Patent ID: 7434624
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A fluid transfer system for use in offshore hydrocarbon producing operations, comprising: a hybrid riser tower extending upwardly from the sea floor to a location substantially below the wave zone of the body of water; a variable buoyancy device having means for varying the buoyancy of said device, to which the upper end of said hybrid riser tower is attached; one or more steel catenary risers extending upwardly from the sea floor and attached at their upper ends to said variable buoyancy device, wherein the variable buoyancy device is capable of maintaining said hybrid riser tower in a substantially vertical orientation and capable of supporting the one or more steel catenary risers; and one or more flexible pipe jumpers extending from said variable buoyancy device to a surface production facility so as to allow fluid communication between said steel catenary riser terminating at said variable buoyancy device and the surface production facility.