Patent ID: 9534467
Date: 2017-01-03
CPC Classifications: E21B

Claim:
1. An apparatus adapted to engage a subsea casing the apparatus comprising: a first tubular member defining a first internal passage adapted to receive the subsea casing; a counterbore formed in the interior of the first tubular member and coaxial with the first internal passage, the counterbore defining a first internal shoulder in the first tubular member; a sealing assembly disposed in the counterbore, the sealing assembly comprising a sealing element; and a second tubular member defining a second internal passage, the second tubular member extending within the first internal passage and configured to change between; a first axial position, relative to the first tubular member, in which the sealing element is disposed radially between the first and second tubular members, thereby protecting the sealing element from any fluid flow through the first internal passage; and a second axial position, relative to the first tubular member, in which the sealing element is not disposed radially between the first and second tubular members, thereby permitting the sealing element to sealingly engage the subsea casing after the subsea casing has been received by the first internal passage.