Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel which is attached to the sea floor by at least one anchor line. A riser support buoy (9) is releasably connected to the vessel. The anchor line or anchor lines are attached to the vessel outside the area of the riser support buoy (9) such that the buoy can be detached from the vessel independently from the attachment of the anchor lines. By releasing the riser support buoy while maintaining the anchor lines in place, the buoy can be released by maintenance purposes, inspection of the buoy body or the riser without the vessel going adrift. Also the forces between the vessel and the buoy are reduced as the anchor lines are not attached to the riser supporting buoy. The riser supporting buoy may be provided with stabilisation lines (45,45') which on one end comprise a ballast weight (46,46').

Abstract: A turret mooring device includes a vessel carrying a turret, the turret being connected to the hull of the vessel by an upper and a lower bearing arrangement, the turret being provided with devices for fastening and guiding anchor lines and with at least one fluid line extending downwardly through the turret, the lower bearing arrangement being a slide bearing including a slide block having a sliding surface, and a slide plate, the slide block being connected to the outer wall of the turret and the slide plate being connected to the hull of the vessel, a clearance being provided between the slide block and the slide plate such that in case a bending moment exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the turret by the anchor lines relative to the upper bearing arrangement, the deflections of the turret are limited by contact of the slide block on the slide plate.

Abstract: A sealing system for a rotatable fluid conduit coupling or swivel, in particular a swivel for the off-shore oil and gas exploitation or the like, the coupling comprising an inner or first part, an outer or second part concentrically surrounding the first part, an annular chamber formed by the opposite outer and/or inner walls of the inner and outer parts respectively, the chamber being connected to a fluid conduit in the first part and a fluid conduit in the second part, and a clearance between the parts on either side of the chamber which clearances each are sealed by at least one sealing ring located in an annular recess in one and/or the other of the opposite walls forming the clearance, the sealing ring being of resilient low friction material and of the type which allows flexing of the seal lips under over pressure in the clearance from the side of the chamber beyond the pressure behind the sealing ring, the improvement being that in the recess the sealing ring cooperates with or has been provided with m

Abstract: A Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy (1) comprises a body (2) with buoyancy, elements (3) for connecting the buoyant body to catenary anchor chains to anchor the body to the seabed, a turntable (5) rotatable elements with respect to the body with buoyancy. The turntable has devices (6, 6') for a floating unit such as a vessel, a swivel and elements for connecting at least one hose (8, 8') between at least one swivel and a submerged pipe structure extending over or into the seabed to any subsea well or the like, as well as elements for connecting at least one hose (9) between at least one swivel and at least one vessel (7), wherein the CALM buoy is provided with catenary anchor chains (4) which have a weight such that the CALM buoy as a whole is kept underwater at least during normal practice.

Abstract: A sealing system for a rotatable fluid conduit coupling or swivel, in particular a swivel for the off-shore oil and gas exploitation or the like, the coupling comprising an inner or first part, an outer or second part concentrically surrounding the first part, an annular chamber formed by the opposite outer and/or inner walls of the inner and outer parts respectively, the chamber being connected to a fluid conduit in the first part and a fluid conduit in the second part, and a clearance between the parts on either side of the chamber which clearances each are sealed by at least one sealing ring located in an annular recess in one and/or the other of the opposite walls forming the clearance, the sealing ring being of resilient low friction material and of the type which allows flexing of the seal lips under over pressure in the clearance from the side of the chamber beyond the pressure behind the sealing ring, the improvement being that in the recess the sealing ring cooperates with or has been provided with m

Abstract: Sealing element consisting of a body with at least one synthetic sealing lip provided to it. This synthetic sealing lip is pressed against the part that moves in relation to the part in which the body is provided. This pressure is realized with the aid of a spring. To spread the load in the spring evenly, the spring is made such that the moment of resistance against bending is substantially constant across the full extent of the spring.

Abstract: A subsea conduit structure comprising a buoyant column and a conduit which is supported by the buoyant column. The buoyant column is connected to the seabed through an articulation provided near the seabed. The conduit comprises an upper catenary extending from the upper part of the buoyant column to a floating unit. The conduit also comprises a lower catenary extending from the buoyant column to a seabed connection in horizontal direction from the articulation of the buoyant column.

Abstract: A disconnectable mooring system for connecting a mooring body member and a receiving member. The receiving member is rotatably arranged in a floating structure and is a part of a turret system. The mooring buoy member is provided with structural connections at its circumference cooperating with corresponding connections on the receiving members. Both the receiving member and the mooring buoy member are provided with fluid passages on the side remote from the sealing interface fixedly connected to fluid conduits and at the interface ending into openings. Around the openings seals are provided. Centering devices are present to locate the mooring buoy member and the receiving member relative to each other. For connecting-disconnecting, it is sufficient to operate the structural connections and to raise or pay out the lifting device.

Abstract: An anchor has a fluke (3) having an underside (2) lying in one flat geometrical plane and comprising two fluke parts (5, 6) which each have a forwardly pointed tip (7, 8) on either side of the central plane (9) of symmetry which is perpendicular to the geometrical plane (2) of the underside. These two fluke parts (5, 6) form an integral unit at the central plane (9) and have their front edges (10, 11, 12, 13) in that geometrical plane (2) tapering towards the respective tips (7, 8) and from each tip (7, 8) extend rearwardly with a cross section in each plane perpendicular to the underside plane (2) and perpendicular to the plane (9) of symmetry. That unit is substantially triangular up to and beyond the point where the inner front edges (11, 12) of the fluke parts (5, 6) meet, which triangular cross sections (10, 11, 12, 13) have their apex (22, 23) according to a straight ridge line which from each tip (7, 8) extends rearwardly at a sharp angle (.alpha.) with the underside plane (2).

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises one side exposed to a fluid and the other side to a dry area or compartment(s) which can be emptied. To replace part(s) of the bearing assembly a compartment is located in the compartment(s) through which a section of the bearing is guided. After a part of the bearing section has been moved backwards the compartment can be closed via a valve, then the bearing section can be removed completely from the cavity thus preventing considerable quantities of fluid from entering the compartment(s). This bearing structure can be used in a vessel turret assembly.

Abstract: Protection device for a turret bearing arranged between a floating structure and a mooring member. A turret bearing is arranged at or below water level to provide an effective introduction of forces as near the lower side of the floating structure as possible. To guarantee lubrication of the turret bearing a labyrinthine chamber is provided around the turret bearing. The downwardly extending part of this chamber is realized by the floating structure and more particularly a reinforced box whilst the upwardly extending part is provided by a wall extending from the body of the mooring member.

Abstract: Ship with mooring structure, comprising a rotatable tube (15) which is connected to the ship (1) for rotation about a vertical axis which is concentric to the rotatable tube, by an axial/radial bearing structure (17) which can absorb axial and radial forces. The rotatable tube (15) has at its lower end structure (19) for fastening anchor chains or cables (21). The rotatable tube (15) is disposed inside the hull of the ship (1) within a fixed tube (3) through the lower end of which the rotatable tube (15) protrudes downwardly. An outer ring of the axial/radial bearing (17) is in integral assembly with a rigid ring (13) which is in turn fastened only to the lower end of the fixed tube (3). The fixed tube (3) encloses the rotatable tube (15) with clearance and is fastened to the hull of the ship only some distance away from and above the rigid ring (13) and is free from fixed securement to the ship below the rigid ring ( 13).

Abstract: A quick-acting coupling for the fluid-tight connection of two parts, each with sealing elements with sealing faces, is provided with at least one sealing face having a flexible seal, as well as a coupling for connecting the parts in such a way that they do not move relative to each other. In order to simplify the coupling and to reduce its costs, the sealing element of one part has a bevelled end and the sealing element of the other part has a correspondingly bevelled socket. The flexible seal is free-standing and radially unconfined over the entire height of its contact with the other sealing face.

Abstract: Mooring device comprising a vessel with a turntable or the like to which anchor lines are connected extending in different directions and which is rotatable about a vertical axis, which anchor lines, preferably at or adjacent to the point of connection with the vessel, are provided with a hydraulic device which upon overload of one or more of the anchor lines allows extension so that in extremely heavy weather conditions the loads on mooring lines and vessel can be kept under control.

Abstract: Mooring device comprising a vessel and a body carrying anchor lines which body is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis or weathervaning axis with respect to the vessel and attached to the vessel in a manner such that in case a predetermined load in one or more of the anchor lines is exceeded said body swings away with respect to the vessel in the direction of the load to avoid overloading of anchor lines and mooring device by changing the load excursion characteristic in such a way that at said predetermined load excursion can take place without the substantial change of the load.

Abstract: Mooring device comprising a vessel and a body carrying anchor lines which body is rotatable about a substantially vertical axis or weathervaning axis with respect to the vessel and attached to the vessel in a manner such that in case a predetermined load in one or more of the anchor lines is exceeded the body swings away with respect to the vessel in the direction of the load to avoid overloading of anchor lines and mooring device by changing the load excursion characteristic in such a way that at the predetermined load, excursion can take place without substantial change of the load.

Abstract: Device for positioning a buoy body, comprising a ballast weight which in use is positioned under the buoy body and is provided with anchors, and a coupling connecting the ballast weight to the buoy body. The greatest horizontal cross sectional dimension of the buoy body is substantially less than the height of the buoy body. The buoy is spaced a substantial distance from the ballast weight. An elongated tubular member is secured to and extends upwardly from the ballast weight, the buoy body surrounding only the upper end of this tubular member. Swivel bearings interconnect the tubular member and the buoy body for relative rotation about an upright axis.

Abstract: Swivel comprising two bodies being rotatable with regard to each other wherein the inner body is provided with several inlet ports opening to a ring-shaped channel defined between both bodies.

Abstract: Mooring means of a ship, comprising a tube rotatably supported at its top-end inside the ship (1) by means of an axial- or axial/radial bearing (8,9).The outer ring (8) of said bearing being fixed to a rigid ring (7), which does not follow deformations of the hull of the ship.

Abstract: Offshore loading system comprising a dynamically positioned vessel and at least two flexible elements, such as hoses extending in different directions from two spaced apart locations according to a preferably double catenary configuration towards a disconnectable coupling provided on an outboard extending arm of the vessel, the arm being swingable inboard and outboard while in the disconnected mode of the coupling. The central position of the coupling is obtained by the catenary configuration of the flexible elements, preferably by giving these elements the form of a double catenary line, obtained by means of a buoyancy device attached to each element and anchored to the sea bottom by a cable or the like.