System and method for riser recoil control

A method for adjusting a plurality of tension forces applied to a marine riser attached to a floating vessel by a plurality of riser tensioners in mechanical communication with the vessel and the riser, each one of the plurality of riser tensioners having an air shutoff valve and an orifice-controlled fluid valve set to a first preselected flow limit value, wherein the riser is adapted to be connected to and disconnected from a wellhead, and wherein a disconnection sensing means is adapted to provide a disconnect signal to the plurality of air shutoff valves and orifice-controlled fluid valves when the riser is disconnected from the wellhead, comprising the steps of:

• sensing the disconnect signal provided by the disconnection sensing means;
• and
• adjusting the plurality of tension forces applied to the riser after the step of sensing the disconnect signal by closing the plurality of air shutoff valves and closing the plurality of orifice-controlled fluid valves to a second preselected flow limit value, wherein the first preselected flow limit value is greater than the second preselected flow limit value.