Abstract: A mini-jacket is installed using a caisson. The caisson is a tubular pipe that is either pre-existing in the field or specifically installed before hand, such that the bottom end of the caisson is driven into the ocean floor and its top end extends above the water surface. The mini-jacket is a structural frame with pile sleeves at the comers and a caisson sleeve located within the perimeter of the frame. The mini-jacket is configured and installed such that in its installed position its top surface is above water surface while its lower end remains above the ocean floor. During installation, the mini-jacket is lifted and lowered so that its caisson sleeve slides over the caisson. The caisson sleeve has weight bearing plates welded at the top. The mini-jacket is lowered until the weight bearing plates rest on the caisson, thereby transferring the weight of the mini-jacket to the caisson. The caisson alone supports the weight of the mini-jacket during the pile installation.

Abstract: The present invention is for a subsea hydrocarbon recovery device comprising a means for separating a composite hydrocarbon stream into a gas and liquid stream and independent means for recovering each stream. The device is comprised of a separator, a gas recovery pipeline and a liquid recovery system. The separator separates a composite hydrocarbon stream from a well into vapor and liquid phases. The liquid hydrocarbon recovery system is comprised of a circulating loop into which the liquid hydrocarbon stream is introduced for recovery. The liquid steam flows through a pressure increasing device into a circulating loop which brings the recovered hydrocarbon to the surface. Physical parameters of the circulating liquid can be controlled to prevent or eliminate paraffin accumulations.