Offshore fluid transfer system

(19)

(11)

EP 1 557 352 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	16.11.2005 Bulletin 2005/46

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	27.07.2005 Bulletin 2005/30

(21)	Application number: 05008023.3

(22)	Date of filing: 10.10.2002

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B63B 27/34, B63B 43/18

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	CH FR GB IT LI NL

(30)

Priority:

12.10.2001 GB 0124570
18.03.2002 GB 0206353

(62)	Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
	02781462.3 / 1434711

(71)	Applicant: Bluewater Energy Services B.V.
	2130 KC Hoofddorp (NL)

(72)	Inventor:
	De Baan, Jacob K. 3146 BH Maassluis (NL)

(74)	Representative: Merrifield, Sarah Elizabeth et al
	Boult Wade Tennant Verulam Gardens 70 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8BT London WC1X 8BT (GB)

(54)	Offshore fluid transfer system

(57) Apparatus (12) for transferring fluid between floating vessels (10, 11) is described, comprising a submerged rigid transfer arm (13) carrying a fluid pipeline (16). The apparatus (12) is provided with thrusters (21) and positioning monitoring means (24). A control system (25) operates the thrusters (21) to move the arm (13) if the position monitoring means (24) shows the arm (13) and the second vessel (11) is outside a given range, to restore the separation to within the range. The pipeline (16) is located in a tunnel (30) on the arm (13) which opens above the waterline at each end to allow personnel access therein for inspection and maintenance of the pipeline (16).

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