IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,976,393
Granted Patent B2
US 9,976,393 · App. 14/046,066 · Granted May 22, 2018

Connector, diverter, and annular blowout preventer for use within a mineral extraction system

Inventor: David L. Gilmore (Houston, TX)
Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
E21B43/01E21B33/038E21B33/064
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,976,393
App. No.
14/046,066
Granted
May 22, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A subsea mineral extraction system including a subsea riser system comprises a rotary table positioned within a drilling rig, an operational joint configured to connect to and alter flow through the subsea riser system, in which the operational joint passes through the rotary table. An annular blowout preventer joint for the subsea mineral extraction system is passable through the rotary table of the subsea mineral extraction system, and a diverter joint for the subsea mineral extraction system is passable through the rotary table of the subsea mineral extraction system. Further, a connector for receiving flow therethrough includes a body with a seat including a keyed groove, a stab including a key, and a locking member to retain the key within the keyed groove of the seat.

Claims (30)

1. An annular blowout preventer joint for a subsea mineral extraction system including a subsea riser system and an auxiliary line, the annular blowout preventer joint comprising:

a body coupled with the auxiliary line and including an internal passage, an outer surface, an outer diameter, and an axis defined therethrough along the internal passage;

an elastomer sealing element positioned within the body, the elastomer sealing element actuatable to seal internally within the body;

a channel formed in the outer surface of the body such that the auxiliary line of the subsea riser system is receivable within the channel and at least partially recessed from the outer diameter;

a bumper positioned on the outer surface of the body; and

wherein the annular blowout preventer joint is configured to pass through a rotary table of the subsea mineral extraction system with the auxiliary line coupled to the body.

2. The annular blowout preventer joint of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of channels, each for receiving an auxiliary line.

3. The annular blowout preventer joint of claim 1 , wherein the bumper comprises a wear indicating tab extending radially outward therefrom with respect to the axis to indicate a condition of the bumper.

4. The annular blowout preventer joint of claim 1 , wherein the bumper is coupled to a bracket, and wherein the bracket is coupled to the outer surface of the body such that the bumper is removable.

5. The annular blowout preventer joint of claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary line support positioned on the outer surface of the body such that the auxiliary line of the subsea riser system is supported by the auxiliary line support.

6. The annular blowout preventer joint of claim 5 , wherein the auxiliary line support is coupled to a bracket, and wherein the bracket is coupled to the outer surface of the outer body such that the auxiliary line support is removable.

7. The annular blowout preventer joint of claim 5 , wherein the auxiliary line support is positioned in axial alignment with the channel.

8. The annular blowout preventer joint of claim 1 , further comprising a flange positioned at each longitudinal end of the annular blowout preventer joint with the auxiliary line passable through each flange.

9. The annular blowout preventer joint of claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary line comprises:

a connection portion and a flange portion, wherein the connection portion is received within the channel of the body, and wherein a locking hub including a groove formed therein is configured to receive a protrusion from one of the connection portion and the flange portion.

10. A diverter joint for a subsea mineral extraction system including a subsea riser system, an auxiliary line, and a drill string inside the subsea riser system so as to create an annulus flow path between the drill string and the riser system, the diverter joint comprising:

a body coupled to the auxiliary line and comprising:

a main flow path configured to fluidically couple to the annulus flow path of the subsea riser system;

a valve-less auxiliary flow path configured to divert flow into and out of the main flow path;

a diverter connector configured to couple to an end of the valve-less auxiliary flow path; and

wherein the diverter joint is passable through a rotary table of the subsea mineral extraction system with the auxiliary line coupled to the body.

11. The diverter joint of claim 10 , wherein a gooseneck connector is configured to couple to the diverter connector.

12. The diverter joint of claim 11 , wherein a drilling rig is configured to couple to the gooseneck connector using a drape hose, and wherein one of the drilling rig and the drape hose comprises a valve.

13. The diverter joint of claim 10 , wherein the valve-less auxiliary flow path is angled between about 35 degrees and about 50 degrees with respect to the main flow path.

14. The diverter joint of claim 10 , further comprising a conduit coupled to the body.

15. The diverter joint of claim 14 , further comprising a guide positioned on the conduit to guide a gooseneck connector into alignment with the diverter connector.

16. The diverter joint of claim 14 , further comprising a connector support coupled to the conduit and positioned about at least a portion of the diverter connector.

17. The diverter joint of claim 14 , further comprising a protector positioned on an outside surface of the body.

18. The diverter joint of claim 10 , further comprising a flange positioned at each longitudinal end of the diverter joint with the auxiliary line extendable between and passable through each flange.

19. The diverter joint of claim 18 , further comprising an annular blowout preventer joint including an auxiliary line connected to the auxiliary line of the diverter joint, the annular blowout preventer joint including an exterior channel for recessing the auxiliary line.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: GILMORE, DAVID L.
To: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031614/0149 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150096759A1 · Apr 9, 2015