Installation of subsea risers

A method of installing a steep-configuration subsea riser, the method comprising:

• supporting an elongate flexible riser element underwater with a portion of the riser element ascending from the seabed;
• capturing the ascending portion of the riser element in a guide formation of an anchoring support by downward movement of the anchoring support;
• moving the anchoring support to a final position on the seabed while the riser element remains captured by the guide formation;
• and
• by using the anchoring support in the final position, anchoring the riser element in a steep configuration.

A steep-configuration subsea riser system, comprising:

• an elongate flexible riser element shaped to define a hogbend portion adjoining an ascending portion that ascends from a seabed touch-down point;
• and
• an anchoring support positioned on the seabed adjacent the touch-down point and engaged with the riser element to anchor the riser element in a steep configuration;
• wherein the anchoring support comprises a guide formation that is arranged to capture the riser element by movement of the anchoring support in a direction transverse to the riser element.