Single Buoy Moorings Inc.

Stein Vedeld

Hein Wille

Jean Braud

Pierre Balleraud

An offshore system allows a vessel () to sail to a predetermined sea location (), quickly set up a loading system and start the transfer of hydrocarbons to or from a pipeline (), and then quickly disconnect and sail away. The vessel is a DP (dynamic positioning) vessel that does not require mooring or anchor lines, so the only apparatus to install is a conduit () that can be picked up by the vessel to extend between a stationary pipe end () that lies at the sea floor and the vessel. The conduit includes primarily a flexible hose () that extends in a sine wave with two loops (). The conduit includes a rigid reinforced hose section () that is pivotally connected to the sea floor. A chain () can be provided with a portion of the chain lying on the sea floor, to help the disconnected hose coupling (D) remain at a stable position above the sea floor.

Submerged loading system

A mooring system includes a vessel with a lower-side cavity, a turret extending from deck level to the cavity, and a coupling mechanism releasably attaching a mooring buoy to the cavity, at least one buoy-supported riser. The riser end has a coupling member, the riser being slidable via a buoy opening, a riser connector member being attached to a movable transport member upwardly displaceable by a drive element, for: when the buoy and vessel are coupled, attaching the riser connector member to the transport member transporting the transport member upward while sliding the riser through the buoy and attaching the coupling member to a vessel transfer duct, and for lowering the riser while sliding the riser through the buoy until the connector member is supported by the buoy, prior to coupling member release, and release of the riser connector member from the transport member, followed by buoy lowering.

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La Turbie, France

Stein Vedeld