US4371037A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer terminal for offshore production
Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
•
Filing: 1980-12-15
•
Granted: 1983-02-01
•
Expires: 2000-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A mooring station and transfer terminal for offshore hydrocarbon production is provided, comprising a coaxial riser linking underwater production and safety manifolds to surface lines. An underwater connector and quick release means are provided to facilitate rapid connection and disconnection of the riser pipes.
Inventors
- 👤 Marcel Arnaudeau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:15
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021; E; E21; E21B; E21B23/00; E21B23/08; E21B23/12; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/068; E21B33/076; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal for off-shore hydrocarbon production from a plurality of underwater wells connected to a plurality of production lines, each line communicating with one of said wells, said mooring station and transfer terminal comprising: at least one underwater production manifold communicating with said production lines; at least one underwater circulation and safety manifold communicating with said plurality of underwater wells; at least one return circulation manifold communicating with said plurality of underwater wells; a riser comprising at least three coaxial pipes defining at least two annular space therebetween, said coaxial pipes including at least one production pipe communicating at its lower end with said production manifold, at least one circulation and safety pipe communicating at its lower end with said circulation and safety manifold, and at least one return circulation pipe communicating at its lower end with said return circulation manifold; and a surface facility comprising means for receiving the outflow of said at least one production pipe and communicating with the upper end thereof, said surface facility further comprising a source of safety fluid communicating with the upper end of said circulation and safety pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal for off-shore hydrocarbon production from a plurality of underwater wells connected to a plurality of production lines, each line communicating with one of said wells, said mooring station and transfer terminal comprising: at least one underwater production manifold communicating with said production lines; at least one underwater circulation and safety manifold communicating with said plurality of underwater wells; at least one return circulation manifold communicating with said plurality of underwater wells; a riser comprising at least three coaxial pipes defining at least two annular space therebetween, said coaxial pipes including at least one production pipe communicating at its lower end with said production manifold, at least one circulation and safety pipe communicating at its lower end with said circulation and safety manifold, and at least one return circulation pipe communicating at its lower end with said return circulation manifold; and a surface facility comprising means for receiving the outflow of said at least one production pipe and communicating with the upper end thereof, said surface facility further comprising a source of safety fluid communicating with the upper end of said circulation and safety pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 1, which further comprises an underwater connector comprising at least three coaxial conduits, comprising at least one conduit communicating at its lower end with said production manifold, at least one conduit communicating at its lower end with said circulation and safety manifold; and at least one conduit communicating at its lower end with said return circulation manifold, and wherein the lower end of said riser is adapted to releasably connect with the upper end of said connector, the coaxial pipes of said riser cooperating with corresponding coaxial conduits of said connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 1, wherein said riser comprises a telescopic column formed of at least three coaxial pipes, comprising said at least one production pipe, said at least one circulation and safety pipe and said at least return circulation pipe, and wherein each annular space defined by said coaxial pipes is limited at its upper end by sliding sealing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 2, wherein said riser comprises coaxial telescopic means for connecting said riser to said underwater connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A mooring and transfer terminal according to claim 4, which further comprises a submerged watertight caisson within which said at least one production manifold, said at least one circulation and safety manifold and said fluid return manifold are housed, said underwater connector being secured to the upper part of said caisson.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 5, which further comprises a watertight tubular column secured to the top of said caisson within which said connector at the upper part of the caisson is housed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 5, which further comprises quickly releasable connecting means for connecting said telescopic means to said caisson.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 5, wherein said caisson has a positive buoyancy and does not rest on the water bottom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 5, comprising access means for maintenance personnel into said caisson.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 1, wherein said riser is flexible and said surface facility is a floating structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 10, which further comprises a submerged watertight caisson within which said at least one production manifold, said at least one circulation and safety manifold and said return circulation manifold are housed, and a rigid protecting pipe supported by said floating structure within which said flexible riser is housed, the lower end of said rigid pipe being adapted to be releasably connected to said caisson.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A mooring station and transfer terminal according to claim 1, which further comprises a flare manifold communicating with said plurality of production lines, and a flare communicating with said flare manifold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3421580A
Cited
US3503443A
Cited
US3590407A
Cited
US3682242A
Cited
US3778854A
Cited
US3827486A
Cited
US3945066A
Cited
US3881549A
Cited
US4052090A
Cited
US4100752A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-31 | 1986-08-02 | 1987-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-31 | 1990-08-02 | 1991-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-31 | 1994-08-02 | 1995-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |