RISER MONITORING METHOD

Properties including the movement of a downhole tool 390 through a riser assembly 310 are detected by one or more sensors 318 on an outer surface or internal bore of said riser assembly. Signals indicative of the detected properties are communicated to an operator monitoring system using a communication system 322 on the riser assembly for the monitoring of riser assembly operating status and downhole tool trips. Also, data indicative of the detected properties is stored in a memory (fig. 21, 412) disposed in the riser to be transmitted to the operator monitoring assembly after the riser assembly is pulled to the surface. The detected properties may also include pressure, temperature, flow rate, stress, strain, weight, orientation, proximity and corrosion. The communication with the operator monitoring system may be in real-time.