Device and method for interconnecting a tanker and a floating terminal

Abstract

A device for connecting a floating vessel such as a tanker ( 3 ) and a floating, fixedly orientated, terminal ( 1 ), where a floating coupling unit ( 2 ) which is provided with a contact portion ( 211 ) arranged to be able to bear against a portion of the tanker ( 3 ), is shiftably allocated said terminal ( 1 ), in that at least two mooring means ( 24 ) extend from said terminal ( 1 ) via respective shifting devices ( 23 ) arranged on the coupling unit ( 2 ), and to respective anchors ( 25 ) arranged at a distance from said terminal ( 1 ) is described. A method for connecting a floating vessel ( 3 ) and a terminal ( 1 ) for fluids by means of a floating coupling unit ( 2 ) is also described.

1 . A device for interconnecting a tanker and a floating terminal, where said terminal is fixedly orientated, the device comprising:
 a floating coupling unit provided with at least one contact portion configured for bearing against at least a portion of the tanker;   at least two mooring members configured for extending between the terminal,   via respective shifting devices arranged on the coupling unit , and respective anchors arranged at a distance from said terminal; wherein the coupling unit is shiftably arranged with respect to the terminal.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling unit is provided with a vertical portion rising above a water surface and is provided with a member for suspending and/or relocating of one or more line portions extending between the terminal and the coupling unit and are arranged to disconnectably connect with the tanker. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling unit is provided with a ballasting system. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said mooring members comprise a first portion extending between the terminal and the coupling unit, and a second portion extending between the coupling unit and the respective anchor, as each of the mooring portions are connected to a shifting device arranged on the coupling unit. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the shifting device is a constant tension winch. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first mooring members are connected to the terminal via respective tensioning devices. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal is a floating production, storage and offloading facility or a floating facility for handling liquefied natural gas. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal is fixedly oriented by means of suitable an anchoring member and/or propulsion machinery connected to facilities for dynamic positioning. 
     
     
         9 . A method of interconnecting a tanker and a fixedly orientated terminal , comprising the steps of:
 mooring the tanker with at least two ship moorings to the terminal and with at least two ship to respective anchors ,   shifting the tanker by tightening, possibly slacken, the respective ship moorings ( 34 ,  34 ′) until the tanker has arrived at a desired position relative to the terminal,   shifting a floating coupling unit by means of shifting devices in engagement with at least two mooring members extending from the terminal via respective shifting devices arranged on the coupling unit , and to respective anchors arranged at a distance from the terminal , to supporting contact against a portion of the tanker.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 deballasting the coupling unit at least until a submerged, generally horizontal contact portion of the coupling unit is supportingly bearing against a portion of the bottom of the tanker; and   connecting the tanker and said terminal in a fluid communicating way by maneuvering an end portion of at least one fluid transport line to connecting with a loading/offloading manifold arranged on the tanker.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of maintaining a prescribed pre-tensioning in the mooring members by activating one or more constant tension winches in a locking engagement with the respective mooring members.