| 主权项 |
1. A fluid transfer system, comprising:
a first structure comprising a hydrocarbon production and/or storage facility and a second structure comprising a hydrocarbon transport vessel arranged in water and at a distance apart, and a pipeline configured for connection between the structures, wherein the structures comprise respective coupling and suspension mechanisms for suspending respective ends of the pipeline, the coupling and suspension mechanisms comprising:
a reel disposed on the hydrocarbon production and/or storage facility onto which the pipeline is stored; anda manifold disposed above the surface of the water on a bow of the hydrocarbon transport vessel, and the pipeline comprising:
a plurality of first buoyancy elements disposed in a mid region of the pipeline so that the pipeline forms a “soft W” or “soft catenary” in the water, a net buoyancy of the plurality of first buoyancy elements being such that the mid region remains below the water surface, when the pipeline is unwound from the reel;a free end with a coupling for direct connection to the manifold; andat least one second buoyancy element in a region of the free end and in the vicinity of the coupling, whereby the free end of the pipeline is configured to float after disconnect of the coupling of the free end from the manifold of the hydrocarbon transport vessel, wherein the plurality of first buoyancy elements:
are each cylindrical in shape;are arranged around a portion of the pipeline; andare elastic such that each adapts to a shape of the reel when the pipeline is stored without removing the plurality of first buoyancy elements. |
