Analysis of Two 13,200-ft Riser Systems Using a Three-Dimensional Riser Program

The Ocean Margin Drilling Program (OMDP) proposes to conduct scientific drilling operations in water depths up to 13,200 ft. A riser system will be required to protect the environment should hydrocarbons be encountered. This paper compares the dynamics of two riser systems - an air can system and a syntactic foam system under different operating conditions; namely, installation and retrieval, normal weather drilling, heavy weather standby, and free-standing storm survival conditions. The results show that both systems will meet the design requirements. No substantial advantages are offered by one system over the other, based on their dynamic responses.