Abstract: A two-part vessel for use in oil transport in waters where ice may occur, comprising a first part constituting a barge part having a bow portion and a stern portion and containing a number of loading tanks, the bow portion having a submerged receiving space for a mooring and loading buoy, and a second part constituting a propulsion part having a forward portion and a stern portion which is adapted for breaking ice, the forward portion having a forward end which is adapted for connection to the stern portion of the barge part.

Abstract: A vessel for use in the production and/or storage of hydrocarbons, including a receiving device having a downwardly open space for receiving and releasably securing a submerged buoy connected to at least one riser, a rotatable connector for connection with the buoy and transfer of fluids, and a dynamic positioning system for keeping the vessel at a desired position. The vessel includes a moonpool extending through the hull, and the receiving device is a unit which is arranged in the moonpool for raising and lowering, the rotatable connector being arranged at deck level, for connection to the buoy when the receiving unit with the buoy has been raised to an upper position in the moonpool.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for loading or unloading a ship at sea, in particular for operations in connection with oil and gas activity, whereby the ship concerned is equipped with a mooring device at its bow. There is included an anchor device located at the seabed, and at least one anchoring line adapted to connect the anchor device to the mooring device on the ship. A permanent anchor device is provided with a swivel device for the anchoring line, and a buoyant body is attached to a middle portion of the anchoring line. Moreover, there is provided a hose connected to the swivel device and to the ship, for loading or unloading operations.

Abstract: A method of liquefaction/conditioning of a compressed gas/condensate flow extracted from a petroleum deposit, for transport in liquefied form with a transport vessel, especially for such processing of a compressed gas/condensate flow which has been separated from a crude oil extracted from an offshore oil field. The gas/condensate flow is depressurized and cooled in several steps for producing a stabilized liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a stabilized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), for transport thereof in separate tanks.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing the steering effect of ship rudders comprising a rudder with at least one passageway for supplying seawater to ducts in the rudder, and a profile element extending substantially vertically at a leading edge of the rudder and being pivotable about a generally vertical axis, wherein distribution ducts formed between the profile element and the rudder communicate with the passageway and are adjustable so that relative movement of the profile element and the rudder causes seawater to be discharged along the rudder surface facing abaft.

Abstract: A rotating coupling device or connector for interconnection between a number of risers (12) suspended from a submerged buoy and a pipe system on a floating vessel for the production of hydrocarbons, comprising a swivel unit consisting of a pair of concentric swivel members (20, 21) in the form of a male member (20) and a female member (21) defining mutually sealed annuluses (22) communicating with associated fluid paths (16) between the topical risers (12) and the pipe system on the vessel. The female member (21) is adapted for non-rotatable attachment to the vessel. The male member comprises a number of axially extending pipes (24) which, at their upper ends are connected to respective annuluses (22) and at their lower ends comprise a releasable connection (25) with fluid paths (16) leading to the respective risers (12).

Abstract: A rotating connector or coupling device for interconnection between at least one fluid passage (9) through a submerged buoy (1, 2) and a pipe system on a floating vessel for the production of hydrocarbons, comprising a pair of cooperating, fluid-transferring swivel members in the form of a female member (3) and a male member (4) which may be introduced axially into or withdrawn from each other, the female member (4) being permanently fixed to the buoy (1, 2), and an electrohydraulic swivel (30) which is arranged on the top of the male swivel member (4) and comprises partly a slip-ring arrangement (37, 45) for the transfer of high electric power and electrical/optical control signals, and partly a number of hydraulic courses for the transfer of hydraulic signals.

Abstract: A method of regenerating the catalyst in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction. Synthesis gas is supplied to the catalyst in conditions which favor high CO conversions. This results in a high H.sub.2 partial pressure which in turn results in catalyst regeneration.

Abstract: A reactor for catalytic dehydrogenation of dehydrogenatable hydrocarbons, in particular C.sub.3 and/or C.sub.4 hydrocarbons, in a hydrocarbon-containing stream, with selective oxidation of hydrogen. The reactor comprises serially connected in the flow direction of the hydrocarbon-containing stream: a first catalyst zone (2), an oxygen admixing zone (3) provided with a means (5) for separate feeding of an oxygen-containing gas into the hydrocarbon-containing stream, and a second catalyst zone (4). The oxygen admixing zone (3) has a cross section area in the flow direction of the hydrocarbon-containing stream which is from 0.5% to 75% of the cross section area of each of the two catalysts zones (2, 4), so as to obtain a higher flow velocity in the oxygen-admixing zone (3) than in the catalyst zones.

Abstract: A rotating connector comprising a swivel device (5, 6) having a number of fluid courses (16) for interconnecting a buoy (1) and a pipe system on a floating vessel for production of hydrocarbons, wherein the swivel device comprises a female member (5) and a male member (6) which may be introduced axially into or withdrawn from each other, the female member (5) being permanently fixed to a bottom-anchored centre member of the buoy. One of the fluid courses is arranged for transferring liquefied natural gas (LNG) between the vessel and the transfer line (13) through the buoy, and for this purpose is thermally and physically separated from the other courses.

Abstract: Pressure converter for mounting above the drill bit at the lower end of a drill pipe for generating a higher fluid pressure in a portion of a drilling fluid flow, including a piston which is moveable in a cylinder. The piston has a large piston area which when moved in a first direction is affected by the pressure of the drilling fluid in the drill pipe, and an opposite small piston area which when moved in the first direction provides an increased pressure in a smaller portion of the drilling fluid flow. A valve arrangement controls the movement of the piston in the cylinder. Conduits communicate with drilling fluid flow passages inside the drill pipe and the annulus outside the drill pipe respectively. The space in front of the small piston area is adapted to receive a particular working fluid and there is provided a moveable membrane so as to separate the working fluid from the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Pressure amplifier mounted at the lower end of a drill pipe for deep drilling to generate an increased fluid pressure. A piston with a pressure stroke and a return stroke between end positions in a cylinder has a large piston area which during the pressure stroke is subjected to the drilling fluid pressure, a first opposite piston area and a second opposite and small piston area which during the pressure stroke generates an increased pressure in a smaller portion of the drilling fluid flow. A valve arrangement controls drilling fluid flows to and from the piston. For each end position of the piston there is provided at least one moveable valve control element which is adapted to be moved by the piston at either end position, in order to activate the valve arrangement.

Abstract: A pressure amplifier can be mounted above a drill bit at the lower end of a drill pipe for generating an increased fluid pressure in a drilling fluid flow to, for example, obtain an increased drilling effect, A reciprocating piston in a cylinder has at one side (a low pressure side) a large piston area and also has a first opposite piston area and a second opposite and relatively small piston area, which generates an increased pressure. A valve device controls drilling fluid flows to and from the piston. Beyond one end of the cylinder there is provided a hydraulic rotary motor adapted to be driven by the pressure difference between the drilling fluid flows in the drill pipe and an annulus. A transmission mechanism converts the rotation of the hydraulic motor into intermittent movements of the valve device between two operative positions.

Abstract: A process for dehydrogenating dehydrogenatable C.sub.2-30 hydrocarbons includes contacting the hydrocarbons under dehydrogenating conditions in one or more reaction zones with a solid catalyst. The solid catalyst includes at least a Group VIII noble metal, a Group IVA metal, and a carrier of a mixed oxide of magnesium and aluminum.

Abstract: A plugging liquid for plugging of a zone of a subterranean formation around a drill hole, consisting of an emulsion comprising (a) a continuous phase containing a hydrophobic liquid, an emulsifier and a crosslinking agent for a polysaccharide, and (b) a discontinuous phase containing water and a polysaccharide. A variant of the plugging composition contains in addition a weighting material in the discontinuous phase. Also described is a method for preparing the plugging liquid and a method for plugging a zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a drill hole in fluid communication with the zone, according to which method the new plugging liquid is injected into the zone via the drill hole and is subjected to high shear forces in the drill hole, whereby the polysaccharide and the crosslinking agent are brought into contact with one another with resulting initiation of a crosslinking of the polysaccharide and the crosslinking agent and a setting of the plugging liquid.

Abstract: A swivel device comprising inner and outer mutually rotatable swivel members having respective inner fluid paths communicating with each other through one or more associated annular spaces at the interface between the swivel members. The annular spaces being sealed from each other by seals. The swivel members are formed as an outer female member and an inner male member so that the male member can be introduced axially into the cooperating female member to an operative working position, or withdrawn from the female member when disconnecting the swivel members. The seals between the annular spaces are arranged to be activated for active sealing in the operative working position, and to be relieved in case of manual disconnection of the swivel members.

Abstract: A loading/unloading terminal, especially for use in loading or unloading of petroleum products comprises a barge (1) provided with a downwardly open receiving space (2) for reception and releasable securement of a submerged buoy (20), and a submerged buoy (20) of the type comprising a bottom-anchored center member (21) for passage of medium from or to a transfer line (32) attached to the center member, and an outer member (23) rotatably mounted on the center member (21) to allow turning of the barge (1;40) about the center member (21) when the outer member (23) is secured in the receiving space (2) of the barge. The barge (1) further is provided with a coupling means (4) for connection of the passage (22) of the center member (21) to a line (9) for medium transfer to or from an adjacent conventional tanker, and with a means (10-14) for hoisting and introduction of the buoy (20) into the receiving space.

Abstract: Pressure amplifier for mounting above the drill bit at the lower end of a drill pipe for generating an increased fluid pressure in a drilling fluid flow, for example for obtaining an increased drilling effect. A reciprocating piston in a cylinder is designed with a large piston area at one end (low pressure side), a relatively small piston area at the opposite end (high pressure side), and an annular surface formed at the transition between the two ends. The pressure converter also includes a control valve, an actuator, and a drilling fluid valve to control drilling fluid flow to and from the cylinder.