Modular Offshore Transfer System with Turntable Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current floating production units face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively installing and removing modular production transfer systems without requiring dry docks or divers, particularly in dynamic positioning and ice-cutting operations.
Innovation Solution
A modular production transfer system comprising a floating production unit, a production buoy, and a modular production transfer system that includes a support structure, moon pool, inspection platform, turntable, winch, shipboard connector, and swivel stalk, allowing for secure connection and disconnection of risers and umbilical cables while maintaining buoy orientation, enabling installation and removal without dry docks or divers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a modular production transfer system is installed on a floating production unit, then operational flexibility and field application capability are improved, but installation and removal complexity increases due to requirements for dry docks and divers
Solution Approach 1:
The production transfer system is divided into modular components including a moon pool module, a production module, and a transfer module that can be independently installed and removed. This segmentation allows the system to be assembled in sections rather than requiring complete system installation in a dry dock, reducing installation complexity while maintaining field application capability
Solution Approach 2:
A connection buoy serves as an intermediary element between the floating production unit and subsea equipment. The buoy includes connectors that interface with both the vessel's moon pool system and subsea risers, enabling installation and removal operations to be performed in situ without requiring dry dock facilities or diver intervention
2Reliability
If the production transfer system uses fixed connection methods, then connection reliability is improved, but operational flexibility deteriorates due to inability to rotate or reposition
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system incorporates a turntable mechanism with rotational capability that maintains reliable fluid connections while allowing dynamic repositioning. The turntable includes bearing assemblies and coupling mechanisms that ensure leak-free connections during rotation, enabling the vessel to change orientation or the buoy to rotate independently while maintaining connection integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds rotational freedom in the horizontal plane to the vertical connection arrangement. The turntable mechanism allows the buoy or vessel to rotate 360 degrees around the vertical axis while maintaining fluid connections, transforming a statically reliable connection into a dynamically flexible one by introducing rotational movement as an additional degree of freedom
3Stability of the object's composition
If the production transfer system is permanently installed, then system stability is improved, but conversion work and repositioning capability worsen due to inability to remove or relocate
Solution Approach 1:
The moon pool and connection interfaces are prepared in advance on the floating production unit with pre-installed mounting structures, sealing surfaces, and alignment features. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the production transfer system is installed, it achieves immediate structural stability and proper integration without requiring extensive field modifications or conversion work
Solution Approach 2:
The modular production transfer system is designed for temporary installation with easy removal capability. The system can be disconnected, removed, and stored or relocated to another vessel, allowing the floating production unit to be converted for different applications. The pre-prepared moon pool and mounting structures facilitate both installation and removal without permanent modifications
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
Facilitates efficient and cost-effective installation and removal of the modular production transfer system, enhancing operational flexibility and safety by allowing relative rotation between the buoy and the floating production unit, reducing conversion work, and supporting multiple field applications.
Implementation Method 1
The turntable may include a bearing assembly configured to reduce friction between the turntable and the inspection platform
Implementation Method 2
The turntable may include a bearing assembly configured to reduce friction between the turntable and the inspection platform
Data Source
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AI summary
An offshore production system comprising a floating production unit, a production buoy, and a modular production transfer system therebetween. The modular production transfer system may include a support structure configured to be secured to an exterior side of the floating production unit, a moon pool secured outboard of the support structure, an inspection platform secured above the moon pool, a turntable secured to the inspection platform. The modular production transfer system may be configured to mate with the buoy connector and rotate within the moon pool, thereby maintain the buoy in a fixed orientation, while the floating production unit rotates about the buoy, during production.