Riser collet connector systems and methods

A subsea drilling system, comprising:

• a riser that extends between a platform at a sea surface and a wellhead assembly at a sea floor, wherein a distal end of the riser comprises a pin;
• and
• a connector coupled to the wellhead assembly, wherein the connector comprises:
• a plurality of collet segments that are configured to move radially-inwardly to engage the pin to enable the connector to couple the riser to the wellhead assembly;
• a connector body comprising:
• a collet housing;
• a tapered neck portion;
• and a cylindrical neck portion, wherein the tapered neck portion tapers radially outwardly to join the cylindrical neck portion to the collet housing, the cylindrical neck portion having an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the pin;
• wherein the collet housing comprises:
• an outer wall;
• an inner wall;
• and an annular space defined between the outer wall and the inner wall,
• the connector further comprising:
• a piston configured to move vertically within the collet housing to drive the plurality of collet segments to move radially-inwardly to engage the pin,
• wherein first portions of the plurality of collet segments are positioned to form a ring in the annular space of the collet housing.

A method of coupling a riser and a wellhead assembly, the method comprising:

• moving a first riser joint of the riser toward a connector coupled to a portion of the wellhead assembly, the connector comprising:
• a connector body comprising:
• a collet housing;
• a tapered neck portion;
• and a cylindrical neck portion, wherein the tapered neck portion tapers radially outwardly to join the cylindrical neck portion to the collet housing;
• inserting a pin of the first riser joint of the riser into an opening defined by a plurality of collet segments of the connector, the cylindrical neck portion having an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the pin so as to align and guide the pin into the opening defined by the plurality of collet segments of the connector;
• and
• driving the plurality of collet segments to move radially-inwardly to engage the pin of the first riser joint of the riser to form a connection between the riser and the wellhead assembly,
• the method further comprising:
• providing a fluid to a sealed space within collet housing of the connector to drive a piston to move within the collet housing, the collet housing comprising:
• an outer wall;
• an inner wall;
• and an annular space defined between the outer wall and the inner wall,
• wherein first portions of the plurality of collet segments are positioned to form a ring in the annular space of the collet housing,
• wherein contact between the piston and the plurality of collet segments as the piston moves within the collet housing causes the plurality of collet segments to move radially-inwardly.