Patent ID: 8047297

Claim:
A method for restraining the release of a subsurface riser system equipped with an adjustable buoyancy chamber, said method comprising the steps of: disposing a well casing in communication with an offshore well; disposing a lower connecting member in communication with said well casing; disposing said lower connecting member in communication with an upper connecting member; disposing an approximately annular adjustable buoyancy chamber in communication with said lower connecting member and said upper connecting member, and equipping said buoyancy chamber with means to adjustably increase and decrease an interior fluid volume content using a fluid volume content control means; attaching one or more restraining members to one or more predetermined restraint points along a length of said riser system; and anchoring said one or more restraining members to one or more anchoring members so that said adjustable buoyancy chamber does not rise to the surface in an uncontrolled manner in the event of a failure of said length of riser system.