Page 310 - Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production Second Edition

Surface Facilities 297

loading
arm

approach bridge

sea level

sea bed

Figure 11.29 Tanker loading terminal.

fixed roof floating roof
max. safe
max. safe working level
working level

net
net nominal capacity nominal
capacity capacity
capacity

oil dead stock
Figure 11.30 Fixed roof and £oating roof storage tanks.

increases or decreases. There are a variety of fixed roof tanks for storing
hydrocarbons at atmospheric pressure without vapour loss and for storage at
elevated pressures (Figure 11.30).
Storage tanks should always be closely surrounded by bund walls to contain crude
in the event of a spillage incident, such as a ruptured pipe or tank, and to allow fire-
fighting personnel and equipment to be positioned reasonably close to the tanks by
providing protected access (Figure 11.31).
Drainage systems inside the bund wall should only be open when the outlet can
be monitored to avoid hydrocarbon liquids run-off in the event of an unforeseen
release of crude.

11.2.3. Offshore production facilities
The functions of offshore production facilities are very much the same as those
described for land operations. An offshore production platform is rather like a
gathering station; hydrocarbons have to be collected, processed and evacuated for