Importance

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Abstract

A connector for coupling a plurality of flowlines in a catenary bundle in fluid-flow relationship with a plurality of wellheads supported on a submerged buoyant support. The connector comprises a first member that is rigidly coupled to the submerged support, has a plurality of conduits extending therefrom to the wellheads, and has an open-ended member with a rotational orientation member therein; and a second member that is coupled to the end of the flowline bundle, is receivable on the first member and has an elongated stinger thereon receivable in the annular open-ended member on the first connector member. The stinger has a second orientation member for mating with the orientation member in the open-ended member. Run from the surface through the open-ended member and attached to the end of the stinger is a hauling wireline used to bring the first and second connector members into engagement, at which time they are rotationally oriented and locked together. In addition to the flowlines, the connector can couple control lines carried by the catenary bundle to the wellheads to actuate, e.g., valves thereon.

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First Claim