Patent ID: 7810520

Claim:
A hydrocarbon transfer system comprising: a first structure carrying a vertical arm from which a balanced arm is suspended in an articulation point, said balanced arm in a connected state extends substantially in a horizontal direction between a vessel and said first structure, said balanced arm having at a free end a first connector part, the vessel comprising a second connector part, wherein each said first and second connector part comprises a housing with an outer surface, the housing of the first connector part supporting at least two fluid ducts on an exterior thereof, said at least two fluid ducts are symmetrically arranged on each side of a longitudinal center line of the balanced arm, said at least two fluid ducts each having a fluid duct free end and are configured to be placed with a respective said fluid duct free end into sealing engagement with corresponding fluid ducts on the vessel, in a releasable manner upon coupling and uncoupling, along respective sealing faces situated at an exterior position relative to the outer surface of each said housing, and a locking member for locking together the housing of each said first and second connector part, for forming a mechanical connection between the vessel and the first structure, wherein the fluid ducts on the vessel each comprises a substantially horizontally directed first and second duct section, the first duct section being with a first swivel with a substantially vertical axis of rotation, connected to piping on the vessel in a position that is situated on a side of the connector parts that is opposite to a side of the balanced arm at a relatively large distance from the first and second connector parts, the second duct section being with a second swivel having a substantially vertical axis of rotation, connected to the corresponding fluid duct on the housing of the first connector part, the first duct section and the second duct section are mutually connected via a third swivel having a substantially vertical axis of rotation, wherein the second duct sections in use bridge a coupling area between the first swivel and the connector parts, said coupling area being an entire perimeter beneath said at least two fluid ducts of said first connector part extending to a deck of the vessel, and wherein the second duct sections during coupling and uncoupling of the connector parts are configured to be hinged out of the coupling area.