FLEXIBLE PIPE SUPPORT

1 . A method of supporting a flexible pipe, comprising the steps of

responsive to a change in at least one condition experienced by a flexible pipe, varying an amount of support provided at least one location on the flexible pipe.

2 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

varying support provided to the flexible pipe at a plurality of locations along a length of the pipe.

3 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

over a period of time, continuously and automatically varying the support provided to the flexible pipe as conditions experienced by the pipe vary.

4 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

varying the support provided to the flexible pipe by increasing and/or decreasing a weight suspended at said location.

5 . The method as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising the steps of

increasing and/or decreasing support provided to the flexible pipe by respectively decreasing and/or increasing an amount of weight provided by a weight chain suspended from a portion of the flexible pipe or a buoyancy module secured to the flexible pipe.

6 . The method as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:

supporting a portion of the weight chain on a sea bed region, a proportion of the weight chain being supported on the sea bed determining the amount of weight suspended from the flexible pipe or buoyancy module.

7 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

varying the support provided to the flexible pipe by varying a downward force, provided by a biasing element, applied to the flexible pipe.

8 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

the change in condition comprises a change in at least one of content density, water depth, water flow rate, marine growth, buoyancy and/or suspended weight.

9 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said flexible pipe is arranged in a wave configuration.

10 . A flexible pipe for transporting production fluids, comprising:

a flexible pipe supported at least one location wherein an amount of support provided to the pipe is variable responsive to a change in at least one condition experienced by the flexible pipe.

11 . The flexible pipe as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:

an amount of support provided to the flexible pipe can be varied at a plurality of locations along a length of the flexible pipe.

12 . The flexible pipe as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:

an amount of support provided to the flexible pipe is varied continuously and automatically as conditions experienced by the pipe vary.

13 . The flexible pipe as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one buoyancy module secured at a respective location to the flexible pipe.

14 . The flexible pipe as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising:

a weight chain secured to the buoyancy module.

15 . The flexible pipe as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising:

at least one weight chain secured at a respective location to the flexible pipe.

16 . The flexible pipe as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising:

a length of each weight chain is selected so that a portion of each weight chain is supported on a sea bed region.

17 . A jumper or riser or flowline comprising the flexible pipe as claimed in claim 10 .

18 . The riser as claimed in claim 17 arranged in a wave configuration.

19 - 21 . (canceled)

22 . A method of transporting a fluid, comprising:

transporting a fluid through a flexible pipe disposed in a subsea environment;

the flexible pipe being supported at least one location wherein an amount of support provided to the pipe is variable responsive to a change in at least one condition experienced by the flexible pipe.

23 . The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein transporting the fluid comprises transporting the fluid from a subsea location to a floating vessel via the pipe.