Abstract: To increase the safety of a transfer assembly for hydrocarbon products, particularly liquefied natural gas from a production site to a transport vessel (8) (such as a shuttle tanker), the invention proposes to provide the production site with an outrigger structure (10) with at the distant end thereof a compacted length of a flexible product transfer hose (20).

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for transferring fluid between a point (5) on the seabed, such as a wellhead, and a floating vessel (1). The apparatus comprises a flexible pipeline (4), the upper end of which is attachable to the vessel (1). A second flexible pipeline (8) is attached at one end to the wellhead (5). A structure (6) is mounted on the seabed and includes a member (7) which is movable relative to the structure (6). The lower end of the first pipeline (4) and the upper end of the second pipeline (8) are mounted on an end of the movable member (7) which is remote from the seabed structure (6). When the first flexible pipeline is stretched out in response to the vessel (1) moving about under the action of wind and current, the movable member (7) is displaced relative to the seabed structure (6) in order to allow the pipeline (4) a greater range of movement before it becomes stretched beyond its safe limit.

Abstract: Starting from a mooring assembly with a fixed mooring point and the combination of at least one rigid arm which, in the moored position, lies above the water surface, a rigid connecting element connected by means of a pivot point therewith and being essentially vertical at rest, and a weight, connected to the assembly and producing at movements of the floating body to and from the mooring point resetting forces acting upon this body in that the ends of the rigid arm and the connecting element respectively, opposite the first pivot point, are connected either with the mooring point on the one hand and the floating body on the other hand or with the floating body on the one hand and the mooring point on the other hand, the invention proposes that the weight is connected to the rigid connecting element. As a result the structure of the rigid arm can be simpler and the assembly will be easier to use.

Abstract: A riser system for connecting a seabed installation to a floating vessel consists of first and second fluid conveying conduits (13,14) connected by an articulated joint (7). In a standby condition the articulated joint (7) is anchored to the seabed, the two conduits (13,14) are not in fluid communication with one another and the upper conduit (13) rises substantially vertically with the aid of a buoyancy device (9). In use, the upper conduit (13) is pulled in to a floating vessel, thereby releasing the articulated joint (7) from the anchor (8) and allowing the joint to pivot in order to connect the upper and lower conduits (13,14) to allow passage of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A deep water mooring system including a connector element which is nonbuoyant, has connections to a submerged pipeline and which is supported by flotation tanks that are anchored to the bottom, and a device for retrieving the connector element from the water and to connect to a suitable floating surface storage system for flow between the storage system and the submerged pipeline. The retrieval line with a buoy holding its upper end at the surface coacts with the vessel in which the storage system is contained, or to which it is connected, for quick and easy retrieval and connection of the connector element to the vessel. Additionally, the retrieval line buoy may be provided with sufficient buoyancy capacity to provide an additional lift to the connector element and thus aid the flotation tanks in maintaining the connector element when not in use at a preselected depth in the water.

Abstract: A device for mooring a vessel to a mooring tower, buoy, seabed, or the like, has a device for absorbing excessive mooring forces. The vessel will normally travel a given distance when attached to the mooring tower or the like, due to forces such as waves, wind, or tide. However, when extreme conditions are encountered such that the vessel attempts to travel beyond this given distance, the device for absorbing can accommodate these excessive forces. The device for absorbing will permit the vessel to travel a distance which is greater than or equal to the given distance under these extreme conditions.

Abstract: A fluid transfer buoy is disclosed for transfer of fluids between a pipeline on the sea floor and a moored vessel through a swivel fluid transfer connection. The buoy includes a frame structure which houses a central fluid transfer line terminating in a central fluid swivel connection, and a surrounding buoyancy chamber which is bearing mounted to freely rotate about a central shaft of the frame. The rotatable nature of the buoyancy chamber results in no relative movement between the swiveling portion of the fluid transfer line and the deck of the buoy, enabling the entirety of the structure to be surrounded by a protective fender and further making the use of polygonal buoy shapes more feasible. The bearing is protected from sea water intrusion from above and below, and is accessible from the buoy deck to facilitate on site bearing maintenance.

Abstract: A single-point mooring buoy comprising a buoyance member which is fashioned as an open basket having at its circumference equidistant, substantially vertical columns with buoyancy capacity, said columns being united at their upper side by a spider, in the center of which is mounted a swivel coupling, the stationary part of which is connected through an upper hinge to an upper end of a rigid vertical post or rod carrying the whole assembly is disclosed. The upper hinge is just above the waterline to enhance the stability and the maneuverability of the buoy and to facilitate ease of maintenance, inspection and dismanteling of the buoy. There is further disclosed a second hinge connecting a lower end of the post to a sea anchorage. A riser is preferably mounted on the stationary post and is in fluid communication with a pipeline extending from the rotary buoy, which will follow any rotational movement of a ship being moored to the buoy.