Patent ID: 6712559
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A bottom-to-surface link for linking the sea-bed to a floating support which floats on the surface of the water above the sea-bed, said floating support being displaceable horizontally by movement of said water, and said link comprising;at least one underwater riser pipe extending between said surface of the water and said sea-bed, said pipe having: a float zone in a top underwater portion of said pipe, and having at least a portion thereof which extends below said floating support, a portion with a substantially constant diameter positioned closer to said sea-bed than said float zone, and a transition zone positioned between said float zone and said portion with a substantially constant diameter, said transition zone having a diameter which progressively decreases along said pipe in a downward direction, and said pipe being capable of horizontal displacement; a guiding device disposed on said floating support, for guiding the horizontal displacement of said pipe to follow the horizontal displacement of said floating support, and allowing said pipe to pivot about a horizontal axis; at least one float surrounding said pipe and including a can directly attached to said pipe, said at least one float being disposed within said float zone; and a stabilizer, capable of reducing the vibration and movement of the guitar and pendulum type of said pipe, and located in the portion of said pipe located below said guiding device and bridging said float zone and said transition zone of said pipe.