An apparatus and method for maintaining electrical and hydraulic
connections between a junction box (or junction boxes) located on or near
an offshore platform's floor and a movable drilling rig structure are
disclosed. The disclosed invention is a unique vertically folding service
arm capable of moving in both the horizontal and vertical directions in
order to provide enhanced range of movement. The increased range of
movement provided by the vertically folding service arm of the present
invention allows electrical and hydraulic supply lines to remain
connected between a junction box (or boxes) located on or near the
platform floor and the rig structure even as the rig structure moves
back-and-forth on the platform between multiple well centers. The
vertically folding service arm of the present invention can also be
easily disconnected and "folded" for transport without requiring the
electrical and hydraulic supply lines to be disconnected from the
drilling rig structure.