The paper describes the Submerged Turret Production System (STP) and a state of the art disconnectable FPSO. The STP technology is well proven in the North Sea, South China Sea and other offshore arenas worldwide for both disconnectable FPSO's and for permanent mooring configuration. Lately it is being used for turret mooring of one of the worlds largest FPSOs located in Mexican waters in Gulf of Mexico on the PEMEX KuMaZa field. The FPSO is scheduled for first oil April 2007 and a short update of this project is presented. The STP technology is built on the Submerged Turret Loading - STL technology used for Offshore Loading of Crude Oil, which is further developed for Discharge of Natural Gas and is the basis for the world's first Offshore LNG Receiving Terminal, Gulf Gateway - located in US Gulf of Mexico, Block WC 603. The paper presents this turret technology and how this technology can significantly reduce development risks in the Deep Water Fields in GoM and how it subsequently can have a positive impact on insurance premiums for the FPS/FPSO facility due to the ability to safeguard and sail away from Hurricanes. Introduction The ability to easily connect and disconnect a single point mooring and riser system in a safe way is attractive for a number of reasons. The most obvious reason in Gulf of Mexico is to be able to remove the vessel in case of a hurricane. The technology described, has been developed over a period of 15 years, starting in the North Sea with the STL loading system for shuttle tankers and the disconnectable STP mooring and riser system for FPSOs. Basically the technology is the same, utilizing a submerged buoy integrating riser buoy and turret in one compact module which all together is disconnected.
The paper describe the KONGSBERG patented Subsea Storage Unit (SSU) technology and the ongoing Qualification Program. The SSU is characterized by using a flexible bag as oil / fluid storage. It's a gravity based storage unit that differ from conventional gravity storage systems by the flexible bag, which eliminates contact between sea-water and the stored fluid, thus eliminating the problems with emulsion layer and risk of bacteria growth. The bag is further covered by a protection structure, which accommodate the whole volume of the stored fluid thereby providing a second barrier should the bag rupture. There is free flow of seawater into the base of the protection structure and hence no needs to design against the water pressure. The top of the protection structure is designed such that the bag may be retracted separately from the storage tank if necessary for repair or replacement. Different fields would have variable storage needs and the ability to size, combine and manifold multiple SSU's provides attractive flexibility. The number of SSU's could also be varied over the field life and the paper present how the SSU is an enhancer for subsea processing and production in arctic areas and also how it may commercialize development of marginal oil field or tail end production.
The Submerged Turret Loading Buoy System (STL TM ), which is well proven in the North Sea for Offshore Loading of Crude Oil, is now developed for Discharge of Gas and will be used as an Offshore LNG receiving Terminal. Presently two 138,000 m 3 LNG Carriers are being constructed at Daewoo Shipyard with onboard re-gasification and shipboard system for connection to the STL Buoy. The first Submerged Loading Buoy based Offshore LNG Receiving Terminal installation will be in Gulf of Mexico -West Cameron Block 603. The paper presents the technology and how the same loading technology system can be used for CNG Vessels; both for loading and offloading of Natural Gas.
Recent deepwater discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico, where the nearest pipeline infrastructure may be more than 100 miles away, pave the way for an innovative approach to development, particularly for "marginal" sized fields. This paper takes a look at the activities, and explores some of the systems and sub systems, that could be used to support production operations. The paper describes some of the key concepts and drivers surrounding marginal field development and presents an innovative approach based on existing and proven technology. The development concept presented is for a water depth of 2000meters, and consists of a Dry Tree Unit (DTU) with a disconnectable turret-moored Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FpSO) in close proximity to it. The FpSO, and transportation of produced oil, are based on the use of Articulated Tug Barge (ATB) units. Midwater flowlines between the DTU and the FpSO are utilised, together with integrated moorings. "Proof of Concept" model basin testing has been performed to verify the integrated solution as well as behavior of the individual units in varying sea state conditions. Findings confirm that use of a DTU, close coupled to a disconnectable FpSO, is both a feasible and cost effective alternative for deepwater GOM production. In addition, the use of synthetic mooring lines, abreast offloading and ATB's are also possible. Introduction Approximately eighteen months ago, an expert team was formed within Texaco to study different development scenarios for deepwater production. This was in anticipation of bringing production on line as soon as practical should the need arise. The development parameters guiding the team's work were:Conventional, current technology would be used where possible.Innovative, emerging technology would be used where it presented a practical alternative.Development economics would be optimized where possible.Safety considerations would be paramount to any concept studied.Methods to reduce development costs would be investigated. The purpose of this paper is to share Texaco's approach and findings regarding the cost-effective development of deepwater prospects in the Gulf of Mexico. It is presented in three sections, with the first outlining the preferred concept, the second describing the mooring arrangements together with the results from "proof of concept" model basin tests, and the third discussing marine transportation issues. System Description The proposed development system comprises the following:A purpose built, double hulled, deep notch, FpSO barge of 500,000 barrel capacity, fitted with a submerged turret loading system. The unit is capable of loading, treating, storing and discharging crude oil to transfer vessels via either side or stern fitted discharge equipment. The vessel has self-contained accommodation for a minimum of 20 persons, and is capable of site abandonment in the event of a hurricane.A purpose built double hulled, dynamically positioned (D/P), articulated tug/barge shuttle tanker of 500,000 barrel capacityAn integrated mooring system, comprising chain/synthetic/wire ropes, connecting the FpSO to the DTU through both independent and common lines.Flexible mid-water risers.?Close proximity mooring of the FpSO to the DTU, at a distance of 700 meters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.