Floating Oil Storage Cellular Spar Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oil storage systems on multi-column floating offshore platforms are limited, making regular offloading to tankers necessary, which is disrupted by changing weather conditions, necessitating an independent oil storage solution.
Innovation Solution
A floating oil storage system, or cellular spar, with storage cells divided into oil and seawater compartments, where oil is delivered under pressure to expand the oil compartment, displacing seawater from the lower compartment, and a suction tank receives oil under hydrostatic pressure to maintain storage capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If oil is stored on site on the MCF offshore platform, then production operations can continue without interruption, but storage capacity is limited and requires regular offloading to tankers which is disrupted by weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple storage cells (first storage cell, second storage cell, etc.), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to provide substantial storage capacity while maintaining operational flexibility and independence from the platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating storage system acts as an intermediary between the MCF platform and offshore tankers. It receives oil from the platform when needed and can store it independently, eliminating the requirement for direct, weather-dependent tanker offloading while maintaining production continuity.
2Quantity of substance
If regular offloading to tankers is implemented, then on-site storage limitations are addressed, but weather conditions disrupt the regular schedule and production operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides preliminary storage capacity on the floating structure, allowing oil to be accumulated before transfer to tankers. This preliminary action buffer ensures that production can continue without interruption even when tanker offloading is delayed by weather, maintaining reliable production schedules.
3Productivity
If on-site storage is used on the MCF platform, then production can continue without interruption, but the storage system is dependent on platform operations and weather-disrupted offloading
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the storage function with a floating structure that operates independently from the platform. This combination creates a self-contained storage system that maintains production continuity while eliminating dependence on platform operations and weather-disrupted tanker schedules.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and flexible oil storage and offloading independent of platform operations, allowing for continuous production and storage without interruptions due to weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operable to deliver oil under pressure into the first compartment, whereby the first compartment expands and the second compartment contracts expelling seawater from the second compartment
Implementation Method 2
a suction tank operable to receive oil expelled from the first compartment under hydrostatic pressure of seawater in the second compartment, whereby the first compartment contracts and the second compartment expands receiving seawater
Data Source
AI summary
A floating oil storage system and associated methods for storing oil are disclosed. In some embodiments, the floating oil storage system includes a storage cell, a floating member disposed within the storage cell, whereby the storage cell is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment disposed below the first compartment, a pump operable to deliver oil under pressure into the first compartment, whereby the first compartment expands and the second compartment contracts expelling seawater from the second compartment, and a suction tank operable to receive oil expelled from the first compartment under hydrostatic pressure of seawater in the second compartment, whereby the first compartment contracts and the second compartment expands receiving seawater.