Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Apparatus and method for processing of production fluids from a subsea oil or gas well, in order to recover hydrocarbons from the well. In an embodiment, the apparatus is a column stabilised structure having an interconnected array of three columns, with the upper portion protruding above the surface of the sea. The apparatus described has processing facilities in a lower portion of a first column, power generation facilities in a lower portion of a second column and service and utilities in a lower portion of a third column. Further facilities equipment and storage tanks can be located in the columns.

1 . An apparatus for processing of production fluids from a subsea well, the apparatus being a column stabilised submerged structure comprising an interconnected array of at least three columns, each column comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion comprising at least one compartment, and wherein said at least one compartment incorporates facilitating equipment, the facilitating equipment comprising processing equipment for processing of production fluids from the subsea well in at least one column. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is unmanned. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the production fluids comprise hydrocarbons and the processing equipment is adapted to separate the hydrocarbons from other components of the production fluids. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the lower portions of the columns incorporating the facilitating equipment are submerged beneath the waterline when the interconnected array is fully installed. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the majority of the total mass of the apparatus is in the lower portions of the columns. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the columns pierce the surface of the sea so that the upper portion of each column is above the sea surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the facilitating equipment comprises one or more from a group comprising: water treatment facilities, injection facilities, gas compression apparatus, oil metering and export, power generation and distribution equipment, and service equipment, utilities equipment, HVAC, control system, telecommunications system, firefighting system; crew facilities, a control room, refuge space, workshops, and life-saving equipment. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the lower portion in at least one column also includes one or more fluid storage chambers wherein the one or more fluid storage containers contain fluid selected from a group comprising: oil, fuel, chemical, potable water, and water ballast. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the processing equipment is located in the lower portion of a first column, power generation equipment is located in the lower portion of a second column, and service and utilities functions are located in a third column. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein at least one column includes a HVAC system and the heat generated from power generation and processing is directed via the HVAC system to provide heating for the services and utilities functions in the third column. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein at least one column includes a HVAC system and the heat generated from power generation and processing is directed via the HVAC system to minimise build-up of ice and/or snow on the apparatus located above the sea surface. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein each column of the interconnected array is connected to at least two other columns. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the columns are interconnected above the surface of the sea by structural braces. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein the columns are interconnected below the sea surface by structural braces. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein offloading of processed fluids to a tanker is performed directly from the apparatus via a hose reel contained within one of the columns. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a subsea storage tank is supported by the columns in a central section of the interconnected array between the columns. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17  wherein the subsea storage tank is secured to the interconnected array during transport of the apparatus to a deployment location and the subsea storage tank is released and lowered to the seabed once the interconnected array has reached the deployment site. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the interconnected array is configured to have chain lockers in at least one of the upper portions, wherein the chain lockers are used to pre-connect and store chain prior to load-out of the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes mooring lines for mooring the interconnected array, the mooring lines being in sections and when laid straight on the seabed a free end of each mooring line is the same distance from a target array location. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein an additional power generation source is located on the apparatus, selected from a group comprising: wind turbine, wave energy device and solar energy device.