat exchange separate
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/05—Regasification
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/07—Generating electrical power as side effect
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/011—Barges
    • F17C2270/0113—Barges floating
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0118—Offshore
    • F17C2270/0123—Terminals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0134—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed above the ground
    • F17C2270/0136—Terminals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0144—Type of cavity
    • F17C2270/0149—Type of cavity by digging cavities
    • F17C2270/0152—Salt caverns
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0157—Location of cavity
    • F17C2270/016—Location of cavity onshore
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0157—Location of cavity
    • F17C2270/0163—Location of cavity offshore
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
    • F17C2270/0581—Power plants

Definitions

  • Hydrocarbons that are in a gaseous state at atmospheric pressure and room temperature are often transported as cold hydrocarbons, as by ship in liquid form such as LNG (liquified natural gas), at atmospheric pressure and - 160° C.
  • LNG liquid natural gas
  • Another form of cold gaseous hydrocarbons that are ship-transported are hydrates (gas entrapped in ice).
  • the LNG or other gas
  • the LNG may be heated and flowed to an onshore distribution facility.
  • Proposed prior art offloading stations have included a fixed platform extending up from the seafloor to a height above the sea surface and with a regas unit on the platform for heating the LNG.
  • a relatively low-cost system for offloading cold hydrocarbons, and especially LNG (liquified natural gas), and transporting the gas to an onshore gas distribution station.
  • the system includes a floating structure such as a barge at the sea surface that is moored so it weathervanes.
  • a tanker carrying LNG attaches itself to the floating structure so they weathervane together.
  • a regas unit which heats the LNG, usually by transferring heat from sea water, transforms the LNG into gas that can be more easily passed through moderate cost hoses or pipes and eventually to the onshore distribution station.
  • a new tanker arrives at the floating structure perhaps every week, and efforts are made to offload the tanker as fast as possible, perhaps in one day.
  • To provide a steady flow of gas to the onshore distribution station much of the rapidly- offloaded and regassed LNG is stored in an underground (and usually undersea) cavern.
  • the gas is slowly flowed from the cavern along a seafloor pipeline to the onshore distribution station, to provide a steady gas supply without requiring a large gas storage facility at the onshore station.
  • the regas unit and pumps for pressurizing gas are preferably electrically energized for safety and convenience. Electric power on the order of 60 megawatts may be required. Such electrical energy can be obtained from a power generator apparatus on the floating structure that uses gas from the tanker for fuel.
  • the regas unit may require electric power only part of the time, such as one day per week when LNG is being offloaded and regassed.
  • the rest of the time e.g. several days per week
  • electric power from the power generator apparatus is passed through a seafloor electric power line to an onshore electric distribution facility.
  • the generation of electric power at the floating structure is economical because the gas fuel is already available and because a large amount of expensive land is not required to isolate the power generation apparatus from onshore homes and businesses for safety. Electric power instead can be obtained from an onshore electric power distribution facility. In that case, an electric power line extends from the onshore facility and along the seafloor and up to the floating structure.
  • Fig. 1 is a partially sectional side view of an offshore gas offloading and transfer system of a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 A is a plan view of a portion of the system of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 1 B is a plan view of a portion of a system that is a variation of Fig. 1 A.
  • Fig. 2 is a partially sectional side view of an offshore gas offloading and transfer system of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a partially sectional side view of an offshore gas offloading and transfer system of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a partially sectional side view of an offshore gas offloading and transfer system of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 A is a plan view of a portion of the system of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 1 B is a plan view of a portion of a system that is a variation of Fig. 1 A.
  • Fig. 2 is a partially sectional side view of an offshore gas
  • FIG. 5 is a partially sectional side view of an offshore gas offloading and transfer system of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a top isometric view of an offshore gas offloading and transfer system of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a sectional side view of the system of Fig. 6.
  • Fig. 8 is a sectional side view of an offshore gas offloading and transfer system of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an offloading and transfer system 10 that includes a weathervaning floating structure in the form of a single barge 12 (there could be more than one barge) that floats at the sea surface 15.
  • the barge receives LNG through a coupling 17 and a loading arm 11 extending from midship of a tanker 13.
  • the barge is moored to the seafloor 14 by chains 16 extending from a turret 20 mounted at the bow of the barge.
  • the illustrated chains extend in catenary curves to the seafloor and along the seafloor to anchors.
  • the tanker is moored to the barge and they weathervane together.
  • a regas unit 22 for heating LNG to produce gas
  • an injection unit 24 for pumping the LNG or gas to a high pressure
  • the regas unit usually transfers heat from seawater to the LNG to change it into gas.
  • a flexible riser 32 (there often can be two or more) extends up from a platform 34 on the seafloor to the barge. The platform is connected through a pipe 36 to the cavern 30 in which the pressured gas is stored, that results from heating LNG.
  • a pipeline 40 extends primarily along the seafloor to an onshore gas distribution station 42.
  • the onshore station can be a gas grid that distributes the gas to users, can be a power plant that distributes the gas to gas turbines, etc..
  • the flexible riser 32 and connections 50, 52 at its opposite ends, can be made highly reliable.
  • reliable shutoff valves are present at 54 on the platform and on the barge.
  • large numbers of flexible risers have been designed, constructed and used in offshore installations to produce hydrocarbons (usually including gas and liquid) from undersea reservoirs. Experience gained from such use has resulted in high reliability.
  • applicant is able to achieve the same high standards of reliability previously achieved with fixed platforms, but at far lower cost. Fig.
  • FIG. 1A shows a combination 62 of the tanker 13 and barge 12 held together to weathervane together about the turret axis 56.
  • Fig. 1 B shows another combination 64 where the tanker moored to the barge by a hawser 60, so they weathervane together.
  • Fig. 2 shows an offloading/injection system 70 similar to that of Fig. 1 , except that two risers 72, 74 are shown.
  • One riser 72 connects to a pipe 76 that extends to the cavern 30.
  • the other riser 74 connects directly to a seafloor pipeline 80 that extends to the onshore station 82.
  • a break is indicated at 83 to indicate that the pipeline may be long (e.g. over one kilometer).
  • a pressure boosting unit 84 on the barge 90 can pressurize gas that is pumped through the pipeline 80. Such pressured gas is directed through valves in the onshore station 82 but the gas does not have to be pressurized by the onshore station. This keeps the pumps at 84 far from any inhabited structures on shore.
  • some of the offloaded gas is injected via riser 72 into the cavern 30 while other gas is transferred through riser 74 to the shore station.
  • gas is removed from the cavern via the riser 72, its pressure is boosted by pressure boosting unit 84, and sent to the shore station via riser 74.
  • riser 72 is used bi-directionally.
  • Fig. 3 shows a system 100 in which the barge 102 injects LNG directly into the cavern through a cryogenic pipeline or flexible pipe 104 that connects to a conduit 105.
  • the LNG gradually changes into its gas phase.
  • Gas is withdrawn through a separate pipe 112 leading from an upper portion of the cavern to a seafloor pipeline 110 that extends to an onshore station 114.
  • all gas from the barge passes through a seafloor pipeline 120 to an onshore station 122 that injects it into a cavern 124 that is directly connected to the onshore station.
  • Fig. 3 shows a system 100 in which the barge 102 injects LNG directly into the cavern through a cryogenic pipeline or flexible pipe 104 that connects to a conduit 105.
  • the LNG gradually changes into its gas phase.
  • Gas is withdrawn through a separate pipe 112 leading from an upper portion of the cavern to a seafloor pipeline 110 that extends to an onshore station 114.
  • all gas from the barge passes through
  • cold LNG is pumped from the barge 130 through a cryogenic hose or pipeline riser 132, and passes through a cryogenic seafloor pipeline 134 directly into an onshore injector and regas unit 136 that connects through pipe 138 to the cavern 140.
  • the injector 136 can inject LNG or can regas some or all of the LNG before injection, depending upon the expected rate of gas withdrawal and the amount already stored in the cavern.
  • Gas is removed from the cavern through a separate pipe 142 leading to another onshore station 144.
  • Fig. 6 illustrate another offloading station 150 for offloading gaseous hydrocarbons from a tanker 152.
  • the tanker 152 carries the hydrocarbons as LNG at -165°C and atmospheric pressure.
  • the station includes a direct-attachment floating structure 154.
  • the direct-attachment floating structure includes a buoyancy-adjusting floating system 160 and a propulsion system 162 that allows the floating structure to lie low in the water, slowly propel itself until its under-tanker part 164 lies under the tanker, and then deballast itself (by emptying water from ballast tanks) until its parts 164, 166 engage the tanker.
  • Such a structure has been previously used in offloading crude oil from tankers.
  • the particular floating structure 154 of Fig. 6 also includes a regas system 170 that warms the LNG so it becomes gaseous.
  • the floating structure pumps the gaseous hydrocarbons through a riser 172 into a subsea cavern and/or through a pipeline to a shore station.
  • Fig. 6 shows that a seafloor base 174 carries a fluid swivel 176.
  • a hawser 180 that extends from a yoke 182 attached to the swivel, extends to the bow 184 of the tanker to moor the tanker so it weathervanes.
  • the structure 154 weathervanes with the tanker. Energy is required to power the propulsion and ballast systems, as well as the regas systems.
  • the regas system will use pumped seawater, as to warm an intermediate liquid that warms LNG or even to directly warm the LNG to produce hydrocarbons in a gaseous state.
  • the hydrocarbons are pumped into a cavern 191 (Fig. 7) and/or a seafloor gas pipeline 190 that extends to an onshore gas facility 192.
  • power can be obtained from a power line 194 shown in Fig. 7.
  • the power line preferably extends parallel to the pipeline.
  • the shore end 196 of the power line can be connected to an on shore electric power facility such as a utility electric line 200, or to a special shore based power station.
  • the floating structure shown in Fig. 6 as well as Figs. 1-5 may consume on the order of magnitude of 60 megawatts (e.g. up to 200 Mw) of electricity when unloading a tanker.
  • a power line to shore is most practical when the seafloor base lies within about fifty kilometers (less than 70km) of shore so there are only moderate power losses along the power line.
  • the power line preferably lies partially on the seafloor. In most cases the floating structure lies at least 50 meters from shore in its greatest excursion, and the seafloor platform lies at least 50 meters from shore (high tide). It is also possible to provide a small power plant (e.g. 60 Mw), indicated at 201 in Fig. 7, which uses a small portion (much less than 50%) of the warmed gas as fuel to continually produce electric power.
  • the power is used perhaps one day in five or seven primarily to pump sea water in the heat exchanger and to pressurize gas.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates a system 210 which includes a floating structure 212 that is moored through its turret 214 to the seafloor.
  • a riser (one or more risers) 216 carries gas to a seafloor reservoir 220 and to a pipeline 222 that extends along the seafloor to shore.
  • An electric power line 224 that extends primarily along the seafloor, extends from the turret and over a buoy 226 and along the seafloor 226 to a facility on shore.
  • the floating structure carries a gas-powered generator 230 that generates electricity for energizing a unit 231 for regasing (heating) LNG from a tanker (not shown) as by pumping sea water through a heat exchanger, and for pressurizing the gas.
  • a switch arrangement 232 diverts the generated electric power through line 224 to an onshore facility at P, as to add to electricity generated by a local electric utility. Electricity can instead be transferred from a local utility to the power line to power equipment.
  • the riser can be constructed to be disconnected from the floating structure, and laid down on the seafloor or floated in a submerged position.
  • the floating structure can be disconnected from the riser and from its mooring system, and can be towed away, to be later reinstalled.
  • the invention provides a gas offloading and transfer system for transferring gas from a tanker (wherein the gas is stored in a liquid-like state such as LNG) to an undersea or underground cavern and/or to the shore.
  • the system can be constructed at moderate cost even when it must lie in a sea of considerable depth.
  • the system includes a floating structure such as a barge, which is moored, as by catenary chains, to the seafloor. In most cases the floating structure is moored so it weathervanes, to change direction so as to always face the sea in the direction of least resistance.
  • a tanker that brings the gas to the barge is moored to weathervane with the floating structure, so the tanker and floating structure can remain attached to one another during offloading in the open sea.
  • a weathervaning tanker could not be easily moored to a fixed platform in an open sea.
  • the floating structure is a weathervaning barge.
  • the floating structure is a direct attachment floating structure that, by itself, may not have a bow end that turns to always faces upwind, but which attaches to a tanker that is moored and thereby weathervanes with the tanker.
  • An electric current- carrying power cable can extend between the floating structure and a shore-based electric power structure, to deliver electric power to the floating structure to energize pumps and other equipment, or to carry electricity from a power plant on the floating structure to shore when not used at the floating structure.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Supply And Distribution Of Alternating Current (AREA)
  • Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système (10) de déchargement de gaz naturel liquéfié depuis un méthanier (13) pour la livraison d'un terminal côtier de distribution (42). Le système comprend une structure flottante (12) qui flotte à la surface de la mer et qui est reliée au navire aux fins de girouette mutuelle. La structure comporte une unité de regazéification (22) qui chauffe le gaz naturel liquéfié pour la production de gaz, et distribue le gaz via une colonne (32) à une caverne souterraine (30) de stockage. Le gaz de cette caverne est distribué via un pipeline (40) au terminal. L'unité de regazéification comporte des pompes à eau et d'autres équipements électriques alimentés par un générateur (200) sur la structure, et un surplus d'électricité provient d'une ligne sous-marine (194) qui s'étend au moins en partie le long du fond à destination d'une installation de distribution d'électricité (192). L'alimentation peut aussi provenir d'une installation côtière via une installation conduite sous-marine qui s'étend jusqu'à la structure et à l'unité de regazéification.
PCT/US2004/030052 2003-09-19 2004-09-15 Systeme de dechargement de gaz WO2005032942A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002537496A CA2537496C (fr) 2003-09-19 2004-09-15 Systeme de dechargement de gaz
CN2004800269205A CN1852832B (zh) 2003-09-19 2004-09-15 气体卸载系统
MXPA06003074A MXPA06003074A (es) 2003-09-19 2004-09-15 Sistema de descarga de gas.
BRPI0414561-5A BRPI0414561B1 (pt) 2003-09-19 2004-09-15 sistema de descarregamento de gás em alto-mar e método para operação de uma instalação de alto-mar
EP04784045.9A EP1663786A4 (fr) 2003-09-19 2004-09-15 Systeme de dechargement de gaz

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US50444903P 2003-09-19 2003-09-19
US60/504,449 2003-09-19
US10/923,577 US6973948B2 (en) 2003-09-19 2004-08-20 Gas offloading system
US10/923,577 2004-08-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005032942A1 true WO2005032942A1 (fr) 2005-04-14

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PCT/US2004/030052 WO2005032942A1 (fr) 2003-09-19 2004-09-15 Systeme de dechargement de gaz

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1663786A4 (fr)
CN (1) CN1852832B (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0414561B1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2537496C (fr)
MX (1) MXPA06003074A (fr)
WO (1) WO2005032942A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

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WO2006088371A1 (fr) * 2005-02-17 2006-08-24 Statoil Asa Systeme et procede de dechargement et regazeification du gnl en mer
WO2011146763A2 (fr) 2010-05-20 2011-11-24 Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership Systèmes et procédés de traitement de citernes à cargaison de gaz naturel liquéfié (gnl)
NO20160837A1 (en) * 2016-05-18 2017-11-20 Blystad Energy Man As Natural gas power plant arrangement

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KR101121721B1 (ko) * 2010-01-28 2012-02-28 에스티엑스조선해양 주식회사 부유식 엘엔지 재기화설비
JP2018034668A (ja) * 2016-08-31 2018-03-08 三菱重工業株式会社 ガス移送施設、発電施設
KR20240029788A (ko) * 2018-06-01 2024-03-06 스틸헤드 엘엔지 (에이에스엘엔지) 엘티디. 액화 장치, 방법, 및 시스템
CN115075879B (zh) * 2022-06-24 2023-07-21 中国矿业大学 一种基于深部地下岩洞复合加固的储氢结构及其施工方法

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US4299260A (en) * 1979-06-18 1981-11-10 Amtel, Inc. Hydrocarbon production terminal
US4301840A (en) * 1979-06-18 1981-11-24 Amtel, Inc. Fixed turret subsea hydrocarbon production terminal
WO2002095284A1 (fr) 2001-05-23 2002-11-28 Exmar Offshore Company Procede et appareil de regazeification de gaz naturel liquefie en mer

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006088371A1 (fr) * 2005-02-17 2006-08-24 Statoil Asa Systeme et procede de dechargement et regazeification du gnl en mer
WO2011146763A2 (fr) 2010-05-20 2011-11-24 Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership Systèmes et procédés de traitement de citernes à cargaison de gaz naturel liquéfié (gnl)
EP2547580A4 (fr) * 2010-05-20 2017-05-31 Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership Systèmes et procédés de traitement de citernes à cargaison de gaz naturel liquéfié (gnl)
US9919774B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2018-03-20 Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership Systems and methods for treatment of LNG cargo tanks
NO20160837A1 (en) * 2016-05-18 2017-11-20 Blystad Energy Man As Natural gas power plant arrangement
WO2017200388A1 (fr) * 2016-05-18 2017-11-23 Blystad Energy Management As Agencement de centrale électrique à gaz naturel
NO341820B1 (en) * 2016-05-18 2018-01-29 Blystad Energy Man As Natural gas power plant arrangement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1663786A4 (fr) 2015-02-25
MXPA06003074A (es) 2006-06-20
CN1852832A (zh) 2006-10-25
CA2537496A1 (fr) 2005-04-14
EP1663786A1 (fr) 2006-06-07
CA2537496C (fr) 2009-01-20
BRPI0414561A8 (pt) 2017-06-27
BRPI0414561A (pt) 2006-11-07
CN1852832B (zh) 2010-05-12
BRPI0414561B1 (pt) 2021-01-26

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