Abstract: The present invention is a method for deploying a drilling riser VIV suppression system in which a first retaining ring is installed on a syntactic foam buoyancy module encircling the drilling riser with a spring loaded connection. The spring loaded connection is capable of adjusting the diameter of the retaining ring automatically to compensate for compression of the syntactic foam under the influence of water pressure. VIV suppression provisions is then installed about the drilling riser using the first retaining ring as a load shoulder.

Abstract: A fairing system is disclosed for installation about a drilling riser deployed in a deepwater application. In another aspect of the invention, a method for deploying a drilling riser fairing system is disclosed in which a first retaining ring is installed on a buoyancy can encircling the drilling riser and a drilling riser fairings is installed above the first retaining ring. Drilling riser fairing installation folds a pair of fairing sides of a fairing shroud about an axially disposed hinge to surround the buoyancy can above the first retaining ring. A tail connection system secures the tail ends of the fairing sides together and a pair of struts are installed to further secure the fairing sides together. A plurality of interior bearing pads are provided on the internal circumference of the fairing shroud and axial bearing pads are provided on flanges at the upper and lower edges of the fairing shroud.

Abstract: A fairing system is disclosed for protecting multiple, parallel, bundled but separate cylindrical elements deployed in offshore applications. The fairing system deploys a plurality of elongated fairing surface elements foldable about an axis with a connection system joining the elongated edges of the fairing surface elements in a folded manner about the axis. A plurality of thrust bearings are orthogonally connected across the fairing surface elements at each axial end and an axially extending circular rotational surface is defined by the interior of each of the folded fairing surface elements and a transverse edge of the thrust bearings connected thereto. This rotational surface has a diameter which circumscribes the multiple bundled cylindrical elements. A plurality of clamps interconnect the bundled, cylindrical elements and a bearing collar on the axial ends of the clamps is provided to receive the thrust bearings of the axial ends of the fairing elements.