HYDROCARBON FLUID TRANSPORT SYSTEM

摘要

A system for transporting hydrocarbon fluid produced from an offshore well is provided. The system comprises hydrocarbon fluid storage means (3) in communication with the well, and at least one hydrocarbon fluid export system. The export system includes a shuttle tanker (11) provided with positioning means capable of limiting movement of the tanker away from a selected location, and a flowline (9) for transferring hydrocarbon fluid produced from the well to the tanker. At least part of the flowline forms a continuous flexible flowline at one end provided with a connector (28) for releasably connecting the flowline to the tanker and with a valve (29) for opening or closing the flowline, said flexible flowline extending along the seabed (15) and from the seabed in the form of a riser (22) to the tanker when the flowline is connected to the tanker. The flexible flowline is free to move in response to said limited movement of the tanker when the flowline is connected to the tanker. The export system furthermore includes means for moving the upper end of the riser between the seabed and the tanker when the flowline is disconnected from the tanker.