Abstract: An offshore hydrocarbon transfer system (10) wherein a conduit (24) connects a floating structure (12) to a second structure (22) to carry hydrocarbons between them, and one of the structures has a shutoff valve (30) that produces a pressure surge in the conduit if the shut-off valve closes too fast. The invention provides a surge protection apparatus (40) with an overflow container (50) that receives hydrocarbons in the event of a pressure surge. The overflow container lies adjacent to the conduit and is connected to the conduit by a pressure relief valve (60). In one apparatus (40), the overflow container lies coaxial with a relief conduit section (42), and includes an elastic outer wall (44) that surrounds the conduit section. In another apparatus, the overflow container (72) lies completely outside the conduit section (42), and can be removed after it has filled with hydrocarbons.