Subsea structure flowline connector assembly

Abstract

A subsea structure flowline connection assembly has a subsea structure with a flowline therein, a junction plate affixed to the subsea structure so as to support a flowline connector thereon, a receptacle affixed to or adjacent to the junction plate, and a fly-in connector assembly having a connector thereon. The connector of the fly-in connector assembly being engaged with the flowline connector of the junction plate. The fly-in connector assembly having a flow passageway in communication with the connector of the fly-in connector assembly. The receptacle has at least one slot formed therein. The fly-in connector assembly has an insert member slidably received by the slot. The fly-in connector assembly has an actuator coupled to the connector thereof so as to allow an ROV to rotate an end effector so as to move the connector of the fly-in connector assembly toward the flowline connector.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a subsea structure having a flowline therein;   a junction plate affixed to said subsea structure, said junction plate supporting a flowline connector thereon, said flowline connector connected to said flowline of said subsea structure;   a receptacle affixed to or adjacent to said junction plate, said receptacle having an interior opening to said flowline connector of said junction plate; and   a fly-in connector assembly having a connector thereon, said connector of said fly-in connector assembly engaged with said flowline connector of said junction plate, said fly-in connector assembly having a flow passageway in communication with said connector of said fly-in connector assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said flowline connector being a male connector, said connector of said fly-in connector assembly being a female connector overlying said male connector in liquid-tight sealing relationship. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , said male connector defining a sealing surface with said female connector, said sealing surface having a metal seal at an end thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , said sealing surface having a first elastomeric seal extending around said male connector and a second elastomeric seal extending around said male connector in spaced relationship to said first elastomeric seal. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a hole extending through a wall of said female connector, said hole having an opening at said sealing surface between said first elastomeric seal and said second elastomeric seal.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said fly-in connector assembly having an actuator coupled to said connector thereof, said actuator having an end effector suitable for allowing an ROV to rotate said end effector and said actuator so as to move said connector of said fly-in connector assembly toward said flowline connector. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , said actuator comprising a threaded member in threaded relation with said fly-in connector assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said receptacle comprising:
 a first plate; and   a second plate in spaced relation to said first plate, each of said first and second plates having an end positioned against or adjacent to said junction plate.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , each of said first and second plates having a slot formed adjacent an opposite end thereof, said fly-in connector assembly having a first insert member and second insert member formed on opposite sides thereof, said first insert member received in said slot of said first plate, said second insert member received in said slot of said second plate. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , each of said first and second insert members having a wing shape tapering such that a wide end is joined to said fly-in connector assembly and such that a narrow end is away from said fly-in connector assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , said wing shape having a flat surface at an end thereof, said slot having a bearing surface thereon, said flat surface bearing against said bearing surface. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , said slot of said first and second plates having a bottom surface, each of said first and second insert members having a bottom abutting said bottom surface of the slots. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , said slot having walls spaced from each other for a distance greater than a width of the insert member. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , each of said first and second plates being directly affixed to said subsea structure. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said junction plate having a slot formed therein adjacent said flowline connector, said fly-in connector assembly having a key extending outwardly therefrom, said key received by said slot. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said flow passageway comprising a conduit extending downwardly and outwardly from said fly-in connector assembly, said fly-in connector assembly having a brace affixed thereto, said brace affixed to said conduit. 
     
     
         17 . A subsea structure flowline connector assembly for a subsea structure comprising:
 a junction plate having a flowline connector therein;   a receptacle affixed to or adjacent to said junction plate, said receptacle having an interior opening to said flowline connector of said junction plate; and   a fly-in connector assembly having a connector thereon, said connector of said fly-in connector assembly engaged with said flowline connector of said junction plate, said fly-in connector assembly having a flow passageway in communication with said connector of said fly-in connector assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The subsea structure flowline connector assembly of  claim 17 , said receptacle having at least one slot formed thereon, said fly-in connector assembly having an insert member extending therefrom, said insert member slidably received by the slot. 
     
     
         19 . The subsea structure flowline connector assembly of  claim 17 , said fly-in connector assembly having an actuator coupled to said connector thereof, said actuator having an end effector suitable for allowing an ROV to rotate said end effector and said actuator so as to move said connector of said fly-in connector assembly toward said flowline connector, said actuator comprising a threaded member in threaded relation with said fly-in connector assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The subsea structure flowline connector assembly of  claim 17 , said flowline connector being a male connector, said connector of said fly-in connector assembly being a female connector overlying said male connector in liquid-tight sealing relationship, said male connector defining a sealing surface with said female connector, said sealing surface having a metal seal at an end thereof, said sealing surface having a first elastomeric seal extending around said male connector.