Offshore Compressed Gas Storage and Shuttle Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore hydrocarbon production systems lack a cost-effective method for utilizing limited amounts of natural gas during early testing and production phases, as facilities for cooling, storing, and handling liquefied natural gas are not readily available.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a production vessel and a shuttle vessel that stores and transports compressed natural gas from the production site to distant locations where it can be profitably sold, using either a conduit or tank transfer methods, allowing for efficient distribution without the need for liquefaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If natural gas is stored and transported as compressed gas instead of being liquefied, then storage and handling costs are reduced and infrastructure needs are minimized, but the volume occupied by the gas is larger compared to liquefied natural gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by storing and transporting natural gas in a compressed gaseous state rather than converting it to liquid form. This changes the physical state parameters (pressure and temperature) to achieve a compromise between volume reduction and cost reduction, avoiding the need for expensive liquefaction infrastructure while still reducing volume compared to atmospheric pressure storage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the natural gas from the production site and transports it via shuttle vessels to distant markets. This extraction approach allows the gas to be removed from the offshore environment where liquefaction facilities would be needed, enabling transport in a simpler compressed gaseous state that can be directly utilized at remote locations without requiring complex on-site processing infrastructure
2Ease of manufacture
If a shuttle vessel system is used to transport compressed gas from the production vessel, then the need for expensive liquefaction facilities is avoided, but additional vessels and transfer equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gas transport system into distinct functional components: a production vessel for gas collection, shuttle vessels for transport, and receiving facilities at distant locations. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and operated, replacing the need for a single complex liquefaction facility with multiple simpler, specialized vessels that can operate flexibly
Solution Approach 2:
The shuttle vessel acts as an intermediary between the production vessel and distant gas utilization sites. This intermediary approach enables gas transport without requiring direct connection through expensive pipeline infrastructure or on-site liquefaction facilities, allowing flexible deployment to multiple potential markets while using relatively simple transfer equipment
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 economical utilization and distribution of gaseous hydrocarbons, reducing storage and handling costs by avoiding the need for liquefaction, and expanding market reach due to reduced volume requirements and lower infrastructure needs.
Implementation Method 1
considerable amounts of produced gas is stored under pressure in at least one gas tank on the production vessel
Implementation Method 2
the pressured gas in a first tank on the production vessel can be passed through a conduit (e.g. a hose or loading arm) to a second tank on the shuttle
Data Source
AI summary
During an Extended Well Test or Early Floating Production at an offshore hydrocarbon production site, where oil and gas hydrocarbons are produced by a production vessel, applicant stores the natural gas as pressured gas in a storage tank and occasionally transfers the pressured gas to a shuttle vessel which carries the gas to a site where it is used, as by pumping it into a natural gas pipeline. The transfer of natural gas to the shuttle can be accomplished by pumping it through a conduit extending between the vessels to a second tank on the shuttle, or can be accomplished by moving a gas-filled tank on the production vessel to the shuttle.