Operation of an Unmanned Productive Platform

Abstract

An unmanned production platform comprises apparatus for producing and processing hydrocarbons from a subsea reservoir. A storage vessel is provided in combination with and proximate to the platform, typically just outside the safety zone. The storage vessel provides storage for hydrocarbons produced at the platform and further provides a utility for use at the platform, such as chemical storage, liquid desiccant regeneration and/or seawater treatment. Typically, the unmanned production platform comprises no utilities and all utilities require for production are provided by the storage vessel.

1 . An unmanned production platform in combination with and proximate to a storage vessel, wherein the platform comprises apparatus for producing and processing hydrocarbons from a subsea reservoir and the storage vessel provides storage for hydrocarbons produced thereby and further provides a utility for use at the platform. 
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the storage vessel is situated less than 2 km away from the platform, optionally less than 1 km away from the platform, and further optionally just outside of the safety zone of the platform. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the unmanned production platform is the only platform which the vessel is connected to. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the storage comprises an oil storage tank in fluid communication with the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for producing and processing hydrocarbons comprises separation apparatus for separating produced hydrocarbon into oil and gas components. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 5 , wherein the separation apparatus additionally separates water from produced hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 5  wherein the separation apparatus comprises multiple separation stages. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 1 , further comprising subsea separation apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel provides seawater treatment for seawater injection. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel provides storage for chemicals used at the production platform. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel provides a supply of liquid desiccant and desiccant regeneration. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel provides sulphate removal apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises an electricity generator for supplying power to the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 1 , further comprising a shuttle tanker for collecting and transporting hydrocarbons stored on the storage vessel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of producing hydrocarbons comprising the use of the combination of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . A hydrocarbon storage and utility vessel comprising an oil storage tank and providing one or more of the following utilities for use by a hydrocarbon production platform:
 a. chemical storage;   b. liquid desiccant and desiccant regeneration;   c. seawater treatment; and   d. sulphate removal.   
     
     
         17 . The hydrocarbon storage and utility vessel of  claim 16 , wherein the vessel additionally provides electricity generation for use by a hydrocarbon production platform. 
     
     
         18 . The hydrocarbon storage and utility vessel of  claim 16 , wherein there is no hydrocarbon handling equipment (processing/production equipment) provided thereon. 
     
     
         19 . The hydrocarbon storage and utility vessel of  claim 16 , wherein the chemical storage comprises storage for at least one of: corrosion inhibitors, hydrate inhibitors, emulsion breakers and hydrogen sulphide scavengers.