Wells – Submerged well – Connection or disconnection of submerged members remotely...
Patent
1998-03-13
2000-02-08
Tsay, Frank
Wells
Submerged well
Connection or disconnection of submerged members remotely...
166267, E21B 4301
Patent
active
060218487
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of loading and treatment of a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon mixture produced on an offshore production platform, a production vessel or a well installation when producing oil and gas from a reservoir, wherein the mixture is supplied to a gas treatment vessel via a buoy loading system comprising a buoy of the STL/STP type, and is treated on board the vessel for producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) or an LPG mixture stored in tanks on the vessel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In offshore production of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) it is known to use production vessels based on the so-called STP technique (STP=Submerged Turret Production). In this technique there is used a submerged buoy of the type comprising a central bottom-anchored member communicating with the topical underground source via at least one flexible riser, and which is provided with a swivel unit for the transfer of fluid under a high pressure to a production plant on the vessel. On the central buoy member there is rotatably mounted an outer buoyancy member which is arranged for introduction and releasable securement in a submerged, downwardly open receiving space at the bottom of the vessel, so that the vessel is able to turn on the anchored central buoy member under the influence of wind, waves and water currents. For a further description of this technique reference may e.g. be made to Norwegian laying-open print No. 176 129 and to international patent application No. PCT/NO94/00119.
In offshore loading and unloading of hydrocarbons it is also known to use a so-called STL buoy (STL=Submerged Turret Loading) which is based on the same principle as the STP buoy, but which has a simpler swivel means than the STP swivel which normally has several through-going passages or courses. For a further description of this buoy structure reference may e.g. be made to international patent application No. PCT/NO92/00056.
By means of the STL/STP technique there is achieved that one is able to carry out loading/unloading as well as offshore production of hydrocarbons in nearly all weathers, a connection as well as a disconnection between vessel and buoy being able to be carried out in a simple and quick manner, also under very difficult weather conditions with high waves. Further, the buoy may remain connected to the vessel in all weathers, a quick disconnection being able to be carried out if a weather limitation should be exceeded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a flexible system for simultaneous loading of oil and gas via an STL/STP buoy to one or more vessels.
For the achievement of the above-mentioned object there is provided a method of the introductorily stated type which, according to the invention, is characterized in that, simultaneously with the supply of the hydrocarbon mixture, oil is also supplied to the gas treatment vessel via said buoy, the buoy including an STP connector having pipe courses for the respective fluids, the oil being transferred directly from the STP connector via a pipeline and an unloading means on the vessel to a tanker for storage and transport of the supplied oil.
By means of the method according to the invention there is obtained a very flexible system for simultaneous loading of oil and gas via a loading buoy to one or more vessels. Further, there is achieved that one can load oil and simultaneously can harvest LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and/or gas which would otherwise be reinjected into the reservoir.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be further described below in connection with examplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an offshore installation and a vessel for the supply of gas and/or an LPG mixture;
FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of interconnected vessels for carrying out the method according to the invention;
FIG. 3 shows a longitudinally sectioned view of an STP connector for use in simultaneous loading of oil and LPG m
REFERENCES:
patent: 4826354 (1989-05-01), Adorjan
patent: 5025860 (1991-06-01), Mandrin
patent: 5431589 (1995-07-01), Corona
patent: 5460227 (1995-10-01), Sidrim
patent: 5878814 (1999-03-01), Breivik et al.
Breivik K.ang.re
Sigmund-Stad Martin
Smedal Arne
Steine Ole G.
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