Abstract: A modular offshore hydrocarbon production, storage, and loading system, which includes an assembly of cylinders rigidly connected together, with the cylinders including at least one metal floatation cylinder adapted to occupy a vertical position in use. A bottom of the cylinder is situated below a level of the water and a floatation cylinder surrounded by several metal peripheral cylinders which descend below the floatation cylinder and define, with the bottom of the floatation cylinder, a free space for accommodating at least one member for rigidifying the system. The peripheral cylinders include metal oil storage cylinders, with the storage being effected on a water column communicating with the water surrounding the system, and metal ballast cylinders or parts of cylinders filled with oil, water, air or inert gas.

Abstract: A modular offshore hydrocarbon production storage, and loading system, which includes an assembly of cylinders rigidly connected together, with the cylinders including at least one metal floatation cylinder adapted to occupy a vertical position in use. A bottom of the cylinder is situated below a level of the water and a floatation cylinder surrounded by several metal peripheral cylinders which descend below the floatation cylinder. The peripheral cylinders include metal oil storage cylinders, with the storage being effected on a water column communicating with the water surrounding the system, and metal balast cylinders or parts of cylinders filled with oil, water, air or inert gas.

Abstract: Pipe system for collecting petroleum from off-shore wells located at great depths comprises flexible pipes connecting well head to a float comprising an at least partially submerged caisson which contains air so as to maintain the flexible pipes under tension. Rigid pipes within the caisson lead from the flexible pipes to a discharge opening in a superstructure which projects above the surface of the sea.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting at least one pipe-line situated on a sea-bed to a floating or semi-submersible platform which includes a vertical pipe-line section consisting of at least one flexible pipe arranged between a sinker resting on the sea-floor and an air-tank submerged at a sufficient depth to be protected from the action of the swell, the buoyancy of the air-tank being such that it maintains the flexible pipe section vertically under tension, the lower portion of the pipe-line of the section being connected to the pipe-line or lines situated on the sea-bed, while the upper end pipe-line of the section is connected to the submerged body of the platform by at least one additional pipe-line which is flexible along at least certain of its portions.