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The HydroTech™ diverless collet connector system gives you everything you need for making fast, reliable ROV-assisted pipeline or flowline connections up to 42 inches in diameter and up to 15,000 psi working pressure. No other diverless collet connector gives you all the features you get with the HydroTech™ system:
• A proven, versatile design with standard configurations for
• Lowest installed cost Fast installation and testing with ROV
• Metal seal with the highest external pressure rating
• High bending/torsional capacity
• Reversible operation using an ROV
Following is a brief overview of the basic HydroTech™ collet connector, deployment systems and accessories.
HydroTech™ collet connectors are most commonly used for final hook-up of subsea production systems with hard-pipe or flexible pipe jumpers between pipeline end manifolds (PLEMs) and other manifolds or production trees. They also find application for diverless pipeline repair systems and for future pipeline tie-in systems.
Collet connector collet actuator and ROV control panel ROV-operable end closures and pig launchers and receivers as required remote seal removal/replacement tools custom components as needed.
The heart of the system is the HydroTech™ collect connector, which has been used successfully for more than 140 connections in waters around the world. This compact, robust, and easy-to-install connector has set the industry standard for price, performance, and reliability. It also holds the world depth record for diverless pipe connections: 5,300 ft (1,615 m).
Configurations for every application. HydroTech™ collect connector systems are available to meet virtually any project requirements. The following basic configurations are standard:
HydroTech™ collet connectors cost less than competitive connectors, because they are standardized and versatile, and they don't have to be re-engineered for most applications. Neither do the system accessories. Moreover, when installation costs are also considered, HydroTech™ collet connectors give you the most economical subsea connection by a significant margin. Compared to other diverless connectors, they are light and compact and can be installed using smaller, less costly ROV support vessels. And, they can be installed and tested much more quickly than other connectors.
The entire ROV-assisted connection process, excluding run time, but including initiation of the seal test, is usually completed in 30 minutes or less. In the North Sea, for example, four jumpers with HydroTech™ multi-bore collet connectors at each end were installed and tested in 1,150 ft (350 m) of water in only 16 hours.
The HydroTech™ metal seal was developed specifically for collet connector applications. Its composite-metal construction (patent pending) provides a 'forgiving' sealing surface that can flow into hub imperfections, should damage occur, assuring a gas-tight seal. The seal has an external pressure rating equal to its internal rating, an important feature for ultra-deepwater applications. The seal also can be removed and installed remotely, using ROV-operable tools.
If a situation arises that requires completion components to be retrieved, the HydroTech™ collet connector can be reversed and released with a simple ROV-operated procedure. |
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Collet Connector-Section View
Collet Connector
Collet Connector Metal Seal
Vertical Collet Connector with Retrievable Actuators
Vertical Stab & Hingeover |
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Connector make-up is the same for all configurations. Funnels or guide posts provide coarse alignment (±6°, ± 6 inches) for the mating hubs. After the collet connector is landed, the ROV installs the hot stab and provides hydraulic power to the stroking cylinders, pulling the hubs together at a controlled rate. The open collets provide initial make-up alignment to protect the metal seal. The standard design accommodates up to ±2°angular misalignment and ±1.5 inches axial offset. Once the hubs are mated, hydraulic collet actuating cylinders close the collet fingers to complete the connection. The collets impart a preload that gives the connection the same strength characteristics as the pipe. In cone coil springs provide a passive back-up locking force. The seal is pressure-tested after make-up via the ROV control panel.
Collet Connector Assembly
Dual and multi-bore connectors combine primary flow bores with control or heating lines. The secondary bores also have metal seals. These collet connectors are installed just like single-bore HydroTech™ connectors.
Metal seal installation/removal tools. These contingency tools are normally provided with every collet connector order. If seal replacement is necessary, the collets are opened and the connector is stroked to provide access to the seal. The seal removal tool is inserted by the ROV and the connector is stroked. As the hubs come together, the tool latches onto the metal seal and holds it as the connector is stroked open again. The seal installation tool works just the opposite.
Oil States Houston provides ROV-operable end closures as needed for line installation.
The basic types are:
• Non-pressure-containing debris barriers
• Pressure-containing blind closures for manifold or flowline testing
• Closures adaptable to pig launchers and receivers
All of these closures are available in both male and female and all are ROV-operable. Pressure-containing blind closures can also be installed by ROV. Measurement interface caps and fabrication jigs. Oil States HydroTech™ provides ROV-operable stab-hub caps that are compatible with orientation and measuring devices. Systems can also include jigs for fabricating jumpers using the orientation and measurement data. |
Oil States Industries, Inc.
Oil States International, Inc.