Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating LNG plant (1, 1?, 100) comprising a converted LNG carrier with a hull and a plurality of LNG storage tanks (4, 104) wherein in that the floating LNG plant (1, 1?, 100) comprises: —at least one sponson (2, 2?, 3, 3?, 102, 103) on the side of the hull, for creating additional hull volume, —process equipment (110) for LNG processing on the floating LNG plant (1, 1?, 100), and—a reservoir for storing fluids separated during the LNG processing, wherein said reservoir is formed by the ballast tank or in the space reserved for the ballast tank of the original LNG carrier.

Abstract: A floating, offshore vessel having surface-piercing columns (e.g., a semi-submersible or a tension leg platform) has means for storage of liquid hydrocarbon liquids inside one or more columns. Hydrocarbon liquids may be stored in only two of the four columns typically found on a semi-submersible, thereby providing a safe-zone where the living quarters are located. A column houses at least one hydrocarbon storage (cargo) tank and at least one variable ballast tank, where the weight capacity of the hydrocarbon cargo tank(s) is approximately equal to the weight capacity of the variable ballast tank(s). The hydrocarbon cargo tank(s) and the variable ballast tank(s) are positioned in such an orientation that the horizontal center of gravity of the cargo tank(s) is (nearly) identical to the horizontal center of gravity of the variable ballast tank(s). Both the hydrocarbon cargo tank and the variable ballast tank may be directly accessible from top-of-column.

Abstract: In a pipe joint where two pipe sections (14, 16) have threadably engaged end potions (17, 18), joint ends (32, 34) are substantially sealed to each other by a sealing surface (40, 50) on one pipe section that substantially abuts a sealing surface (42, 52) on the other pipe section. In one joint, a ring-shaped cutout(121, FIG. 7) is formed in a first pipe section and a ring-shaped spacer (120) is located in the cutout. The spacer is chosen from several that have slightly different lengths so the spacer ends contacts the corresponding sealing surface(130).

Abstract: A method for replacing an outer annular ring of a fluid swivel includes a swivel comprising an inner annular ring and an outer annular ring, the rings being located with their adjacent cylindrical surfaces in close proximity for defining a chamber, for receiving a fluid, between peripheral opposing faces of the inner annular ring and the outer annular ring, wherein the inner annular ring is adapted to be connected to an end of a fluid line and wherein the outer annular ring is adapted to be connected to a product piping on the vessel, wherein the method comprises the steps of: removing the outer annular ring, replacing the outer annular ring by means of a first semi-circular element and a second semi-circular element, and fixing the first semi-circular element to the second semi-circular element, by means of a fixing means, to form a replacement outer annular ring of the swivel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a vessel hull (1) for use as a hull of an FPSO or FSO, comprising producing a vessel hull with a stern portion (2), a bow portion (3) and a central portion (4), arranging a deck (6) on the hull, for supporting processing modules, arranging hydrocarbon storage tanks inside the hull, providing the hull with an anchoring connection arrangement (7), characterized by arranging process module reinforcements (8) in the deck for supporting the hydrocarbon process modules, providing both longitudinal hull sides with mooring line connection reinforcements (9) at or near the bow portion, arranging riser connection reinforcements (10, 14) on one or more longitudinal hull sides, in between the mooring line connection reinforcements in longitudinal direction, for a riser balcony (28, 29), and providing the bow portion with turret reinforcements (11, 12).

Abstract: A system for transporting hydrocarbons from reserves located under the sea floor to a turret connected to a hydrocarbon production vessel floating at the sea surface, the hydrocarbons being transferred through at least one rigid catenary riser extending from the sea floor to a buoy, the system for transporting hydrocarbons includes an upper section of the at least one substantially rigid riser directly attached to the buoy and provided with fairings, a middle section of the rigid riser is provided with buoyancy modules so to give it a lazy wave shape and a lower section of the substantially rigid riser is in contact with the seafloor at a distance X from the buoy vertical axis that is smaller than a distance Y between the buoy vertical axis and the mooring lines anchoring elements.

Abstract: High-strength, fatigue-resistant pipe connectors suitable for use in offshore risers, tendons and pipelines, such as may be connected to floating production systems (FPSs) principally used in the production of oil and gas. The present connectors include tubular pin and box components with mating frusto-conical, concentrically-grooved mating surfaces which threadingly interlock, and non-threaded (e.g., flat) mating surfaces that seal and preload (e.g., preload at least a portion of each component in compression), via axial advancement of the pin component into the box component. In such connectors, axial movement of the pin into the mating box results the in radial expansion of the box and radial contraction of the pin until the concentric thread patterns match and interlockingly snap into the connected position.

Abstract: Method for harvesting energy using an EAP based deformable body. The EAP based deformable body is an elastically deformable body including an arrangement of stretchable synthetic material and electrodes being arranged as a variable capacitor with a capacitance that varies as the deformable body stretches and relaxes. The method includes: looping through an energy harvesting cycle with a) stretching the deformable body from a minimal relaxed size L1 to a maximal stretched size L2; b) at the maximal stretched size electrically charging of the variable capacitor to create an electric field over the capacitor with an upper electric field level value; and subsequently c) a relaxation step from maximal stretched size to the minimal relaxed size; d) at the minimal relaxed size of the deformable body, electrically discharging the capacitor to a minimal charge level and a minimal electric field level value.

Abstract: A method of natural gas liquefaction includes at least two nitrogen refrigerant streams. Each stream undergoes a cycle of compression, cooling, expansion and heating, during which each of the nitrogen streams is expanded to a different pressure other than for the others of the at least two nitrogen streams, and, the heating occurs in one or more heat exchangers. The expanded nitrogen streams are in a heat exchanging relationship with a stream of the natural gas and with the one or more compressed nitrogen streams in at least one of the one or more heat exchangers. At least one expanded nitrogen stream is compressed as a side stream in a stage of a main nitrogen compressor so as to combine the compressed side stream with another compressed nitrogen stream after passing the nitrogen compressor stage.

Abstract: Electronic device (1) for charging and discharging a capacitor (10) from and to a power source (30). The electronic device is connectable to the capacitor and to the power source, and includes a first circuit (SI, D, R1, LI) for charging the capacitor and at least one second circuit (S2, D, R2, L2) for discharging the capacitor. The capacitor is connected to the first circuit in a charge line (31) and is connected to the second circuit in a discharge line (32). Both the charge line and discharge line are connectable to the power source. The first circuit is arranged as a first buck converter circuit and the at least one second circuit is arranged as a second buck converter circuit.

Abstract: Connector for releasably attaching two fluid transfer lines, includes a flow connector with a first and second connector assemblies (3, 6) each having a fluid passage, a valve rotatably seated in the passage for opening or closing off the fluid passage. The flow connector also including a normal connection/disconnection system and an emergency disconnection system both located at the same interface and each one having its own dedicated actuating system characterized in that the flow connector is combined with a structural disconnectable load diverter (11, 4, 59) diverting the loads and moments created by the transfer line (2) away from the valves and the flow connector.

Abstract: Brush holder for an electrical swivel, wherein the brush holder is provided with an electrically conductive body, provided with means for connecting the body to a feed line for electrical energy and provided with at least one recess for receiving a brush adapted to transfer electrical energy towards a connector, wherein the brush is connected to the body by means of an electric wire for the transfer of electrical energy from the body towards the brush and by means of a spring for allowing the brush to be pushed out of the recess and to protrude from the surface of the body adapted to face the connector and for urging the brush against the connector.

Abstract: A system for developing offshore hydrocarbon fields includes a floating hydrocarbon processing unit moored to the seabed and connected to a hydrocarbon reservoir via a riser and a wellhead on the seabed, the unit receiving and processing the hydrocarbon mixture received from the reservoir via the riser, and having equipment to separate the hydrocarbon mixture into oil, water and gas and store them in storage tanks. A gas storage buffer reservoir is placed at a distance from and isolated from the hydrocarbon reservoir. A gas export riser is connected to the floating hydrocarbon processing unit and the gas buffer reservoir to export separated gas and inject it into the gas buffer reservoir. A gas riser has one end connected to the gas buffer reservoir and another end connected to the floating gas processing unit for processing gas received from the gas buffer reservoir for enabling transportation to shore.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon transfer arrangement for transfer of fluids between an offshore unit and a carrier which are placed in an offloading configuration, includes at least one transfer hose and a gas return hose, wherein the end of the at least one transfer hose is connected to a floating multi-function unit allowing for the transport of the transfer hose between the offshore unit and the carrier, wherein the floating multi-function unit can be lifted out of the water and can be held in a fixed position above water-level and is provided with connection elements for making a fluid connection between the transfer hose end and a manifold of the carrier and with emergency disconnect elements for the at least one transfer hose, placed at a distance from the connection elements.

Abstract: An arrangement for mooring, loading and unloading of a vessel, includes a structure connected to the seabed and a Y-formed yoke for connecting the vessel to the structure, the structure including a stationary inner element adapted to be fixedly connected to the sea bed and an outer element having a rotatable fastening to the inner element, the outer element having a connector for fixing the yoke, wherein the yoke is provided with a pitch articulation to fix the first or mutual end of the yoke to the connector of the outer element and a roll articulation positioned between the pitch articulation and the first and second leg to allow the legs to rotate along the longitudinal axis of the yoke with respect to the pitch articulation.

Abstract: Turret mooring system for receiving a mooring buoy, includes a turret mooring structure, and a buoy locking system for locking the mooring buoy, whereby the turret mooring system includes an intermediate connection member, which includes the buoy locking system. The intermediate connection member is rotatably suspended from the turret mooring structure. A method of mooring a vessel, including a turret mooring system, is described whereby the turret mooring system is arranged to receive the mooring buoy. The turret mooring system includes a turret mooring structure that is rotatably suspended from the vessel and an intermediate connection member that is rotatably suspended from the turret mooring structure. The method includes the steps of receiving the mooring buoy into the turret mooring system, locking the mooring buoy to the intermediate connection member, and rotating the intermediate connection member and the turret mooring structure with respect to each other.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon transfer arrangement for transfer of fluids between an offshore unit and a carrier which are placed in an offloading configuration, includes at least one transfer hose and a gas return hose, wherein the end of the at least one transfer hose is connected to a floating multi-function unit allowing for the transport of the transfer hose between the offshore unit and the carrier, wherein the floating multi-function unit can be lifted out of the water and can be held in a fixed position above water-level and is provided with connection elements for making a fluid connection between the transfer hose end and a manifold of the carrier and with emergency disconnect elements for the at least one transfer hose, placed at a distance from the connection elements.

Abstract: A high voltage connector includes an electric terminal and a housing elongated in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of the connector. An end surface of the electric terminal is mounted on an proximal end surface of the elongated housing with the respective body axis directions of the housing and the connector in parallel, and is arranged with an outer electric connection area for connection to an external electric terminal. The elongated housing is arranged at a distal end to receive at least one power cable for internal electrical connection of the at least one power cable with an inner connecting area of the electric terminal. The high voltage connector includes an encapsulating casing that encloses the electric terminal and the elongated housing in the first direction, and the encapsulating casing provides a closed space between the casing and the housing.

Abstract: Method for mooring an offshore structure includes: providing a mooring line having one end connected to the sea bed and a connector at a free end; lifting the free end onto a deck of an anchor line handling vessel; connecting on the anchor line handling vessel a chain tensioner with a connection side to the connector; providing a working chain having a short tensioning part and a long installation part into the entry side of the chain tensioner; holding a free end of the installation part while lowering the chain tensioner below water level; picking up a free end of a pendant attached to the offshore structure, and attaching it to the free end of the installation part in an interconnect position on the anchor line handling vessel; placing the interconnect position overboard; connecting a lifting cable on the anchor line handling vessel to the tensioning part below water level; and exerting an upward tensioning force on the tensioning chain part.

Abstract: A combined offshore system for generating electricity includes of an offshore windmill unit with a generator for extracting power from wind and transferring it into electricity, a electricity export cable connected to the windmill for exporting produced electricity to offshore or onshore consumers, and at least one offshore wave power unit for extracting power from waves. This offshore wave power unit is characterized in that electricity produced by the wave power unit is transferred via the same electricity export cable as the electricity generated by the windmill unit.