Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
441003000 | For mooring a vessel | 42 |
20080280515 | Assembly Comprising A Non-Submersible Floating Structure And A Device For Attachment To The Sea Bottom, And Corresponding Mooring Process - The inventive arrangement comprises a triangular floating unsinkable structure ( | 11-13-2008 |
20100190393 | ASSEMBLY OF TURRET AND DISCONNECTABLE BUOY - Assembly of turret and disconnectable buoy, in which the turret at its lower end and the buoy at its upper end are provided with mating coupling provisions. The coupling provisions comprise an annular projection protruding from one of the turret and buoy towards the other of the turret and buoy and a correspondingly shaped annular recess on the other of the turret and buoy for receiving the annular projection. | 07-29-2010 |
20100227517 | VESSEL MOORING APPARATUS - A mooring buoy includes a buoyant shell that defines a chamber and has a channel extending from the chamber through the outer surface of the shell. The channel accommodates a pendant line therethrough. Within the chamber is a rotating takeup/payout that rotates about a drive axle and a drive mechanism coupled to the takeup/payout device that can drive the rotating takeup/payout device to rotate in a first direction to take up pendant line slack. The drive mechanism permits the takeup/payout device to rotate opposite the first direction in order to pay out pendant line under tension. Suitable takeup/payout devices include pulleys and spools. Suitable drive mechanisms include gravity-driven mechanisms, spring-driven mechanisms, and pendulum-driven mechanisms. | 09-09-2010 |
20110045719 | DISCONNECTABLE MOORING ASSEMBLY - A disconnectable mooring assembly for a vessel comprises a mooring buoy and a swivel positioned above the mooring buoy. The mooring buoy is provided with a central member for being anchored to the seabed and comprises a number of passages each adapted for receiving a riser. The mooring buoy further comprises an outer member surrounding the central member and capable of a rotation relative thereto. Said outer member is adapted to be housed in and locked to a corresponding receiving opening of the vessel. The swivel is located above the mooring buoy in such a manner that an interspace is defined between the mooring buoy and the swivel. | 02-24-2011 |
20110092115 | DISCONNECTABLE TURRET MOORING SYSTEM WITH A WEIGHTED RISER-SUPPORTING BUOY - Vessel comprising a hull having near a bottom a cavity for receiving a mooring buoy, a lifting device being placed on the hull comprising a cable that extends through the cavity to a weight that is situated below the bottom of the vessel, the mooring buoy being attached to the cable, the mooring buoy carrying mooring lines that are connected to a sea bed and being receivable in the cavity for coupling with the turret, the mooring buoy comprising a central shaft through which the cable passes, the buoy being movable relative to the cable in a length direction of the cable, wherein the weight is located on the cable at or below the buoy, a stopper being provided on the cable for engaging with the buoy and for blocking relative movement of the buoy and the cable, the stopper being fixed to the cable near an upper or a lower end of the buoy. | 04-21-2011 |
20110237142 | Mooring Arrangement - A mooring arrangement for a semi-submersible offshore structure having an outer hull with a lower ( | 09-29-2011 |
20110256784 | SYSTEM FOR MOORING A FLOATING PLANT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY FROM CURRENTS IN WATER - A system for mooring a floating plant for the production of energy from currents in a body of water, comprising a plant ( | 10-20-2011 |
20130029546 | Mooring Disconnect Arrangement - A mooring disconnect arrangement for a floating offshore structure and a mooring buoy. At least one high pressure water jet is positioned to direct water between the floating offshore structure and the mooring buoy. The floating offshore structure and mooring buoy are also provided with specially shaped complementary surfaces to assist in disconnection and separation. One or more mechanical restraining devices may be used to retain the floating offshore structure and mooring buoy connected together during normal drilling or production operations. | 01-31-2013 |
20130052893 | MOORING RETRIEVAL DEVICE - A mooring retrieval device for retrieving a mooring rope in water, the device comprising a buoyant member adapted to be tethered to the end of the mooring rope. An elongate retrieval member having an end adapted to engage with the buoyant member whereby, in use, the end of a mooring rope tethered to the buoyant member can be more easily retrieved. Advantageously the end of the retrieval member engages with the buoyant member by magnetic attraction. | 02-28-2013 |
20130183876 | Releasable Mooring Systems And Methods For Drilling Vessels - Releasable mooring systems and methods for drilling vessels that may be implemented with dockable and releasable mooring buoys to provide for both a quick disconnect of the mooring system from a drilling vessel and for re-connection of the drilling vessel when the vessel returns to the well site. | 07-18-2013 |
20130295802 | METHOD OF INSTALLING A BUOY AND APPARATUS FOR TENSIONING A BUOY TO AN ANCHORING LOCATION - A method of installing a production buoy at a subsea anchoring location is disclosed. The method includes floating a production buoy over a subsea anchoring location. Then, hanging at least a tether off the production buoy such that the or each tether extends from the production buoy towards the subsea anchoring location occurs. The method includes submerging the production buoy to a depth which allows connection of the or each tether to the subsea anchoring location. An apparatus suitable for use with this method is also provided. | 11-07-2013 |
20140045394 | VESSEL COMPRISING A MOORING CONNECTOR WITH A HEAVE COMPENSATOR - A vessel has a hull, a contact area at the hull near keel level for attaching to a structure, a lifting device and a lifting cable attached thereto and extending along a heave compensating member. The lifting cable extends along a substantially vertical lifting trajectory to a connect position below keel level. The heave compensating member includes a guide element for guiding the lifting cable and which is connected to a displacement device. The heave compensating member includes a compensator arm with a pivot end pivotally connected to a pivot point on the vessel at a predetermined transverse distance from the lifting trajectory, the cable guide element being attached to a free end of the compensator arm at or near the lifting trajectory, guiding the lifting cable in the direction of the pivot point, the arm being at or near the free end connected to the displacement device. | 02-13-2014 |
20140364021 | MOORING RETRIEVAL DEVICE - A mooring retrieval device for retrieving a mooring rope in water, the device comprising a buoyant member adapted to be tethered to the end of the mooring rope. An elongate retrieval member having an end adapted to engage with the buoyant member whereby, in use, the end of a mooring rope tethered to the buoyant member can be more easily retrieved. Advantageously the end of the retrieval member engages with the buoyant member by magnetic attraction. | 12-11-2014 |
20150017849 | System and Method for Offshore Loading of Cargo Vessels - A system and method for offshore loading of large cargo vessels, or motherships. The system includes a plurality of mooring stations, which may be mooring buoys, positioned in an offshore mooring field proximal an onshore cargo loading facility. A mothership is positioned within the mooring field and moored via bow and stern lines to two or more different mooring stations. Environmental data, including wind, wave, and current data, as well data regarding the physical characteristics of the mothership and movement (roll/pitch/heave) of the mothership are collected by remote transmitting and sensing devices. This data is processed by numerical analysis in a digital processor, namely a computer, to determine optimum mooring line length and tension, and mooring station locations, in order to minimize mother ship movement and create an optimum “lee” loading area adjacent the mothership. Cargo is transferred to the mothership by a trans-shipper moored to the mothership. | 01-15-2015 |
20160101831 | Taut Inverted Catenary Mooring System - A Taut-Inverted-Catenary (TIC) mooring system may be implemented using only field-proven components. The mooring lines yield a positive uplift force on the anchors in all conditions. In the inverted-catenary configuration, geometric stiffness is provided by a subsurface spring buoy or distributed buoyancy elements on the line. The TIC system consists as much as possible of lightweight components, such as polyester fiber rope. Since the uplift force on the anchor is always positive, clearance between polyester rope and the seabed is provided. All geometric stiffness is provided by the spring buoy. Therefore, a ground chain between the seafloor anchor and the fiber rope is not necessary. | 04-14-2016 |
441004000 | Having liquid cargo transfer means | 27 |
20080242165 | PROCESS, VESSEL AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSFERRING FLUIDS BETWEEN FLOATING VESSELS USING FLEXIBLE CONDUIT AND RELEASABLE MOORING SYSTEM - A system is provided for transferring fluids such as liquefied natural gas between a floating transport vessel and a floating storage vessel utilizing a transfer vessel to deploy, operate and return a fluid conduit to the storage vessel. The fluid is transferred through at least one submerged-subsea catenary flexible conduit, at least one floating flexible conduit, or any combination thereof. A transfer vessel, including a releasable mooring system, is provided for deploying the conduit from the storage vessel to the transport vessel, mooring with a transport vessel, maintaining a unified connection during fluid transfer, releasing the mooring once fluid transfer is completed, returning to and parking on the storage vessel, and storing the conduit between fluid transfers. The transfer vessel and releasable mooring system allows safe, controlled operation and fluid transfer in open sea conditions. | 10-02-2008 |
20080242166 | Disconnectable Buoyant Turret Mooring 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. | 10-02-2008 |
20080274655 | Floating LNG import terminal and method for docking - A floating terminal for offloading an LNG carrier vessel in the sea. The floating terminal of open frame construction is moored toward its front end with a rotatable mooring arrangement so that the terminal may weathervane in response to environmental forces. Marine thrusters are provided at the aft end of the terminal for swinging the terminal away from and back toward a line defined by the path toward the terminal of an approaching LNG carrier. Offloading equipment and heat exchangers are provided on a deck of the floating structure. When an LNG carrier vessel approaches the terminal, the thrusters swing the floating terminal away from the carrier vessel approach line while a hawser at the front end of the terminal pulls the vessel close to the terminal. The floating terminal swings back toward the carrier vessel in response to operating the marine thrusters in an opposite direction until the carrier vessel and floating terminal are side-by-side. The hawser continues to pull the carrier vessel forward with respect to the terminal until loading arms at the side of the terminal are aligned side-by-side with a manifold of the carrier vessel. | 11-06-2008 |
20090186538 | STEEL PIPELINE FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEM - A steel pipeline ( | 07-23-2009 |
20100112879 | BUOY FOR MOORING AND SUPPLYING SERVICES TO PLEASURE CRAFT - A buoy for mooring and supplying services to pleasure craft includes: a body; a lower ring having a chain joined thereto, said chain terminating in an upper ring of a mooring post that rests on the seabed; an upper retractable mooring ring; and a removable satellite element, by means of which the craft is provided with drinking water hoses and electrical ducts that are joined to a branch duct of a distribution network, which extends from a connection cabinet located on land to the buoy. The ascending branch is joined by means of clamps to the mooring chain of same. The above-mentioned hoses and ducts and a steel safety cable can be wound around/unwound from a rotary drum housed inside the buoy. The buoy can be used at marinas, coves or similar locations to increase the number of mooring places available. | 05-06-2010 |
20100285709 | BUOY-TO-RISER CONNECTOR - A support for a subsea riser decouples the function of the riser into two separate functions: the load transfer function which supports the hung weight of a subsea riser configuration to a supporting floater (such as the buoy of a disconnectable fluid transfer system) and the fluid transfer function which provides a continuous flow path for the fluid coming to or from the riser. | 11-11-2010 |
20110263169 | DISCONNECTABLE PRODUCTION DOCK (DPD) FOR TURRET FREE DISCONNECTABLE WEATHER VANING FPSO - System for mooring a large vessel for production of hydrocarbons, such vessel for example being a FPSO vessel, the mooring system including at least two floating bodies of the hang-off type, moored by means of differentiated compliance spread anchoring system to the sea bed, allowing partly weathervaning of the large vessel; a riser system extending from the sea bed to each the floating bodies, and means for transfer of fluids from the two floating bodies to the large vessel, the floating bodies and the large vessel being provided with locking means, locking floating bodies to the large vessel at the bow and the stern of the vessel in a mechanically rigid manner, thus providing a integrated, rigidly fixed unit comprising the large vessel and the floating bodies. | 10-27-2011 |
20120040573 | DEEP WATER AND ULTRA DEEP WATER MOORING SYSTEM - A mooring and flowline system is disclosed for mooring a floating production and/or storage vessel ( | 02-16-2012 |
20120225597 | LOADING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a loading system for transferring at least one medium between a first installation and a floating vessel, comprising an anchoring device which can be fixed relative to a seabed, at least one elongated first transfer element, which is normally vertically oriented in an installed state, at least one flexible second transfer element arranged in the extension of the first transfer element by a swivel arrangement which is mounted between the first and second transfer element. The swivel arrangement is rotatable at least about a longitudinal axis of the first transfer element. A free end of the second transfer element, in an installed state when the system is not being used, is located freely suspended in the body of water. The invention also relates to a retrieval system and method. | 09-06-2012 |
20140073207 | RESTRAINT SYSTEMS FOR HYBRID DECOUPLED RISERS - A seabed-to-surface riser system is disclosed. The seabed-to-surface riser system has a group of subsea riser supports that each support riser pipes extending from the seabed to mid-water. Jumper pipes extend from there to a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) offset horizontally from the riser support in a flow direction. The group of riser supports is disposed to one side of the surface installation. Laterally-extending lines are attached to at least the outermost riser supports of the group. Those lines apply mutually-opposed stabilizing forces to those outermost riser supports in directions transverse to the flow direction. | 03-13-2014 |
20160083051 | Arc Loading System - A system and method are for transferring fluid cargo between a cargo vessel and a cargo connection point at open sea where the cargo vessel is required to keep an end portion of the cargo vessel up towards the resultant element force direction, wherein at least one self-propelled buoy, that is designed to be in fluid connection with the cargo connection point, is connectable to a side portion of the cargo vessel, there being a cargo line that is connectable between the self-propelled buoy and the cargo vessel, and where the self-propelled buoy is designed to keep the self-propelled buoy within predetermined radial distance boundaries from the cargo connection point also when it is attached to the cargo vessel. | 03-24-2016 |
441005000 | Having swivel coupling for cargo conduit | 16 |
20080214072 | Apparatus And Method For Connection And Disconnection Of A Marine Riser - Apparatus for the connection and/or disconnection of a marine riser to a floating vessel comprising, in a main embodiment, a plurality of connecting lines. The, lower ends of these connecting lines are attached to the riser and are arranged to be moveable between a first helical configuration which allows connection, via a turret, between the riser and the floating vessel and a second helical configuration wherein said connecting line is disconnected and. retracted from said floating vessel. A method of installing said connecting lines is also disclosed. | 09-04-2008 |
20090104827 | DISCONNECTABLE MOORING SYSTEM WITH VESSEL-MOUNTED TENSIONING DEVICE - A buoy recovery system for a disconnectable mooring arrangement that permits turret-buoy connection at any compass heading while preventing damage to the pull-in line and the turret assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the mooring tensioning assembly is positioned on the vessel at a location other than on the rotatable turret assembly. This permits the size of the turret assembly to be significantly reduced and the fluid swivel stack to be positioned within the vessel between its deck and keel. The improved buoy recovery system employs a hollow bore hydraulic cylinder assembly that is attached to the turret assembly and configured as a chain tensioning system. The hollow bore hydraulic cylinder assembly is arranged and designed to support the weight of the buoy and permit the turret assembly to be rotated relative to both the vessel and the buoy during mooring operations. | 04-23-2009 |
20090209154 | SUBMERSIBLE MOORING SYSTEM - A submersible mooring buoy for a floating vessel comprises a compartmented hull; a plurality of non-buoyant, catenary anchor lines each connected to the hull and a spring buoy such that the hull may be submerged without sinking to the seafloor by flooding selected compartments; and, a plurality of mooring legs anchoring each spring buoy to the seafloor. | 08-20-2009 |
20090233503 | CONNECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING A FLOATING UNIT TO AND FROM A BUOY WHICH IS CONNECTED TO A SUBSEA INSTALLATION - The present invention relates to a connection system and a method for connecting and disconnecting a floating unit to and from a buoy which is connected to a subsea installation, where the buoy comprises a first connection device for connecting pipes and/or lines for transfer of fluid, control signals and/or electric power between the buoy and the floating unit. The connection system further comprises a support structure which is laterally movable relative to the floating unit and a swivel stack arrangement movably mounted on the support structure. The swivel stack arrangement comprises a second connection device for connecting to the first connection device in the buoy; shut-off devices for opening and closing at least one of the pipes and/or lines in the first and second connection devices by connecting and disconnecting the buoy; and a turret bearing for rotating the buoy relative to the floating unit. | 09-17-2009 |
20090264033 | DEEP WATER HYDROCARBON TRANSFER SYSTEM - System of a hydrocarbon transfer buoy and a vessel, the buoy having a length of at least 50 m and a length-to-width ratio of at least 10:1, and including a submerged buoyancy member having a length of at least 30 m and being situated at a depth of at least 10 m below water level, another support frame protecting above water level being connected to the top of the buoyancy member and carrying a support deck and a mooring buoy connector for attaching to a mooring arm connector of the vessel, which mooring arm connector is situated on an arm projecting outboard from the vessel's hull, the buoy being anchored to the sea bed via anchor lines which extend at an angle to a vertical direction, at least one hydrocarbon riser being attached to the buoy. The buoyancy member being connected to the sea bed via at least one substantially vertical taut tendon. The riser has a length of at least 500 m, and includes a steel riser part attached to the buoy, the riser extending up to the mooring buoy connector and being closable by a valve, the riser at its end including a connecting member for releasably attaching to a duct on the mooring arm connector. | 10-22-2009 |
20100178819 | LOADING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a loading system for transferring at least one medium between a first installation and a floating vessel, comprising an anchoring device which can be fixed relative to a seabed, at least one elongated first transfer element, which is normally vertically oriented in an installed state, at least one flexible second transfer element arranged in the extension of the first transfer element by a swivel arrangement which is mounted between the first and second transfer element. The swivel arrangement is rotatable at least about a longitudinal axis of the first transfer element. A free end of the second transfer element, in an installed state when the system is not being used, is located freely suspended in the body of water. The invention also relates to a retrieval system and method. | 07-15-2010 |
20100279561 | FLUID TRANSFER ASSEMBLY - A fluid transfer assembly for transferring a fluid between an onshore or offshore installation and a tanker, includes a floating device provided with positioning means for maintaining a predetermined position, a first fluid transfer line for releasably connecting said onshore or offshore installation to said floating device, and a second fluid transfer line for releasably connecting said floating device to the tanker. The floating device is provided with a connecting device for establishing a fluid connection between the first and second fluid transfer lines, which connecting device and floating device are separate parts that can be joined and separated by cooperating couplers provided on the connecting device and floating device, respectively, without compromising the original function of the floating device. | 11-04-2010 |
20110130057 | Floating Support Comprising a Drum Equipped with Two Buoys to Which to Fasten Tethers and Pipes Connecting Between the Sea Bed and the Surface - An oil production floating support having a mooring device for mooring anchor lines anchoring to the bottom of the sea and bottom-to-surface connection pipes. The device has two mooring buoys having the anchor lines and the bottom-to-surface connection pipes moored respectively thereto. The said two mooring buoys being connectable and disconnectable to a turret under which they are fastened, independently of each other. | 06-02-2011 |
20110223820 | Submersible Mooring System - A submersible mooring buoy for a floating vessel comprises a compartmented hull; a plurality of non-buoyant, catenary anchor lines each connected to the hull and a spring buoy such that the hull may be submerged without sinking to the seafloor by flooding selected compartments; and, a plurality of mooring legs anchoring each spring buoy to the seafloor. | 09-15-2011 |
20110294380 | FLOATING PRODUCTION UNIT WITH DISCONNECTABLE TRANSFER SYSTEM - An offshore production system comprising a floating production unit, a production buoy, and a modular production transfer system therebetween. The modular production transfer system may include a support structure configured to be secured to an exterior side of the floating production unit, a moon pool secured outboard of the support structure, an inspection platform secured above the moon pool, a turntable secured to the inspection platform. The modular production transfer system may be configured to mate with the buoy connector and rotate within the moon pool, thereby maintain the buoy in a fixed orientation, while the floating production unit rotates about the buoy, during production. | 12-01-2011 |
20130109258 | Mooring Buoy Assembly | 05-02-2013 |
20130157535 | System for Handling a Transfer Device - A system for handling a transfer device ( | 06-20-2013 |
20130231015 | BUOY - A buoy includes a turret coupled to a buoyant body using a bearing assembly; a deckhouse disposed on the buoyant body; and a bearing retainer configured to retain the bearing assembly and to releasably attach to the turret. The buoy may also include a locking mechanism having an inner opening in the turret, an outer opening in the buoyant body, and a locking member configured for insertion through the inner and outer openings. In one embodiment, the inner opening is out of alignment with the outer opening during operation of the buoy. The buoy may further include a detachable cover on the deckhouse, wherein the cover is configured to attach to the bearing retainer. | 09-05-2013 |
20140187109 | MULTI-COLUMN BUOY FOR DEEP AND ULTRA-DEEP WATER TRANSPORTATION TERMINALS - The present invention relates to a floating coastal structure used in water transportation terminals for production flowage of the petroleum industry. The structure exhibits a constructive configuration comprised of multiple monobuoys interconnected in an arrangement and in a specific dimensional relationship, being capable of reducing the instability and movements generated by the hydrodynamic effect of waves, thereby reducing the stresses of the accessory components, such as mooring lines, oil transfer lines and discharge hoses, connected to it. | 07-03-2014 |
20150031252 | SYSTEM FOR MOORING A PRODUCTION VESSEL - A system for mooring a floating production vessel comprising: two or more buoys anchored to the seafloor that are also connected directly to the floating production vessel; and one or more risers connected to at least one of the buoys that is also connected to one or more subsea wellheads or manifolds wherein the buoys are not connected to the floating vessel by a swivel and turret system. | 01-29-2015 |
20160185428 | DISCONNECTABLE SUBMERGED BUOY MOORING DEVICE COMPRISING CLAMPING DOGS - A mooring assembly includes: a mooring buoy having a central axis, an upper ring portion providing an upper abutment surface; a mooring structure including a cavity with a wall receiving the mooring buoy; and a buoy locking system near the cavity engaging with the upper ring portion for locking the mooring buoy to the turret mooring structure and including at least two locking devices attached to the mooring structure, each locking device having a locking dog connected to a force member for axial displacement and exerting an upward force on the upper abutment surface. The mooring buoy includes a lower abutment surface. The locking system includes an engagement member below the locking dog, engaging with the lower abutment surface and exerting a downward force. The buoy at positions axially above the upper abutment surface situated at an axial clearance from the cavity wall. | 06-30-2016 |