A conduit structure (44) connects subsea oil wells to a floating structure
(12) such as a vessel, in shallow water, the conduit structure providing
a low cost and reliable fluid connection during drift of the vessel. The conduit
structure includes a seafloor riser support (50) with a lower end (52)
fixed to the seafloor and an upper end (54) lying a plurality of meters
above the seafloor. A flexible pipe or hose (46) extends in a double catenary
curve from the top of the seafloor riser support, at a downward incline away from
the seafloor riser support and then at an upward incline to the floating structure.
A rigid pipe (70) can extend along a plurality of meters of the height of
the riser support to minimize the required length of flexible hose and facilitate installation.