OFFSHORE HEAVY OIL PRODUCTION

摘要

A system is provided for the production of heavy crude oil from an undersea reservoir, and for the treatment of the crude oil to facilitate Its transport. A floating body (12) which produces the heavy crude orL carries a hydrocarbon cracking station (32) that cracks the heavy crude into light liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons; and that uses heat resulting from the cracking to produce pressured steam. The pressured steam Is used to drive a steam-powered engine (72) (with pistons or a turbine) that drives an elect oca I generator (74) whose electricity powers the system.