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 . A method of supporting an offshore system for a subsea well, the method comprising:
 supporting a subsea riser including sections of pipe at least partially under tension with a riser tension system; and   supporting the subsea riser at least partially under compression with a connector connecting the sections of pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first supporting comprises supporting with the riser tension system less than the full weight of the subsea riser needed to place the entire subsea riser under tension. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second supporting comprises supporting with the connector the remainder of the full weight of the subsea riser. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first supporting comprises supporting with the riser tension system less than the full tensioning requirements that the riser would otherwise need to prevent buckling without the connector. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises multiple connectors. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the multiple connectors connect the sections of the pipe from the bottom of the riser as high up as the riser is designed to be in compression when installed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a pin and a box. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes a body with a flange and a neck extending from the flange. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the riser is one of a production riser or a drilling riser. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the riser tension system includes a dynamic riser tensioner. 
     
     
         11 . A method of supporting an offshore system for a subsea well, the method comprising:
 connecting a subsea riser including sections of pipe from a subsea wellhead on a sea floor to a floating platform;   supporting the subsea riser at least partially under tension from the floating platform with a riser tension system;   supporting the subsea riser at least partially under compression with a connector connecting the sections of pipe.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first supporting comprises supporting with the riser tension system less than the full weight of the subsea riser needed to place the entire subsea riser under tension. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second supporting comprises supporting with the connector the remainder of the full weight of the subsea riser. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first supporting comprises supporting with the riser tension system less than the full tensioning requirements that the riser would otherwise need to prevent buckling without the connector. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the connector comprises multiple connectors. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the multiple connectors connect the sections of the pipe from the bottom of the riser as high up as the riser is designed to be in compression when installed. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the connector includes a pin and a box. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the connector includes a body with a flange and a neck extending from the flange. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the riser is one of a production riser or a drilling riser. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the riser tension system includes a dynamic riser tensioner.