Abstract: Assembly of turret and disconnectable buoy, in which the turret at its lower end and the buoy at its upper end are provided with mating coupling provisions. The coupling provisions comprise an annular projection protruding from one of the turret and buoy towards the other of the turret and buoy and a correspondingly shaped annular recess on the other of the turret and buoy for receiving the annular projection. The annular projection has a base which is wider than a top thereof, whereas the annular recess has a top which is wider than a base thereof.

Abstract: System for mooring a substantially cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO), comprising a substantially cylindrical mooring element having un upper side for engaging the lower side of the FPSO, further comprising mooring lines for connection to the seabed, and operating means for realising an engagement between the mooring element and the FPSO, wherein the mooring element has such a specific weight that, when disconnected from the FPSO, it floats at a certain depth below the sea level.

Abstract: Tanker loading assembly includes a first on-board hose arrangement with first coupling portion and a second submerged buoyant hose arrangement provided with second coupling portion for cooperation with the first coupling portion for obtaining a fluid-tight connection between the first and second hose arrangements. The first coupling portion is positioned in an internal vertical passage of the tanker, wherein a lifting device is provided for engaging the second coupling portion and lifting it towards the position for engaging the first coupling portion.

Abstract: A mooring chain connector assembly for a floating device), such as for example a FPSO vessel or a floating offshore structure, is described, the connector assembly comprising a chain connector having a first pivot axis and a coupler for coupling a mooring chain to the chain connector. The assembly further comprises a channel assembly attached to the floating device. The channel assembly have an upper end and a lower end, wherein mooring chain locking device is provided at the upper end of the channel assembly. The channel assembly extends in the floating device from its bottom side to a higher level in the floating device which can be located above sea surface. A bearing location for the first pivot axis of the chain connector is provided at the lower end of the channel assembly.

Abstract: A disconnectable turret mooring system for a vessel is provided, comprising a turret positioned in a moonpool of the vessel and having an upper part cooperating with a first upper bearing assembly positioned between the turret and the vessel, and a lower disconnectable buoy part cooperating with a second lower bearing assembly positioned between the turret and the vessel, wherein the lower bearing assembly comprises a number of discrete circumferentially spaced bearing members which are attached to and extend radially inwards from the vessel for engaging the lower disconnectable buoy part of the turret, and which bearing members are displaceable radially between an inner operative position for engaging the lower disconnectable buoy part and an outer inoperative position for disengaging the lower disconnectable buoy part.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses for an offshore connection between a floating vessel and seabed pipelines.

Abstract: A system for mooring a vessel at an offshore site comprises at least one floating mooring element with two opposite mooring bodies for receiving therebetween and engaging the hull of the vessel. Each mooring element is movable between an upper position for engaging the hull of the vessel and a lower position in which at least one of its mooring bodies is lowered below the upper position for disengaging the hull of the vessel. Further means are provided for maintaining a substantially stationary position of the mooring element relative to the seabed. Preferably the system comprises at least two mooring elements spaced in the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Abstract: A disconnetable mooring system is provided, comprising a vessel with an outrigger supporting a riser assembly in a disconnectable manner, which riser assembly is provided with a riser top body which by means of disconnectable latching means is attached to the outrigger. The riser top body additionally is connected to the outrigger by means of a braking device for temporarily controlling the downward speed of the riser top body after disconnecting a mechanism. The braking device comprises a first end permanently connected to one of the riser top body and outrigger, and a second end releasably connected to the other of the riser top body and outrigger.

Abstract: Assembly of turret and disconnectable buoy, in which the turret at its lower end and the buoy at its upper end are provided with mating coupling provisions. The coupling provisions comprise an annular projection protruding from one of the turret and buoy towards the other of the turret and buoy and a correspondingly shaped annular recess on the other of the turret and buoy for receiving the annular projection. The annular projection has a base which is wider than a top thereof, whereas the annular recess has a top which is wider than a base thereof.

Abstract: System for mooring a substantially cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO), comprising a substantially cylindrical mooring element having un upper side for engaging the lower side of the FPSO, further comprising mooring lines for connection to the seabed, and operating means for realising an engagement between the mooring element and the FPSO, wherein the mooring element has such a specific weight that, when disconnected from the FPSO, it floats at a certain depth below the sea level.

Abstract: A mooring chain connector assembly for a floating device), such as for example a FPSO vessel or a floating offshore structure, is described, the connector assembly comprising a chain connector having a first pivot axis and a coupler for coupling a mooring chain to the chain connector. The assembly further comprises a channel assembly attached to the floating device. The channel assembly have an upper end and a lower end, wherein mooring chain locking device is provided at the upper end of the channel assembly. The channel assembly extends in the floating device from its bottom side to a higher level in the floating device which can be located above sea surface. A bearing location for the first pivot axis of the chain connector is provided at the lower end of the channel assembly.

Abstract: A disconnectable mooring system is provided, comprising a vessel with an outrigger supporting a riser assembly in a disconnectable manner, which riser assembly is provided with a riser top body which by means of disconnectable latching means is attached to the outrigger. The riser top body additionally is connected to the outrigger by means of a braking device for temporarily controlling the downward speed of the riser top body after disconnecting a mechanism. The braking device comprises a first end permanently connected to one of the riser top body and outrigger, and a second end releasably connected to the other of the riser top body and outrigger.

Abstract: A system for mooring a vessel at an offshore site comprises at least one floating mooring element with two opposite mooring bodies for receiving therebetween and engaging the hull of the vessel. Each mooring element is movable between an upper position for engaging the hull of the vessel and a lower position in which at least one of its mooring bodies is lowered below the upper position for disengaging the hull of the vessel. Further means are provided for maintaining a substantially stationary position of the mooring element relative to the seabed. Preferably the system comprises at least two mooring elements spaced in the longitudinal direction of the vessel.

Abstract: Tanker loading assembly includes a first on-board hose arrangement with first coupling portion and a second submerged buoyant hose arrangement provided with second coupling portion for cooperation with the first coupling portion for obtaining a fluid-tight connection between the first and second hose arrangements. The first coupling portion is positioned in an internal vertical passage of the tanker, wherein a lifting device is provided for engaging the second coupling portion and lifting it towards the position for engaging the first coupling portion.

Abstract: A disconnectable turret mooring system for a vessel is provided, comprising a turret positioned in a moonpool of the vessel and having an upper part cooperating with a first upper bearing assembly positioned between the turret and the vessel, and a lower disconnectable buoy part cooperating with a second lower bearing assembly positioned between the turret and the vessel, wherein the lower bearing assembly comprises a number of discrete circumferentially spaced bearing members which are attached to and extend radially inwards from the vessel for engaging the lower disconnectable buoy part of the turret, and which bearing members are displaceable radially between an inner operative position for engaging the lower disconnectable buoy part and an outer inoperative position for disengaging the lower disconnectable buoy part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for mooring a floating vessel in open sea, using a semi submersible floating dock. The apparatus is particularly suitable for tankers carrying liquid natural gas in cryogenic form which can be a dangerous substance to handle and hence offshore terminals are preferred. The apparatus comprises a semi-submersible floating dock (1) for receiving a vessel (10) and a single point mooring system (5), with a rigid arm (3) between the two. The dock (1) is pivotally connected to the arm (3). The single point mooring system (5) comprises a mooring buoy (17) secured to the seabed by a compliant anchoring system such as a number of catenary anchor legs (15). This allows vertical movement of the mooring buoy (17) but constrains the movement to a relatively small column of water.

Abstract: A mooring apparatus for mooring first and second vessels, (1, 7) together in a heavy seaway ofFshore is described. The apparatus is for tandem mooring using soft yoke technology. The apparatus consists of a rigid arm (2) with a longitudinal axis and first and second ends. The arm is mountable to a first vessel (1) so that its longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to that of the vessel (1) and is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis (3) which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is located between the first and second ends. A tension member (4) is pivotally mounted to the second end of the arm (2) and can be connected to the second vessel (7). A ballast weight (8) is moveably mounted on the arm (2) and can be moved longitudinally along the arm by a drive means (9).

Abstract: Apparatus is described which is suitable for effecting the offshore loading and offloading of fluids, such as liquefied natural gas. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotatable members (3,4,5) and a fluid transfer system suitable for connecting the apparatus to a fluid source or a fluid store. The apparatus is mounted on a base (2) and the fluid transfer system is mounted on or coupled to one of the rotatable members (3,4,5). In use, rotation of the rotatable members (3,4,5) relative to each other is controlled so as to maintain the fluid transfer system is a predetermined orientation relative to the base (2).

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring fluid between first and second floating vessels is described, comprising a submerged rigid transfer arm defining a fluid conduit for receiving fluid from a first vessel, a first end of the arm attached to the first floating vessel so as to allow the arm to pivot about at least two axes, and loading apparatus located at the second end of the arm and attachable to the second floating vessel for transferring fluid from the fluid conduit to the floating vessel. The apparatus is provided with draught regulating means operable to increase and decrease the draught of at least a part of the apparatus, and a support structure, such as an outrigger arm with a fender system projecting from the rigid arm and adapted to brace the apparatus against the second floating vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring cryogenic fluid from a first vessel (5) to a second vessel in an offshore environment. The apparatus includes a semi-submersible floating dock with variable buoyancy structure (14, 15) operable to alter the draught of the dock, enabling it to be lowered in the water and raised again to engage the dock with the second vessel. A single point mooring system (3) is attached to the dock. At least one rigid cryogenic pipeline is attached between the first vessel and the dock via flexible connections. A structure (12) for transferring cryogenic fluid from the dock to the second vessel.