Apparatus for off-shore processing of a hydrocarbon stream

Abstract

An apparatus for off-shore processing of a hydrocarbon stream, at least comprising: a jack-up platform; one or more jack-up legs rootable to a sea-bed; and one or more hydrocarbon stream processing units on the jack-up platform.

1 . An apparatus for off-shore processing of a hydrocarbon stream, at least comprising:
 a jack-up platform;   one or more jack-up legs rootable to a sea-bed; and   one or more hydrocarbon stream processing units on the jack-up platform.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hydrocarbon stream processing units comprise one or more hydrocarbon stream liquefying units and/or one or more gasifying units. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more liquefied hydrocarbon storage facilities. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the one or more storage facilities comprise one or more LNG storage tanks. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more liquefied hydrocarbon transfer devices. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more well production facilities. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more hydrocarbon stream treatment facilities. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the jack-up platform comprises one or more decks. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the jack-up platform comprises one or more barges. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more barges comprise a decking portion for the location of one or more of the one or more hydrocarbon stream processing units thereon. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising two or more jack-up legs. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising two to six jack-up legs. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the jack-up platform is movable between a marine-transportation position and a jacked-up operating position. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising integrated production, liquefaction, storage and off-loading facilities for a natural gas stream. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , being relocatable. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more hydrocarbon drilling facilities. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the processing of the hydrocarbon stream comprises treating and liquefying natural gas to provide liquefied natural gas. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the processing of the hydrocarbon stream comprises gasifying a liquefied natural gas stream to provide a natural gas stream. 
   
   
       19 . A method of cooling a hydrocarbon stream, comprising at least the steps of:
 (i) providing a hydrocarbon stream to an off-shore processing apparatus that at least comprises:
 a jack-up platform; 
 one or more jack-up legs rootable to a sea-bed; and 
 one or more hydrocarbon stream processing units at least comprising one or more cooling units on the jack-up platform; and 
   (ii) cooling the hydrocarbon stream.   
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the hydrocarbon stream comprises natural gas. 
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the cooling of the hydrocarbon stream comprises liquefying the hydrocarbon stream. 
   
   
       22 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , for cooling and liquefying natural gas to provide liquefied natural gas. 
   
   
       23 . A method of gasifying a liquefied hydrocarbon stream, comprising at least the steps of:
 (i) providing a liquefied hydrocarbon stream to off-shore processing apparatus that at least comprises:
 a jack-up platform; 
 one or more jack-up legs rootable to a sea-bed; and 
 one or more hydrocarbon stream processing units at least comprising one or more gasifying units on the jack-up platform; and 
   (ii) gasifying the liquefied hydrocarbon stream.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the liquefied hydrocarbon stream comprises liquefied natural gas. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the gasifying comprises re-gasifying. 
   
   
       26 . A method of installing an apparatus for off-shore processing of a hydrocarbon stream, the method comprising at least the steps of:
 providing an apparatus at least comprising:   a jack-up platform;
 one or more jack-up legs rootable to a sea-bed; and 
 one or more hydrocarbon stream processing units on the jack-up platform; 
   transporting said apparatus across a sea;   locating the apparatus;   rooting one or more jack-up legs of the apparatus with the sea-bed; and   raising the jack-up platform above sea level.   
   
   
       27 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the apparatus is located in shallow water. 
   
   
       28 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the apparatus is located near an underwater hydrocarbon stream source. 
   
   
       29 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the apparatus is located in shallow water and located near an underwater hydrocarbon stream source. 
   
   
       30 . A method of developing an off-shore hydrocarbon stream processing facility comprising at least the steps of:
 (a) installing an apparatus for off-shore processing of
 a hydrocarbon stream, the installing comprising: 
 providing an apparatus at least comprising: 
 a jack-up platform; 
 one or more jack-up legs rootable to a sea-bed; and 
   one or more hydrocarbon stream processing units on the jack-up platform;
 transporting said apparatus across a sea; 
 locating the apparatus; 
 rooting one or more jack-up legs of the apparatus with the sea-bed; and 
 raising the jack-up platform above sea level; and 
   (b) supplementing and/or replacing the apparatus by one or more further and/or other off-shore hydrocarbon installations, facilities and/or apparatus.