OPEN SEA TRANSFER OF FLUID

摘要

The invention relates to equipment for the transfer for fluids, much as oil or gas, e.g. from a platform or buoy located by attachments to the sea bed, but otherwise with complete freedom of movement, due to the action of wind and wave, to a vessel with similarly complete freedom of movement. The equipment includes systems for automatically acquiring a target (10) to which is attached a tage line (11) and a transfer hose line (9), and for automatically transporting that target (10) accurately to a winching system (16) mounted on the said ship. The transfer hose line can be reeled in by the winching system (16) and the fluid transfer hose thus connected automatically to the ship-mounted receiving system. The equipment includes a self-sealing fluid coupling through which fluid flow can take place, and a hose having sufficient length to accommodate the stand-off of the vessel from the platform or buoy. Routine uncoupling is accomplished by reversing the coupling procedure, including the use of the same equipment to replace the target in close proximity to the buoy in a controlled manner. The mechanical configuration of the deck equipment 16 is such that if an emergency occurs, the transfer hose line and the running shackle can be released from their respective clamps (43)(44), thus permitting the transport hose line to pay-out. This would allow all the equipment connecting the receiver vessel with the buoy or platform to fall overboard in a predetermined manner. This procedure maintains the continuous loop which comprises the transfer hose, transfer hose line and tag line, and enables a pick-up to be effected subsequently.