A lightweight catenary system for deepsea operations in which a
lightweight flexible pipe such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,779 is
suspended in seawater from a vessel or platform, and having a positive or
nearly positive buoyancy, and which is stabilized by disposing weight in
proximity to or attached to the lower portion of the pipe at or near the
seabed, whereby the weight and costs of supporting heavy pipe in offshore
operations is reduced or eliminated.