Floating oil storage system and method

A floating oil storage system comprising:

• a storage cell;
• a floating member disposed within the storage cell, whereby the storage cell is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment disposed below the first compartment;
• a pump operable to deliver oil under pressure into the first compartment, whereby the first compartment expands and the second compartment contracts expelling seawater from the second compartment;
• and
• a suction tank operable to receive oil expelled from the first compartment under hydrostatic pressure of seawater in the second compartment, whereby the first compartment contracts and the second compartment expands receiving seawater;
• a pump disposed within the suction tank and operable to deliver oil within the suction tank from the floating oil storage system.

A cellular spar comprising:

• a plurality of storage cells, each storage cell having a first compartment and a second compartment disposed below the first compartment;
• a first pump operable to deliver oil under pressure into the first compartment of one or more of the storage cells, whereby the first compartment expands and the second compartment contracts expelling seawater from the second compartment;
• a suction tank operable to receive oil expelled from the first compartment of one or more of the storage cells under hydrostatic pressure of seawater in the second compartment, whereby the first compartment contracts and the second compartment expands receiving seawater;
• a second pump operable to deliver oil in the suction tank from the cellular spar;
• and
• a plurality of stiffeners coupled to one or more of the storage cells, wherein for each of the one or more storage cells, the stiffeners located above sea level are coupled to an inner surface of the storage cell and the stiffeners located below sea level are coupled to an outer surface of the storage cell.