Patent ID: 7337848

Claim:
An offshore riser system, comprising: a riser deploying floor having an opening; first and second riser joints, each having a longitudinal axis, a box on one of the riser joints and a pin on the other of the riser joints; the pin having an external grooved profile formed thereon; at least one locking element carried by the box for movement from an unlocked position into a locked position in engagement with the profile of the pin; a ring in engagement with the locking element; a retractable spider supported by the floor at the opening for supporting the first riser joint in the opening while the end of the second riser joint is stabbed into engagement with the end of the first riser joint; and a make-up tool supported by the floor at the opening for moving the ring relative to the locking element, causing the locking element to move to the locked position to connect the first and second riser joints together.