POSTE DE CHARGEMENT/DECHARGEMENT, NOTAMMENT POUR LE CHARGEMENT ET LE DECHARGEMENT DE PRODUITS PETROLIERS

A LOADING/UNLOADING TERMINAL, ESPECIALLY FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

Abrégé français

Un poste de chargement/déchargement notamment pour le chargement ou le déchargement de produits pétroliers, comprend une barge (2) pourvue d'un espace de réception (2) ouvert vers le bas, destiné à recevoir et à assujettir de manière libérable une bouée submergée (20), ainsi qu'une bouée submergée (20) du type comprenant un élément central (21) ancré au fond de la mer, et permettant le passage d'un milieu vers une conduite de transfert (32) fixée audit élément central, ou à partir de cette conduite, et un élément externe (23) monté rotatif sur l'élément central (21) afin de permettre la rotation de la barge (1, 40) autour de ce dernier lorsque l'élément externe est fixé dans l'espace de réception (2) de la barge. Celle-ci est en outre pourvue d'un organe d'accouplement (4) servant à raccorder le passage (22) ménagé dans l'élément central (21) à une conduite (9) de transfert d'un milieu vers un pétrolier conventionnel adjacent ou hors de celui-ci, ainsi que d'un organe (10-14) permettant de soulever et d'introduire la bouée (20) dans l'espace de réception.

Abrégé anglais

A loading/unloading terminal, especially for use in loading or unloading
of petroleum products comprises a barge (1) provided with a downwardly open
receiving space (2) for reception and releasable securement of a submerged
buoy (20), and a submerged buoy (20) of the type comprising a bottom-anchored
centre member (21) for passage of medium from or to a transfer
line (32) attached to the center member, and an outer member (23) rotatably
mounted on the centre member (21) to allow turning of the barge (1; 40)
about the centre member (21) when the outer member (23) is secured in the
receiving space (2) of the barge. The barge (1) further is provided with a
coupling means (4) for connection of the passage (22) of the centre member
(21) to a line (9) for medium transfer to or from an adjacent conventional
tanker, and with a means (10-14) for hoisting and introduction of the buoy
(20) into the receiving space.

Revendications

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A loading/unloading terminal for loading or
unloading petroleum products between a tanker and a submerged
buoy, said terminal comprising:
a) a barge provided with a downwardly open receiving
space for the reception and releasable securement of a
submerged buoy,
b) a submerged buoy comprising a bottom-anchored
centre member having a passage for the transfer of petroleum
products from or to a transfer line attached to the centre
member, and an outer member rotatably mounted on the centre
member to allow turning of the barge about the centre member
when the outer member is secured in the receiving space of the
barge,
c) coupling means provided on the barge for
connecting the passage of the centre member of the buoy to a
line for transferring petroleum products to or from an adjacent
tanker connected to the barge, and
d) means provided on the barge for hoisting and
introducing the buoy into the receiving space.
2. A loading/unloading terminal according to claim
1, provided with a mooring hawser and a loading hose for,
respectively, mooring of, and petroleum products transfer
to/from, a tanker located at a distance from the barge.
3. A loading/unloading terminal according to claim
1 or 2, wherein the barge has a hull portion formed with a
recess having a shape complementary to the shape of the bow
portion of the tanker, means being provided for inter
connecting the barge and the tanker as a unit.
4. A loading/unloading terminal according to claim
3, comprising fender means provided in said recess for abutment

against the bow portion of the tanker.
5. A loading/unloading terminal according to claim
4, wherein the fender means are inflatable rubber fenders.
6. A loading/unloading terminal according to any one
of claims 1 to 5, wherein the receiving space extends through
the hull of the barge, and both the coupling means and the
hoisting means are arranged on the deck of the barge.
7. A loading/unloading terminal according to any one
of claims 1 to 6, wherein the buoy has a bottom support
structure connected to the centre member of the buoy for
supporting the buoy on the sea bed when it is not in use.

Description

CA 02203022 1997-04-17
WO 96114238 PCT/N095/OOZ03
1
A loading/unloading terminal, especially for loading
or unloading of petroleum products
' The invention relates to a loading/unloading terminal,
especially for use in loading or unloading of petroleum products .
In connection with offshore loading or unloading of
hydrocarbons (oil and gas) there has been developed - during the
to recent years - a special technology called STL technology,
wherein the abbreviation STL stands for "submerged turret
loading". This technique is based on the use of a special buoy
construction consisting of a submerged buoy which comprises a
bottom-anchored centre member having a passage for transfer of
a flowable medium from or to a transfer line attached to the
centre member, and an outer member which is rotatably mounted on
the centre member and is arranged for introduction and releasable
securement in a submerged downwardly open receiving space at the
bottom of a vessel. The outer member of the buoy constitutes a
ao buoyancy member, and when the buoy is not in use it floats
submerged at a chosen distance below the sea level, the buoyancy
of the buoy corresponding to the weight of the anchoring system
of the buoy. In use, the buoy is hoisted up by means of a pick-up
line attached to the buoy, and the outer member of the buoy is
a5 secured in the receiving space in the topical tanker, for
instance a so-called shuttle tanker. The buoy structure allows
the vessel during loading/unloading operations to turn about the
bottom-anchored centre member of the buoy, under the influence
of wind, waves and water currents. Thus, the buoy constitutes a
submerged rotating body ("submerged turret"), which has resulted
in the above-mentioned designation of the utilized technique.
~ The STL technique has turned out to have very substan-
tial advantages in practice, both connection and disconnection
between vessel and buoy being able to be carried out in a simple
3s and quick manner, even in bad weather with relatively 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.
As will be appreciated, the use of the STL technique

CA 02203022 2002-04-24
2
hitherto has been dependent on specially constructed tankers, the
STL buoy presupposing a vessel which is provided with a submerged
receiving space and the necessary installations for hoisting and
introduction of the buoy into the receiving space, for releasable
securement of the buoy and for connection of the central passage of
the buoy to a pipe system which is arranged on a vessel and
communicates with the storage tanks thereof.
It would, however, be desirable to be able to use the
STL technique also in connection with tankers which do riot have the
necessary equipment or are built for the STL buoy, as this will
give practical as well as economical advantages, especially with
use in smooth and relatively shallow waters.
It is therefore a feature of one embodiment of the
invention to provide a loading/unloading terminal which is suitable
for the above-mentioned use.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention there is provided a loading/unloading terminal for
loading or unloading petroleum products between a tanker and a
submerged buoy, said terminal comprising: a) a barge provided with
a downwardly open receiving space for the reception and releasable
securement of a submerged buoy, b) a submerged buoy comprising a
bottom-anchored centre member having a passage for the transfer of
petroleum products from or to a transfer line attached to the
centre member, and an outer member rotatably mounted on the centre
member to allow turning of the barge about the centre: member when
the outer member is secured in the receiving space of the barge, c)
coupling means provided on the barge for connecting the passage of
the centre member of the buoy to a line for transferring petroleum
products to or from an adjacent tanker connected to the barge, and
d) means provided on the barge for hoisting and introducing the
buoy into the receiving space.
The invention will be further described below in
connection with exemplary embodiments with reference to the
drawings, wherein
Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectioned side view of a first
embodiment of a barge in a loading/unloading terminal according to
the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a somewhat incomplete plan view of the

CA 02203022 2002-04-24
3
embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows a partly sectioned side view of a STL buoy
which is provided with a bottom support means for resting on the
sea bed when it is not in use;
Fig. 4 shows a side view of a loading/unloadi.ng terminal
according to the invention, having a buoy according to Fig. 3
introduced into the receiving space of the barge, and wherein the
barge is coupled to a vessel at a distance therefrom;
Fig. 5 shows a view corresponding to that of Fig. 4, but
of another embodiment of the barge designed for direct connection
to a vessel, in abutment against the bow portion thereof: and
Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the embodiment in Fig. 5.
The barge shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which forms part of a
loading/unloading terminal according to the invention, is provided
with a downwardly open receiving space 2 extending through the
whole barge hull, up to the deck 3 of the barge. The receiving
space is upwardly tapering and adapted for reception of a
correspondingly shaped buoy which is of the introductorily stated
STL type and which may be constructed such as further described in
connection with Fig. 3.
At the deck 3 of the barge there is arranged a coupling
unit 4 for connection of the passage through the centre member of
the buoy to a line for transfer of medium to or from a conventional
tanker, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This unit comprises a curved
coupling tube 5 (a so-called "gooseneck") which, by means of a
hydraulic cylinder 6, is pivotable between a stowed position and a
connecting position (both positions shown in Fig. 1). The free end
of the tube is provided with a coupling head 7 for connection to
the upper end of the centre member of the buoy when the buoy is in
place in the receiving space. The coupling tube communicates with
a conduit (not shown) which is arranged within the barge hull and
is connected to a coupling flange 8 for connection of a hose 9 for
medium transfer to/from the topical vessel.
On the barge deck there is further provided a guide
frame 10 having guide rollers 11, Z2 for guiding of a line 13 for
hoisting and introduction of the topical buoy into the receiving
space 2. The line is operated by a winch means 14. Instead of a
winch it is also conceivable to use a suitable jack means. On the

CA 02203022 2005-03-10
4
deck there is further provided a locking means 15 for releasable
securement of the topical buoy in the receiving space. In the
illustrated embodiment, this means consists of rotatable locking
elements 16 which are arranged to grip under a locking collar on the
buoy, and which are operated by means of a suitable hydraulic drive
means 17. A hydraulic power supply unit 18 for operation of the
hydraulic units on the barge is suggested to be arranged below the
deck of the barge.
The above-mentioned equipment is of a known design, and
for further description of such equipment on a STL ship reference
may be made to published Canadian Patent Application Serial No.
2,203,021.
The buoy shown in Figs. 3-5 is especially constructed for
use in shallow waters, and the buoy is provided with a bottom
support means to be placed at the sea bed when it is not in use.
Such a buoy structure is the subject of the
simultaneously filed patent application No. 944211, and reference is
here made to this application for a further description of the buoy
construction. Reference is also made to U.S. Patent 5,509,838
wherein a STh buoy of the topical type is further shown and
described, and to U.S. Patent 5,529,521 showing different
embodiments of locking means which may also be used on the barge 1.
Instead of such rotatable locking means it is also conceivable to
use horizontally movable locking means, for example segment wedges.
The buoy 20 shown in Fig. 3 comprises a central member or
centre member 21 in the form of a hollow shaft having a passage 22
for the flowable medium which is to be transferred via the buoy, and
an outer member 23 which is rotatably mounted on the centre member
21 and arranged to be secured in the receiving space 2 of the barge.
The centre member 21 at its upper end is provided with a swivel
unit 24 and a valve unit 25 for connection to the coupling head 7 on
the above-mentioned coupling unit 4. The outer member 23 has a cone
shape which is adapted to the receiving space 2, and the upper part
as shown has a locking collar 26 for engagement with the locking
elements 16 in the locking means 15 arranged on the barge.
As shown, the bottom support structure 27 of the buoy
consists of a ring-shaped or annular support body 28 which, through
a number of braces 29, is attached to a reinforced holding portion
30 of the centre member 21 of the buoy. The lower end of the

CA 02203022 2002-04-24
passage 22 of the centre member is connected through a 90° bend 31
to a transfer line in the form of a flexible riser 32 which is
shown to extend horizontally outwards from the buoy structure.
The buoy is anchored to the sea bed 33 by means of a
number (e.g. eight) of mooring lines 34 which are connected to the
centre member 21 of the buoy through respective coupling links 35
which suitably may be universal joints, as appears from Fig. 3.
The mooring lines 34 are relatively long, to utilize the elasticity
of the lines when the buoy is hoisted up and introduced into the
receiving space of the barge, as further described in the above-
mentioned simultaneously filed patent application.
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment wherein the barge 1 is
coupled to a conventional tanker 36 which is located at a distance
from the barge. The barge is moored to the vessel by means of a
mooring hawser 37, and a loading hose 38 - corresponding to the
loading hose 9 in Fig. 1 - extends between the barge and the
midship manifold 39 of the vessel. As shown, a part of the loading
hose may float in the sea.
Figs. 5 and 6 show another embodiment wherein the barge
40 is designed for direct connection to the tanker 36, in abutment
against the bow portion thereof, so that the vessel and barge form
a unit. The end portion of the barge remote from the receiving
space here is formed with a recess 41 which is essentially
complementary to the shape of the bow portion of th.e vessel 36.
The barge can be pulled up to the vessel by means of the vessel's
own winches (not shown), suitable fastening points fox the winch
lines being provided on the barge. Tn the illustrated case the
barge is shown to be kept in position in contact with the bow of
the vessel by means of a pair of lines 42 and 43. A loading hose
44 extends between the barge and the vessel and is also here
coupled to the midship manifold 39 of the vessel.
In the recess 41 of the barge there are advantageously
mounted fender means (not shown) for abutment against the bow
portion of the vessel. Advantageously, these ma.y consist of
inflatable rubber fenders. It is also conceivable to use fenders
mounted on e.g. hydraulic arms, for adaptation to different hull or
bow shapes.

CA 02203022 1997-04-17
WO 96/14238 PCT/N095/00203
6
By means of the illustrated embodiments the STL
technology may be used in connection with conventional tankers.
In relation to the embodiment in Fig. 4, the embodiment according
to Fig. 5 among other things has the advantage that one avoids
the possible use of a tugboat to prevent the barge from moving
towards and impacting with the tanker.
The invention has been shown and described above in
connection with a buoy which is placed at the sea bed when it is
not in use. It will be clear, however, that the loading/unloading
Zo terminal according to the invention may also be used in loading
and unloading at larger water depths, i.e. in connection with a
STL buoy of the type floating in a submerged condition when it
is not in use.
7.5
Z5
35

Dessin représentatif