Riser configuration

1. A riser configuration comprising:

a rigid pipe riser portion,

a flexible pipe riser portion, and

a subsea buoy supporting the rigid pipe riser portion,

wherein the rigid pipe riser portion is a steel catenary riser that extends from a seabed to the subsea buoy, and the flexible pipe riser portion hangs between the subsea buoy and a sea surface with a sag bend,

wherein the riser portions are connected, and

wherein one or more buoyant devices are mounted on the flexible pipe riser portion to separate the sag bend from the subsea buoy.

2. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the buoyant devices are adapted to maintain the flexible pipe riser portion above the rigid pipe riser portion in a region of connection between the riser portions.

3. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 wherein the buoyant devices are adapted to maintain the flexible pipe riser portion in a steep wave configuration.

4. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the flexible pipe riser portion is connected to the rigid pipe riser portion by a vertical connector.

5. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the flexible pipe riser portion comprises a gooseneck about the vertical connector to support a change in angle of the flexible pipe riser portion.

6. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the buoyancy of the buoyant devices is adjustable such that the depth of the flexible pipe riser portion relative to the rigid pipe riser portion is controlled.

7. A riser configuration according to claim 6 , wherein the subsea buoy comprises one or more tanks which are floodable to alter buoyancy of the subsea buoy and thus a depth at which the riser portions are connected.

8. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more buoyant devices comprise one or more collars surrounding the flexible pipe riser portion.

9. A riser configuration as claimed in 1 wherein the one or more buoyant devices comprise one or more buoyant modules which are tethered to the flexible pipe riser portion.

10. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the one or more buoyant modules have conical ends.

11. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the buoyant devices support the weight of the flexible pipe riser portion in use, whereby the flexible pipe riser portion is self supporting.

12. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the subsea buoy further comprises a connector for securing the rigid pipe riser portion to the subsea buoy the connector comprising an arm extending laterally from the subsea buoy with a socket at the free end of the arm for receiving the steel catenary riser.

13. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the subsea buoy further comprises structural frame members connected by a pontoon.

14. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the pontoon is adapted to support umbilicals mounted on the subsea buoy.

15. A riser configuration as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the subsea buoy is provided with a plurality of tethers to anchor the subsea buoy to the seabed.

16. A riser configuration according to claim 15 , wherein the subsea buoy is tethered to the seabed at a depth which is below the local high surface current profile band.

17. A riser configuration according to claim 1 , wherein the riser configuration comprises a plurality of rigid pipe riser portions and a plurality of corresponding flexible pipe riser portions.

18. A riser configuration according to claim 17 , wherein adjacent flexible pipe riser portions are spaced or staggered to prevent clashing.

19. A riser configuration according to claim 7 wherein the riser configuration comprises a plurality of rigid pipe riser portions and a plurality of corresponding flexible pipe riser portions and wherein the subsea buoy comprises a plurality of tanks, wherein each of said tanks is associated with one or more rigid pipe riser portions.