Enhanced floating power generation system
First Claim
1. A method for the production and transport of hydrocarbons using a floating structure that floats at the sea surface, that has electrically powered equipment, and that is connected by a riser to a subsea reservoir that produces hydrocarbons that include both gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons comprising:
- separating the produced hydrocarbons into gaseous hydrocarbons and liquid hydrocarbons;
storing the liquid hydrocarbons in a tank structure, and offloading the liquid hydrocarbons to a tanker at intervals;
using at least some of the gaseous hydrocarbons to fuel an energized electrical generator unit to produce electricity, and using at least some of said electricity to power at least said electrically powered equipment on the floating structure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided for more efficiently using offshore produced hydrocarbons, where the produced hydrocarbons contain considerable amounts of liquid hydrocarbons and both heavy gaseous hydrocarbons (at least two carbon atoms per molecule) and light hydrocarbons (with two or less carbon atoms per molecule). The produced hydrocarbons are separated into liquid hydrocarbons which are stored in a tank structure (183) for later offloading to a tanker (56), and into heavy gaseous hydrocarbons and light hydrocarbons. The heavy gaseous hydrocarbons are liquefied and stored in a tank (212) for fueling an electricity generator unit (192) when needed, and the light hydrocarbons are immediately used to fuel the electricity generator unit (192).
23 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for the production and transport of hydrocarbons using a floating structure that floats at the sea surface, that has electrically powered equipment, and that is connected by a riser to a subsea reservoir that produces hydrocarbons that include both gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons comprising:
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separating the produced hydrocarbons into gaseous hydrocarbons and liquid hydrocarbons;
storing the liquid hydrocarbons in a tank structure, and offloading the liquid hydrocarbons to a tanker at intervals;
using at least some of the gaseous hydrocarbons to fuel an energized electrical generator unit to produce electricity, and using at least some of said electricity to power at least said electrically powered equipment on the floating structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A hydrocarbon production system which includes a floating structure that floats at the sea surface, that carries electrically powered equipment, and that is connected through a riser to an undersea reservoir that produces liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas, comprising:
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a processor connected to said riser that separates liquid hydrocarbons from components of natural gas;
a liquid tank structure connected to said processor to store liquid hydrocarbons received from said processor;
an electricity generator unit;
a conduit structure that carries natural gas from said processor to said generator unit to fuel said generator unit with natural gas. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification