Storage of Fluids Underwater
OwnerMorten Saeterdal, Sigbjorn Daasvatninventors
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Abstract
A subsea fluid storage system comprises: a seabed foundation; a tensile member such as a pipe or a wire extending upwardly from the foundation; and a subsea buoy applying buoyant upthrust to support the tensile member in an upright orientation. At least one fluid storage container is disposed between the foundation and the buoy. The or each container may be disposed around the tensile member, for example with the tensile member extending through the container. The container has at least one inlet or outlet for fluid communication with a source or a consumer of fluid to be stored in the container.
Claims44
A subsea fluid storage system, comprising:
- a seabed foundation;
- a tensile member extending upwardly from the foundation;
- a subsea buoy applying buoyant upthrust to support the tensile member in an upright orientation;
- and
- at least one fluid storage container disposed between the foundation and the buoy and mounted to the tensile member, the container having at least one inlet or outlet for fluid communication with a source or a consumer of fluid to be stored in the container;
- wherein the tensile member extends from the foundation to the buoy through the container.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the buoy is integrated with the container.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein fluid communication between the container and the source or the consumer is effected via at least one flow path at a level beneath the container, beside or within the tensile member.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein at least one upward fluid flow path from a subsea source extends through, but does not communicate with, the container.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein at least one upward fluid flow path from a subsea source communicates with the container.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the container has at least one filling port arranged for subsea connection with a flexible hose for filling with fluid from or offloading fluid to a surface vessel.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises an outer, flooded, rigid-walled housing and at least one inner chamber within the housing, the inner chamber being defined by a flexible-walled envelope.
The system of any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a plurality of interengaged modules, each defining a respective storage compartment.
A subsea installation comprising at least one subsea fluid storage system of any preceding claim.
A method of storing a fluid underwater, the method comprising:
- conveying the fluid into at least one subsea storage container mounted to a tensile member that extends between a seabed foundation and a subsea buoy, the buoy supporting the tensile member in an upright orientation;
- and
- dispensing the fluid from the container to a subsea consumer or offloading the fluid from the container to a surface vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.