Patent ID: 6893486

Claim:
A system for sea-based handling of fluid hydrocarbons obtained from an oil reservoir in a seabed, the fluid hydrocarbons also comprising gas and water, the system comprising: a first separator installed on the seabed, the first separator arranged to receive a flow of fluid hydrocarbons from the reservoir, separate a predetermined amount of gas and water from the flow of fluid hydrocarbons, and output the remaining flow of fluid hydrocarbons, wherein the remaining output flow of fluid hydrocarbons comprises an essentially predetermined percentage of residual gas; wherein the first separator is further arranged to return the separated amount of gas and water to the reservoir; and a riser coupled to the first separator and arranged to transport the output flow of fluid hydrocarbons from the first separator to surface equipment for further handling; wherein the surface equipment comprises a second separator for separating the residual gas from the output flow of fluid hydrocarbons, and wherein the residual gas provides a fuel source for operation of the system.