Abstract: A sub-sea submersible compressing apparatus having at least one compressor tank. A compressor tank is configured to receive gas from a gas/liquid separator and has an inlet for water. The compressor further comprises a pump to pump water from the compressor tank thereby drawing gas into the compressor tank from the gas/liquid separator. Valves are provided to shut off gas flow from the liquid/gas separator and to permit gas flow from the compressor tank to a predetermined location such as a recovery line for transferring the gas to the surface or other location. The gas contained within the compressor tank is compressed by allowing water to flow back into the compressor tank, thereby compressing the gas and forcing it from the compressor vessel. Two or more compressor tanks can be provided to facilitate a continuous operation by timing of the water flow to and from each of the compressor tanks.

Abstract: An offshore oil storage and offtake system is disclosed. The system includes a storage tank attachable to the seabed and adapted to store hydrocarbons. At least one fluid channel is included which has a first end positioned inside of the tank proximal a bottom of the tank and a second end in fluid communication with seawater outside of the tank. The system also includes at least one offload line having a first end coupled to and in fluid communication with the tank proximal a top of the tank and a second end adapted to be fluid coupled to the tanker and accessible from a water surface. The system further includes at least one hawser having a first end operatively coupled to the tank and a second end adapted to be accessible from the water surface and attachable to a tanker to anchor the tanker during tanker offtake operations.

Abstract: A sub-sea submersible compressing apparatus having at least one compressor tank. A compressor tank is configured to receive gas from a gas/liquid separator and has an inlet for water. The compressor further comprises a pump to pump water from the compressor tank thereby drawing gas into the compressor tank from the gas/liquid separator. Valves are provided to shut off gas flow from the liquid/gas separator and to permit gas flow from the compressor tank to a predetermined location such as a recovery line for transferring the gas to the surface or other location. The gas contained within the compressor tank is compressed by allowing water to flow back into the compressor tank, thereby compressing the gas and forcing it from the compressor vessel. Two or more compressor tanks can be provided to facilitate a continuous operation by timing of the water flow to and from each of the compressor tanks.

Abstract: A subsea passive flash gas compression system that includes a first separator that removes high pressure flash gas from a hydrocarbon product, a second separator that removes low pressure flash gas from the hydrocarbon product after the high pressure flash gas has been removed, and an ejector. The ejector includes a high pressure input that is coupled to a high pressure flash gas output of the first separator. The ejector also includes a low pressure input that is coupled to a low pressure flash gas output of the second separator. An output of the ejector is coupled to an outlet pipeline that extends from proximate the sea bottom to the sea surface.

Abstract: An offshore oil storage and offtake system is disclosed. The system includes a storage tank attachable to the seabed and adapted to store hydrocarbons. At least one fluid channel is included which has a first end positioned inside of the tank proximal a bottom of the tank and a second end in fluid communication with seawater outside of the tank. The system also includes at least one offload line having a first end coupled to and in fluid communication with the tank proximal a top of the tank and a second end adapted to be fluid coupled to the tanker and accessible from a water surface. The system further includes at least one hawser having a first end operatively coupled to the tank and a second end adapted to be accessible from the water surface and attachable to a tanker to anchor the tanker during tanker offtake operations.

Abstract: A subsea passive flash gas compression system that includes a first separator that removes high pressure flash gas from a hydrocarbon product, a second separator that removes low pressure flash gas from the hydrocarbon product after the high pressure flash gas has been removed, and an ejector. The ejector includes a high pressure input that is coupled to a high pressure flash gas output of the first separator. The ejector also includes a low pressure input that is coupled to a low pressure flash gas output of the second separator. An output of the ejector is coupled to an outlet pipeline that extends from proximate the sea bottom to the sea surface.

Abstract: A VASPS (vertical annular separation and pumping system) is integral with a floating production vessel such as a TLP. The head section of the VASPS is located at the deck level of the vessel. The tail section is located at or near the bottom of the body of water. The head and tail sections are in fluid communication by a riser having at least two fluid passageways (conductors). The invention constitutes an improvement on the VASPS unit described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,433.

Abstract: A glycol dehydrator for removing water from produced natural gas includes a conduit for conveying uncondensed hydrocarbons from a reboiler overhead condenser to an auxiliary burner in the reboiler firetube by natural draft from the firetube flue stack.

Abstract: A separating system is provided for a fluid stream containing oil, water and gas. The fluid stream has a nominal flow rate, a maximum surge flow rate, and a cycle time or period. The system includes upper and lower elongated horizontal vessels. A weir separates the upper vessel into an inlet surge chamber and a liquid over flow chamber. A gas separator is located in the inlet surge chamber of the upper vessel and separates gas from the incoming fluid stream. A gas outlet is defined in the upper vessel. A downcomer tube communicates the inlet surge chamber of the upper vessel with the lower vessel. Oil and water are separated from each other in the lower vessel, which has oil and water outlets defined therein. A liquid overflow drain line communicates the liquid overflow chamber of the upper vessel with the lower vessel.