Page 59 - Oil and Gas Production Handbook An Introduction to Oil and Gas Production

4.4.3 Marine loading

Loading systems consist of one or
more loading arms/jetties, pumps,
valves and a metering system.

Tanker loading systems are complex,
both because of the volume involved,
and because several loading arms will
normally interact with the tanker's
ballast system to control the loading
operation. The tanks must be filled in
a certain sequence; otherwise the
tanker's structure might be damaged
due to uneven stresses. It is the
responsibility of the tanker's ballast
system to signal data to the loading
system and to operate the different
valves and monitor the tanks on board
the ship. Photo: StatoilHydro

4.4.4 Pipeline terminal

The gas pipeline is fed from
the high pressure
compressors. Oil pipelines
are driven by separate
booster pumps. For longer
pipelines, intermediate
compressor stations or pump
stations will be required due
to distance or crossing of
mountain ranges. Block valve
stations are placed at regular
intervals to limit the potential
leakage volume in case of a pipe rupture.

The pipeline terminal includes termination systems for the pipeline. A pig
launcher and receiver will be included at the least, to allow insertion of a
pipeline pigging device used to clean or inspect the pipeline on the inside.
This is essentially a large chamber that can be pressurized and purged to
insert and remove the pig or scraper without depressurizing the pipeline. The
pig is often driven by pipeline flow.

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