Multiline riser big bore connector

Abstract

Systems and methods for connecting flow lines include a connector housing having an inner guide ledge and a slot formed on an inner surface and a first connection passage. A connector having a connector protrusion is configured to be fitted within the slot to rotationally fix the connector within the connector housing and a first annular flow path connection formed between the connector housing and the connector, where the first connection passage through the connector housing intersects with the first annular flow path connection. Methods include providing a connector housing connected to a BOP stack, inserting the connector into the connector housing, where, when the connector is in the fixed position, a first annular flow path connection is formed between the connector housing and the connector, and the first bore is in fluid communication with the first annular flow path connection.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for connecting one or more flow lines, the system comprising:
 a connector housing comprising:
 at least one inner guide ledge formed on a connector housing inner surface, the at least one inner guide ledge comprising a slot; and 
 a first connection passage formed through a wall of the connector housing; 
   a connector comprising a connector protrusion, wherein the connector protrusion is fitted within the slot to rotationally fix the connector within the connector housing; and   a first annular flow path connection formed between the connector housing and the connector, wherein the first annular flow path connection is formed by a first housing annular flow path connection groove formed in an inner surface of the connector housing, a first connector annular flow path connection groove formed in an outer side surface of the connector, or a combination of the first housing annular flow path connection groove axially aligned with the first connector annular flow path connection groove,   wherein the first connection passage through the connector housing intersects with the first annular flow path connection.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a connector plate mounted to a top surface of the connector housing, where the connector plate comprises a cut-out aligned with an umbilical connection. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector housing includes a seal extending about a circumference of the inner surface of the connector housing to seal the first annular flow path connection. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector housing is attached to an end of a frame of a BOP stack. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector has a body comprising a first bore;   the first bore being formed through the body of the connector.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the body of the connector comprises a second bore;   the second bore being formed through the body of the connector, and   the system comprises a second annular flow path connection formed between the connector housing and the connector, wherein the second annular flow path connection is formed by a second housing annular flow path connection groove formed in the inner surface of the connector housing, a second connector annular flow path connection groove formed in the outer side surface of the connector, or a combination of the second housing annular flow path connection groove axially aligned with the second connector annular flow path connection groove.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the body of the connector comprises a third bore;   the third bore being formed through the body of the connector, and   the system comprises a third annular flow path connection formed between the connector housing and the connector, wherein the third annular flow path connection is formed by a third housing annular flow path connection groove formed in the inner surface of the connector housing, a third connector annular flow path connection groove formed in the outer side surface of the connector, or a combination of the third housing annular flow path connection groove axially aligned with the third connector annular flow path connection groove.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first bore includes a bend having an oblique angle, and the second bore and third bore each include a 90 degree bend, wherein the first bore, the second bore, and the third bore extend from a top of the connector through the body of the connector. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a stab connected to a bottom end of the connector housing, the stab comprising a piston slidably positioned within an inner cavity of the stab,   wherein an opening to the first bore is aligned with an inner cavity opening.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inner guide ledge further comprises a sloped guide ledge, wherein the sloped guide ledge extends from a top of the connector housing in an axially downward direction and terminates at the slot. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom portion of the connector comprises:
 a winch receiving cavity extending from a bottom surface of the connector into a body of the connector; and   a latch disposed around an inner perimeter of the winch receiving cavity.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a winching system comprising a winch, the winch comprising an extension connected within the winch receiving cavity by the latch. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the winching system further comprises:
 a cable connected at one end to the winch receiving cavity and at an opposite end to the winch.   
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 providing a connector housing connected to a BOP stack, the connector housing comprising:
 at least one inner guide ledge formed on a connector housing inner surface; and 
 a first connection passage formed through a wall of the connector housing; 
   connecting the riser to a connector via a riser connection, wherein the connector comprises:
 a connector protrusion around an outer side surface of the connector; and 
 a first bore formed through a body of the connector; 
   inserting the connector into the connector housing, comprising:
 contacting the connector protrusion to the at least one inner guide ledge; and 
   guiding the connector protrusion along the at least one inner guide ledge to rotationally align the connector within the connector housing as the connector is inserted into the connector housing until the connector is in a fixed position within the connector housing, wherein, when the connector is in the fixed position:
 a first annular flow path connection is formed between the connector housing and the connector by;
 a first housing annular flow path connection groove formed in an inner surface of the connector housing, a first connector annular flow path connection groove formed in an outer side surface of the connector, or a combination of the first housing annular flow path connection groove axially aligned with the first connector annular flow path connection groove, 
 
 the first connection passage through the connector housing intersects with the first annular flow path connection, and 
 the first bore is in fluid communication with the first annular flow path connection. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the BOP stack is supported on a frame; and   the method includes pulling the connector into the connector housing via a winch that is mounted on the frame.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising latching a bottom portion of the connector to winch grooves formed within the winch via at least one latch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one inner guide ledge comprises a sloped guide ledge and a slot, wherein the sloped guide ledge extends from a top of the connector housing in an axially downward direction and terminates at the slot, and wherein when the connector is in the fixed position, connector protrusion is fitted within the slot. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein inserting the connector comprises sealing the first annular flow path connection via a seal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the body of the connector further comprises a second bore and a third bore being formed through the body of the connector;   the system comprises a second annular flow path connection formed between the connector housing and the connector and a third annular flow path connection formed between the connector housing and the connector; and   the first bore includes a bend having an oblique angle, and the second bore and third bore each include a 90 degree bend, wherein the first bore, the second bore, and the third bore extend from a top of the connector through the body of the connector.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a stab is connected to a bottom end of the connector housing, and, when the connector is in the fixed position, an opening to the first bore is aligned with an inner cavity opening in the stab, wherein the method further comprises:
 connecting the first bore to the stab by extending a piston from an inner cavity of the stab into the inner cavity opening and the opening to the first bore.