Hydrocarbon Loading Hose Buoyancy Design for Deep Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep water offshore operations require increased separation distances between hydrocarbon storage facilities and shuttle tankers for safety and operational flexibility, which increases the weight and loading demands on the hose, necessitating reinforced pull-in and connection equipment.
Innovation Solution
A fluid transfer system with a pipeline that includes buoyancy means in its mid region and at least one buoyancy element in the end region, allowing the pipeline to maintain a submerged W-shape and enabling the free end to float, thus supporting increased separation distances without the need for reinforced equipment and facilitating quick disconnection in emergencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the separation distance between the hydrocarbon storage facility and the shuttle tanker is increased, then safety and operational flexibility are improved, but the weight of the hose and the loading demands on the pull-in and connection equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
Buoyancy means are provided in the mid region of the hose to counteract the weight of the hose itself. The buoyancy means provide an upward buoyant force that balances the downward gravitational force on the hose, allowing the hose to remain neutrally buoyant or positively buoyant in the water column. This reduces the effective weight that must be supported by the pull-in and connection equipment on the tanker, enabling increased separation distances without requiring reinforced equipment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the separation distance between the hydrocarbon storage facility and the shuttle tanker is increased, then safety and operational flexibility are improved, but the loading demands on the pull-in and connection equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyancy means in the mid region of the hose counteract the gravitational force on the hose, reducing the tension and loading forces that must be withstood by the pull-in and connection equipment on the tanker. By providing upward buoyant force in the mid region, the system reduces the effective load on the tanker's equipment, enabling increased separation distances without requiring reinforced equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
Buoyancy elements are provided at specific locations (mid region and end region) of the hose rather than uniformly throughout. The mid region buoyancy means counteract the hose weight in the submerged portion, while the end region buoyancy element ensures the free end floats at or near the surface. This localized application of buoyancy optimizes the distribution of forces along the hose, reducing peak loading on the tanker's connection equipment.
3Length of stationary object
If buoyancy means are provided in the mid region and buoyancy elements in the end region, then the separation distance can be increased without reinforcing equipment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyancy system is segmented into two distinct components: buoyancy means in the mid region of the hose and buoyancy elements at the end region. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the mid region buoyancy means counteract hose weight to reduce loading on tanker equipment, while the end region buoyancy elements ensure the free end floats for easy retrieval. The segmented approach enables increased separation distance while keeping each buoyancy component relatively simple in design.
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 the use of standard shuttle tankers at increased separation distances up to 250-300 meters without reinforcing the pull-in equipment, and allows for easy retrieval of the hose in emergency disconnections, while maintaining operational stability in high sea-states.
Implementation Method 1
buoyancy means in its mid region and at least one buoyancy element in an end region
Implementation Method 2
the at least one buoyancy element is connected to the pipeline in a region of the free end and in the vicinity of the coupling, whereby the pipeline free end is capable of floating in or near the water surface
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrocarbon loading hose (4) for connection between a GBS (1) and a shuttle hydrocarbon transport vessel (2), arranged in water (W) and at a distance apart, comprises buoyancy means (5) in its mid region and at least one buoyancy element (7a, b) in a free end region.