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.
1. A riser support comprising:
a buoy;
a first articulation connected to the buoy wherein said first articulation is selected from the group consisting of uni-joints, elastomeric joints and gimbal tables;
a non-fluid-carrying, load-carrying member having a first end connected to the buoy via the first articulation and an opposing second end;
a second articulation connected to the second end of the load-carrying member and having means for attachment to a riser; and,
a flexible conduit connected at a first end to the buoy and having an opposing second end with means for fluid connection to a subsea riser attached to the second articulation.
2. A riser support as recited in claim 1 wherein the buoy is a sub-surface buoy.
3. A riser support as recited in claim 1 wherein the buoy is a surface buoy.
4. A riser support as recited in claim 1 wherein the first articulation comprises a shackle.
5. A riser support as recited in claim 1 wherein the load-carrying member comprises chain.
6. A riser support as recited in claim 1 wherein the load-carrying member comprises wire cable.
7. A riser support as recited in claim 1 wherein the load-carrying member comprises synthetic rope.
8. A fluid transfer system comprising:
a buoy;
a subsea riser;
a first articulation connected to the buoy wherein said first articulation is selected from the group consisting of uni-joints, elastomeric joints, and gimbal tables;
a non-fluid-carrying, load-carrying member having a first end connected to the buoy via the first articulation and an opposing second end;
a second articulation connected to the second end of the load-carrying member and to the riser; and,
a flexible conduit connected at a first end to the buoy and having an opposing second end in fluid communication with the subsea riser.
9. A fluid transfer system as recited in claim 8 wherein the buoy is a sub-surface buoy.
10. A fluid transfer system as recited in claim 8 wherein the first articulation comprises a shackle.
11. A fluid transfer system as recited in claim 8 wherein the load-carrying member comprises chain.
12. A fluid transfer system as recited in claim 8 wherein the load-carrying member comprises wire cable.
13. A fluid transfer system as recited in claim 8 wherein the load-carrying member comprises synthetic rope.
14. A fluid transfer system as recited in claim 8 wherein the riser is a steel catenary riser.
15. A fluid transfer system as recited in claim 12 wherein the buoy is a surface buoy.
16. A riser support comprising:
a buoy;
a first articulation connected to the buoy;
a non-fluid-carrying, load-carrying member comprising a rigid arm and having a first end connected to the buoy via the first articulation and an opposing second end;
a second articulation connected to the second end of the load-carrying member and having means for attachment to a riser; and,
a flexible conduit connected at a first end to the buoy and having an opposing second end with means for fluid connection to a subsea riser attached to the second articulation.
17. A fluid transfer system comprising:
a buoy;
a subsea riser;
a first articulation connected to the buoy;
a non-fluid-carrying, load-carrying member comprising a rigid arm and having a first end connected to the buoy via the first articulation and an opposing second end;
a second articulation connected to the second end of the load-carrying member and to the riser; and,
a flexible conduit connected at a first end to the buoy and having an opposing second end in fluid communication with the subsea riser.