Patent · US Expired

Shallow water riser support

US7040841B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by
13References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 10, 2003
Grant dateMay 9, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 10, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB63B21/507
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A conduit structure (44) connects subsea oil wells to a floating structure (12) such as a vessel, in shallow water, the conduit structure providing a low cost and reliable fluid connection during drift of the vessel. The conduit structure includes a seafloor riser support (50) with a lower end (52) fixed to the seafloor and an upper end (54) lying a plurality of meters above the seafloor. A flexible pipe or hose (46) extends in a double catenary curve from the top of the seafloor riser support, at a downward incline away from the seafloor riser support and then at an upward incline to the floating structure. A rigid pipe (70) can extend along a plurality of meters of the height of the riser support to minimize the required length of flexible hose and facilitate installation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.