Floating structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure comprising a hull adapted to support a weight of at least 50.000 tons, preferably at least 70.000 tons, with sidewalls of a length L extending in a longitudinal direction, a bottom structure and an upper deck, the hull having a breadth B, a process unit support structure overlying the upper deck, hydrocarbon processing units mounted on the process unit support structure, an outer part of the hull comprising: side spaces being bounded by the bottom structure, the upper deck, a respective side wall and an adjacent longitudinal sidewall, the adjacent longitudinal sidewalls being situated at a distance Wt from the side walls, Wt being at least equal to the smallest of 0.2 B or 11.5 m, an inner part of the hull comprising: at least one hydrocarbon storage tank for storage of hydrocarbons being situated between the bottom structure, the upper deck and the adjacent longitudinal walls, wherein the vessel comprises a centre line bulkhead and, between one and four hydrocarbon storage tanks of substantially the same size extending, in a transverse direction, between an adjacent longitudinal sidewall and the centreline bulkhead.

1 . Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure comprising a hull adapted to support a weight of at least 50.000 tons, with sidewalls of a length L extending in a longitudinal direction, a bottom structure and an upper deck, the hull having a breadth B, a process unit support structure overlying the upper deck, hydrocarbon processing units mounted on the process unit support structure, an outer part of the hull comprising:
 side spaces being bounded by the bottom structure, the upper deck, a respective side wall and an adjacent longitudinal sidewall, the adjacent longitudinal sidewalls being situated at a distance Wt from the side walls, Wt being at least equal to the smallest of 0.2 B or 11.5 m,   
       an inner part of the hull comprising:
 at least one hydrocarbon storage tank for storage of hydrocarbons being situated between the bottom structure, the upper deck and the adjacent longitudinal walls, wherein the vessel comprises a centre line bulkhead and between one and four hydrocarbon storage tanks of substantially the same size extending, in a transverse direction, between an adjacent longitudinal sidewall and the centreline bulkhead. 
 
     
     
         2 . The Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure according to  claim 1 , the hydrocarbon storage tanks being situated between front and aft transverse walls extending in a transverse direction from an adjacent longitudinal sidewall to the centreline bulkhead. 
     
     
         3 . The Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing units are placed on the upper deck structure, overlying the adjacent longitudinal walls and the transverse walls. 
     
     
         4 . The Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the process unit support structure is supported on the upper deck at positions overlying the side spaces. 
     
     
         5 . The Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure according to  claim 1 , comprising hydrocarbon risers extending from the hull to a subsea well, piping connecting the risers to the processing units. 
     
     
         6 . The Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure according to  claim 1 , risers vertically extending in the side spaces. 
     
     
         7 . The Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the side spaces are provided with internal reinforcement structures for a riser balcony and/or a mooring structure. 
     
     
         8 . The Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO-, or Floating Production Storage, FSO-, structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the side spaces comprise water tanks, the floating structure comprising pumps adapted for filling and emptying the water tanks.