In anticipation of heavy weather, it is decided to deballast the DEEP DRILLER to survival draft. The marine riser should be disconnected, pulled, and laid down. After doing so, the riser tension will be __________.

Correct Answer: Option C — zero

Disconnecting and laying down the marine riser removes the entire physical connection between the surface vessel and the subsea wellhead, thereby reducing the dynamic riser tension applied by the vessel's tensioner system to zero.