Patent ID: 8403057
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a wellhead connection comprising: providing a first housing member and a second housing member, each being adapted to be connected together in seated relationship with the first housing member partly within the second housing member, and forming an annulus between the housing members in an area of overlap, and being adapted to form a seal to a cylindrical inner bore when connected together and so as to provide a top connector and a bottom connector for wellhead equipment located above or below, the first housing member being formed with a circumferential groove in its outer periphery in the area of overlap; providing a radially expandable and contractable latch ring formed from a plurality of latch ring segments and positioned within the annulus so as to be adjacent the circumferential groove; maintaining the latch ring in an expanded position out of contact with the circumferential groove with radial actuators extending through the second housing member into contact with latch ring segments; landing the first housing member in the second housing member; moving the latch ring with the radial actuators into a radially contracted position in contact with the circumferential groove; and locking the latch ring in the contracted position with an annular retainer ring adapted to be positioned in the annulus.