GB2176559A - Diverless flowline connection and pull-in system - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus includes means for positioning termination receptacles TR subsea with inboard flowline terminations I therein. A pull-in tool PT is lowered and latched onto receptacles TR and utilizes wire line cables (394) attached to the outboard flowline terminations (O) lying on the subsea floor to pull terminations (O) into funnels (256) in tool (PT) where they are latched, thereby eliminating further need for the cables. Thereafter, funnels (256) are hydraulically moved toward terminations (O) where an articulated bull nose (262), funnel cam (290) and alignment plates (264/266) accomplish vertical, horizontal and axial orientation leaving only horizontal translation of terminations (O) into receptacles (TR). After terminations (O) are hydraulically horizontally translated and latched in receptacles TR, tool (PT) is retrieved and a make up tool MT (Fig. 16, not shown) is lowered and locked onto receptacles TR where tool MT hydraulically removes covers (150/380) from the terminations (I and O) and places seal rings (500) between them. The tool (MT) is then hydraulically actuated to make the final connections. Thereafter, tool (MT) is removed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Diverless flowline connection and pull-in system BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method and apparatus for remotely connecting underwater flowlines, such as those used for connecting a welihead to other facilities, or to a vessel, for storage, processing and the like.

The connection of underwater flowlines to a wellhead production tree by means of apparatus lowered from the surface is taught, as an example, in the U.S. Patent 3,973,625 to Benton F. Baugh and its related patents and cited references, and in the U.S. Patent 4,329,085 to Morrill, et al and its related patents and cited references. In these patents, the flowline extending underwater (sometimes referred to as the outboard flowline), conventionally lowered from the surface by a pipe laying barge, was pulled into position by a wire line cable and then aligned and connected to the flowline (sometimes referred to as the inboard flowline) on the lowered apparatus by remotely operable hydraulic mechanisms.

The apparatus of the Baugh patent is sometimes referred to as a one trip system since the means for aligning and connecting the inboard flowlines to the outboard flowlines were lowered with the production tree and remained subsea.

The Morrill, et al system is sometimes referred to as a two trip system since a first (pull-in) tool was lowered from the surface to pull-in and align the outboard flowline with the inboard flowline and a second (make up) tool was lowered after retrieval of the pull-in tool to make the connection between the flowlines. Thereafter, the make up tool was retrieved.

The Baugh apparatus utilized a tiltable but otherwise laterally fixed funnel with an internal cam into which an articulated bull nose assembly and a mule shoe key (as part of the outboard flowline termination) were drawn by the wire line cable and hydraulic means to orient the outboard flowline termination.

Thereafter, the bull nose was latched within the funnel, and the funnel and flowline termination were tilted so that the flowline termination could be inserted into a flowline termination receptacle for connecting the two flowlines together.

The Morrill, et al system pulled an outboard flowline termination, which included a fixed bull nose, up a flowline ramp and into an articulated funnel. Hydraulic means drew the articulated funnel and the fixed bull nose into the pull-in tool without respect to axial orientation, but once inside the funnel and latched, a rack and pinion assembly was used to rotate the funnel, the bull nose and termination to bring the termination into axial orientation.

The outboard termination was however, ready for final positioning and coupling of the flowlines together.

Once the flowlines were ready to be connected in the Morrill, et al system, the pull-in tool was retrieved and a make up tool was then lowered which was equipped with a hydraulically actuated bridle arrangement which drew the two hubs into proximity and installed a seal plate therebetween. Then, rotary actuators hydraulically clamped the hubs together.

In the Baugh assembly, the flowline coupling was a rectangular flange on the inboard flowline termination which mated with a similar flange on the outboard flowline termination which were drawn and wedged together by hydraulic cylinders after a seal plate was inserted between the flanges.

The Morrill, et al system used a hub clamp type connection.

Upon a review of, and with a working knowledge of, the prior art systems, it became apparent that there was a need for an improved system even though there were a number of successful and desirable features in the old systems which could be retained, as well as a number of improvements that had to be made to provide such a new and improved system. This invention is, of course, directed to this end.

One such feature to be retained is the two tool, two trip concept.

Another feature to be retained is the articulated bull nose/mule shoe key/funnel cam means for orienting and aligning the outboard termination, which proved quite successful. It was determined that, while this alignment system worked well, larger back tension created by the larger flowlines could be greater than hydraulic power required to draw the bull nose mule shoe key into the funnel since the back tension loads and the axial orientation loads are applied simultaneously. As will be apparent hereinafter, this problem was solved by moving the funnel and its cam towards the flowline termination assembly after the cable has functioned to pull the bull nose into initial engagement within the funnel. The funnel is then stroked forward using hydraulic power only to rotate the outboard flowline termination and not working against flowline back tension.Later, in the pull-in operation, hydraulic power is used to axially move the outboard flowline termination horizontally into its receptacle, but this is done after rotational orientation has occurred. Thus, back tension loads and axial orientation loads are dealt with separately.

It was determined also that the Baugh flowline rectangular flange and wedge connections worked perfectly well for flowlines of two or three inches in diameter, but with larger and larger flowlines with larger internal pressures being used, or with lines of different dia meters being used, the separating forces gave uneven loading on the rectangular flange and wedge connection causing separation and leakage.

Another feature of the Baugh device that was found to be undesirable was the concept of the tilting funnel. Again, the increased back tension due to larger flowlines limited the axial loads that could be handled by the tilting concept. Thus, as will be seen, the tilting concept was eliminated and the system improved by hydraulically moving the funnel linearly toward the outboard flowline termination where rotational alignment can take away from interfering structures.

Another area that had to be addressed was the problem of outboard blanking cover removal. The prior art used horizontal and vertical keys which sometimes became dislodged and caused the outboard flowline to be dumped back onto the ocean floor. This problem was solved by the use of latching mechanisms, releasable hydraulically, in the outboard flowline terminations.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that this invention utilizes a non-tiltable, non-articulated funnel which cooperates with an articulated bull nose which is initially pulled in the funnel by the pull-in cable and latched by a bull nose latch. Thereafter, axial orientation is accomplished by the cooperation of the bull nose and mule shoe key operating against a cam within the funnel by hydraulically moving the funnel toward the outboard flowline termination to obtain the axial orientation without the need of linear pulling motion at the same time.

The fully stroked out funnel completes the axial orientation of the outboard flowline and provides center line coincidence leaving only the need to translate the flowline termination horizontally. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present system utilizes hydraulics always in a linear direction for the movement of heavy parts, uses less moving parts than the prior art, and with the concept of leaving the translation of the flowline termination horizontally into the termination receptacle, the entire operation is simplified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus and method of this invention comprises means for positioning one or more termination receptacles subsea with inboard flowline terminations therein, a pull-in tool which is lowered subsea and latched onto one of the flowline termination receptacles and which utilizes a wire line cable attached to one of the outboard flowline terminations lying on the subsea floor to initially pull an articulated bull nose assembly on the outboard flowline termination into a funnel on the pull-in tool where it is latched, thereby eliminating further need for the cable.Thereafter, the funnel is hydraulically moved toward the outboard flowline termination whereby the action of the articulated bull nose, a funnel cam and alignment plates accomplish vertical, horizontal and axial orientation of the outboa#rd flowline termination leaving only horizontal translation of the outboard flowline termination into the respective flowline termination receptacle.

After the outboard flowline termination is hydraulically horizontally translated and latched in the flowline flowline termination receptacle, the pull-in tool is retrieved and a make up tool is lowered and locked onto the flowline termination receptacle. Means on the make up tool hydraulically removes the blanking covers from the inboard and outboard terminations, places a seal ring therebetween, and then hydraulically pulls the hubs of the flowline terminations together to make the final flowline connection. After this latter step, the make up tool is removed.

The foregoing can be accomplished with or without the production tree being present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a typical situation where a flowline connection is made between an inboard flowline and an outboard flowline; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the flowline alignment module of this invention; Figure 3 is an elevational view of the flowline alignment module of Fig. 2, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the running tool of this invention shown on top of the flowline alignment module of Fig. 2; Figure 5 is an elevational view, partially broken away and taken along line 5-5 of Fig.

4, to show the details of the running tool and the means of connecting it to the flowline alignment module; Figure 6 is a top plan view, in cross-section, of the inboard flowline termination subassembly with protective cover (blanking plate); Figure 7 is an elevational view of the inboard termination assembly and blanking cover, taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6; Figures 8A and 8B together are exploded perspective views of parts of the pull-in tool and the outboard flowline termination assembly; Figure 8C is an enlarged view of the latching mechanism in the area of the arrow 8C in Fig. 8B; Figure 9 is a top plan view, in cross-section, showing the outboard hub and blanking cover taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 14; Figure 10 is a perspective view, partially broken away and enlarged over Fig. 8A, to show the details of the funnel subassembly; ; Figure 11 is a perspective view of part of Fig. 8A and enlarged to show the details of the mechanism for locking the bull nose latch subassembly in position; Figures 12, 13A and 13B are perspective views of part of Fig. 8A and enlarged to show the details of the latching mechanism for retaining the outboard termination subassembly within the inboard flowline termination receptacle; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the outboard flowline termination subassembly; Figures 15A-15E are illustrations to show the sequence of operations of the pull-in tool and outboard flowline termination subassembly; Figures 16A and 16B together are exploded views of parts of the make up tool; Figure 17 is an elevational view of the blanking cover removal and seal plate insertion mechanism showing the seal plate installed therein;; Figures 18 and 19 are perspective views of the blanking cover removal mechanism of the blanking cover removal and seal plate insertion mechanism; Figure 20 is a perspective view of part of the blanking cover removal mechanism as it cooperates with the outboard flowline blanking cover; Figures 21 and 22 are elevational views of the seal plate insertion assembly with Fig. 21 being taken along line 21-21 of Fig. 17, but with the seal plate omitted and Fig. 22 showing the prongs expanded to release the seal plate; Figure 23 is an end view, in section, illustrating the seal plate positioned on the inboard hub; Figure 24 is a top cross-sectional view, taken along line 24-24 of Fig. 23; Figures 25A-E are illustrations showing the sequence of operations of the make up tool and the flowline connection; and Figures 26 and 27 show the details of the make up of the flowline connection, similar to Fig. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 illustrates a typical situation where the invention is used. A subsea well W on the floor of a body of water was drilled, casing hung and cemented through a temporary guide base or mud mat MM. A flowline alignment module AM was lowered from a floating rig or vessel V, a ship or, as shown, semi-submersible, by guide lines GL and connected to the mud mat MM. A barge B is used t lower the outboard flowlines FL with an outboard flowline termination assembly 0 and part of the flowline buoyed by floating gear FG near the well W.

Now in more detail, each of the subassem blies which make up this invention will be first described in detail and then their interrelation and operation will be described.

An overview of this invention, however, can be seen to comprise: a mud mat MM (Figs. 3 and 5); a flowline alignment module AM (Figs. 1-5) having flowline termination receptacles TR (Figs. 1-4, 8B, partially shown in Figs.

11-13B, 15A-15E, 16B, and 25A-25E) with an inboard flowline termination subassembly I (Figs. 2-4, 6, 7, 8B, 15A-15E, 16B, 23, 24, 25A-25E, 26 and 27); a running tool RT (Figs. 4 and 5) to lower the flowline alignment module AM onto the mud mat MM; a pull-in tool PT (Figs. 8A and 8B, 10, 13A, 13B, 15A-15E) to align outboard termination subassemblies 0 (Figs. 1, 8A and 8B, 15A-15E, partially shown in 16B, 25A-25E, and 27) and pull them into the flowline termination receptacles TR, and a make up tool MT (Figs. 16A and 16B, 17-23, 25A-25E, 26 and 27) connect the inboard and outboard flowline hubs to complete the flowline connections.

Mud Mat-MM The mud mat MM, or a temporary guide base, is the first piece of subsea equipment used in a floating drilling operation and through which the drilling and cementing operations are carried out and used as a reference for such operations. The mud mat MM is a relatively flat structure 10 (shown mainly as a reference line in Figs. 3, et seq) with a plurality of short vertical guide posts 12 to which the guidelines GL are attached, and is secured to the floor of the ocean or other body of water. These guidelines GL are connected to the rig V on the surface and are used for guiding subsequently used equipment for the drilling and completion operations. As more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the mud mat MM also has a central opening 16 provided with a funnel 20 (conical shaped landing ring) for landing a gimbal 22.Gimbal 22 is attached to an outer wellhead housing 24, conventionally 30" in diameter, so as to extend the wellhead housing above the mud mat surface to allow coupling of the wellhead to the flowline alignment module AM to be described.

This wellhead housing 24 is thus shown to include gimbal 22 and alignment ribs 26 set in the funnel 20 of the mud mat MM and extending upwardly with a connector dog profile 30 (circumferential grooves) on its outer surface near the mouth 32 of the wellhead housing 24. Also shown in drawings is the smaller high pressure wellhead 34.

The establishment of the wellhead housing 24 is one of the first steps in the make up of the flowline connection.

Flowline Alignment Module-AM The flowline alignment module AM is a base 40, shown flat and rectangular, having a centrally located downwardly opening with a funnel 42, as more clearly shown in Fig. 5, to stab over the wellhead housing 24. Inner cylindrical wall 44, defining the opening, has a plurality of windows 46 through which locking dogs 50 move in response to downward movement of a cam retainer ring 52 by actua tion of hydraulic cylinders 54 of the running tool RT to latch the base 40 to the wellhead housing 24 of the mud mat MM. The cam retainer ring 52 is provided with vertical posts 56 and may be provided with vertical lock screws 60 which are actuated by the hydraulic actuators 62 on the running tool.

The alignment module AM is suitably spaced from the mud mat MM to accommodate the funnel 42, etc., and is, of course, landed on the mud mat MM with the assistance of the running tool RT attached to the alignment module AM by J-lugs 64 engaging J-slots 66 in an outer cylindrical housing 70 enclosing the cam retainer ring 52 and locking dogs 50 in the alignment module. The alignment module also has guide posts 72 for the guidelines GL which stab over the shorter guide posts 12 of the mud mat and is adjusted horizontally by jack screws 74.

The alignment module is a support plate for flowline termination receptacles TR. When the alignment module is prepared for landing on the mud mat, these receptacles each contain an inboard termination subassembly I. The inboard termination subassemblies are connected to inboard flowlines 76 which are of different diameters, are looped around the outer housing 70 of the wellhead connection of the module and connected to vertical flowline terminations or stabs 80. The flowlines 76 are also releasably connected by a hose bracket 82 near the termination receptacles TR to hold the termination subassemblies in a retracted position. The hose bracket is hydraulically actuated to release the flowlines 76 at the appropriate times.In this retracted position, the inboard termination subassemblies are held near or against inserts 86 which close a pair of horizontal slots 90 in the termination receptacles TR. In this position also, the flowlines 76 are held back against their natural bias to straighten, or unloop, so that their release will move the termination subassemblies forward of their retracted position.

The alignment module AM is completely free of the completion tree, and is run prior to the tree. The flowline connection can be made before or after the tree is in place since the tree flowlines are connectable to the vertical stabs 80.

It is pointed out also that the larger of the flowlines 76 is a single tube, although the flowline may be a sleeve or envelope for several tubes which may be connected within the termination receptacle at the time the inboard and outboard termination subassemblies are connected together.

Running Tool-RT The running tool RT for running and landing the flowline alignment module AM onto the mud mat MM comprises a guide frame 100 with two, pivotally connected, radially extending arms 102 terminating in funnels 104 which cooperate with two of the guidelines GL to guide the running tool RT and flowline alignment module AM to the mud mat MM.

The running tool RT is also provided with a drill pipe connection 106 for lowering the running tool RT and attached flowline alignment module AM by drill pipe.

The guide frame 100 is a cylindrical downwardly opening housing 110 with the radially inwardly extending J-lugs 64 to latch into the J-slots 66 in the alignment module housing 70. The pivotal connection of the arms 102 comprises a band 112 slideable within groove 114 in the housing 110. Pegs 116 limit the movement of the arms yet allow enough rotation of the housing by the drill pipe so that the J-lugs can be rotated to connect and disconnect (J and un-J) the J-lugs relative to the J-slots.

The guide frame 110 is also provided with the vertically positioned hydraulic lock cylinders 54, to move the posts 56 attached to the cam retainer ring 52 to engage/disengage the lock dogs 50 and wellhead housing 24.

The guide frame also may contain the actuators 62 to rotate the lock screws 50 engaging the cam retainer ring 60 to lock the cam retainer ring in the dog lock position. Both the locking cylinders and hydraulic actuators are releasably connected to the posts and lock screws. The running tool is also provided with a hydraulic junction box 120 containing hoses to connect the hydraulic cylinders and actuators to a source of high pressure fluid on the rig.

The running tool RT is releasably attached to the flowline alignment module, prior to running, by J-ing the J-lugs into the J-slots and, after the arms 104 and funnels the posts 72 on the alignment module are strung with the guidelines GL and the drill pipe attached to the drill pipe connection, the alignment module AM is lowered onto the mud mat by the running tool. Once the alignment module AM is suitably aligned and leveled, the lock cylinders and hydraulic motors are actuated to lower the cam retainer ring 52 and to urge the locking dogs 50 into engagement with the profile 30 on the wellhead housing 24 thereby locking the alignment module onto the wellhead housing and mud mat. With this operation completed, the running tool is rotated slightly to un-J the J-lugs form the J-slots and the running tool is retrieved to the surface by the drill pipe.

A similar connector for latching a frame to a guide base utilizing dogs actuated by a ring into engagement with a wellhead profile is shown and described in the U.S. Patent No.

4,387,771 to Jones. This Patent also shows a mud mat (temporary guide base) with guide posts, as well as a typical threaded box for connecting the connector to drill pipe. See also the U.S. Patent No. 3,321,217 to Ahis- tone for a similar coupling to a wellhead pro file.

Inboard Termination Subassemblies-l Figs. 6 and 7 show that each of the inboard termination assemblies I comprises an inner tubular member 130 telescoped over the inboard flowline 76, the latter terminating in a flange or hub 132. Telescoped over the tubular member 130 is a positioning sleeve 134 and an actuating collar 136. A plurality of fingers 140, spring biased outwardly and spaced from the hub 132, are attached to one end of the positioning sleeve 134. The other end of the positioning sleeve 134 is provided with a flanged ring portion 142 extending outwardly beyond the actuating collar 136. The actuating collar is provided with a pair of radially outwardly extending ears 144 which are inserted in the horizontal slots 90 of the termination receptacle TR before the inserts 86 are positioned to close the ends of the slots 90.The face of the hub 132 is provided with a plurality of axially extending seal plate retainer pins 146 (three shown) for holding an inboard blanking cover 150. This blanking cover 150 is provided with downwardly opening slots 152 to receive the retainer pins 146, but allow the blanking cover to be removed from the hub vertically. The main body portion 154 of the blanking cover is sized to cover the opening in the hub and is provided with a narrow neck portion 156 which defines a Tshaped extension 160 which will be used to lift the blanking cover off the hub. The neck portion 156 is slotted at 162 so that one end of a centrally pivoted spring actuated latch 164, within the blanking cover, may be engaged. The other end of the latch locks onto the lower one of the retainer pins 164.With the upper end of the latch extending through the slot 162, engagement thereof will pivot the latch to disengage the one pin 164 to allow the blanking cover to be removed. How the blanking covers are removed and the inboard and outboard flowlines are connected by the make up tool MT will be described later.

Flowline Termination Receptacle-TR Although the flowline alignment module AM contains two identical flowline termination receptacles TR, for simplicity only one will be described now and in connection with one pull-in tool and one make up tool. (It should be apparent that one pull-in tool and one make up tool is necessary for each flowline termination receptacle; each tool being run separately.) The flowline termination receptacle TR (Figs.

8B and 16B) is an oblong parallelepiped with two side walls 170 and a bottom wall 172 and is open at the top and at the two ends.

The two parallel side walls contain the horizontal inboard hub slots 90 which open at the back to allow insertion of ears 144 of the inboard flowline termination assembly I, after which the back ends of the slots are closed by the inserts 86, to prevent withdrawal of the ears.

In horizontal alignment with the two inboard slots 90 are two horizontal outboard termination slots 174 open at the front end of the receptacle to receive ears 176 on each side of the outboard flowline termination assembly 0.

Immediately behind the front end of the side walls are two vertical latches 180 slideable in vertical grooves 182, and hydraulically actuated to latch the outboard termination subassembly 0 into the flowline termination receptacle TR after being received therein.

Near the top of each of the outside side walls 170 are two horizontally aligned blind latch grooves 184 to receive latches contained in both the pull-in tool PT and make up tool MT to latch the respective tools in place on the flowline termination receptacle TR.

The top edge of the side walls 170 are notched as at 186 to receive anti-shear blocks on the make up tool MT to handle the forces of the hydraulic actuators which will pull the two aligned parts of the inboard and outboard termination subassemblies together to make the final connection of the inboard and outboard flowlines.

Pull-in Tool-PT The pull-in tool PT comprises a guide frame 190 (Fig. 8A) made up of box frame members with four vertical posts or legs 192 for landing on the flowline alignment module AM. The number and location of the box frame members are arranged to give integrity to the structure and the guide frame 190 is provided with two funnel guidances 194 which cooperate with two of the guidelines GL for lowering alignment with the flowline alignment module. A sheave 196 is rotatably mounted at the back end of the guide frame for the cable pull-in function of the tool to be described.

Like the previously described running tool RT, this tool is also provided with a similar drill pipe connection 106 for attaching drill pipe thereto for lowering the tool onto the flowline alignment module AM.

Mounted within the guide frame is a main frame subassembly 200, which houses a funnel subassembly 202 (Figs. 8A & 7) and a bull nose latch subassembly 204 for cooperation with the flowline carrier subassembly 206 of the outboard termination assembly 0.

The main frame subassembly 200 (Fig. 8B) encompasses a funnel subassembly 202 and a bull nose latch subassembly 206 and, as shown, is an oblong parallelepiped with two spaced apart side walls 210, a back wall 212, and a bottom wall 214. The main frame su bassembly is open at the front end and the latter is provided with a pair of downwardly extending legs 216. As more clearly shown in Figs. 13A and 13B, these legs 216 contain two pairs of vertical oriented cylinders 220 and 222 to actuate the latches 180 on the flowline termination receptacle TR after the ears 176 of the outboard flowline termination assembly 0 are received in the horizontal notches 174. Each pair of cylinders has one cylinder offset from the other and connected to a latching mechanism 224. This latching mechanism comprises two brackets 226 and 230 pivotally connected by pin 232.Bracket 226 moves vertically in response to cylinder 220 while the other bracket pivots in response to cylinder 222 which is also pivoted onto cylinder 222 and pivotally connected to bracket 230 to engage the under surface of a tab extension 234 on the vertical latch 180.

This will allow cylinders 220 and 222 to raise the latch 180 as well as to lower the latch to lock the ears 176 of the outboard termination assembly in the flowline termination receptacle TR. The side walls are spaced apart enough to slide over the outer surfaces of the side walls of the flowline termination receptacle TR on the alignment module AM. Fig. 11 also shows the downwardly extending anti-shear block 246 which engage the notches 186 in the flowline termination receptacle TR.

The funnel subassembly 202 (Figs. 8A & BR< 10) includes a plurality of spaced apart transverse cross braces (three shown at 240, 242 and 244) which extend between spaced parallel I-beams 246. The I-beams 246 face the respective inner surfaces of side walls 210 and form a track for sliding movement of the funnel subassembly 202 on a pair of guides 250 positioned on the inside surface of the side walls 210 of the main frame subassembly 200. The short top wall 252 on the funnel subassembly 202 (Figs. 6A & 7) is slotted as at 254 to accommodate the sheave 196 when the funnel subassembly in fully retracted position.

The funnel subassembly also includes an elongated tubular member 256 and a conical front opening or mouth 260. This mouth guides the bull nose subassembly 262 into the mid portion of the funnel tubular member 256 and terminates coincident with the outer face 264 of the front cross brace 240. This face serves to align an outboard flowline termination alignment plate 266 after the bull nose subassembly 262 is pulled into the funnel subassembly and latched. The alignment plate and the bull nose assembly are both part of the flowline carrier 270.

A horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinder 272 is located above the funnel tubular member 256 and will move a pin 274 through a bore in the face 264 to enter a bore 276 in the alignment plate 266 to ensure axial alignment between the face 262 and the alignment plate 266. Means, such as an additional pin or flag (not shown), on the alignment plate which is actuated on entry of this pin 274 in the bore 276 to signal the rig operator that the alignment plate is in the desired position.

Immediately behind the latter cylinder 272 is a vertically disposed cylinder 280 which will actuate a pin 282 to enter a bore 284 in a bull nose 286 to latch the bull nose 286 into the bull nose latch subassembly 204 when pulled into the funnel subassembly. Within the funnel tubular member is a cam 290 with its widest opening facing the mouth 260 and narrows near the mid portion of the funnel tubular member- and will orient the outboard flowline termination 0. The cam 290 and its alignment function within the funnel subassembly is similar to the cam and bull nose alignment operation in the U.S. Patent No.

3,973,625, supra, except# in this case the cam moves to the outboard termination assembly, whereas in the patented system, the cam was stationary.

The bull nose latch subassembly 204 comprises a short tubular member 292 of an outer diameter to allow it to telescope within the funnel tubular member 256 and is provided with a conical opening (throat) 294 to receive the tapered end of the bull nose 286. Immediately behind the-throat 294, the tubular member 292 is provided with a latch 296 which is biased by a spring 300 radially inwardly and will be actuated radially outwardly when the bull nose enters the throat. The spring 300 will urge the latch 296 inwardly to lock the bull nose therein. This tubular member is also provided with a slot 302 on its upper surface to accommodate the sheave 196 when the funnel subassembly and bull nose latch subassembly are retracted in the guide frame.The tubular member 292 is also provided with a downwardly extending leg 304 slideable within and guided by an elongated slot 306 (Fig. 11) in the funnel tubular member and a slot 310 in the bottom wall 312 of the main frame subassembly (Fig. 8B). The slots allow independent movement of the bull nose latch assembly relative to the funnel subassembly.

The downwardly extending leg 304 is provided with a horizontal bore 314 to receive a locking pin 316 actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 320 located transverse the movement of the funnel subassembly and bull nose latch subassembly.

To latch the main frame subassembly 200 onto the flowline termination receptacle TR, a pair of horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinders 322 are positioned on the outer surfaces of the two side walls 210 and attached to slideable toggles 324 which engage ears 326 (for clarity enlarged in Fig. 8C) on a pair of latches 330 pivoted for engagement in the blind slots 184 on the termination receptacle TR.

The main frame subassembly also contains a pair of horizontally disposed hydraulic funnel actuating cylinders 340 which move the funnel subassembly laterally, i.e. forward and a pair of vertical cylinders cylinders 344 which engage slots (not shown) in the main frame subassembly to maintain the funnel in a predetermined position midway of its fully retracted and fully extended position.

The front end of the guide frame subassembly has two enclosures 350 (Fig. 8A) which contain the four vertical cylinders 220 and 222 used to lock the outboard flowline termination subassembly 0 in the flowline termination receptacle TR.

Finally, funnel subassembly 202 is provided with a pair of horizontally disposed cylinders 354 (only one shown in phantom in Fig. 10), one on each side of the funnel tubular member, which actuate release pins 356 through bores 360 on the face 264 to enter similarly situated bores 362 in the alignment plate 266.

These latter pins will disengage (release) the flowline carrier subassembly 270 when desired.

Outboard Flowline Termination-O The outboard flowline termination 0 comprises a hollow main receptacle (oblong parallelepiped) 370 containing a first or carrier latch sub-receptacle 372 for a flowline carrier latch 374, and a second or blanking cover subreceptacle 376 for a blanking cover 380 for an outboard hub 382 (Fig. 9) disposed within the flowline termination. Both sub-receptacles are open at the top and a flowline sub 384 extends from the outboard hub 382 longitudinally of the main receptacle and outwardly where it is connected to the outboard flowline by any suitable connector. The main receptacle is divided into two compartments by a horizontal wall 386 which separates the two sub- receptacles from the compartment containing the flowline sub 384.

The flowline carrier subassembly 270 comprises the bull nose 286 articulately connected, via a universal joint 390, to the vertical alignment plate 266 for alignment with the funnel subassembly 202. The bull nose is tubular and provided with a tapered nose 392 to facilitate entrance into the funnel subassembly and is of a diameter to be received also within the bull nose latch assembly 204. The bull nose is also connected to a wire line 394 which is strung through the funnel subassembly and over the sheave 196 for pulling the bull nose into the funnel subassembly. The bull nose is provided with a shoulder 396 formed by a reduced portion which interacts with the spring actuated latch 296 on the bull nose latch assembly to lock the bull nose within the latch assembly.A generally triangularly shaped alignment cam or "mule shoe key" 400 on the top of the bull nose interacts with the funnel cam 290 within the funnel subassembly and the universal joint 390 allows vertical, horizontal and axial alignment of the outboard flowline termination when the funnel is extended to engage the flowline alignment plate.

The cooperation of the bull nose with the bull nose latch assembly, and the mule shoe key/funnel cam interaction within the funnel, is similar to the pull-in mechanism of the U.S.

Patent to Baugh No. 3,973,625, supra, and attention is specifically directed to Figs. 12, 13 and 14 thereof. The difference between the two systems lies in the action of the funnel subassembly, as mentioned before.

The bull nose 286 and alignment plate 266 are positioned above the main receptacle 370 by a pair of triangular struts 402 which connect the alignment plate 266 to the carrier latch 374, sometimes called a termination release mechanism. The termination release mechanism 374 comprises a small, opensided, box capable of being received within the first sub-receptacle 372 with radially outwardly extending latch lugs 406 (four shown) axially slideable within the box. The box and lugs are insertable in the first receptacle 372 between inwardly extending fingers 410 formed in the top wall forming the opening for the first sub-receptacle 372 in the main receptacle 370. The lugs 406 are moveable forward, i.e., slideable towards the blanking cover receptacle 376 to be locked beneath the fingers and within the sub-receptacle.

These slideable lugs 406 are connected by a slide bar 412, located between the struts 402, to a horizontal cross bar 414 located immediately behind the alignment plate. This horizontal cross bar 414 extends outwardly beyond the struts through slots 416 and is spaced from the back of the alignment plate 266 when inserted into the receptacle 372 and moveable toward the alignment plate when latched in the receptacle 372. The cross bar 414 is moveable by the hydraulically actuated pins 356 within the funnel assembly when the alignment plate 266 is abutting the funnel face 264. This slides the lugs 406 free of the fingers 410 to allow the carrier subassembly 270 to be withdrawn from the main receptacle 372.

As shown in Figs. 8B, 9 and 20, the blanking cover 380, seated within the second or blanking cover receptacle 376, comprises a horseshoe shaped wall 420 which straddles the outboard hub 382 and is spaced from a front wall 422 which covers the opening in the outboard hub. A spring actuated detents (pins) 424 disposed within bores 426 in the blanking cover and engageable in bore 430 (one shown) in the main receptacle 370 releasably retains the blanking cover with the blanking cover receptacle 376. The top of the blanking cover is also provided with a pair of openings 432 used by the make up tool to withdraw the detent 426 and to withdraw the cover. The blanking cover is released by the make up tool in an operation to be described.

Preferably, the outboard flowline termination subassembly 0 and part of the outboard flowline is provided with floatation gear 444 (Figs. 1 and 15A-15E) to facilitate its movement when pulled by the wire line (pull-in cable) towards the pull-in tool.

As mentioned generally in connection with Fig. 1, the outboard flowline termination subassembly 0 is made up on the surface, usually in the flowline barge B. As shown in Fig.

14, the carrier subassembly latch 374 is disposed in the first receptacle 372 and latched.

The blanking cover 380 is inserted into the second sub-receptacle 376 with its horseshoe plate 420 straddling the outboard hub 382 and the front plate 422 covering the flowline opening. The flowline sub 384 is attached to the flowline FL by a suitable connector and the carrier assembly bull nose 262 is latched to the wire line (pull-in cable) 394. Also, preferably, the floatation gear is attached in any suitable manner to the outboard flowline termination subassembly 0 and to part of the flowline and the entire subassembly is then lowered to the sea bottom with the pull-in cable 394 being held, by a tether, on the barge B.When the flowline termination subassembly 0 is properly oriented, the pull-in cable or tether is transferred to the vessel moon pool where the pull-in cable is threaded through the funnel subassembly 202 and over the sheave 196 and attached to a suitable tugger which will be manipulated as the flowline alignment module AM is lowered to the mud mat MM. After the connection of the flowline alignment module AM to the mud mat MM, and its running tool RT is released and withdrawn, the pull-in tool PT is then lowered and latched onto the flowline termination receptacle TR and the outboard flowline termination is ready to be pull into the flowline termination receptacle RT. The sequence of this latter operation will now be described.

Horizontal Pull-in Tool Sequence Figs. 15A-E show the sequence of the operation of the pull-in tool PT.

Fig. 15A shows the pull-in tool PT as having landed on the flowline alignment module AM and latched to the flowline termination receptacle TR with the pull-in cable 394 connected through the funnel subassembly 202 to the bull nose subassembly. Prior to the position shown in this figure, the funnel subassembly 202 was hydraulically stroked fully out by the horizontal funnel actuating cylinders 340, the vertical funnel positioning cylinders 344 were actuated to engage slots (not shown), the funnel subassembly 202 was then retracted to a mid position determined by the funnel positioning cylinders 344 and the cooperating slots, the bull nose latch pin 316 was actuated by cylinder 320 to lock the bull nose latch subassembly in position, the funnel position cylinders retracted, and the funnel subassembly was then retracted to its original or fully retracted position as shown.The tool is then ready for the pull-in operation.

Fig. 15B shows the operation of the pull-in cable 394 pulling the bull nose 286 and mule shoe key 400 assembly into the funnel subassembly. At this time, the vertical cylinder 280 is actuated to urge pin 282 into the bore 284 in the bull nose assembly and the bull nose latch subassembly, being pinned against movement by latch pin 316 holds the bull nose 286 and mule shoe key 400 stationary.

The universal joint connection 390 is still functional as such.

The funnel subassembly is in the intermediate position in this step of the pull-in sequence.

Fig. 15C shows the manner in which the flowline termination and blanking cover assembly are oriented. The funnel is, again, hydraulically stroked fully out by the cylinders 340 so that the face 264 engages the alignment plate 266. With this action, the funnel cam 290 functioning with the mule shoe key 400 orients the flowline carrier termination subassembly vertically, horizontally, and axially. In this position, the outboard flowline termination ears 176 are in line with the slots 174 on the flowline termination receptacle TR.

Also, in this position the cylinder 272 is actuated so that pin 274 will enter the bore 276 in the alignment plate signaling the correct alignment of the outboard flowline termination subassembly 0.

Fig. 15D shows the flowline termination subassembly translated horizontally by retraction of the funnel subassembly by hydraulic cylinders 340 into the flowline termination receptacle TR and hydraulically latched therein by the latching mechanism 224. Before the funnel subassembly was retracted, however, the bull nose latch pin 316 was retracted to unlatch the bull nose latch subassembly at its mid position, and the funnel positioning cylinders 344 were also retracted to allow the funnel subassembly to retract.

Fig. 15E shows the last step in the function of the pull-in tool. The carrier subassembly 270 is released by hydraulically extending release pins 356 through the bores 362 in the alignment plate 266 to urge the ears 414 and lugs 406 backward to free the carrier subassembly of the fingers 410 in the termination receptacle 370. The cylinders 322 of the cylinder/latch/ear assemblies 324-330 are actuated to unlatch the assembly from the latch grooves 184. The pull-in tool and carrier assembly are then retrieved, ready for the make up tool.

The foregoing sequence illustrates the improvement of this pull-in tool and its operation over the prior art. The funnel subassembly is hydraulically moved out to obtain orientation of the outboard flowline termination subassembly 0 without the need for any linear pullin function which eliminates the load which might otherwise be applied to the pull-in cable. With the bull nose latched and the funnel hydraulically stroked out, all orientation, vertical, horizontal and axial, have been accomplished so that the last step is simply a translation of the outboard hub flowline termination subassembly horizontally into its flowline termination receptacle. This linear type hydraulic operation eliminates the off center type pull-in required in the prior art and which placed additional loads on hydraulic cylinders.

Another important feature is that until the very last step, i.e., the translation of the outboard flowline termination into its receptacle TR, the entire steps, including the latching of the flowline alignment module AM onto the mud mat MM, can be aborted if defects, such as leakage in the inboard flowlines and their connectors, have been discovered.

Make Up Tool-MT The make up tool MT is shown in Figs.

16A, et seq, and includes a guide frame assembly 440 made up of box frame elements 190 and includes a pair of funnel guidances 194 to cooperate with guide lines 14, a centrally located drill pipe connection 106 for connecting the tool to drill pipe, and four vertical legs 192 for landing on the flowline alignment module AM. Since the box frame elements, funnel guidance, drill pipe connection and vertical legs are so similar to those of the pull-in tool PT, they were given the same reference numbers. Like the pull-in tool PT, the number and location of the box frame members 190 are arranged to give integrity to the structure.

When this tool MT is run and landed on the flowline alignment module AM, the outboard flowline termination hub subassembly 0 has been latched within the flowline termination receptacle TR and the flowline carrier subassembly 270 has been removed along with the pull-in tool PT.

Within the guide frame assembly 440 is a main frame subassembly 442 which includes a flowline connector lock bridle subassembly 444, a flowline connector horseshoe stroke frame assembly 446, and a blanking cover retrieval and seal plate insertion assembly 450, all of which are hydraulically actuatable for the purpose of making the final connection between the inboard flowline 76 and outboard flowline FL within the flowline termination receptacle TR.

The main frame subassembly 442 has two parallel side walls 452 and a top wall 454.

The side walls 452 are spaced apart enough to slide over the outer surfaces of the side walls of the flowline termination receptacle TR on the alignment module AM. The top wall 454 has two spaced apart large rectangular openings 456 and 460. Opening 456 is a work opening for the horseshoe stroke frame assembly 446 and the other opening 460 is a work opening for the blanking cover and seal plate insertion assembly 450. The outside walls 452 are provided with cylinder/latch/ toggle/ear assemblies 322-330 to engage the horizontal blind latch grooves 184 to latch the main frame subassembly onto the inboard flowline termination receptacle TR.

The flowline connector lock bridle assembly 444 comprises a pair of spaced apart channel members 462, each on a pair of horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinders 464 and 466 within pairs of elongated covers 470 and 472 attached to the outside surface of the side walls 452 of the main frame subassembly 442. The channel members 462 open toward each other and are adapted to engage the ears 144 on the inboard termination subassembly I, which extend through slots 90 in the flowline termination receptacle. (See Figs.

26 and 27.) The flowline connector horseshoe stroke frame subassembly 446 comprises two 1- beam members 474 which engage a horseshoe shaped plate 476 located transverse the side walls 452 of the main frame subassembly 442. This horseshoe plate is downwardly opening and extends into the first opening 456 in the top wall 454 to engage the ring portion 142 of the positioning sleeve 134 on the inboard hub termination subassembly. The l-beams are connected to a pair of horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinders 480 attached by anchors 482 to the top wall 454 of the main frame assembly for actuation of the horseshoe plate and positioning sleeve at the appropriate time.

The blanking cover retrieval and seal plate insertion assembly 450 comprises a box-like rectangular downwardly opening frame with two side walls 486 and an inside wall 488 dividing the inside of the frame into two downwardly opening bins 490 and 492. The first bin 490 encloses a vice (claw) mechanism 494 for engaging and retrieving the blanking covers 150 and 380 on both the inboard hub and outboard hub, respectively.

The second bin 492 encloses a seal plate positioning mechanism 496 and a seal plate 500. As shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the vice mechanism 494 comprises a pair of vertically spaced apart side walls 502 horizontally interconnected by telescoping slide mechanisms 504. The side walls have two pair of opposed radially inwardly extending fingers 506 and 510 and a pair of opposed rectangular radially inwardly extending boxes (stirrups) 512. The fingers 510 and stirrups 512 are spaced apart laterally a distance equal to the distance between the inboard and outboard blanking covers as positioned in the flowline termination receptacle TR. The vice mechanism 494 is movable downwardly out of the bin 490 and through the opening 460 by a vertically disposed hydraulic cylinder 514.As shown in Fig. 20, this downward movement causes the fingers 506 to enter the top openings 432 in the outboard blanking cover and places the stirrups 512 opposite the neck portion 156 of the inboard blanking cover 150 (Fig. 7). The side walls 502 are movable in a vice-like fashion by a horizontally disposed hydraulic cylinder 516 connected thereto to move the fingers 506 within the top openings 432 and withdraw the detent 424 from the bore 430 in the receptacle 376 to allow the outboard blanking cover to be removed. As shown in Fig. 20, this movement of the detent is accomplished by one of the fingers 506 engaging shoulders 520 and urging the detent pin against the bias of a spring 522. When in this position also, both fingers 506 will engage the underside wall adjacent the openings 432 to lift the blanking cover 380 when desired.The other fingers 510 engage the forward wall 422 of the blanking cover 380 to prevent tilting of the blanking cover after the latter is lifted out of the blanking cover receptacle 376. At the same time the detents are being withdrawn from the bore 430, the stirrups 512 overlap the neck portion 156 of the inboard blanking cover 150 and engage the pivoted latch 164 urging the latter to release the lower pin 146 by moving the latch to the position shown in phantom in Fig. 7. When in this position also, both stirrups 512 will engage the underside of the extension 160 to lift the blanking cover 150 when desired.

Thus, retraction of the vice mechanism by the retraction of the cylinder 514 will withdraw the two blanking covers into the bin 490.

After the blanking covers have been withdrawn in the bin 490, the entire blanking cover and seal plate positioned assembly 450 is moved laterally by a hydraulic cylinder 526 attached thereto and to the top plate 454 (Fig. 16B) to place the second bin 492, seal plate positioning mechanism 496 and seal plate 500 over the opening 460, more specifically, positioning the seal plate positioning mechanism 496 and seal plate 500 directly over the inboard hub pins 146.

The seal plate positioning mechanism 496 comprises a first or main body member 530 (Figs. 21-23), approximately the thickness of the seal plate 500 with a pair of tongs 532 pivotally connected thereto. The outer sides of the main body member 530 are grooved as at 534 sufficiently deep to permit the tongs to pivot about the pivot pins 536. A sleeve 540 surrounds the main body member and the tongs and moves relative thereto to actuate the tongs inwardly and outwardly. This inward and outward movement is accomplished by vertical movement of the sleeve 540 in response to a first vertical hydraulic cylinder 542 attached to the sleeve to provide relative movement of the sleeve and first body. This relative movement causes the inner walls of the sleeve to engage knobs S 4 on each of the prongs thus pivoting the prongs outwardly.When the positioning mechanism 496 is within the second bin 492, the seal plate 500 is retained by the tongs 532 with the sleeve 540 in its lowermost position. In this position the pair of radially inwardly extending fingers 546 on the lower end of the tongs are received in a pair of radial notches 548 in the seal plate. At the same time, a downwardly extending positioning probe 560 on the main body member is positioned notch 562 in the seal plate. This is the position of the seal plate and positioning mechanism while within the second bin 492. The seal plate positioning mechanism 496 and seal plate 500 are then lowered from the second bin by a second vertical hydraulic cylinder 564 and positions the seal plate 500 on the retainer pins 146 on the inboard hub.Thereafter, the first cylinder 542 pulls the sleeve upwardly relative to the first body member pivoting the tongs 532 outwardly, shown in phantom in Fig. 23, to release the prongs of the seal plate. With the seal plate thus positioned on the hub and free of the seal plate positioning mechanism, the seal plate positioning mechanism is then retracted into the second bin by the second cylinder 564.

As to the seal plate 500 itself, it is a ring structure as shown in Figs. 23 and 24 with a central opening 566 and contains a pair of Vring metallic seal rings 570 located in suitable grooves 572 on each face of the seal plate.

These seals expand when engaged by the faces of the inboard and outboard hubs to form a fluid tight connection.

Horizontal Make Up Tool Sequence Figs. 25A-E illustrate the sequence of the operation of the make up tool MT.

Fig. 25A shows the make up tool MT having landed on the flowline alignment module AM and latched to the flowline termination receptacle TR. The main frame subassembly 442 is connected hydraulically to the flowline termination receptacle TR by the hydraulic cylinder actuated latching mechanisms which latch into the horizontal blind slots 184. This latching mechanism is the same as that described in connection with the pull-in tool, delineated by reference numerals 320-330. The lock bridle assembly 444 is in engagement with the ears 144, and the horseshoe stroke frame subassembly 446 surrounds and contains the positioning sleeve 142 of the inboard flowline termination subassembly I. Both flowline termination assemblies I and 0 are disposed within the flowline termination receptacle TR, the seal plate 500 is within the seal plate bin 492, both blanking covers are still on their respective hubs, and the hydraulic cylinders 464/466 and 480 for the flowline connector lock bridle assembly and the flowline connector horseshoe stroke frame assembly, respectively, are fully stroked out.

Fig. 25B shows the two blanking covers having been removed and withdrawn into the blanking cover bin 490 and the seal plate 500 still in the seal plate bin 490, but the entire insertion subassembly 450 has been moved hydraulically to the second position for the next step of hydraulically lowering the seal plate 500 onto the inboard termination subassembly I.

Fig. 25C shows the seal plate 500 lowered onto the inboard hub.

Fig. 25D shows the inboard flowline 76 released by opening the hose bracket 82 by actuation of a hydraulic cylinder 580 on the make up tool engaging the part of the bracket and pins 582 allowing the inboard flowline termination to move towards the outboard flowline termination due to the resiliency of the flowline. This Figure also shows the flowline connector horseshoe stroke assembly 446 as having moved the seal plate 500 into engagement with the outboard hub by retraction of the two hydraulic cylinders 480. As shown in Fig. 26, this also moved both the positioning sleeve 134, the actuating collar 136, and positioned the fingers 140 over both inboard and outboard hubs.

Fig. 27 shows the flowline connector lock bridle assembly as having moved the actuating collar 136 over both hubs by retraction of cylinders 464/466 to lock the two hubs together in a fluid tight relationship.

The next step, as shown in Fig. 25E, is the release of the make up tool by actuation of the cylinder 322 to free the latches of the blind notches 184 so that the make up tool is free of the flowline receptacle TR and the make up tool and blanking covers may be retrieved.

Claims (27)

1. An apparatus for pulling a first subsea flowline to a second subsea flowline and for aligning the first subsea flowline with the second subsea flowline, comprising; pulling means disposed subsea for pulling the first subsea flowline to the second subsea flowline, cable means attached to the first subsea flowline and extending to said pulling means wherein a pulling force is applied to said cable means to pull said first subsea flowline toward said pulling means, first alignment means on said first subsea flowline, second alignment means on said pulling means, said second alignment means being hydraulically actuated, after said pulling force has ceased, to move said second alignment means into engagement with said first alignment means, said movement and said engagement aligning said first subsea flowline with said second subsea flowline,

2.The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second alignment means is hydraulically actuated to pull said first subsea flowline to said pulling means.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first alignment means comprises key means, an alignment plate and universal joint means connecting said key means to said alignment plate.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second alignment means comprises camming means engageable with said key means to orient said first subsea flowline in two of three directions, and a face plate to engage said alignment plate to orient said subsea flowline in the third direction.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein latching means on said pulling means locks said first subsea flowline to said second alignment means thereby eliminating the capability of said cable means to apply a pulling force on said first subsea flowline.

6. Apparatus for making a subsea flowline connection comprising; means positioning a flowline termination receptacle subsea, a first flowline termination positioned subsea adjacent said receptacle, a second flowline termination within said receptacle, pulling means connected to said receptacle for pulling said first termination towards said receptacle, cable means attached to said first termination and extending to said pulling means, means on said pulling means for applying a pulling force on said cable means for pulling said first termination towards said receptacle, means on said pulling means and extendable therefrom to engage said first flowline termination at a position remote from said pulling means and including means for aligning said first flowline termination coaxially with said second flowline termination, said alignment means being such that upon retraction to said pulling means, said first flowline termination is positioned within said receptacle in coaxial alignment with said second flowline termination.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said means for applying a pulling force includes a funnel assembly having said cable means extending therethrough, said cable means being extendable to a control means located at the surface of said sea for controlling movement of said cable means.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means on said pulling means and extendable therefrom comprises said funnel assembly and wherein said means for aligning said first flowline termination includes camming means and plate means on said funnel assembly and said first flowline termination.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said funnel assembly further includes latching means to latch said first flowline termination partly within said funnel assembly be fore said funnel assembly is extended to bring said plate means into engagement with each other.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 further including hydraulic means connected to said receptacle for pulling said second flowline termination into engagement with said first flowline termination for making a fluid tight connection thereto.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1(9 wherein said hydraulic means includes means for positioning a seal means between said flowline terminations before bringing said terminations together.

12. A system for making an underwater flowline connection for transferring fluid from a subsea well to a remote point, comprising; a first flowline means lowered into the body of water and having a first flowline termination, said flowline termination being positioned adjacent said well, a cable attached to the front end of said first flowline termination, support means lowered into the body of water and having coupling means for connecting said support means to said well, a running tool connected to said support means for lowering said support means and having means for actuating said coupling means to connect said support means to said well, a receptacle on said support means, a second flowline on said support means and having a second flowline termination within said receptacle, a pull-in tool lowered into said body of water and connected to said receptacle, said pull-in tool including a funnel assembly with said cable extending through said funnel assembly and to the surface for applying a pulling force thereon to pull said first flowline termination partly into said funnel assembly, a latching mechanism within said funnel assembly to latch the front end of said first termination within the funnel and to hold said first termination against further movement by said cable, aligning means within said funnel assembly, aligning means on said first termination, fluid power means on said pull-in tool for moving the funnel assembly toward and in engagement with said first flowline termination for aligning said first flowline termination, said movement and engagement of said first flowline termination causing said two aligning means to function as such, said hydraulic power means retracting said funnel pulling said first flowline termination into said receptacle, means locking said first flowline termination within said receptacle, a make up tool lowered through said body of water and connected to said receptacle.

said make up tool including fluid power means for moving said flowline terminations together to make up a fluid connection between the inboard and outboard flowlines.

13. A method of making a flowline connection subsea comprising the steps of; lowering a first flowline and positioning the same adjacent a well, lowering a second flowline and positioning the same adjacent said well, pulling said first flowline towards said second flowline, applying fluid power to move an alignment means linearly to orient said first flowline vertically, horizontally and axially with respect to said second flowline, applying fluid power to move said flowline in position face to face with said first flowline, applying fluid power to connect said flowlines together.

14. A method for making an underwater connection between a well drilled into a formation underlying a body of water, comprising the steps of; lowering from the water surface a flowline receptacle with a first flowline means therein and landing said flowline receptacle on a support means mounted on said well, lowering a flowline alignment assembly with a wire line connected to a second flowline means and landing and connecting said flowline alignment assembly to said flowline receptacle, operating said wire line from the surface in order to pull said wire line and said second flowline means attached therewith inwardly towards the flowline receptacle until said second flowline means is in a position of partial alignment with said first flowline means, using hydraulic force to move said flowline alignment assembly to said second flowline means thereby orienting said second flowline means in a position of complete alignment with said first flowline means but spaced therefrom, using hydraulic force to move said alignment assembly and said second flowline means into said flowline receptacle, using hydraulic force to a coupling means to couple said first and second aligned flowline means in a fluid connection.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 including the step of lowering said flowline alignment assembly downwardly on said flowline receptacle and thereafter removing said flowline alignment assembly prior to lowering said coupling means.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15 including the step of connecting said coupling means to said flowline receptacle.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16 including the step of utilizing a funnel assembly with said wire line extended therethrough to pull said second flowline means within said funnel assembly.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17 including the step of utilizing said funnel assembly to align said second flowline means into a position of complete alignment.

19. The method as claimed in claim 18 including the step of providing hydraulic force to connect said flowline alignment assembly to said flowline receptacle.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19 including the step of providing hydraulic force to connect said coupling means to said flowline receptacle.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20 including the step of providing hydraulic force to remove covers from said first and second flowline means and for positioning a seal means between said first and second flowline means before said flowline means are coupled together.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21 including the step of removing said flowline coupling means after said second flowline means is joined with said first flowline means.

23. An apparatus for pulling a first subsea flowline to a second subsea flowline, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. Apparatus for making a subsea flowline connection, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A system for making an undewater flowline connection, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A method according to Claim 13, substantially as hereinbefore described.

27. A method according to Claim 14, substantially as hereinbefore described.