Abstract: In certain offshore locations, for example off the West Coast of Africa, FPSO facilities provide an offloading facility to receive and load produced crude oil onto shuttle tankers. In such arrangements FPSO facilities use spread moored tankers with flowlines suspended in the water column to an offloading buoy or buoys which are located 1,000 to 1,500 meters away from the FPSO. Typically steel pipe flowlines as used with intermediate floatation to provide a suitable configuration that will avoid detrimental loads being imposed resulting from relative motions of the FPSO and the offloading buoy. According to the invention, a Suspended Pipe Line End Manifold (SPLEM) is connected to the end of the flowline assembly for support during towout. The SPLEM is positioned near the buoy and then connected at the sea surface to the bottom of the buoy by flexible leads such as anchor chains. The SPLEM is then flooded by selectively flooding compartments to cause it to sink to an operational position below the buoy.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for connection of a disconnectable spider buoy to an internal turret of a floating production storage and off loading vessel is disclosed. Risers from subsea wells are connected by quick disconnect/connection devices to pipes which run through the turret and then via a product swivel to lines leading to storage tanks on the vessel. A structure is provided to create an enclosed space to enclose the connection devices at the top of the spider buoy. A ventilation shaft runs from the enclosed volume to atmosphere via the top of the turret. A forced air line is provided into the enclosed space for ventilating the space via the ventilation shaft during normal operations. If a gas leak is sensed in the enclosed space, the forced air line is closed. The small volume which surrounds the connection devices quickly fills with hydrocarbon gas to produce a high gas/air ratio in the enclosed space which greatly reduces danger of explosion.

Abstract: A vessel comprising a detachable buoy (3) which is connected to the vessel near keel level. the buoy or the vessel comprise on their contact surfaces an annular sealing element (6) comprising at least one inflatable tube (7,8,9). By placing the inflatable tube on the contact surfaces, the buoy and the vessel can be firmly connected, even when the contact surfaces are not completely flat. A water tight seal is formed by the inflatable tube such that the room in the top part of the buoy can be drained. Hereby a firm connection is achieved and a dry room becomes available for placing structures such as for instance a manifold system.

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: An assembly and method for conducting high temperature fluids between two marine vessels is provided. The assembly comprises a coupling member for coupling the two vessels together thereby allowing free rotational movement but controlled translational movement of each vessel relative to the other. Preferably, the coupling member comprises two pair of rigid legs, wherein one end of each leg of each pair is affixed to a different one of the vessels and the free ends of each leg of each pair are joined together with a joint member for pivotably joining the legs, and thus the vessels. The assembly further comprises a rigid conduit for conducting the fluids between equipment located on each of the vessels, and support members for supporting opposing ends of the conduit above each of the vessels, such that the conduit traverses a space created between the vessels by the coupling member.

Abstract: A loading/unloading terminal, especially for use in loading or unloading of petroleum products comprises a barge (1) provided with a downwardly open receiving space (2) for reception and releasable securement of a submerged buoy (20), and a submerged buoy (20) of the type comprising a bottom-anchored center member (21) for passage of medium from or to a transfer line (32) attached to the center member, and an outer member (23) rotatably mounted on the center member (21) to allow turning of the barge (1;40) about the center member (21) when the outer member (23) is secured in the receiving space (2) of the barge. The barge (1) further is provided with a coupling means (4) for connection of the passage (22) of the center member (21) to a line (9) for medium transfer to or from an adjacent conventional tanker, and with a means (10-14) for hoisting and introduction of the buoy (20) into the receiving space.

Abstract: A riser buoy (36) supports a plurality of risers (19) and is releasably docked within a generally cylindrical turret (20) of a floating storage vessel (10) at a location above the sea level (12) to provide dry access to quick disconnect/connect mating couplings (32, 40) on the turret (20) and riser buoy (36). A weight (58) connected by anchor chain (44) to riser buoy (36) is connected at its upper end to a retrieval line (60) which is controlled by a winch (62). Riser buoy (36) upon disconnection from vessel (10) is positioned at a predetermined submerged water depth below tanker traffic and high wave loads. Riser buoy (36) is docked within turret (20) independently of positioning means such as anchor chains (17) between the sea bed and the turret, or a thrusting positioning system including thrusters (16) of the vessel.

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 dynamically positioned loading buoy for transferring liquid from an offshore structure to a tanker. The loading buoy is a floating hull. The hull is provided with thrusters that are used to position the loading buoy and tanker in a safe position relative to the offshore structure. The use of thrusters on the loading buoy eliminates the need for anchors and mooring lines for the loading buoy. The transfer hose used to transfer oil between the offshore structure and the loading buoy may be stored on the loading buoy or the offshore structure. The transfer hose used to transfer oil between the loading buoy and the tanker is stored on a reel on the loading buoy.

Abstract: A mooring system preferably for oil transport, production, and drilling vessels in the ocean, and a method of using the system. The mooring system combines a submerged buoyant element anchored to the seabed with a retrieval system aboard the vessel and a mechanism to secure the submerged mooring element to the hull of the vessel by reducing the hydrostatic pressure in a volume isolated from the sea by the mooring element and the hull of the vessel. The mooring element may by non-circular, to allow use with smaller vessels while still providing sufficient retaining forces. The mooring element can be configured so that the mooring element aligns with the hull of the vessel as it is hoisted by the vessel.

Abstract: A vessel adapted for mooring to a submerged mooring element comprises a water intake formed in a bottom surface of the hull, wherein a mooring area on the hull surrounding the water intake is adapted to receive an upper portion of a mooring element coupled to the sea floor by a plurality of mooring tethers. The vessel also includes a pump for rapidly drawing seawater through the water intake to reduce the downward hydrostatic pressure acting on the mooring element. The pump produces a first differential between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the mooring area to immobilize the mooring element with respect to the bottom surface of the vessel and a smaller second differential to maintain the mooring element in sliding contact with the bottom surface of the vessel. The vessel also includes means for detecting a displacement of the mooring element from a desired position of the mooring element on the bottom surface of the vessel and a tank coupled to the water intake by a first passage.

Abstract: A mooring buoy comprising a body with buoyancy, which body is rotatable with respect to a turntable. Elements are provided for connecting the buoy to catenary anchor lines with a seabed as well as a rigid arm for the connection to a vessel or the like floating unit. The buoyant body is an assembly of spaced apart interconnected vertical columns, resulting in a decreased sensibility for vertical motions of waves.

Abstract: A single point submersible mooring buoy for use in ice infested and severe sea state anchorages for transferring fluids between marine tankers and fluid handling facilities includes a buoy body having a rotatable turntable disposed thereon for supporting a hose reel and a mooring hawser and associated winch. The buoy includes onboard anchor chain windlasses for maintaining anchor chain tension in the surfaced as well as submerged positions. Suitable ballast tanks, compressed air reservoirs, hydraulic pumps and motors are disposed on the buoy and may be operated by remote control to move the buoy between floating and submerged positions and to provide for connecting and disconnecting the fluid transfer hose and mooring hawser with respect to a vessel such as a tanker.

Abstract: An improved detachable mooring system (1) is disclosed of the kind including a rotatable turret (10) mounted on the vessel (5) and a buoyant spider buoy (20), secured by chains (22) to the sea floor, which may be selectively connected by means of a hydraulic connector (209) to the bottom of the turret (10). One improvement relates to providing a roller bearing (598) between an upper part of the turret and an interior ring (56) of a well (50) of the vessel (50) at a level higher than sea water can reach under fully loaded conditions of the vessel. Such improvement provides an elastomeric pad (584) between the bearing (598) and a support ring (56) to reduce moment loads and to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of interface surfaces of the bearing (580, 586) and the support ring (56). Alternatively one or more spring stacks (791, 793) may be used rather than an elastomeric pad.

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 improved detachable mooring system (1) is disclosed of the kind including a rotatable turret (10) mounted on the vessel (5) and a buoyant spider buoy (20), secured by chains (22) to the sea floor, which may be selectively connected by means of a hydraulic connector (209) to the bottom of the turret (10). The improvement includes a radial support assembly (54) of the turret (10) within the well at a lower position of the well approximately opposite a connection between the turret and the mooring element. Such lower radial support (54) is self aligning with the turret when the turret's axis is not precisely parallel with the axis of the radial support and when the turret outside surface is not precisely round.

Abstract: A vessel with a mooring recess on the bottom of the hull moors to a submerged buoyant mooring element anchored to the ocean bottom by hoisting the mooring element from a stowed position at a depth of net neutral buoyancy of the mooring element and its anchoring system into contact with the mooring recess. The mooring operation is completed safely, quickly, and positively by rapidly withdrawing seawater into the hull through an opening in the mooring recess so as to reduce the hydrostatic pressure acting on the top of the mooring element as the element comes into contact with the hull of the vessel. The pressure reduction is sufficient to shift the mooring element and its anchoring system from a net negative to a net positive buoyancy condition at the keel depth of the vessel. The seawater may be withdrawn by a high capacity pump that is either specifically installed for this purpose or is part of a bow thruster system of a type commonly found on large vessels.

Abstract: A mooring system for a seagoing vessel, such as an oil tanker, employs a submerged buoy and a fluid swivel joint mounted in the vessel. The buoy is submerged to a depth sufficient enough to allow the moored vessel to drift over the buoy and other mooring elements without colliding with the same. A motor drive assembly is provided for a rotating shaft in the fluid swivel joint which maintains the shaft in the same position relative to the buoy, regardless of environmental induced changes in the heading of the moored vessel. This insures that one or more flexible hoses connected between the shaft and the mooring will not be twisted if the vessel begins to rotate about the vertical axis of the mooring. Positioning the fluid swivel joint within the vessel provides easy access to the joint for maintenance or repair and shields the joint from the seawater's detrimental effects.

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 system for receiving and securing an object at sea comprises a framework installed on a ship and having a track. A cradle is mounted on the track for movement between two positions of which one is substantially at or below the water line of the ship. The cradle includes guides for directing the object into the cradle and a locking mechanism for securing the object therein. Means are also provided for moving the cradle between the two positions on the track. In a variant of the invention, the system can be adapted for use in receiving and securing an object in a marine environment on a receptor body more generally. Such system comprises a target mounted on the body and having guides for directing the objection into the target, and a winding mechanism with a line associated therewith. The line is attachable to the object and extends between the guides of the target. The mechanism is operable to wind in the line through the guides to draw the object into the target between the guides.

Abstract: A method and device for fishing up an immersed body from a position spaced from and disposed above the immersed body. A fishing member is moored to the body, with the member including a support integral with the body and a releasable portion. The support and the releasable portion are initially assembled together. The releasable portion is released, leading to the separation of the releasable portion and the support. Upon the releasable portion reaching the position, at the level of the position lift connecting members are moored to the fishing member, with the lift connecting members being attached to the body and to the releasable portion. This fishing member is actuated so as to place the body in a vicinity of the fishing member.

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: An underwater mooring system using an underwater traction winch for adjusg an underwater sensor array is provided. A main mooring buoy, moored to the sea bed by a plurality of mooring cables, serves as the mounting point for an underwater traction winch as well as the mooring point for a sensor array maintained afloat above the main mooring buoy. In one embodiment, depth adjustment is achieved by using the traction winch to alter the length of the mooring cable connecting the sensor array to the main mooring buoy. In another embodiment, depth adjustment is achieved by using the traction winch to alter the length of one of the mooring cables fixed to the sea bed.

Abstract: A mooring system for locating a buoy 33 adjacent to a moored vessel 21, in which the buoy is connected to two horizontally spaced apart points on the vessel, and is also connected to the seabed such that it floats with its connections to the two spaced apart points in tension. The buoy is advantageously connected to the seabed by a single tether 27 extending downwardly from the buoy 33 in such a manner to maintain a predetermined minimum distance between the buoy and the vessel. The mooring system may have provision for a tanker 43 to ride to the buoy 33.

Abstract: A deep water mooring system including a connector element which is nonbuoyant, has connections to a submerged pipeline and which is supported by flotation tanks that are anchored to the bottom, and a device for retrieving the connector element from the water and to connect to a suitable floating surface storage system for flow between the storage system and the submerged pipeline. The retrieval line with a buoy holding its upper end at the surface coacts with the vessel in which the storage system is contained, or to which it is connected, for quick and easy retrieval and connection of the connector element to the vessel. Additionally, the retrieval line buoy may be provided with sufficient buoyancy capacity to provide an additional lift to the connector element and thus aid the flotation tanks in maintaining the connector element when not in use at a preselected depth in the water.

Abstract: The invention is a removable sub-hull for an inflatable boat. The rear portion of the sub-hull is attached to the boat by straps and the forward portion is attached through the use of a cup shaped portion that receives the bow of the inflatable boat. The sub-hull includes a keel member on its bottom surface and can be used on a variety of different length inflatable boats. The top of the cup portion can either be an extension of the rigid bottom of the sub-hull or, it can be a removable, flexible cover member.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for the transfer for fluids, much as oil or gas, e.g. from a platform or buoy located by attachments to the sea bed, but otherwise with complete freedom of movement, due to the action of wind and wave, to a vessel with similarly complete freedom of movement. The equipment includes systems for automatically acquiring a target (10) to which is attached a tage line (11) and a transfer hose line (9), and for automatically transporting that target (10) accurately to a winching system (16) mounted on the said ship. The transfer hose line can be reeled in by the winching system (16) and the fluid transfer hose thus connected automatically to the ship-mounted receiving system. The equipment includes a self-sealing fluid coupling through which fluid flow can take place, and a hose having sufficient length to accommodate the stand-off of the vessel from the platform or buoy.

Abstract: A valve station for interconnecting boreholes in a seabed has a buoy anchored to the seabed and secured to a tanker whereby the buoy serves to anchor the tanker. Valves are provided on the buoy for connecting a plurality of separate pipelines extending from the boreholes to a common pipeline on the tanker. The buoy has an upstanding pipe extending through a shaft space in the stern of the tanker to a swivel connecting the pipe to the common pipeline on the tanker.

Abstract: A mooring system for a tanker comprising an outrigger secured to the tanker, a buoy anchored by chains, and a buoy supporting structure mounted in the outrigger, the buoy supporting structure being connected to or disconnected from the buoy.

Abstract: A compensator for providing resilience in a connection between relatively moveable objects comprises a piston (3) working in a cylinder (2) which is surrounded by a larger coaxial cylinder (1) joined thereto by annular wall members (1a) thus defining about the cylinder (2) a pair of annular reservoirs (8,9). The piston (3) divides the cylinder (2) into a pair of chambers (6,7), chamber (6) being connected by conduit (12) to reservoir (9) and chamber (7) being connected by conduit (10) to reservoir (8). Each reservoir contains a mixture of liquid and gas while the chambers contain liquid. Elongation of the connection between the objects causes withdrawal of the piston (3) with consequent expansion of the volume of gas in reservoir (9) against atmospheric pressure and against pressure developed in reservoir (8) as a consequence of decrease of gas volume therein.

Abstract: A boom is described for use on a single point mooring system to connect a tower thereof to tankers or other vessels, wherein the boom is constructed to enable rapid attachment to a vessel and to protect boom components when not connected to a vessel. The boom has an inner end pivotally connected about a horizontal axis to a transfer structure, and has an outer end forming a compressible structure which can withstand compression and tension loads during coupling to a vessel. The boom end can be pulled up along the bow of a vessel until a secure connection can be made to the vessel, at a level at which a pipe connection at the end of the boom can connect to a pipe connector on the vessel. A buoyancy tank connected by a strut to an outer end portion of the boom holds the outer end of the boom at a considerable height above the water. Tanks lie on either side of the pivot axis of the boom, and a pump can be utilized to transfer water from one tank to the other to raise or lower the boom.

Abstract: A structure for mooring a vessel floating on the surface of a body of water is disclosed including a tower structure and an improved structure for pivotably connecting the vessel to the tower structure while providing a restoring force to the vessel. The tower has a slewing boom rotatably mounted about its vertical axis. The longitudinal axis of the slewing boom is substantially aligned with that of the vessel. Pendant members are connected along the longitudinal axis of the slewing boom and support lateral members of a counterweight frame. Longitudinal members of the frame hold counterweight blocks. A unitary yoke is pivotably removably hinged at its tower end to one of the lateral members of the frame and is hinged at its vessel end to bow hinge brackets fixed to the vessel.

Abstract: A suitable system for connecting an anchored marine structure and a rotating moor arm of a floating facility in which a swivel combines for connecting the marine structure and the mooring arm has at least one plain journal bearing with at least one elastic pad arranged about the axis of the bearing such that the rotation of the mooring arm about the marine structure is achieved. Initially, rotation is achieved for large angular motions and significant rotations in particular those exceeding one complete turn by sliding of the journal bearing and secondly, for small alternating angular motions by elastic deformation of the pad. The stiffness of the pad is such, compared with the coefficient of friction of the journal bearing that the sliding threshold of the bearing is not reached.

Abstract: An offshore terminal is described, of the type which includes a dedicated vessel that supports a transfer structure loosely anchored as by several chains, and a fluid conduit structure that extends from the sea floor through the transfer structure to the vessel, wherein the vessel and transfer structure can be quickly disconnected to avoid potentially damaging surface conditions such as ice flows and hurricanes. The nonrotatable portion of the transfer structure, together with upper portions of the chains and underwater fluid conduit, can be detached from the rest of the transfer structure to sink below the surface, but to a predetermined depth which is considerably above the sea floor, so the vessel and a portion of the transfer structure can be sailed away from the region.

Abstract: An improved offshore terminal is described, of the type that includes a riser loosely anchored at the sea floor so its upper end can extend from a deep underwater level up to the surface to moor a tanker and transfer hydrocarbons to it. A weight hangs from the lower end of the column to improved dynamic mooring and, where the riser is disconnected to limit the sink depth of the riser. For movement to the deployed position, the riser is lifted by extending a line downwardly from a winch on the vessel, through a central hole in the connector frame down to the top of the riser, the line being pulled to raise the riser until its upper end lies within the central hole of the connector frame. A perforated upper portion of the riser then is in fluid communication with the inner portion of a fluid swivel, so that hydrocarbons can pass out of a conduit within the riser and into the swivel.

Abstract: A nonswiveling rotatable link formed from flexible conduits extending between two parallel planes of which one is rotatable relative to the other is stabilized without the use of a gear wheel mated to teeth on each of the two planes. The link instead includes two flexible conduits which together form two loops or circles, one on each plane. Each conduit also forms an arc traversing the gap between the planes, through which the conduit passes and reverses direction while transferring from one plane to the other as one plane rotates, the two arcs curving in opposite directions and overlapping to form a closed crossover loop. Tension within the crossover loop and thus proper alignment of the conduits is provided by pairs of idlers forced apart laterally inside the loop by a spring or cylinder mounting which maintains expansive pressure as conditions in the conduits cause the loop to expand or contract.

Abstract: An offshore hydrocarbon production system is provided, which is of relatively low cost. The system includes a vessel (12) having a platform (24) that allows the vessel to rotate about a vertical axis with respect to the platform, and a column (14) having an upper end pivotally connected to the platform about horizontal axes (32, 34) and a lower end anchored solely by a group of loose chains (38) that permit the lower column end to tilt and move in every direction. The lower end of the column is weighted by a counterweight and by the chains, so the column acts like a pendulum that tends to return to the vertical when tilted, to urge a drifting vessel back towards its quiescent position. The bottom of the column also moves laterally during such vessel drifting, increasing tension in one chain (38a) and reducing tension in an opposite chain (38b) to also urge the vessel back towards its quiescent position.

Abstract: An offshore bulk liquid discharge system and method for its deployment are disclosed. The system is adapted for rapid deployment and facilitates rapid unloading of liquids from an ocean tanker to a shore location. The system includes a base, a mooring buoy tethered to the base and floodable buoyancy tanks which may be flooded causing the base to land on the sea floor. A product swivel mounted on the base provides fluid communication between a tanker hose and a flexible pipeline.

Abstract: An anchoring system for a converted tanker, including a fluid transfer line extending from the sea bed to the tanker, uses a vertical hollow shaft which is integrated into the stern portion of the tanker. A buoy, which is generally annular, is located under the vertical hollow shaft and anchored. Attached to the buoy, vertically above the buoy, is a hollow columnar superstructure which is disposed coaxially with the hollow shaft and is unaffected by weather. The superstructure is supported and located in vertical and horizontal directions coaxially inside of the hollow shaft by top and bottom pivot bearings which may be lubricated by sea water. The anchoring per se of the tanker takes place through the hollow superstructure member and the anchored buoy. The shaft and superstructure can be evacuated dry without any sea water, for maintenance personnel to inspect or replace the bearings and for completing repairs to the transfer line which is disposed within the hollow superstructure.

Abstract: The disclosure describes apparatus for mooring a vessel 10 in unprotected waters. The vessel 10 contains a recess 34 in its hull adapted for receiving a buoyant mooring element 18. The mooring element 18 is attached to the ocean floor 12 by a plurality of mooring lines 20. Means are provided for releasably securing the mooring element 18 within the recess 34. The buoyancy of the mooring element is established such that on release from the vessel 10 it sinks to a predetermined depth a spaced distance above the ocean floor. The apparatus of the present invention is especially well suited for mooring a hydrocarbon storage tanker proximate the terminus of a production riser in waters subject to ice floes.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for coupling a fixed unit, such as a fluid riser or electrical cable rising from a sea bed and fixed in space, with a movable unit, such as a production vessel floating on the prevailing sea. The apparatus includes a pair of vertically spaced, coaxial, relatively shiftable disks, the lower disk being coupled with the riser or cable, and the upper disk being coupled with the vessel. A conduit extends between and can be moved onto and off the members as a function of the rotation of the vessel due to the wave action. The upper and lower members move in a manner to allow the conduit to move onto the circumferential extent of the outer periphery of one member and off the circumferential extent of the outer periphery of the other member as a function of the rotation of the vessel through at least two revolutions in one direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a simplified single mooring device for mooring and loading-unloading tanker vessels, comprising a submarine conduit for the supply or the discharge of a fluid, to which is connected at least one flexible pipe through a conduit end module, comprising a device for mooring the vessel and designed with a sufficient mass to withstand the pull from the vessel, and the flexible pipe being connected at least temporarily to conduits provided on the vessel through a hose end module including at least one rotary joint. The device allows the use of a buoy and of a submarine rotary joint to be avoided, while at the same time being of very simple design.

Abstract: A mooring system for anchoring sea going ships, such as storage or production tanker vessels, and more particularly, a submerged single point mooring system fixed to the seabed and which is particularly adapted for use in arctic waters having surface hazards such as pack ice or icebergs.

Abstract: A system for maintaining a vessel (4) in a predetermined position with respect to another body (1, 20, 63, 74) such as a buoy (1), the system comprising a stiff arm (11, 12, 18, 22, 33, 43, 44, 50) connected to the buoy (1) or the like anchored body (1, 20, 63, 74) with one end and cooperating at the other end or ends with structure (7, 28, 38, 39) such as cables (7) which are suspended from the vessel (4) and carry a weight (8, 9, 10, 30, 31, 36, 37, 78), this structure (7, 28, 38, 39) being connected to the stiff arm (11, 12, 18, 22, 33, 43, 44, 50) or being guided (15, 27, 40, 41) through the arm (11, 12, 18, 22, 33) which arm (11, 12, 18, 22, 33) extends at or above water level.

Abstract: A marine riser system is connected through flowlines and a moonpool plug assembly to a marine vessel. The moonpool plug assembly, when removed from the marine vessel, maintains a fully submerged position due to its having a buoyancy which is less than the net weight of the flowlines to which it is connected.

Abstract: A floating transfer and production platform for use in a marine environment includes a plurality of petroleum storage and mooring tanks movably positioned around a central transfer and well platform. A central stationary oil drilling shaft enclosed within a rotatable outer assembly for oil production is combined with multiple manifolds for the transferring of petroleum products between tankers, the storage tanks, and the shore. The well platform provides for a production well, the products of which can be transferred to tanker, storage tanks, or shore.

Abstract: The single buoy mooring system comprises a central element adapted to be anchored by means of anchor cables and a buoyant outer element rotatably arranged around the central element. The outer element comprises an open beam structure connected to a large diameter outer ring. Foam-filled fenders are secured to the large diameter outer ring. Preferably the fenders act as floats. An important advantage of this arrangement is that, when a ship moored to the system hits the system, the risk of damage to the ship or the system is substantially reduced as compared to the conventional single buoy mooring systems.

Abstract: A mooring buoy structure for tanker ships is disclosed which comprises an anchoring block secured to the sea bottom, a vertical structure for supporting piping which conveys crude petroleum and like fluids from and to the ship, and a swinging arm installed above the anchoring block and fastened to a structure capable of being rotated about the buoy axis to orient the mooring arm, the latter also being capable of limited vertical rotation in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A mooring station and transfer terminal for offshore hydrocarbon production is provided, comprising a coaxial riser linking underwater production and safety manifolds to surface lines. An underwater connector and quick release means are provided to facilitate rapid connection and disconnection of the riser pipes.

Abstract: An oil spill response lighter comprising a SWATH vessel or other high speed hull form includes onboard oil storage for transfer from recovery vessels to large capacity storage tanks. The lighter includes an oil loading and unloading conduit supported on a pivotable, extensible support arm mounted on the main hull. A solid waste or debris receptacle is mounted on the deck of the main hull for receiving and unloading debris by an onboard boom type crane. The lighter improves the rate of recovery of marine oil spills by rapid transfer of the contents of limited capacity recovery vessels to large capacity storage tanks.