Apparatus for aligning and connecting underwater flowlines

Claim 2

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means adapted to be lowered down the guidance system through the water to the location of the well bore, means securing said alignment means to the lower portion of the guidance system after its lowering to said location, fluid flow apparatus including one or more flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, second connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, means for lowering said carrier, second connector means and one or more second flowlines along said guidance system toward said alignment means, Coengageable means on said carrier and flowline alignment means for placing said second connector means in a predetermined position with respect to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means with said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, and means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other, whereby fluids can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines.

Claim 3

In apparatus as defined in claim 1; disconnectable means releasably connecting said carrier to said one or more second flowlines, and means for releasing said disconnectable means after said second connector means has been aligned with said first connector means to permit elevation of said carrier along said guidance system.

Claim 4

In apparatus as defined in claim 1; means releasably connecting said carrier to said second connector means, and means for releasing said disconnectable means after said second connector means has been aligned with said first connector means to permit elevation of said carrier along said guidance system.

Claim 5

In apparatus as defined in claim 1; detachable means releasably connecting said carrier to said alignment means, and means for releasing said detachable means to permit elevation of said carrier along said guidance system.

Claim 6

In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other comprising a seal device movable between said first and second connector means to a position axially spaced from said first and second connector means, and means for relatively moving said first and second connector means axially toward said seal device and each other to clamp said seal device therebetween.

Claim 7

In apparatus as defined in claim 1; and means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other to enable the operative connection between said first and second connector means to be made.

Claim 8

In apparatus as defined in claim 1; and hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other to enable the operative connection between said first and second connector means to be made.

Claim 9

In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other comprising a seal device movable between said first and second connector means to a position axially spaced from said first and second connector means, hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for relatively moving said first and second connector means axially toward said seal device and each other into engagement with said seal device therebetween, and clamp means movable laterally of said first and second connector means into engagement therewith to force said first and second connector means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 10

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, second connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, means for lowering said carrier, second connector means and one or more second flowlines along said guidance system toward said alignment means, coengageable means on said carrier and flowline alignment means for placing said second connector means in a predetermined position with respect to said alignment means, means for coupling Said second connector means to said alignment means with said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, and means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other, whereby fluids can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines; detachable means releasably connecting said carrier to said alignment means, means for releasing said detachable means to permit elevation of said carrier along said guidance system, disconnectable means releasably connecting said carrier to said second connector means, and means for releasing said detachable means and said disconnectable means to permit elevation of said carrier along said guidance system.

Claim 11

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, second connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, means for lowering said carrier, second connector means and one or more second flowlines along said guidance system toward said alignment means, coengageable means on said carrier and flowline alignment means for placing said second connector means in a predetermined position with respect to said alignment means, means for coupling Said second connector means to said alignment means with said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, and means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other, whereby fluids can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines; detachable means releasably connecting said carrier to said alignment means, means for releasing said detachable means to permit elevation of said carrier along said guidance system, disconnectable means releasably connecting said carrier to said second connector means, and means for releasing said detachable means and said disconnectable means to permit elevation of said carrier along said guidance system.

Claim 12

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, second connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, means for lowering said carrier, second connector means and one or more second flowlines along said guidance system toward said alignment means, coengageable means on said carrier and flowline alignment means for placing said second connector means in a predetermined position with respect to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means with said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, and means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other, whereby fluids can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines; said means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other comprising a seal device movable between said first and second connector means, hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for relatively moving said first and second connector means into engagement with said seal device therebetween, said first and second connector means having cams projecting from their sides, and clamp means straddling the sides of said first and second connector means and movable laterally of said first and second connector means and having cams engaging and slidable along said other cams to force said first and second connector means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 13

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, second connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, means for lowering said carrier, second connector means and one or more second flowlines along said guidance system toward said alignment means, coengageable means on said carrier and flowline alignment means for placing said second connector means in a predetermined position with respect to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means with said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, and means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other, whereby fluids can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines; said means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other comprising a seal device movable between said first and second connector means, hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for relatively moving said first and second connector means into engagement with said seal device therebetween, said first and second connector means having cams projecting from their sides, and clamp means straddling the sides of said first and second connector means and movable laterally of said first and second connector means and having cams engaging and slidable along said other cams to force said first and second connector means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 14

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, second connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, means for lowering said carrier, second connector means and one or more second flowlines along said guidance system toward said alignment means, coengageable means on said carrier and flowline alignment means for placing said second connector means in a predetermined position with respect to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means with said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, and means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other, whereby fluids can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one oR more second flowlines; hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other, said means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other including cams projecting from the sides of said first and second connector means, and clamp means straddling the sides of said first and second connector means and movable laterally of said first and second connector means and having cams engaging and slidable along said other cams to force said first and second connector means toward each other.

Claim 15

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, a carrier, one or more second flowlines carried by said carrier and adapted to be lowered therewith through the body of water, second connector means secured to said one or more second flowlines, means for lowering said carrier, second connector means and one or more second flowlines along said guidance system toward said alignment means, coengageable means on said carrier and flowline alignment means for placing said second connector means in a predetermined position with respect to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means with said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, and means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other, whereby fluids can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one oR more second flowlines; hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other, said means for operatively connecting said first and second connector means to each other including cams projecting from the sides of said first and second connector means, and clamp means straddling the sides of said first and second connector means and movable laterally of said first and second connector means and having cams engaging and slidable along said other cams to force said first and second connector means toward each other.

Claim 16

In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a wellhead device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a first joint means, a second device having a second joint means and adapted to be lowered in the body of water, means for positioning said second device with its second joint means in alignment with and axially spaced from said first joint means, a seal device, actuating means adapted to be lowered with said seal device in the body of water to position said seal device between and in alignment with said first joint means and second joint means, said first and second joint means having cams projecting from their sides, said actuating means including clamp means straddling the sides of said first and second joint means and having cams engaging and slidable along said other cams to force said first and second joint means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 17

In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a wellhead device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a first joint means, a second device having a second joint means and adapted to be lowered in the body of water, means for positioning said second device with its second joint means in alignment with and axially spaced from said first joint means, a seal device, actuating means adapted to be lowered with said seal device in the body of water to position said seal device between and in alignment with said first joint means and second joint means, said first and second joint means having cams projecting from their sides, said actuating means including clamp means straddling the sides of said first and second joint means and having cams engaging and slidable along said other cams to force said first and second joint means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 18

In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a wellhead device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a first joint means, a second device having a second joint means and adapted to be lowered in the body of water, means for positioning said second device with the second joint means in alignment with and axially spaced from said first joint means, means for operatively connecting said first and second joint means to each other whereby fluid can flow therebetween comprising cams projecting from the sides of said first and second joint means, clamp means straddling the sides of said first and second joint means and having cams engageable with said other cams, and means for shifting said clamp means laterally of said first and second said joint means to engage and slide said cams of said clamp means along said other cams to force said first and second joint means toward each other.

Claim 19

In apparatus for use in conjunction with a well bore drilled in the formation from a floor below a body of water: a wellhead device communicable with the well bore and disposed adjacent to the floor, said device having a first joint means, a second device having a second joint means and adapted to be lowered in the body of water, means for positioning said second device with the second joint means in alignment with and axially spaced from said first joint means, means for operatively connecting said first and second joint means to each other whereby fluid can flow therebetween comprising cams projecting from the sides of said first and second joint means, clamp means straddling the sides of said first and second joint means and having cams engageable with said other cams, and means for shifting said clamp means laterally of said first and second said joint means to engage and slide said cams of said clamp means along said other cams to force said first and second joint means toward each other.

Claim 20

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means adapted to be lowered down the guidance system through the water to the location of the well bore, means securing said alignment means to the lower portion of the guidance system after its lowering to said location, fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowline communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, one or more second flowlines secured to a second connector means and adapted to be lowered with said second connector means to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means to position said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, a seal device, means for lowering said seal device into a position between said first and second connector means, and means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other to clamp said seal device therebetween, whereby fluid can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines.

Claim 21

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means adapted to be lowered down the guidance system through the water to the location of the well bore, means securing said alignment means to the lower portion of the guidance system after its lowering to said location, fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowline communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, one or more second flowlines secured to a second connector means and adapted to be lowered with said second connector means to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means to position said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, a seal device, means for lowering said seal device into a position between said first and second connector means, and means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other to clamp said seal device therebetween, whereby fluid can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines.

Claim 22

In apparatus as defined in claim 14; said clamp means being movable laterally of said first and second connectoR means into engagement therewith to force said first and second connector means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 23

In apparatus as defined in claim 14; said lowering means comprising a running tool supporting said seal device and connectable to a running string, and means for releasing said running tool from supporting relation to said seal device to permit withdrawal of said running tool after said seal device has been clamped between said first and second connector means.

Claim 24

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, one or more second flowlines secured to a second connector means and adapted to be lowered with said second connector means to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means to position said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, a seal device, means for lowering said seal device into a position between said first and second connector means, and means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other to clamp said seal device therebetween, whereby fluid can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines; said clamp means comprising cams on said first and second connector means projecting from the sides thereof, an actuator straddling the sides of said first and second connector means and having cams engageable with and slidable along said other cams, and means for shifting said actuator laterally of said first and second connector means to slide said actuator cams along said other cams and force said first and second connector means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 25

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, one or more second flowlines secured to a second connector means and adapted to be lowered with said second connector means to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means to position said second connector means in substantial alignment with said first connector means, a seal device, means for lowering said seal device into a position between said first and second connector means, and means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other to clamp said seal device therebetween, whereby fluid can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines; said clamp means comprising cams on said first and second connector means projecting from the sides thereof, an actuator straddling the sides of said first and second connector means and having cams engageable with and slidable along said other cams, and means for shifting said actuator laterally of said first and second connector means to slide said actuator cams along said other cams and force said first and second connector means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 26

In apparatus as defined in claim 17; said clamp means further comprising hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for shifting them relatively toward each other.

Claim 27

In apparatus as defined in claim 17; said lowering means comprising a running tool supporting said seal device and actuator and connectable to a running string, and means for releasing said running tool from supporting relation to said seal device and actuator to permit withdrawal of said running tool after said seal device has been clamped between said first and second connector means.

Claim 28

In apparatus as defined in claim 17; said clamp means further comprising hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for shifting them relatively toward each other, said lowering means comprising a running tool connectable to a running string and connected to said hydraulically operable means and supporting said seal device actuator, and means for releasing said running tool from supporting relation to said seal device and actuator to permit withdrawal of said running tool and hydraulically operable means after said seal device has been clamped between said first and second connector means.

Claim 29

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, one or more second flowlines secured to a second connector means and adapted to be lowered with said second connector means to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means to position said second connector meaNs in substantial alignment with said first connector means, a seal device, means for lowering said seal device into a position between said first and second connector means, and means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other to clamp said seal device therebetween, whereby fluid can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines; said clamp means comprising cams on said first and second connector means projecting from the sides thereof, an actuator straddling the sides of said first and second connector means and having cams engageable with and slidable along said other cams, means for shifting said actuator laterally of said first and second connector means, a threaded member secured to said seal device, a nut threaded on said member and operatively connected to said actuator, and means for rotating said nut to feed said nut along said threaded member and said actuator laterally of said first and second connector means to slide said actuator cams along said other cams and force said first and second connector means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 30

In apparatus wherein a guidance system is disposed at and extends upwardly from the floor of a body of water and through which a well bore has been drilled into the underlying formation, the combination therewith of flowline alignment means mounted on said guidance system, fluid flow apparatus including one or more first flowlines communicating with the well bore and secured to a first connector means facing said alignment means, one or more second flowlines secured to a second connector means and adapted to be lowered with said second connector means to said alignment means, means for coupling said second connector means to said alignment means to position said second connector meaNs in substantial alignment with said first connector means, a seal device, means for lowering said seal device into a position between said first and second connector means, and means for relatively moving said first and second connector means toward each other to clamp said seal device therebetween, whereby fluid can flow between said one or more first flowlines and one or more second flowlines; said clamp means comprising cams on said first and second connector means projecting from the sides thereof, an actuator straddling the sides of said first and second connector means and having cams engageable with and slidable along said other cams, means for shifting said actuator laterally of said first and second connector means, a threaded member secured to said seal device, a nut threaded on said member and operatively connected to said actuator, and means for rotating said nut to feed said nut along said threaded member and said actuator laterally of said first and second connector means to slide said actuator cams along said other cams and force said first and second connector means into firm sealing engagement with said seal device.

Claim 31

In apparatus as defined in claim 21; said clamp means further comprising hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for shifting them relatively toward each other.

Claim 32

In apparatus as defined in claim 21; said lowering means comprising a running tool supporting said seal device and actuator and connected to a running string, and means for releasing said running tool from supporting relation to said seal device and actuator to permit withdrawal of said running tool after said seal device has been clamped between said first and second connector means.

Claim 33

In apparatus as defined in claim 21; said clamp means further comprising hydraulically operable means engageable with said first and second connector means for shifting them relatively toward each other, said lowering means comprising a running tool connectable to a running string and connected to said hydraulically operable means and supporting said seal device and actuator, and means for releasing said running tool from supporting relation to said seal device and actuator to permit withdrawal of said running tool and hydraulically operable means after said seal device has been clamped between said first and second connector means.