Vessel and unloading system

Abstract

A system and method for transferring fluid from a vessel to a shore-based facility, the system including at least one vessel and at least one coupling structure which is established at an unloading location. The vessels travel in continuous shuttle traffic between a loading station and the coupling structure and are organised such that at least one of the vessels is periodically connected to one of the coupling structures so that the fluid is conveyed from each vessel through the coupling structure and directly ashore via a pipeline system for further distribution of the fluid. Vessels are provided with storage tanks for storing natural gas in its liquid state, a vaporizer for regasifying the liquefied natural gas on arrival at the unloading point and equipment for connection to the coupling structure for transferring natural gas from the vessel to a submerged pipeline system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for delivering a fluid to a shore-based facility, said system comprising at least one vessel, at least one coupling structure and a pipeline connected between said coupling structure and the shore-based facility, wherein said vessel is operated to be periodically connected to said coupling structure for transferring the fluid from the vessel through said coupling structure and said pipeline directly to the shore-based facility for further distribution of the fluid.  
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two vessels and at least two coupling structures are included in the system and the vessels travel in continuous shuttle traffic between a loading station and the coupling structures and at least one vessel is periodically connected to one of the coupling structures for transferring the fluid from the vessel through the coupling structure.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a retrofitted LNG tanker.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is natural gas.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is equipped with a vaporizer.  
     
     
         6 . A system for unloading a fluid from a vessel, the vessel having a hull provided with a downwardly facing recess, said system comprising a submerged buoy structure and a pipeline system connected to said buoy structure for transferring fluid from storage in the vessel to a shore-based infrastructure, wherein said buoy structure is constructed to be inserted into said recess for connecting said pipeline system to the storage in the vessel.  
     
     
         7 . A system for unloading a fluid from a vessel, comprising; a transfer structure; a pipeline system connected to said transfer structure; and a receiving structure that projects from the vessel's bow area for receiving and coupling to said transfer structure for transferring fluid from storage in the vessel to a shore-based infrastructure via said receiving structure and said transfer structure.  
     
     
         8 . A system for unloading from a vessel provided with storage tanks for storing natural gas in a liquid state (LNG), wherein the system comprises 
 a vaporizer provided on the vessel for vaporizing the liquefied gas into a gaseous state on arrival at an unloading point,    a buoy structure insertable into a bottom area of the vessel's hull for transferring gas in the gaseous state from the vessel, and    a transport system including a submerged pipeline for transferring the natural gas from the buoy structure to a shore-based infrastructure.    
     
     
         9 . A system for unloading from a vessel provided with storage tanks for storing natural gas in a liquid state (LNG), wherein the system comprises: 
 a vaporizer provided on the vessel for vaporizing the liquefied gas into a gaseous state on arrival at an unloading point,    a transfer structure for transferring gas in the gaseous state from the vessel, the transfer structure being connected to a receiving structure projecting from the vessel's bow area, and    a transport system including a submerged pipeline for transferring the natural gas from the buoy structure to a shore-based infrastructure.    
     
     
         10 . A vessel having a hull, said vessel comprising: 
 storage tanks for storing natural gas in its liquid state,    a vaporizer for regasifying the liquefied natural gas on arrival at an unloading point, in combination with    one of: 
 a buoy receiving recess arranged in the bottom area of the vessel's hull for connection to a buoy structure; and  
 a receiving structure projecting from the vessel's bow area for connection to a transfer structure, for transferring natural gas from the vessel to a submerged pipeline system.  
   
     
     
         11 . A method for transferring a fluid to a shore-based facility, comprising: 
 providing at least one vessel having fluid storage means containing the fluid and equipment to receive a coupling structure;    navigating the vessel to a location proximate to the shore-based facility;    at the location proximate to the shore-based facility, connecting a coupling structure that is coupled to a pipeline to the equipment and coupling the fluid storage means to the pipeline via the coupling structure; and    transferring the fluid via the coupling structure and the pipeline to the shore-based facility.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising, before said step of transferring, gasifying the fluid.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the equipment on each vessel includes a downwardly facing recess in the vessel hull communicating with the fluid storage means and the coupling structure is a buoy structure that is connected to the pipeline;    said step of providing at least one vessel comprises providing a plurality of the vessels;    said step of navigating comprises navigating each vessel in succession to the location proximate to the shore-based facility; and    said step of connecting a coupling structure comprises introducing the buoy structure into the recess of each vessel.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said step of introducing a buoy comprises introducing a different buoy into the recess of each vessel.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said step of transferring is carried out from each vessel in sequence.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the equipment on each vessel includes a receiving structure projecting from the vessel and coupled to the fluid storage means and the coupling structure is a transfer structure that is coupled to the pipeline;    said step of providing at least one vessel comprises providing a plurality of the vessels;    said step of navigating comprises navigating each vessel in succession to the location proximate to the shore-based facility; and    said step of connecting a coupling structure comprises connecting the transfer structure to the receiving structure.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of connecting a transfer structure comprises connecting a different transfer structure to the receiving structure of each vessel.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of transferring is carried out from each vessel in sequence.