Offshore System with Subsea Riser

Abstract

An offshore system with a subsea riser, including a floating platform and a subsea riser made up of sections of pipe. A riser tension system compensates for movement of the platform while providing tension to the riser. At least two of the riser sections are connected with a connector such that a portion of the riser is able to be placed in compression without buckling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An offshore system for a subsea well, including:
 a subsea riser including sections of pipe;   a riser tension system capable of dynamically compensating for movement while providing tension to the riser; and   at least two of the riser sections being connected with a connector such that a portion of the riser is able to withstand a compressive load.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including multiple connectors. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein connectors connect sections of the subsea riser from the bottom of the riser as high up as the riser is designed to be in compression when installed. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each connector includes a pin and a box. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each connector includes a body including a flange and a neck extending from the flange. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the supportive load for the riser is transferred to the connector and the tension system does provide the full tensioning requirements that the riser would otherwise need to prevent buckling without the connector. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension system may be designed only to support a weight less than needed to place the subsea riser in tension. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tension system may support a riser heavier than the tension system is designed to support. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the riser is one of a production riser or a drilling riser. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the riser tension system includes a dynamic riser tensioner. 
     
     
         11 . An offshore system for a subsea well, including:
 a floating platform;   a subsea wellhead on the sea floor;   a subsea riser including sections of pipe connecting the subsea wellhead and the floating platform;   a riser tension system capable of dynamically compensating for movement of the platform while providing tension to the riser; and   at least two of the riser sections being connected with a connector such that a portion of the riser is able to withstand a compressive load.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further including multiple connectors. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein connectors connect sections of the subsea riser from the bottom of the riser as high up as the riser is designed to be in compression when installed. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each connector includes a pin and a box. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein each connector includes a body including a flange and a neck extending from the flange. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the supportive load for the riser is transferred to the connector and the tension system does provide the full tensioning requirements that the riser would otherwise need to prevent buckling without the connector. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the tension system may be designed only to support a weight less than needed to place the subsea riser in tension. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the tension system may support a riser heavier than the tension system is designed to support. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the riser is one of a production riser or a drilling riser. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the riser tension system includes a dynamic riser tensioner.