Subsea containment cap adapters

Abstract

A method for controlling hydrocarbons flowing from a subsea structure comprises lowering an adapter from the surface to a subsea structure. The adapter has a through bore extending between an upper connector having a first connector profile and a lower connector having a second connector profile that is different than the first connector profile. In addition, the method comprises coupling the lower connector of the adapter to the subsea structure. Further, the method comprises lowering a containment cap from the surface to the adapter. Still further, the method comprises coupling the containment cap to the upper connector of the adapter.

1 . A method for controlling hydrocarbons flowing from a subsea structure, comprising:
 lowering an adapter from the surface to a subsea structure, the adapter having a through bore extending between an upper connector having a first connector profile and a lower connector having a second connector profile that is different than the first connector profile;   coupling the lower connector of the adapter to the subsea structure;   lowering a containment cap from the surface to the adapter; and   coupling the containment cap to the upper connector of the adapter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 maintaining an inventory comprising a plurality of adapters, at least some of the plurality of adapters including an upper connector with an upper connector profile configured to mate with the containment cap and a lower connector with a lower connector profile that is different from the upper connector profile and different from the lower connector profile of at least some of the other adapters.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising choosing from the inventory the adapter with the lower connector having the lower connector profile configured to mate with a connector on a landing site on the subsea structure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the landing site is a riser adapter of a subsea flex joint, a mandrel of a lower marine riser package, a blowout preventer, or a wellhead. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising coupling the upper connector to the lower connector. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 maintaining an inventory comprising at least one upper connector and a plurality of lower connectors;   wherein each of the upper connectors has an upper connector profile configured to mate with the containment cap;   wherein each of the lower connectors has a lower connector profile that is different from the upper connector profile and different from the lower connector profile of at least some of the other lower connectors.   
     
     
         7 . A method of capping a subsea well comprising:
 choosing from an inventory of adapters a selected adapter, the selected adapter having a lower connector with a lower connector profile configured to mate with a connector on a subsea structure and an upper connector with an upper connector profile that is different than the lower connector profile; and   connecting the lower connector of the selected adapter to the subsea structure.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising coupling a containment cap to the upper connector of the selected adapter. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising conducting a flow of hydrocarbons through the selected adapter. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising coupling the containment cap to the selected adapter while hydrocarbons are flowing from the selected adapter into the containment cap. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein connecting the lower connector of the selected adapter to the subsea structure comprises connecting the lower connector of the selected adapter to a subsea riser adapter, a subsea LMRP, a subsea BOP, or a subsea wellhead. 
     
     
         12 . A method of capping a subsea well, comprising:
 maintaining an inventory comprising a plurality of adapters, each of the plurality of adapters having an upper connector with an upper connector profile and a lower connector with a lower connector profile that differs from the upper connector profile and that also differs from the lower connector profile of at least some of the other adapters of the plurality;   identifying the connector profile of a subsea connector on a subsea structure at a well that is discharging hydrocarbons into the surrounding sea water;   selecting from the inventory a select adapter that has the lower connector with the lower connector profile that is configured to mate with the subsea connector.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising maintaining in the inventory a containment cap. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising shipping the select adapter and the containment cap from the inventory to a vessel disposed at the sea surface generally above the subsea well. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling the select adapter to the subsea connector and coupling the containment cap to the adapter while hydrocarbons are being discharged from the subsea equipment. 
     
     
         16 . An adapter for coupling a containment cap to a subsea structure, the adapter comprising:
 a first portion having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a throughbore extending axially from the first end to the second end, wherein the first end comprises a first connector having a first connector profile;   a second portion having a central axis, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a throughbore extending axially from the first end to the second end, wherein the second end comprises a second connector having a second connector profile that is different from the first connector profile.   
     
     
         17 . The adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the second end of the first portion comprises an annular flange that is coupled to an annular flange at the first end of the second portion. 
     
     
         18 . The adapter of  claim 16 , wherein the first connector is configured to mate and engage a connector of the subsea containment cap. 
     
     
         19 . The adapter of  claim 18 , wherein the second connector is configured to mate and engage a connector on the subsea structure. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for controlling a subsea wellbore, comprising:
 a containment cap having a through bore and a valve adapted to close and prevent fluid flow through the through bore, and further comprising a connector at the lower end of the containment cap having a first connector profile; an adapter comprising:   an upper and a lower end and a through bore extending therebetween;   a first connector at the upper end mated to and sealingly engaged with the connector of the containment cap;   a second connector at the lower end adapted to mate and sealingly engage with a connector on a subsea structure other that the containment cap, the second connector of the adapter having a second connector profile that is different than the first connector profile.