PRODUCTION AND STORAGE SYSTEM FOR OFFSHORE OIL WELLS

A completion and producing system is described for a well drilled in an area covered by deep water. It includes a large buoyant storage tank positioned in the water below wave action. The tank has a slight upward buoyancy. It is held in position by a long, preferably flexible, conduit connected to the well head in the floor of the body of water. A smaller production conduit is positioned inside the large outer flexible conduit and is connected to the string of producing tubing in the well. A narrow cylindrical neck extends from a large tank to above the surface of the water where it supports a work deck and helicopter deck. A gas-oil separator and other treating equipment is carried within the large buoyant tank. Means are provided to transport oil from the storage tank to a transport vessel.

• Corporate Authors:

  United States Patent Office

  2021 Jefferson Davis Highway
  Arlington, VA  United States  22202
• Authors:
  • Howard, G C
• Publication Date: 1969-10

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deepwater harbors; Handling and storage; Intermodal transfer; Offshore moorings; Offshore terminals; Offshore transfer; Petroleum; Petroleum refining; Single point moorings; Storage facilities
• Old TRIS Terms: Offshore loading; Oil transfer systems
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Geotechnology; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00053898
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Patent Office
• Report/Paper Numbers: No. 3,472,032 Patent
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 1974 12:00AM