Versatile FPSO Manifold System Eliminates Fluid Swivels

A versatile manifold system for linking floating production, storage and off-loading (FPSO) vessels with their mooring turrets in offshore oil fields, which allows the vessels to weathervane continually without interrupting production, has been developed by the Marine Offshore Division of Mobil Shipping and Transportation Company.

Called the Sealless Rotating Multipath (SRM) manifold, the system eliminates the need for high pressure fluid swivels on ship-shaped FPSO vessels. Worldwide licensing rights for the new technology, for which patent applications are pending, have been assigned by Mobil to Hitachi Zosen Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, Hitachi has exclusive rights to design, build and install the SRM, and to grant sub-licenses, as appropriate.

All of the major SRM components are standard industry items proven through years of oil field use. Included among these items are wellhead- type connectors used for repositioning the reeling systems. The SRM handles produced oil and gas, injection water and injection gas.

The SRM can be designed to handle any flow rate, by providing the appropriate number and size of lines. It will also accommodate any working pressure for which flexible pipe and wellhead-type connectors are available.

Hitachi and Mobil are presently developing the detail design for a 50,000 barrel (8,000-cubic-meter) to 120,000 barrel (19,000-cubic-meter) per day SRM that includes 6,000 (410 bar) gas injection and annulus lines, as well as a 4,000 psi (275 bar) water injection line.

For further information on the Mobil SRM, including its applicability to specific offshore producing operations, Circle 10 on Reader Service Card

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 7, Aug 1985

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.