Transfer riser system for deep suboceanic oilfields

Claim 2

In a conduit system for transferring fluids from a first storage facility on an ocean floor to a second storage facility on the ocean surface: a first elongate and straight riser link extending horizontally from said first storage facility to a relatively fixed anchored joint in fixed relationship with said first storage facility to maintain said first link substantially stationary, a second elongate and straight riser link extending from said anchored joint to a movable joint disposed to move vertically and restrained from moving horizontally and communicating with said first riser link, and a third elongate and straight riser link extending substantially vertically from said vertically movable joint to said second storage facility and communicating with said second riser link, said first and second riser links being substantially normal to each other and defining a substantially horizontal plane, and said second and third riser links defining a substantially vertical plane.

Claim 3

The system set forth in claim 1 above, wherein: said anchored joint is adapted for pivotal movement between said first and second riser links about a substantially horizontal axis defined by the longitudinal center axis of said elongate first riser link.

Claim 4

The system set forth in claim 2 above, wherein; said vertically movable joint is adapted for pivotal movement between said second and third riser links about a horizontal axis normal to the longitudinal center axis of said elongate second riser link.

Claim 5

The system set forth in claim 3 above, wherein: said third riser link is secured to said second storage facility at the uppermost end of said third riser link, and said system further includes at least one weight secured to said third riser link proximate the lowermost end thereof to maintain said third riser link under substantially continuous tensile stress.

Claim 6

The system set forth in claim 4 above, further including: a plurality of mooring lines secured at one end thereof to said second storage facility and at the other end thereof to a corresponding plurality of anchors for limiting excursions of said second storage facility.

Claim 7

The system set forth in claim 5 above, further including: A weight suspended from each of said mooring lines proximate said one end thereof, a tether line extending from each of said weights to each of said mooring lines, a lateral load-reaction line connected between each of said weights and said third riser link so that lateral movement of said third riser link away from any one of said mooring lines causes the lateral load-reaction line connected to the particular weight suspended from said any one mooring line to apply lifting force to said particular weight.

Claim 8

A spider mooring system for use with a generally vertical riser connected to a floating storage facility, said system comprising: at least three generally downwardly depending mooring lines secured to said storage facility and defining a corresponding number of substantially equal angles in plan view with said riser located at the apices of said angles, anchor means connected to the lower end of each of said mooring lines, said anchor means being spaced apart substantially equidistantly, weight means suspended from each of said three mooring lines, and lateral connection means between said weight.

Claim 9

A spider mooring system for use with a generally vertical riser connected to a floating storage facility, said system comprising: at least three generally downwardly depending mooring lines secured to said storage facility and defining a corresponding number of substantially equal angles in plan view with said riser located at the apices of said angles, anchor means connected to the lower end of each of said mooring lines, said anchor means being spaced apart substantially equidistantly, weight means suspended from each of said three mooring lines, and lateral connection means between said weight.

Claim 10

In a conduit system for transferring fluids from a first storage facility on an ocean floor to a second storage facility on the ocean surface: a first elongate and straight riser link extending from said first storage facility to an anchored joint in fixed relationship with said first storage facility, a second elongate and straight riser link extending from said anchored joint to a vertically movable joint and communicating with said first riser link, and a third elongate and straight riser link extending substantially vertically from said vertically movable joint to said second storage facility and communicating with said second riser link, said first and second riser links being substantially horizontal plane, and said second and third riser links defining a substantially vertical plane, said anchored joint being adapted for pivotal movement between said first and second riser links about a substantially horizontal axis defined by the longitudinal center axis of said elongate first riser link, said vertically movable joint being adapted for pivotal movement between said second and third riser links about a horizontal axis normal to the longitudinal center axis of said elongate second riser link, said third riser link being secured to said second storage facility at the uppermost end of said third riser link, and at least one weight secured to said third riser link proximate the lowermost end thereof to maintain said third riser link under substantially continuous tensile stress, a plurality of mooring lines secured at one end thereof to said second storage facility and at the other end thereof to a corresponding plurality of anchors for limiting excursions of said second storage facility, a weight suspended from each of said mooring lines proximate said one end thereof, a tether line extending from each of said weights to each of said mooring lines, a lateral load-reaction line connected between each of said weights and said third riser link so that lateral movement of said third riser link away from any one of said mooring lines causes the lateral load-reaction line connected to the particular weight suspended from said any one mooring line to apply lifting force to said particular weight.

Claim 11

In a conduit system for transferring fluids from a first storage facility on an ocean floor to a second storage facility on the ocean surface: a first elongate and straight riser link extending from said first storage facility to an anchored joint in fixed relationship with said first storage facility, a second elongate and straight riser link extending from said anchored joint to a vertically movable joint and communicating with said first riser link, and a third elongate and straight riser link extending substantially vertically from said vertically movable joint to said second storage facility and communicating with said second riser link, said first and second riser links being substantially horizontal plane, and said second and third riser links defining a substantially vertical plane, said anchored joint being adapted for pivotal movement between said first and second riser links about a substantially horizontal axis defined by the longitudinal center axis of said elongate first riser link, said vertically movable joint being adapted for pivotal movement between said second and third riser links about a horizontal axis normal to the longitudinal center axis of said elongate second riser link, said third riser link being secured to said second storage facility at the uppermost end of said third riser link, and at least one weight secured to said third riser link proximate the lowermost end thereof to maintain said third riser link under substantially continuous tensile stress, a plurality of mooring lines secured at one end thereof to said second storage facility and at the other end thereof to a corresponding plurality of anchors for limiting excursions of said second storage facility, a weight suspended from each of said mooring lines proximate said one end thereof, a tether line extending from each of said weights to each of said mooring lines, a lateral load-reaction line connected between each of said weights and said third riser link so that lateral movement of said third riser link away from any one of said mooring lines causes the lateral load-reaction line connected to the particular weight suspended from said any one mooring line to apply lifting force to said particular weight.