High-pressure composite drilling risers (CDR＇s) represent the most challenging offshore application for composite materials, but their use potentially can reduce capital expenditures and improve reservoir development in deep water. The full-length paper describes the design, fabrication, and qualification of a prototype CDR joint designed to be compatible with the 558-mm-inner-diameter high-pressure titanium-drilling-riser system currently operational on the Heidrun tension-leg platform (TLP) in the Norwegian North Sea. After qualification by extensive testing of full-cross-sectional specimens, a 14.685-m full-length CDR joint will be fabricated for field testing on the Heidrun TLP. This joint will be used below the water Line in place of any of the 24 standard riser joints manufactured from titanium.