Patent · US Expired

Method and system for sea-based handling of hydrocarbons

US6893486B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
13References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 27, 2001
Grant dateMay 17, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 17, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/36
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method and system for sea-based handling/treatment of fluid hydrocarbons (oil) with associated gas include a first separation step in a high-pressure separator (18) installed on the sea bed, from which is output an oil flow containing an essentially predefined percentage of residual gas. The oil containing residual gas is carried through a riser (22) up to a surface vessel/production ship (12), where it is subjected to a second separation step in a second separator (24) incorporated in a low-pressure surface plant on board the vessel (12), this separated residual gas being used as fuel for direct/indirect generation of electric power for the operation of the underwater and above-water sections of the system. Water and gas produced in the first separation step is returned to a suitable reservoir by the use of a multiphase pump.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.