Subsea Oil Storage System
We enable emission reduction and flexible storage of oils and condensates
Our Subsea Oil Storage system provides modular storage of oil or condensates. The system consists of a cluster frame with storage units, power, control and monitoring, fluid transfer system, export riser and offloading system. The subsea storage unit (SSU) consists of a protective structure and membrane. The seawater outside the protection structure surrounds the membrane through free-flow seawater openings in the protecting structure such that the hydrostatic pressure acts directly on the stored fluid; hence, the internal pressure is equal to the external seawater pressure. The solution is not dependent on offloading frequency and can be customized to fit field requirements.From a design and construction perspective, SSU’s are an elegantly simple, high-tech answer to the question of how to store oil offshore. The system is designed with continuous level monitoring and leakage detection.
| Value Proposition | How/Description/Outcome |
Elimination of emulsion layer. | Emulsions is a bacteria growth layer that between the oil and water contact. This will be avoided, as the oil is stored in a membrane, which is protected inside a protective structure. The NOV solution can make the system up to 30 % smaller. An emulsion layer can be several meters tall and requires special handling to be removed. |
Low environmental impact with larger volumes subsea | NOV storage solution will save 140,000 Te CO2 compared to a FSO over 10 years. Reduced environmental fees. |
Reduce topside HSE challenges | Reduced offshore manning. No need for classification of vessel, supply vessel (food, spare parts, suppliers, etc.) and/or standby vessel. |
Easy to design for decommissioning and redeployment | Storage solution that can be placed at any location and water depth. Easier to target the required storage capacity needed, flexible and scalable during the field lifetime. No need for dual loading systems like STL/SDS |
Robust subsea storage in stable environmental conditions, not affected by extreme weather conditions | Subsea storage of oil and condensates. Double barrier against leakage to the sea. |