Joseph A Padilla

US Patent:

44375212, Mar 20, 1984

Filed:

Apr 26, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/371901

Inventors:

Emmett M. Richardson - Duncanville TX
Angelos T. Chatas - Dallas TX
Joseph R. Padilla - Houston TX

Assignee:

Mobil Oil Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

E21B 4301

US Classification:

166341

Abstract:

A subsea wellhead connection assembly for establishing fluid communication and production capability between a subsea wellhead and an adjacent subsea manifold system. The assembly includes conduit means for fluidly connecting the wellhead and the manifold system, the conduit means having one end extending substantially horizontally and the other end situated below the horizontal end; wellhead connector means fluidly connected to the lower end of the conduit means for releasably connecting the conduit means to the wellhead upon downward movement of the assembly to establish fluid communication therebetween; manifold system connector means fluidly connected to the horizontal end of the conduit means for releasably connecting the conduit means to the manifold system upon lateral movement of the manifold system connector means to establish fluid communication therebetween; and a guide frame rigidly secured to the wellhead connector means for supporting the manifold system connector means and the conduit means, and for vertically aligning the wellhead connector means over the wellhead and horizontally aligning the manifold system connector means with the manifold system. A method of establishing fluid communication and production capability between a marine floor wellhead and an adjacent subsea manifold system employing the aforecited wellhead connection assembly components is also disclosed.