Elevator for gripping and lifting a riser joint

An elevator for gripping and lifting a riser joint or several interconnected riser joints of a completion and work over riser, the elevator comprising:

• a body comprising a through bore for receiving a production pipe of a riser joint, the through bore being accessible via a longitudinal opening in the body extending all along the through bore in the axial direction thereof so as to allow a production pipe of a riser joint to be received in the through bore via the longitudinal opening by moving the body over said production pipe in the radial direction thereof, the body further comprising a shoulder for supporting a collar of a production pipe received in the through bore so as to thereby allow the riser joint to be lifted by the elevator, the body further comprising at least one locking device comprising a hydraulic cylinder, a piston rod of which is moveable to and fro between an unlocking position, in which the piston rod allows a production pipe of a riser joint to pass into or out of the through bore via the longitudinal opening, and the locking position, in which the piston rod prevents a production pipe received in the through bore from passing out of the through bore via the longitudinal opening.