Subsea Connector with a Split Clamp Latch Assembly

Abstract

Methods and devices for forming a subsea connection over an existing subsea connection are described herein. In one embodiment, a subsea connector for forming a sealed connection to a subsea connection comprises a connector body including a sealing portion. The connector body comprises a throughbore running therethrough. The subsea connector also comprises a latch clamp assembly coupled to the sealing portion. The latch clamp assembly comprises at least a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion movable to couple to an existing subsea connection. The connector body and latch clamp assembly together form a sealed connection to the existing subsea connection.

1 . A subsea connector for forming a sealed connection to an existing subsea connection comprising:
 a connector body comprising a sealing portion and a throughbore running therethrough; and   a latch clamp assembly coupled to the sealing portion, wherein the latch clamp assembly comprises at least a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion movable to couple to an existing subsea connection, and wherein the connector body and the latch clamp assembly together form a sealed connection to the existing subsea connection.   
     
     
         2 . The subsea connector of  claim 1  wherein the sealing portion comprises a sealing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The subsea connector of  claim 2  wherein the sealing surface has a beveled inner surface to mate with a tapered riser section. 
     
     
         4 . The subsea connector of  claim 1  wherein the latch clamp assembly further comprises a latch plate, the clamp portions being movably coupled to the latch plate, wherein the clamp portions are movable in at least two different directions, and wherein each clamp portion has one or more rims to engage the existing subsea connection. 
     
     
         5 . The subsea connector of  claim 1  wherein the clamp portions are movable in a radial direction and a longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         6 . The subsea connector of  claim 1  wherein each clamp portion is movably coupled to the latch plate by one or more connecting members. 
     
     
         7 . The subsea connector of  claim 6  wherein the clamp portions are threadingly connected to the one or more connecting members. 
     
     
         8 . The subsea connector of  claim 1  wherein the clamp portions are movably coupled to each other by one or more connecting rods. 
     
     
         9 . The subsea connector of  claim 8  wherein the clamp portions are movable from an open position to a closed position by the connecting rods, wherein in the closed position, the clamp portions engage and enclose the existing subsea connection. 
     
     
         10 . The subsea connector of  claim 9  wherein the clamp portions are spaced apart in the open position. 
     
     
         11 . The subsea connector of  claim 1 , further comprising an ROV interface panel, the ROV interface panel comprising one or more ROV interfaces. 
     
     
         12 . The subsea connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a subsea connection coupled to the connector body. 
     
     
         13 . The subsea connector of  claim 12  wherein the subsea connection coupled to the connector body is a flange connection. 
     
     
         14 . The subsea connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing cap coupled to the connector body. 
     
     
         15 . The subsea connector of  claim 1  wherein the existing subsea connection is a flange connection. 
     
     
         16 . A method of forming a subsea connection comprising:
 a) positioning a subsea connector adjacent an existing subsea connection, the subsea connector comprising:   a connector body comprising a sealing portion and a throughbore running therethrough; and   a latch clamp assembly coupled to the sealing portion, wherein the latch clamp assembly comprises at least a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion which are movable to couple to an existing subsea connection, and wherein the connector body and the latch clamp assembly together form a sealed connection to the existing subsea connection;   b) guiding the subsea connector into engagement with the existing subsea connection; and   c) actuating the subsea connector so as to form a sealed connection with the existing subsea connection.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein (c) comprises actuating the clamp portions into a closed position so as to enclose the existing subsea connection within the clamp portions; 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein actuating the subsea connector in (c) further comprises rotating one or more connecting rods coupled between the clamp portions to move the clamp portions into the closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein actuating the subsea connector in (c) further comprises tightening one or more connecting members to secure the sealing portion of the connector body to the existing subsea connection. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein (a) through (c) utilizes one or more ROVs. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the existing subsea connection is a subsea flange connection. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the subsea connector further comprises a subsea connection coupled to the connector body. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising coupling a subsea device to the subsea connector via the subsea connection after (c). 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the subsea device comprises a flex joint, a riser, a lower marine riser package, a BOP, a valve, a chokes, a subsea tree, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . A method of capping a subsea well producing hydrocarbons into the surrounding sea comprising:
 a) positioning a subsea connector adjacent an existing subsea connection, the subsea connector comprising:   a connector body comprising a sealing portion and a throughbore running therethrough, and a subsea connection coupled to the connector body; and   a latch clamp assembly coupled to the sealing portion, wherein the latch clamp assembly comprises at least a first clamp portion and a second clamp portion movable to couple to an existing subsea connection, and wherein the connector body and latch clamp assembly together form a sealed connection to the existing subsea connection;   b) moving the subsea connector laterally over subsea wellbore;   c) guiding the subsea connector into engagement with the existing subsea connection;   d) actuating the subsea connector so as to form a sealed connection with the existing subsea connection; and   e) coupling a capping device on to the subsea connector to cap the subsea well.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the capping device is a BOP, a valve, or combinations thereof 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein (e) comprises coupling the capping device to the subsea connection of the subsea connector.