GB2504484A

GB2504484A - Subsea connection arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2504484A
Application number: GB1213469.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Long
Original assignee: Vector International Ltd
Current assignee: Freudenberg Oil and Gas Technologies Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-28
Filing date: 2012-07-28
Publication date: 2014-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-28
Also published as: GB2504484B; GB201213469D0

Abstract

An arrangement for connecting a flexible jumper to a riser includes a connector block 4 having a male hub 5 (fig 3) integral therewith and a pair of hooks 6 attached thereto. A hanger 1 in the form of a T-piece adapted to be hung on the hooks 6 has an aperture therein in which a female hub 3 (the end termination of the jumper) is rotatably mounted. A ROV actuable clamp connector 7 is located around one of said hubs and serves when actuated to connect the two hubs together. An external piggable loop 14 or a gooseneck internal to the block forms flow-path between the jumper and a flange 19 connected to the riser. In use the jumper has been lowered to bring the two hubs together and the clamp connector is actuated to complete the connection.

Description

Subsea connection arrangement [0001] The present invention relates to subsea connection arrangement. While it is particularly suitable for connecting a flexible jumper to the top of a free standing riser, it could be used to connect a flexible flowline to a subsea manifold or wellhead.

[0002] In the subsea oil and gas industry, it is sometimes necessary to connect one end of a heavy flexible jumper or flowline to a riser, manifold or wellhead.

Said end needs to be supported in correct orientation while a connection is made. The jumper may due to its weight and a possible twist therein be exerting a pull in excess of 1000 kilonewtons and an axial torque at said end. Any twist if present makes it difficult to orientate said end so that the connection can be made.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement which allows said end to be supported while allowing it to rotate if necessary into a position in which no axial torque is present and which includes a clamp connector adapted to pull said end into a position in which a connection can he made.

[0004] The present invention provides a subsea connection arrangement comprising a hanger portion adapted to be releaseably connected to a support portion so that said hanger portion is rotatable about a first axis relative to said support portion; a first pipeline hub rotatably mounted in said hanger portion; a second pipeline hub rigidly mounted on or integral with said support portion and; a clamp connector adapted to pull said first hub into sealing engagement with said second hub, the arrangement being such that said first and second hubs can be brought into close proximity and axial alignment with each other by rotation relative to said support portion of said hanger portion about said axis.

[0005] Preferably said support portion includes a first separable hinge portion in the fonn of at least one hook and said hanger portion includes a second separable hinge portion which can be hung on said first separable hinge portion so that said hanger portion is rotatable relative to said support portion about said first axis.

[0006] Preferably said first separable hinge portion includes a pair of hooks and said second separable hinge portion includes a T-piece adapted to be hung on and between said pair of hooks.

[0007] Alternatively said first separable lunge portion includes a hook and said second separable hinge portion includes a loop adapted to be hung on said hook.

[0008] Preferably said hanger portion includes an aperture in which said first hub is rotatably mounted.

[0009] Preferably said clamp connector is mounted on said support portion.

[0010] Alternatively said clamp connector is mounted on said hanger portion.

[0011] Even more preferably said first hub is a female hub and said second hub is a male hub, one of which hubs is held captive by said clamp connector, the two hubs being adapted to mate together so as to provide a fine alignment function, said male hub including a recess in an inner edge thereof into which a seal ring can be fitted.

[0012] Preferably said clamp connector includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected segments linked to fit round and pull together said first and second hubs.

[0013] More preferably said clamp connector includes a guide funnel.

[0014] Preferably said support portion is a pipe connector block having two through bores interconnected by an external piggable loop.

[0015] Alternatively said support portion is a pipe connector block having a through internal passage in the fonu of a bend at one end of which said second hub is located.

[0016] The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment at a stage of making a connection.

Figure 2 is a side view of the same embodiment at a later stage the connection having been made.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view ofaportion of Figure I. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of Figure 2.

Figure 5 shows a portion of Figure 3 in enlarged form.

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 of a second embodiment Figure 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a third embodiment.

Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the third embodiment.

Figure 9 shows an end view of the third embodiment.

Figure 10 shows a side view of a known subsea connector.

[0017] Figure 10, shows a known subsea clamp connector suitable for use in the present invention and which are sold under the Registered Trademark OPTIMA. These connectors include typically three pivotally interconnected segments 42, 43 and 44 linked to fit round and pull together a pair of mating male and female hubs. They have a built in pull in and alignment capability.

As shown the free ends of segments 42 and 44 are linked to a leadscrew 45 via collets 46, 47. When the leadscrew is turned to close the connector by ROV rotation of a drive bucket 48, said free ellds are pulled together in well-known manner. The two hubs are pulled into sealing engagement with each other via the intermediary of a seal ring which is located in a recess in an inner edge of the male hub. It is not felt necessary to describe this known connector further.

Figure 8 however shows an isometric view of such a connector in use in the third embodiment and Figures 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views though such a connector in open and closed positions respectively.

[0018] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 to 5 a subsea connection arrangement comprises a hanger portion 1 which includes a hinge portion, such as a I-piece or loop 9, by means of which said hanger portion is adapted to hang or otherwise be releaseably connected to a support portion. The support portion may include (one or) a pair of hooks 6 shaped and/or positioned such that said hanger portion (when hung on or) on and between the (hook or) hooks 6) is rotatable relative to said support portion about a first axis 8. A male pipeline hub 9 (see Figure 3) is integral with (but could be rigidly mounted on) a pipe connector block 4 which forms a further part of said support portion.

[0020] A clamp connector 7 adapted to pull said first hub into sealing engagement with said secoiid hub is mounted on said support portion. The clamp connector includes a guide funnel 13.

[0021] As shown Figures 3 and 5 a female pipeline hub 3 is rotatably mounted in an aperture 2 in said hanger portion 1. The female hub 3 has small annular projections 10 on its outer surface so that hub 3is held captive but free to rotate in said aperture 2. The aperture is made in two portions bolted together at a flanged joint 11 shown in Figure 2 to allow the hub to be inserted.

[0022] Figure 6 shows a second embodiment in which said clamp connector is mounted on said hanger portion.

[0023] In the first and second embodiments said support portion includes a pipe connector block 4 having two through bores 20 and 21 (see Figure 3) interconnected by an external piggable loop 14 (see also Figure 1). The bores 20, 21 together with the external piggable loop 14 and a pipe section 22 form flow-path between the jumper and a flange 19 to be connected to the riser.

[0024] Figures 7 to 9 show a third embodiment in which said support portion is a connector block having an internal passage comprising three straight sections 24, 25, 26 which form together a gooseneck bend connecting said male hub 9 to an outlet 27 to be connected to the riser. A removable inspection cover 28 may be provided.

[0025] In the second and third embodiments said clamp connector 7 is mounted on said hanger portion.

[0026] In all of the preferred embodiments described above said first hub is a female hub rotatably mounted in said hanger portion and said second hub is a male hub rigidly mounted relative to said support portion, the two hubs being adapted to mate together so as to provide a fine alignment fhnction, said male hub including a recess in an inner edge thereof into which a seal ring 33 can be fitted. A pressure energised metal seal ring of known type such as that sold under the Registered Trademark "DUOSEAL" may be employed [0027] In all preferred embodiments said clamp connector includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected segments linked to fit round and pull together said first and second hubs.

[0028] In use of any preferred embodiment, said support portion is pre-installed by connection to the riser, manifold or wellhead to which a connection is to be made and the first hub is welded or otherwise attached to one end of the flexible jumper or flowline. The hanger portion with the flexible attached thereto can be dragged (e.g. using a hanging eye 15 as is provided in the first embodiment) to the location of the support portion and hung on the hooks 6. All three preferred embodiments include at least one ROV grab handle 16 to allow ROV assistance during thc hanging proccss.

[0029] The first and second hubs can be brought into close proximity and axial alignment with each other by rotation about said axis of said hanger portion relative to said support portion. During this action the first hub 3 moves from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4. This can be achieved by lowering the flexible and thus increasing the angle of inclination of the supported end. The subsea connector can then be closed by ROV actuation of its drive bucket to complete the connection and prevent any further rotation of said first pipeline hub in said hanger portion.

[0030] The preferred embodiments include an arrangement for connecting a flexible jumper to a riser comprises a connector block 4 having a male hub (5) integral therewith and a pair of hooks 6 attached thereto. A hanger 1 in the form of a T-piece adapted to be hung on the hooks has an aperture therein in which a female hub 3 (the end termination of the jumper) is rotatably mounted.

An ROV actuable clamp connector 7 is located around one of said hubs and serves when actuated to connect the two hubs together. An external piggable loop 14 or a gooseneck internal to the block forms flow-path between the jumper and a flange 19 connected to the riser. In use the jumper has been lowered to bring the two hubs together and the clamp connector is actuated to complete the connection.

Claims

Claims 1. A subsea connection arrangement comprising a hanger portion adapted to be releaseably connected to a support portion so that said hanger portion is rotatable about a first axis relative to said support portion; a first pipeline hub rotatably mounted in said hanger portion; a second pipeline hub rigidly mounted on or integral with said support portion and; a clamp connector adapted to pull said first hub into sealing engagement with said second hub, the arrangement being such that said first and second hubs can be brought into close proximity and axial alignment with each other by rotation relative to said support portion of said hanger portion about said axis.
2. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in claim I and in which said support portion includes a first separable hinge portion h the form of at least one hook and said hanger portion includes a second separable hinge portion which can be hung on said first separable hinge portion so that said hanger portion is rotatable relative to said support portion about said first axis.
3. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in claim 2 and in which said first separable hinge portion includes a pair of hooks and said second separable hinge portion includes a T-piece adapted to be hung on and between said pair of hooks.
4. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in claim 2 and in which said first separable hinge portion includes a hook and said second separable hinge portion includes a loop adapted to be hung on said hook.
5. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim and in which said hanger portion includes an aperture in which said first hub is rota.tably mounted.
6. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim and in which said clamp connector is mounted on said support portion.
7. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in any one of claims Ito S and in which said clamp connector is mounted on said hanger portion.
8. A subsea. connection arrangement a.s claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, iii which arrangement said first hub is a female hub and said second hub is a.male hub and in which the two hubs are adapted to mate together so as to provide a tine alignment function, said male hub including a recess in an inner edge thereof into which a seal ring can be fitted.
9. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim and in which said clamp connector includes a. plurality of pivotally interconnected segments linked to fit round and pull together said first aiid second hubs.
10. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim and in which said clamp connector includes a. guide funnel.
11. A subsea connection arrangement a.s claimed in any preceding claim and in which said support portion is a pipe connector block having two through bores interconnected by an external piggable loop.
12. A subsea connection arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim and in which said support portion is a pipe connector block having a through internal passage in the form of a bend at one end of which said second hub is located.