Offshore loading system with articulated manifolds

摘要

An offshore loading system especially suited for transferring petroleum from a floating storage and loading terminal to a marine tanker. The system comprises a support boom pivotally mounted on the deck of the terminal, a pair of fluid conduits extending generally horizontally along the boom from risers at the deck, a pair of vertical fluid conduits slidably connected to the outboard end of the boom and a pair of articulated manifold assemblies connected between the lower ends of the vertical conduits and the marine tanker. The outboard end of the horizontal conduits are articulated and are connected by swivel joints to the vertical conduits to facilitate raising and lowering the vertical conduits relative to the outboard end of the boom. The articulated manifold assemblies accommodate relative horizontal movement between the tanker and the loading terminal so that the horizontal position of the fluid conduits remains constant and simple and relatively light-weight fluid conduits may be used with the support boom.