Device for tethering equipment to the floor of a body of water

Abstract

An anchor device suitable for securing to the floor of a body of water, the anchor device comprising a buoyant support structure which is configured to house or support subsea equipment, a stiff elongate tethering element which has a first end on which the support structure is mounted and a second end which is provided with a connector for securing the anchor device to the floor of the body of water.

1 . A device suitable for tethering equipment to the floor of a body of water, the device comprising:
 a support structure which is configured to house or support subsea equipment;   a stiff elongate tethering element which has a first end on which the support structure is mounted and a second end which is provided with a connector for securing the device to the floor of the body of water;   wherein a first end of the device, comprising the support structure and the first end of the tethering element is more buoyant than the second end of the device;   wherein the support structure comprises a hollow or at least partially hollow shell;   wherein the support structure is configured to support equipment inside the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein the support structure is buoyant. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2  wherein the tethering element comprises a rod. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is flexible such that when the anchor device is secured to the floor of the body of water via the connector, angular movement of the tethering element relative to the floor of the body of water is permitted. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4  wherein the connector comprises two chain links. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure has a smooth outer surface. 
     
     
         7 . A subsea anchor system including a device according to  claim 1 , and a weight resting on the seabed, the second end of the tethering element being secured to the weight by means of the connector. 
     
     
         8 . A subsea hydrocarbon production system comprising a device according to  claim 1 , and a piece of subsea equipment mounted on or in the support structure.