Patent ID: 7293940
Filing Date: 2007-11-13
Classification: E21B,F16L

Abstract:
1. A guide tube for a flexible pipe for transporting hydrocarbons and mountable substantially vertically on an offshore installation to allow connection of said flexible pipe to said offshore installation, said guide tube comprising a lower tubular element having a substantially rectilinear section extending along an axis (A) said lower tubular element being extended by a free section having a curvature along its length, said free section having an inner wall internal to the curvature against which said flexible pipe is fitted so the pipe is entrained in friction when entrained through said guide tube, and said rectilinear section comprising an eccentric guide for guiding said flexible pipe in order to hold said flexible pipe away from said axis (A) in an opposite direction from said curvature of said free section so as to keep said pipe away from said internal inner wall; said eccentric guide comprises an insert forming a ring, said insert having an inner perimeter that is eccentric relative to an outer perimeter thereof.