Patent ID: 7404695

Claim:
A bottom-to-surface connection installation for a sub-marine pipeline resting on the sea bottom, the sub-marine pipeline having a terminal part with an upwards-facing terminal elbow bend, the installation comprising: a first vertical riser connected at its lower extremity to the sub-marine pipeline and at its upper extremity to at least one float, said at least one float exerting an upward vertical traction on said first vertical riser, said upper extremity of said vertical riser and said float being capable of being subjected to displacements due to swell and current; a linking pipeline assuring a connection between a floating support and said upper extremity of said first vertical riser; and an anchoring system comprising a foot positioned on the sea bottom to connect said lower extremity of said vertical riser and the sub-marine pipeline; wherein said lower extremity of said first vertical riser includes a terminal pipe portion connected to an upper part of said first vertical riser by a flexible joint which permits angular movements of said upper part relative to said terminal pipe portion; wherein said lower extremity of said first vertical riser is connected to an upper extremity of the terminal elbow bend of the sub-marine pipeline by a single connection element between said first vertical riser and the sub-marine pipeline; and wherein said terminal pipe portion of said first vertical riser and the terminal elbow bend of the sub-marine pipeline are connected to each other by said single connection element which is rigidly maintained by said foot, and wherein said foot rigidly maintains said terminal pipe portion of said first vertical riser in a vertical fixed position and said terminal elbow bend of said sub-marine pipeline in a fixed position.