US3722585A

US3722585A - Apparatus for aligning and connecting underwater flowlines

Info

Publication number: US3722585A
Application number: US00105919A
Authority: US
Inventors: B Nelson; B Baugh
Original assignee: Vetco Offshore Industries Inc
Current assignee: Vetco Gray LLC
Priority date: 1971-01-12
Filing date: 1971-01-12
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27

Abstract

One or more flowlines are to be connected to one or more companion flowline loops extending from a Christmas tree disposed at the upper end of a well bore extending into the formation from the floor of an ocean, or other body of water, at which a flowline guide structure has been installed. Prior to effecting the connection, the end portions of the flowlines are attached to a flange or hub, which is then releasably secured to a carrier at a flowline or pipeline barge, the carrier and flowlines being lowered from the barge toward the well bore where the coupling hub or flange is attached to an alignment device on the flowline guide structure, which aligns the hub and flowlines with a companion hub secured to the ends of the flowline loops. The carrier is removed and a clamp and seal running tool lowered through the water to position its seal assembly between the aligned flowline hub and flowline loop hub and to relatively pull the hubs against the seal assembly and clamp it therebetween, the running tool then being released.

Description

[ 1 Mar. 27, 1973 Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion D m R GE w G um m mu FG mm TT AC RE m no AC w Assistant ExaminerRichard E. Favreau FLOWLINES [75] Inventors: Bobby 11. Nelson; Benton F. Baugh, Kendnck Subkow & Knege and Bernard Attorney- Kriegel both Houston, Tex.

Vetco [57] ABSTRACT One or more flowlines are to be connected to one or [73] Assignee: Offshore Industries, 1nc.,

Ventura, Calif.

Jan. 12, 1971 [22] Filed:

more companion flowline loops extending from a Christmas tree disposed at the upper end of a well Appl. No.: 105,919

bore extending into the formation from the floor of an ocean, or other body of water, at which a flowline [52] US. .....l66/.6, 285/29 guide structure has been installed. prior to effecting the connection, the end portions of the flowlines are [51] Int. Cl. ...E21b 43/01 Field of attached to a flange or hub, which is then releasably secured to a carrier at a flowline or pipeline barge, the carrier and flowlines being lowered from the barge toward the well bore where the coupling hub or flange 285/24-29, DIG. 21, 137, 421

[56] References Cited UNiTED STATES PATENTS is attached to an alignment device on the flowline guide structure, which aligns the hub and flowlines with a companion hub secured to the ends of the flowline loops. The carrier is removed and a clamp and seal running tool lowered through the water to position its seal assembly between the aligned flowline hub and flowline loop hub and to relatively pull the ...l66/.6 hubs against the seal assembly and clamp it ...166/.6 therebetween, the running tool then being released.

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sum lOUF 12 INVENTO/QS. 104a Roam AT. Memo/v flNgOA/L B40611 41 meme-M APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING AND CONNECTING UNDERWATER FLOWLINES The present invention relates to underwater pipe connection apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus used in effecting a connection between the flowlines of an underwater Christmas tree connected to a well head and flowlines extending laterally through the water from the well and Christmas tree.

Prior systems for completing and producing underwater wells have required the use of a comparatively expensive guide structure mounted at the underwater floor and from which guide lines extend upwardly to a floating drilling vessel. Such guide structure not only serves during the drilling of the well, but includes auxiliary equipment used subsequently for guiding the Christmas tree into appropriate position for connection to the well head. It further includes a means for pulling in and connecting flowlines to the flowline loops extending from the Christmas tree. At the time of lowering and anchoring the guide structure in place, the proper direction for pulling in the flowlines had to be known so that the Christmas tree and flowline loops could be oriented in the proper direction. Since only a small percentage of exploratory well bores drilled become commercial producers, an expensive guide structure was previously provided for routine drilling of the well, despite the fact that the additional facilities provided on such guide structure were not used in the event that a well bore was deemed to be non-commercial.

In the copendin g applications of Bobby H. Nelson for UNDERWATER PIPE CONNECTION AP- PARATUS, filed Jan. 12, 1971, Ser. No. 105,928 and APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING AND CONNECT ING FLOWLINES, filed Jan. 12, 1971, Ser. No. 105,927 apparatus are disclosed that permits a standard and less expensive guide structure to be used in connection with the drilling of an underwater well. After the well has been drilled and the formations encountered have been tested, which determine the well to be a commercial producer, a decision can be made of the type of completion required, including a determination of the most advantageous layout of flowlines to be connected to the Christmas tree, and the direction in which the flowlines should be run from the well.

After making the determination of the direction from the well the flowline should extend, a flowline guide structure is lowered down selected guide lines and onto selected guide posts of the standard guide structure, this flowline guide structure including a flowline alignment assembly. The Christmas tree with the flowline loop secured thereto is oriented and lowered down the guide lines and onto the guide post of the standard guide structure and into coupled relation with the well head, at which time the end portions of the flowline loops will be appropriately related to the flowline hub alignment assembly. The flowlines are lowered toward the hub alignment assembly and their end hub or flange secured thereto in alignment with the Christmas tree hub, such parts then being coupled together in leakproof relation. Such coupling can be effected through the assistance of a diver.

As disclosed in the above application, the placing of the flowline hub in coupled relation to the flowline loops of the Christmas tree is performed through the assistance of a diver, which prevents use of the coupling apparatus in waters below. diver operating depths. With the present invention, the coupling relation between the flowline hub and loop hub can be effected without the assistance of a diver, being under remote control. Through use of remotely controlled equipment, the hubs are placed in sealing relation to each other and are clamped in such sealed relation. In fact, all steps involved in lowering and landing the guide structure, including the flowline alignment assembly lowering the flowlines on a carrier and coupling them to the alignment assembly, removing the lowering apparatus and the carrier, lowering the seal and clamp running tool to locate a seal assembly and clamp carried thereby between the hubs and effect its clamping therebetween, are all accomplished by remote control and without the assistance of a diver.

The seal and clamp running tool locates the seal assembly carried thereby between the flowline hubs, pulls the hubs towards and firmly against the seal assembly, clamps the seal assembly between the hubs, and releases the seal assembly and clamp mechanism from the running tool, permitting the latter to be elevated to the vessel floating in the water above the well bore.

The flowline alignment structure can be lowered with the standard guide structure and located in place in the event the direction the flowlines are to extend is known at the time drilling of the well bore is to commence. The flowline carrier with the flowlines releasably secured thereto can be lowered down the guide structure and the flowline hub appropriately coupled to the flowline alignment assembly, which will place it in alignment with the hub of the flowline loops extending from the Christmas tree, which has previously been lowered and coupled to the well head. In fact, if desired, the flowline flange can be coupled to the flowline alignment assembly before the Christmas tree is lowered down the guidance system and connected to the well head. Regardless of the order of assembling the equipment at the ocean floor described above, the effective coupling and sealing of the flowline loop hub and the flowline hubs to one another is accomplished with remotely operated apparatus.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a standard guide structure at the floor of an ocean, or other body of water, from which a well bore has been drilled, with a flowline guide structure attached thereto and a Christmas tree related to the standard guide structure and suitably connected to the well, and with its tree hub in alignment with a corresponding alignment means on the flowline guide structure;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1, illustrating a flowline hub and flowlines being lowered down the guide structure;

' FIG. 8 is an enlarged section taken along the line 8- 8 on FIG.

FIG. 9 is a section taken along the line 9-9 on FIG.

FIG. 10 is a section taken along the line 10-10 on FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a section taken along the line 11-11 on FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the flowline carrier removed, and a clamp and seal running tool lowered in position between the Christmas tree hub and flowline hub aligned therewith;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged section taken along the line 13-13 on FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a section taken along the line 14-14 on FIG. 13, with portions disclosed in elevation;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged section taken along the line 15-15 on FIG. 13; 1

FIG. 16 is a section taken along the line 16-16 on FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 14 illustrating the Christmas tree hub moved toward the flowline hub, with the seal assembly clamped therebetween;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view corresponding to FIG. 12, with the seal assembly clamped between the Christmas tree hub and flowline hub;

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18 with the tubular running string and running too] removed;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged view illustrating the clamp assembly shifted to a position firmly clamping the Christmas tree hub and flowline hub against the intervening seal assembly; and

FIG. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary section disclosing the seal relationship between the Christmas tree and flowline hubs therebetween.

In the drilling of a well bore W from the floor F of an ocean or other body of water, a known and standard guide structure 10 is secured at the floor of the ocean at the time of spudding the well, this guide structure being suitably secured to the ocean floor and having a central hub 11 to which diagonal beams 12 are attached, side beams 13 being disposed between and suitably secured to the outer, portions of the diagonal beams. A guide post l4a,14b, 140 or 14d extends vertically upwardly from each diagonal beam,

guide lines

15a, 15b, 15c or 15d being secured to the guide posts and extending upwardly to the drilling platform or drilling vessel (not shown) from which the well bore is drilled. In connection with drilling the well bore, a well head housing 16 is disposed within the central hub 11 and is suitably secured thereto, this well head housing being all that is allowed to remain above the hub after the well bore has been drilled and preparatory to running of a Christmas and the seal assembly clamped tree 17 into position, followed by the connection of its flowline loops 18 to the flowlines 19 (FIG. 2) that will extend laterally from the Christmas tree and the well head housing 16, as described hereinbelow.

After a determination has been made of the direction the flowlines 19 are to extend from the well, a flowline guide structure 20 is lowered down a pair of guide lines or cables 15a, 15b and onto their companion guide posts 14a, 14b. This flowline guide structure includes vertical sleeves 21 spaced horizontally from one another a distance corresponding to the spacing between a pair of guide posts 14a, 14b, these sleeves having lower guide cones 22 secured thereto for guiding the sleeves over the upper tapered ends 23 of the guide posts and onto the main cylindrical portions of the guide posts therebelow. The sleeves 21 and cones 22 are welded, or otherwise suitably, secured to an intervening cross-structure 24 and lower platform 25 that include upwardly extending arm portions 26 spaced from one another, the inner parts of the arm portions being suitably secured to flowline hub alignment members 27 spaced from each other in oppositely facing relation. Each flowline member has its marginal portions beveled in an outward direction so as to provide tapered or inclined guide surfaces 28 for other devices described hereinbelow. Each member also has a flaring mouth 29 diverging toward the well and merging toward a throat portion 30 for centering a Christmas tree hub 31 with respect to the hub alignment members 27, as described hereinbelow.

The members 27 have inner oppositely facing horizontal and

vertical lock grooves

32, 33, there being an upper outwardly directed horizontal flange 34 at the upper end of each member, each flange having a vertical slot 35 therethrough diverging in a lateral outward direction. The flowline hub alignment members 27 are spaced a predetermined distance apart and are located on the cross member 24 of the flowline guide structure closer to one of the vertical guide sleeves 21 than the other of the vertical guide sleeves 21 so that the central vertical plane between the plate members 27 will be appropriately positioned with respect to the flowline loop hub 31 extending from the Christmas tree.

The flowline guide structure 20 is lowered down the guide lines 15a, 15b and over a selected pair of guide posts 14a, 14b until the lower ends of the guide cones V 22 and cross member 24, which may be located in the same horizontal plane, come to rest upon a side beam 13. A suitable running tool, described hereinbelow, may be used for lowering the guide structure 20 to the position described. Upon engaging the standard guide structure 10, the flowline guide structure is locked to the latter by means of latches 36 (FIGS. 6, 7) pivotally mounted on the flowline guide structure, each latch having a tapered guide nose 37 which terminates at its upper portion in a latch dog 38, the tapered guide surface 37 engaging the upper flange 39 of a guide beam 13, which deflects it outwardly until the latch dog 38 passes below the upper flange 39 whereupon gravity or a spring 40 bias the latch inwardly to position its dog 38 under the flange, thereby preventing upward movement of the flowline guide structure 20 relative to the standard guide structure 10.

The flowline guide structure 20 can be lowered along the guide lines 15a, 15b and into the position just described through use of the running tool 41 illustrated most clearly in FIG. 8. This tool includes a pair of guide funnels 42 held in spaced relation a distance equal to the spacing between a pair of guide posts 14a, 14b by a cross structure 43 suitably afifixed thereto. This cross structure carries a pair of depending keys 44 adapted to be received in the key slots 35 in the side members 27, there being a latch 45 pivotally mounted on each key and having a lower lock dog 46 adapted to fit under a side member flange 34 to releasably secure the running tool to the guide structure 20. A helical compression spring 47 engages each dog above its pivot 48, urging it in an outward direction and the dog 46 in an inward direction. Release of each dog 46 can occur under remote control by feeding fluid under pressure to the head end of a cylinder 49 affixed to and forming part of the tool 41, the fluid acting against a piston 50 in the cylinder that has a rod 51 secured thereto that bears against the outer upper portion of the latch 45. Such fluid under pressure shifts the piston 50 toward the latch and swings the upper portion of the latter against the force of the helical spring 47 about its pivot 48, which effects outward movement of the dog 46 from under the flange 34, thereby effecting release of each latch from its associated flange.

Lowering of the flowline guide structure 20 can be accomplished through use of the running tool 41. The alignment keys 44 are disposed in the flange slots 35, with the latch dogs 46 positioned under the outwardly directed flanges 34 of the alignment members 27. Upwardly converging cables 52 are suitably secured to the cross member 43, being connected to a loop 53 to which the lower end of a lowering cable 54 is attached. The running tool 41 and the flowline guide structure 20 secured thereto by the latches 45 are then lowered along the guide lines a, 15b and onto the guide posts 14a, 14b to the extent limited by engagement of the flowline guide structure with the side beam 13, the latches 36 engaging the upper flange 39 of the guide beam and then being moved inwardly under the flange by the springs 40, to secure the flowline guide structure 20 to the standard guide structure 10. After this has occurred, the running tool 41 is released from the flowline guide structure 20 by introducing the fluid under pressure through suitable hoses (not shown) into the head ends of the unlatching cylinders 49, shifting their pistons 50 and rods 51 toward each other and against the latches 45 to swing their dog portions 46 outwardly from under the flanges 34, whereupon the running cable 54 can be elevated to remove the running tool 41 from the guide posts 14a, 14b and upwardly along the guide lines 15a, 15b to the floating vessel.

The running tool is also employed in lowering the flowlines 19 and the flowline hub 55 secured to their end portions into position for coupling to the alignment structure 27, the running tool functioning as a carrier for the flowline hub and flowlines attached thereto. As disclosed, the ends of the flowlines 19 are suitably connected to a flowline support and connector hub 55, which has a pair of spaced upper ears or brackets-56 provided with aligned holes 57. As disclosed, the carrier portion 41a of the running tool includes a pair of opposed cylinders 58 suitably secured thereto, each cylinder containing a piston 59 and a piston pin 60 extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to be received within a companion hole 57 in a hub bracket 56. A helical compression spring 61 is disposed in the head end of each cylinder, to urge the pistons 59 and their pins inwardly toward each other and to retain them within the holes 57 of the brackets 56, thereby connecting the running tool or

carrier

41, 41a to the flowline hub 55. When the carrier 41a is to be released from the flowline hub 55, fluid under pressure passes through suitable lines or hoses 62 into the pin ends of the cylinders 58, such fluid forcing the pistons 59 and the pins 60 in directions away from each other and against the forces of the springs 61 to remove the pivot pins 60 from the aligned holes 57 in the ears or brackets 56.

The flowline hub 55 is pivotally connected to the retractable pins 60 extending through the holes 57 its brackets 56, the running tool 41 being lowered down the proper pair of guide lines 15a, 15b by means of the cable 54, to correspondingly lower the flowline hub 55 and the flowlines 19 connected thereto (FIG. 2). The lowering action continues until the alignment keys 44 pass into the slots 35 of the flanges 34 of the alignment assembly 20 and come to rest, the latches 45 first being carnmed outwardly by the flanges 34 and then swinging inwardly under the flanges to releasably secure the running tool 41 to the flowline guide structure 20. At this time, the flowline hub 55 is disposed partially between the side members 27 of the alignment assembly (FIG. 4). The flowlines 19 are then lowered toward the ocean floor F, the hub 55 pivoted about the pins 60. When the flowline hub reaches a horizontal position, horizontal and vertical spring pressed keys 65,

66 mounted in the sides of the flowline hub 55 are brought into alignment with the horizontal and

vertical grooves

32, 33 of the side members 27 of the flowline alignment structure 20, these keys being forced partially outwardly into such horizontal and vertical grooves by helical compression springs 67 mounted around cap screws 68 secured to the flowline flange or hub and which extend freely through the keys, the outer heads 69 of the screws limiting the extent of outward movement of the keys. When the horizontal and

vertical keys

65, 66 snap into the companion horizontal and

vertical grooves

32, 33 in the flowline alignment structure 20, the flowline hub 55 is locked in place, both horizontally and vertically, and in substantially complete alignment with the hub 31 secured to the flowline loops 18 of the Christmas tree 17.

The running tool 41 is now released from the alignment assembly 20 and from the flowline hub 55 by the introduction of fluid under pressure into the unlatching cylinders 49, and fluid under pressure into the flowline hub cylinders 58, the latches 45 being shifted outwardly from under the flanges 34 and the pins 60 being retracted within the cylinders 58. A pull can now be taken on the running cable 54, which will elevate the running tool 41 from the flowline alignment structure another in leakproof relation under the control of an operator on the vessel floating in the body of water. A.

seal assembly 80 is to be disposed between the flowline and tree hub and clamped thereto in leakproof relation, so that the flowline loops 18 are in communication with the companion flowlines 19 extending from the flowline hub 55. As disclosed in FIGS. 12 to 21, a clamp and seal assembly 81 is attached to a running tool 82 suitably secured to a tubular running string of drill pipe 83, or the like, that will extend to the floating vessel. The seal assembly includes a body portion 84 having passages 85 therethrough corresponding to the aligned passages 86 in the flowline loop hub 31 and flowline hub 55, each body passage contains a seal sleeve 87 made of a suitable material having outwardly tapering end surfaces 88 for engagement within companion ring grooves 89 surrounding the passages 86 in the tree hub or flange 31 and the flowline hub or flange 55.

To assure alignment of the seal assembly passages 85 and their seal sleeves 86 with the passages 86 in the tree flange and flowline flange, the body 84 has axially extending alignment pins 90 secured thereto and projecting from opposite sides thereof having, tapered outer portions 91 merging into cylindrical inner portions 92, the tapered portions being shiftable into companion alignment bores 93 opening through the confronting end faces of the tree and

flowline flanges

31, 55.

The upper portion 94 of the seal body is cylindrical and has external threads 95 extending along its length, these threads being in mesh with a rotatable actuator or nut 96 supported upon a transverse actuator bar 97 by virtue of a shoulder 98 on the rotatable member resting upon the upper surface of the bar, a nut 99 being threaded on the lower end of the actuator and being engageable with the lower surface of the bar. The clamp bar 97 is non-rotatable, but permits rotation of the actuator member 96 and its nut 99 with respect thereto.

The clamp bar 97 has its outer portions 97a extending into a pair of laterally spaced segmental clamp members 100 held in spaced relation with each other by screws 101 passing through their upper portions on opposite sides of the bar, nuts 102 being threaded on the outer ends of the screws and bearing against the segmental clamp members. The segmental clamp members 100 are disposed on opposite sides of the seal as sembly body 84 in juxtaposition thereto. Each segment has a pair of upper cams 103 with inner cam surfaces 103a inclined in a downward andoutward direction and a pair of lower cams 104 with lower cam surfaces 104a inclined in a downward and outward direction, the upper and

lower cams

103, 104 being spaced from one another to provide gaps 105 therebetween. Corresponding upper and

lower cams

106, 107 are provided on the sides of the tree hub 31 and on the sides of the flowline hub 55, these cams having upper and lower cam surfaces 108, 109 inclined in a downward and outward direction with respect to their end faces 31a, 55a, the upper and lower cams 106,. 107 at each side of the hubs being spaced from each other to provide gaps 1 therebetween through which the lower cams 104 of the clamp segments can pass relatively, the gaps 105 in the clamp segments permitting the upper cams 106 of the

hubs

31, 55 to pass relatively therethrough, as described below.

The clamp and seal assembly 81 is supported by the running and actuating tool 82, which includes a pulling bracket 115 having an opening 116 into which an upwardly extending pulling bracket 117 on the tree flange or hub 31 can be received, the clamp segments 100 extend upwardly through the pulling bracket which has side flanges 118 thereon on opposite sides of the clamp segments that fit under the end portions 97a of the clamp actuator bar 97, such that the pulling bracket 115 supports the actuating bar 97 and the clamp and seal assembly 81 carried thereby. The pulling bracket.

115 extends crosswise of the clamp segments 100 and seal assembly 80, with its end portion being secured to piston rods 119 extending into cylinders 120 secured to the main body 121 of the running tool on opposite sides of the segments 100, the rods being secured to pistons 122 (FIG. 16) reciprocable in the cylinders. Suitable hydraulic lines (not shown) are connected to the head and rod ends of the cylinders 120 so as to either extend the rods 119 from the cylinders or to retract them into the cylinders.

The body 121 has a bracket 123 secured thereto at the head ends of the cylinders having a slot 124 therein adapted to fit over the ears or brackets 56 of the flowline flange or hub 55. Thus, when the body brackets 123 fits over the flowline flange 55 and the pulling bracket fits over the tree flange 31, the introduction of fluid under pressure into the rod ends of the cylinders will effect a pulling of the tree flange 31 toward the flowline flange 55. The introduction of fluid into the head ends of the cylinders 120 will produce the reverse relative motion.

It will be noted that the main body 121 of the running and actuating tool 82 has its lower portions straddling and extending on opposite sides of the clamp segments 100, which is also true of the hydraulic cylinders 120. This main body is supported by a carrier through the agency of axial cap screws 131 threadedly secured in the upper portion of the body 121 and extending through slots 132 in the carrier, the heads 133 of the cap screws engaging the upper sides of the outwardly extending portions 134 of the carrier to support the body 121 therefrom. The carrier structure is secured to the mandrel 135 of the running tool by means of screws 136, or the like, this mandrel, having an upper threaded box 137 threadedly secured to the tubular running string 83.

Mounted within the carrier structure 130 is a worm wheel 138 secured to a sleeve 139 suitably rotatably mounted in the carrier structure, this sleeve carrying a key 140 urged radially inwardly by a helical compression spring 141 against the periphery of the rotatable actuating member 96 and into a longitudinal slot or keyway 142 formed therein. When the key is disposed in the slot or keyway 142, the worm wheel 138 is rotatably coupled to the actuator 96.

Mounted on the carrier 130 is a hydraulic motor and reduction gearing 143 including a worm gear 144 meshing with the worm wheel 138. Fluid under pressure flows through a suitable line (not shown) to the hydraulic motor 143 to rotate the same, and thereby effect rotation of its worm gear 144 and the worm wheel 138.

It is to be noted that the upper portion of the body 121 has a slot 145 therein through which the rotatable sleeve 139 extends. Such slot permits relative bodily movement of the mandrel 135, carrier 130, rotatable actuating mechanism 139-144, and seal and clamp assembly 81 with respect to the body 121 of the tool, the carrier 130 sliding along the upper surface of the body 121.

A safety bar 150 is secured to the threaded stem portion 94 of the seal body 80 immediately above the upper centering pins 90, this safety bar having tapered end portions 151 adapted to rest upon the tree and

flowline hubs

31, 55 when they move relatively toward each other, for the purpose of temporarily supporting the seal assembly 80 as described hereinbelow.

When the sealed relationship between the tree and

flowline flanges

31, 55 is to be effected, the clamp and seal assembly 81 is mounted in the body 121 of the tool, with the pulling bracket 115 extended outwardly to its fullest extent, at which time the side flanges 118 of the pulling bracket are disposed under the bar 97 to support the clamp and seal assembly 81 therefrom, the parts then occupying the relationship illustrated in FIG. 13. The spring pressed key 140 may or may not be disposed in the longitudinal key slot 142, inasmuch as it will automatically feed into such slot upon rotation of the worm wheel 138 by the hydraulic motor 143. The mandrel 135 is secured to the running string 83, the body 121 of the tool having cross members 160 secured to it and projecting outwardly therefrom, which terminate in funnels 161 separated from one another in conformance with the spacing between a pair of adjacent guide posts 14a, 14b. The combination of apparatus is lowered by the tubular running string 83 through the water with the funnels 161 being guided down the guide lines a, 15b and then passing onto the guide posts 14a, 14b, the apparatus coming to rest when the flowline flange brackets 56 are received within the slot 124 of the body bracket 123 and with the tree pulling bracket 117 disposed within the opening 116 of the pulling bracket 115 of the actuating tool (FIG. 12). As this time, the clamp segments 100 and the clamp and actuator nut 96 are disposed in an uppermost position, as disclosed in FIGS. 13-15).

Fluid under pressure is then fed into the rod ends of the cylinders 120 to pull the bracket 117 and the tree flange or hub 31 toward the flowline flange or hub 55. The end face 31a of the tree flange will engage the companion end face 840 of the seal body 80, the upper cams 106 on the side faces of the tree flange 31 passing through the gaps or spaces 105 of the actuator segments 100, the lower cams 104 of the actuator segments moving relatively through the spaces 110 between the upper and lower

tree flange cams

106, 107 until the end face 31a of the tree flange engage the companion face 84a on the seal assembly body, the ends 88 of the seal rings 87 being received within the seal grooves 89 of the tree flange. Assurance is had that the parts will move into the above relationship by engagement of centering pins 170 on the tree hub 31 into the flaring mouth 29 and throat 30 of the alignment members 27. These parts are appropriately centered with respect to one another by the reception of the centering pins 90 in the centering bores 93 of the tree flange. The continued feeding of fluid under pressure into the hydraulic cylinders 120 effects continued movement of the tree flange 31 toward the flowline flange 55, such movement shifting the seal assembly 80, clamp segments and the entire hydraulic motor and gear drive mechanism 96-99, 130, 139-143, 135 toward the hub flange 55, the upper cams 106 projecting from the sides of the hub flange 55 passing through the openings or gaps in the clamp segments, with the lower cams 104 on the clamp segments passing through the gaps of the flowline flange, until the centering pins 90 enter the companion centering bores 93 of the hub flange 55, and the end face 55a of the hub flange engages the companion face 84b of the clamp body 84, with the seal rings or sleeves 87 engaged in the sleeve grooves 89 of the flowline flange 55.

The seal faces 31a, 84a and 55a,84b engage each other, with the clamp segments 100 in their upper position, but with the

hub cams

106, 107 disposed inwardly of the

companion cams

103, 104 on the clamp segments, as illustrated in FIG. 17. Prior to the time that the part reach this position, the pulling bracket 1 15 will have moved toward the flowline flange 55 to an extent at which its side flanges 118 ride off the outer ends 97a of the clamp actuator bar 97, thereby discontinuing the vertical support of the clamp and seal assembly 81, together with its actuating nut 96, by the pulling bracket 115. However, the support is momentarily taken up by the fact that the safety bar 150 engages the upper ends of the tree flange 31 and the hub flange 55 prior to the time that the actuator flanges 118 ride off the clamp bar 97 (FIG. 17). When the centering pins 90 are received within the centering bores 93, the seal assembly 80 and the parts associated therewith are supported by the tree and flowline hubs or

flanges

31, 55.

As described above, the movement of the tree flange 31 into engagement with the seal assembly 80 effects movement of the latter together with the clamp segments 100 and the motor and gear mechanism thereabove 138-144, as well as the carrier and mandrel toward the flowline flange 55, as permitted by the slot in the body 121 of the running and operating tool 82 and the slots 132 in the carrier structure, the running string 83 being capable of deflecting sufficiently to permit such action to occur.

Following the initial clamping of the seal assembly 80 between the tree and

flowline hubs

31, 55, fluid under pressure is fed to the hydraulic motor 143 to effect its rotation and rotation of the worm wheel 138 and of the drive member 139 and clamp actuator nut 96, the latter rotating within the clamp actuator bar 97 and threading downwardly along the non-rotating threaded shaft 94 of the seal body 80. Such downward movement carries the clamp bar 97 and segments 100 downwardly with them, the

cams

103, 104 of the clamp segments sliding downwardly along the external cam faces 108, 109 on the tree and

flowline flanges

31, 55 to force and urge such flanges more firmly toward each other and against the seal assembly 80, insuring the appropriate sealing relation of the seal rings or sleeves 87 in the companion grooves 89 in the tree flange and flowline flange. This downward movement continues until the seal assembly 80 is clamped firmly and securely between the tree and flowline flanges 31, 55 (FIG. 18). The hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the motor 143 can then be relieved. The angle of taper of the coengaging

cam surfaces

103a, 104a and 108, 109 is a self-locking angle so that the segments 100 will remain clamped against the

cams

106, 107 on the tree and flowline flanges, the segments remaining permanently in their clamped position until purposely released. In other words, the clamping force between the parts cannot inadvertently effect an upward shifting of the clamp segments 100 from their clamped relation.

If desired, the running string 83 can now be elevated, which will remove the mandrel 135, carrier 130 and body 121 of the tool, as well as the hydraulic motor and gear drive mechanism 139-143, including the rotatable sleeve 139 and the key 140, upwardly relative to the clamp actuator nut 96, and the parts contained therewith, the cylinder and piston mechanism 120-122 and the

brackets

115, 123 being elevated with respect to the tree and

flowline flanges

31, 55. In this connection, the fluid pressure in the cylinders 120 will be relieved so that the elevation of the pulling bracket 115 will cause it to slide up the incline surface 117a of the tree flange bracket 117, the pulling bracket 115 shifting to the required extent in a horizontal direction, as permitted by the elongate slot 116 through which the tree flange bracket extends. The running string 83 and mechanism connected thereto can now be elevated through the water to the floating vessel, leaving the tree flange 31 and flowline flange 55 in sealed relation with respect to each other, so that fluid and flowline tools can pass therebetween.

Provision is made for testing the seals 87 for leakage. As disclosed, a back-up seal ring 180 is provided in each face of the seal body around each ring gasket or sleeve 87. The body 84 has a central passage 181 (FIGS. 14, 15, 21) leading downwardly from its upper open end 182, communicating with a circumferential groove 183 around each seal sleeve 87 so that fluid under pressure in the central passage 181 can pass around the periphery of each seal sleeve toward the ring grooves 89 in the end faces of the tree and flowline flanges. Such fluid under pressure is prevented from passing laterally outwardly from each seal sleeve by the sealing engagement of the back-up seals 180 against the end faces 31a, 55a of the treeand flowline flanges.

Fluid under pressure can pass downwardly into the body passage 181, but is prevented for passing upwardly by a check valve 185 (FIG. shiftable axially in a valve body 186 threadedly secured to the upper end of the seal body portion 94, a spring 187 urging the check valve upwardly to its closedposition against a companion valve seat 188 in the valve body, the check valve having a stem 189 extending upwardly from its head which is of a lesser diameter than the valve body passage 190 thereabove, to provide an annular flow passage therearound which communicates with lateral ports 191 in the valve body. Above such ports 191, the valve stem has a reduced diameter portion 192 slidably and sealingly mounted in the valve body, the stem extending into a counterbore 193 in the upper portion of the valve body. A protector ring 194 encompasses the valve body 186, being held in its upward position thereon by a helical spring 195, the lower end of which rests upon a valve body shoulder 196.

When the clamp and seal assembly 81 is assembled within the rotatable sleeve 139, the actuator nut 96 passes upwardly around he exterior of a stem 197 depending from the mandrel 135, the valve body 186 moving upwardly into a bore 198 in this stem and into sealed engagement with sea] rings 199 disposed on opposite sides of a mandrel groove 200 communicating with the valve body ports 191. At this time, an axial pin 201 fixed to the mandrel 135 engages the stem 192 of the check valve to shift it downwardly to open position against the force of its spring 187.

The mandrel groove 200 communicates with a test passage 202 in the mandrel, and which communicates an upper central passage 203 in the mandrel.

After the tree and

flowline hubs

31, 55 have been clamped against the intervening clamp and seal assembly 81, the effectiveness of the seals 87 can be tested by fluid pressure being imposed through the running string 83 and through a suitable dart (not shown) disposed in the mandrel passage 203, which will direct such fluid under pressure to the test passage 202, 200, from where it will flow through the valve ports 191 into the central passage 190, around the check valve 185, and then to the body passage 181 therebelow, for movement around the exterior of the seal sleeves 87 to the end faces 31a, 84a and 55a, 84b and grooves 89of the tree and

flowline flanges

31, 55. If some leak is indicated, the hydraulic motor 143 can be actuated to a further extent to force the clamp segments 100 downwardly and urge the tree and flowline flanges more firmly against the seal rings 87 and against the faces 84a, 84b of the seal body 84.

If the test indicates the absence of leaks, the fluid pressure can be relieved and the mandrel 83 elevated to lift the entire running and actuating tool mechanism 82 off the segments 100 and actuator nut 96. The removal of the mandrel stem 197 from within the nut 96 permits the spring 187 to shift the valve 185 upwardly against its seat 188, thereby closing the test passage 181. The tool 82 can be elevated to the drilling vessel, leaving the seal assembly clamped between the hubs 31, 55 (FIGS. 19,20).

The mandrel is disclosed as having a plurality of different ports 210 which can cooperate with appropriate darts (not shown) to control the passage of hydraulic fluid under pressure to the various hydraulic cylinders 120 and motor 143 of the apparatus. These, however, are not illustrated nor described since they form no part of the invention claimed in the present case.

In the event it is desired to disconnect the tree flange 31 from the flowline flange 55, the running tool and actuating mechanism 82 are lowered on the tubular running string 83 down the guide linesv 15a, 15b with the pulling bracket 115 disposed in its inward position so that it can pass over the tree flange bracket 117 and body bracket 123 over the flowline bracket 56. The apparatus is lowered until the rotatable sleeve 139 passes over the actuator nut 96, the slot 124 on the body passing over the flowline bracket 56 and the other slot 116 on the pulling bracket passing over the corresponding bracket 117 of the tree flange. The hydraulic motor 143 is then caused to rotate in a reverse direction to that previously described, the key snapping into the groove 142, thereby effecting rotation of the nut 96 to feed the nut, together with the clamp bar 97 and the segments 100 upwardly to an unclamping position, the safety bar resting from the upper ends of the tree and

flowline flanges

31, 55. Fluid under pressure is then fed into the head ends of the cylinders 120 to shift the pulling bracket 1 15 outwardly away from the seal assembly 80, the flanges 1 18 on the bracket I15 engaging under the clamp bar 97 to support the clamp segments 100 and the seal assembly 80. The running string 83 can now be elevated to elevate the mechanism connected thereto, including the clamp segments 100 and seal assembly 80, through the water and to the floating vessel.

We claim:

1. 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 con nector 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 2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

Claims

1. 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.

2. 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.

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; 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.

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; 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

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 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

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 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.