Abstract: A telescopic joint for an upper end of an offshore drilling riser is installed and controlled remotely. The telescopic joint has inner and outer telescoping barrels. A mandrel is located on the lower end of the outer barrel, the mandrel landing within a support ring which is supported by constant tension cables extending from the vessel. Control fluid passages are located in the mandrel for registering with control fluid passages in the support ring. Permanent control fluid lines extend between various points of the outer barrel and the mandrel. Control fluid hoses connect the support ring to the vessel. Fluid communication is achieved once the telescopic joint is oriented and landed in the support ring.

Abstract: A method of testing snap type pipe connectors utilizes the same clamp that is used to clamp the pipe connectors together. The connectors are a part of pipe sections, with each connector having a profile that radially interferes with the other so that under straight axial compression, the connectors are snapped together. The clamp tool that applies compressive force will be reversed after the compressive force has been applied to apply a tensile test force. The test force is greater than the compressive force required to snap the pipe connectors together.