Dynamic riser string hang-off assembly

Abstract

A dynamic hang-off assembly for supporting a riser string from an off-shore drilling rig including a dynamic tensioning system. The hang-off assembly includes a housing with a passage through the housing. The housing also includes a locking mechanism. The assembly further includes an adapter positionable within the housing passage. The outer surface of the adapter includes a profile. The riser string is also attachable to the adapter. The locking mechanism actuates to engage the adapter profile and secure the adapter to the housing. When the riser string is connected to the adapter and the adapter is secured by the housing, the riser string is supportable by the housing. The housing is also dynamically supportable by the dynamic tensioning system to dynamically support the riser string.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dynamic hang-off assembly for supporting a riser string from an off-shore drilling rig including a dynamic tensioning system, including:
 a housing dynamically supportable by the tensioning system, the housing including a passage through the housing;   an adapter positionable within the housing passage, the adapter including a profile on an outer surface, the riser string being attachable to the adapter;   the housing further including a locking mechanism actuatable to engage the adapter profile and secure the adapter to the housing;   wherein the assembly dynamically supports the riser string when the housing is supported by the tensioning system, the riser string is attached to the adapter, and the adapter is secured in the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The dynamic hang-off assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising more than one locking mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The dynamic hang-off assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanisms are hydraulically actuated. 
     
     
         4 . The dynamic hang-off assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is ring-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The dynamic hang-off assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter profile extends around the outer surface of the adapter. 
     
     
         6 . The dynamic hang-off assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a tension ring of the dynamic tensioning system. 
     
     
         7 . An off-shore drilling rig including:
 a platform including a moon pool;   a riser string;   a dynamic tensioning system;   a dynamic hang-off assembly including:
 a housing dynamically supportable by the tensioning system, the housing including a passage through the housing; 
 an adapter positionable within the housing passage, the adapter including a profile on an outer surface, the riser string being attachable to the adapter; and 
 the housing further including a locking mechanism engageable with the adapter profile to secure the adapter to the housing; and 
   wherein the assembly is capable of dynamically supporting the riser string.   
     
     
         8 . The off-shore drilling rig of  claim 7 , further comprising more than one locking mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The off-shore drilling rig of  claim 8 , wherein the locking mechanisms are hydraulically actuated. 
     
     
         10 . The off-shore drilling rig of  claim 7 , wherein the housing is ring-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The off-shore drilling rig of  claim 7 , wherein the adapter profile extends around the outer surface of the adapter. 
     
     
         12 . The off-shore drilling rig of  claim 7 , wherein the dynamic tensioning system comprises a tension ring and the tension ring comprises the housing of the dynamic hang-off assembly. 
     
     
         13 . A drilling system for an off-shore drilling rig including:
 a riser string;   a dynamic tensioning system;   a dynamic hang-off assembly including:
 a housing dynamically supportable by the tensioning system, the housing including a passage through the housing; 
 an adapter positionable within the housing passage, the adapter including a profile on an outer surface, the riser string being attachable to the adapter; and 
 the housing further including a locking mechanism engageable with the adapter profile to secure the adapter to the housing; and 
   wherein the tensioning system is capable of dynamically supporting the riser string.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising more than one locking mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the locking mechanisms are hydraulically actuated. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is ring-shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the adapter profile extends around the outer surface of the adapter. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the dynamic tensioning system comprises a tension ring and the tension ring comprises the housing of the dynamic hang-off assembly.