Offloading hydrocarbons from subsea fields

A subsea riser structure fix offloading hydrocarbons, the structure comprising:

• a riser column;
• a subsurface buoy that supports the riser column;
• and
• an offloading system for conveying hydrocarbons from the riser column to a surface tanker vessel, that system comprising:
• a flexible hose hanging from thy riser structure in a U-shape having first and second limbs, an upper end of the first limb communicating fluidly with the riser column and an upper end of the second limb terminating in a pulling head for connecting the hose to the tanker;
• at least one clump weight acting on a lowermost bend of the hose between the first and second limbs to maintain tension in the first and second limbs wherein the hose is movable along its length relative to the or each clump weight;
• and
• a subsurface holder fixed to the riser structure, the holder being arranged to engage with and support the pulling head so as to hold the pulling head against said tension in the second limb of the hose when the system is in a standby state, the holder being further arranged to guide the second limb of the hose when the pulling head is disengaged from the holder.