Connector for steel catenary riser to flexible line without stress-joint or flex-joint
AssigneeSeahorse Equipment Corp
InventorPhilippe Daniel Richard Lavagna
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible element in a basket-like structure supports a Steel Catenary Riser (SCR) on a subsurface buoy or “artificial seabed.” A riser collar transfers the tension load of riser to a compressive load on the radial bearing. Relative motion between the subsurface buoy and the riser is accommodated by the flexible element. A flexible jumper is connected to the riser for fluid transfer. Motions of the riser relative to the subsurface buoy are accommodated by the flexible jumper. In this way, a transition from an SCR to a flexible jumper may be accomplished without the need for either a stress-joint or a flex-joint.
Claims20
A subsurface buoy comprising:
- a buoyant hull;
- a riser support structure attached to the hull;
- a bearing receptacle attached to the riser support structure the receptacle having a central opening;
- a steel catenary riser passing through the opening in the bearing receptacle;
- a flexible element surrounding at least a portion of the riser;
- a collar on the riser configured to bear against the flexible element when the riser is loaded in tension;
- and,
- a flexible line supported by the hull and in fluid communication with the riser.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.