Deepwater natural gas hydrate (NGH) exploration faces environmental and economic challenges due to the conventional seabed discharge of drilling mud. To address this, we developed an improved riserless mud recovery (RMR) system using hybrid risers to create a stable, decoupled circulation pathway. This innovative design fulfils three key operational needs: (1) closed-loop drilling fluid circulation with dual-gradient control, (2) completion fluid and test production returns, and (3) mechanical decoupling between the floating platform and subsea riser string. Numerical analysis shows that the system maintains operational stability under wave loading while effectively isolating seabed equipment from platform motion. Simulation results indicate that optimal performance requires a top tension ratio exceeding 1.5 and a submersion depth of 150–250 m, achieving a 70–80% reduction in drilling fluid consumption with full recovery capabilities. The hybrid riser-based RMR system provides a practical solution for sustainable NGH development, offering superior water depth adaptability for both drilling and completion operations in deepwater environments.

Conductor and suction anchor are the key equipment providing bearing capacity in the field of deep-water drilling or offshore engineering, which have the advantages of high operation efficiency and short construction period. In order to drill a horizontal well in the shallow hydrate reservoir in the deep water, the suction anchor wellhead assembly is employed to undertake the main vertical bearing capacity in the second round of hydrate trial production project, so as to reduce the conductor running depth and heighten the kick-off point position. However, the deformation law of the deep-water suction anchor wellhead assembly under the moving load of the riser is not clear, and it is necessary to understand the lateral bearing characteristics to guide the design of its structural scheme. Based on 3D solid finite element method, the solid finite element model of the suction anchor wellhead assembly is established. In the model, the seabed soil is divided into seven layers, the contact between the wellhead assembly and the soil is simulated, and the vertical load and bending moment are applied to the wellhead node to simulate the riser movement when working in the deep water. The lateral bearing stability of conventional wellhead assembly and suction anchor wellhead assembly under the influence of wellhead load is discussed. The analysis results show that the bending moment is the main factor affecting the lateral deformation of the wellhead string; the anti-bending performance from increasing the outer conductor diameter is better than that from increasing the conductor wall thickness; for the subsea wellhead, the suction anchor obviously improves the lateral bearing capacity and reduces the lateral deformation. The conduct of the suction anchor wellhead assembly still needs to be lowered to a certain depth that below the maximum disturbed depth to ensure the lateral bearing stability, Thus, a method for the minimum conductor running depth for the suction anchor wellhead assembly is developed. The field implementations show that compared with the first round of hydrate trial production project, the conductor running depth is increased by 9.42 m, and there is no risk of wellhead overturning during the trial production. The method for determining the minimum conductor running depth in this paper is feasible and will still play an important role in the subsequent hydrate exploration and development.

With the steady progress of the global energy transition and the pursuit of “dual carbon” goals, Offshore Carbon Sequestration (OCS) has emerged as a pivotal strategic pathway within Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) initiatives aimed at mitigating climate warming. Nevertheless, the drilling of OCS injection wells faces severe challenges, including narrow geological pressure windows, high risks of shallow geohazards, stringent environmental protection standards, and prohibitive construction costs. Riserless Mud Recovery (RMR) technology, as a novel and eco-friendly deepwater drilling technique, provides innovative technical support for OCS by establishing a closed-loop seafloor circulation system that achieves dual-gradient pressure control and “near-zero discharge” of drilling fluids. This paper systematically reviews the development history and technical principles of RMR. By integrating the specific requirements of OCS injection well drilling—such as wellbore integrity, environmental protection, and shallow hazard mitigation—the study provides an in-depth analysis of the application potential of RMR in drilling CO₂ injection wells within shallow formations. Furthermore, it demonstrates the engineering feasibility of RMR across technical, environmental, and economic dimensions. Building on this analysis, the paper discusses current technical challenges regarding key equipment research and development, adaptability to complex operating conditions, enhancement of intelligent control systems, and the establishment of technical standards. It also outlines the prospects for the integrated development of RMR with emerging fields, including hydrate-based carbon sequestration, intelligent drilling and completion, and carbon sequestration in far-reaching deep-sea areas. The research indicates that RMR technology can effectively resolve the dual constraints of cost control and environmental protection in OCS drilling. With breakthroughs in critical hardware, such as high-displacement subsea lift pumps, and the deepening of cross-disciplinary integration, RMR is poised to become an essential technical pillar in the field of offshore carbon sequestration.