Patent ID: 8985906
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: E21B,F16L

Abstract:
1. An assembly for connecting a flexible pipe to an undersea installation located toward the bottom of a marine environment, the assembly comprising: the flexible pipe having a bottom end for connection to the undersea installation, and an opposite, surface end for connection to a surface installation at the marine environment, whereby the pipe extends between the bottom end and the surface end thereof; the pipe including a contact portion thereof located along the pipe close to the bottom end, the contact portion being configured so as to contact the bottom of the marine environment along a length of the pipe in the vicinity of the undersea installation; the contact portion including a curved part thereof positioned along the pipe for dividing the contact portion along the length of the pipe into a first part of the contact portion which is oriented to extend toward the bottom installation and a second part of the contact portion which links to the pipe above the contact portion along the pipe; and an anchorage including an anchorage point and a mooring extending between the curved part and the anchorage point at the bottom of the marine environment, spaced from the curved part and opposite to both the bottom end of the pipe and to the pipe above the contact portion at a location to maintain the first and second parts of the contact portion at an orientation substantially parallel to the bottom of the marine environment, and to enable the anchorage to absorb traction forces on the contact portion which are exerted by the pipe above the contact portion.