Abstract:
A riser for use in boring a subsea wellbore having a gooseneck assembly connected onto the riser. The gooseneck assembly has an outlet that couples with a flowline on the riser and a connector assembly that selectively decouples the gooseneck assembly from the flowline. A release member, such as a wire, cable, or rod, is attached to the connector so the connector assembly can be actuated by manipulating the release member from a remote location.

Description:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure generally relates to production of wells, and in particular to a connections coupling fluid lines to a drilling riser. 
       2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Forming subsea wells from floating drilling support vessels typically involves providing a riser between the vessel and wellhead on the seafloor and inserting a drill string with attached drill bit through the riser. Fluids used during drilling are generally delivered to the wellhead through a circuit of flexible and rigid lines, where the flexible lines drop from the platform and connect to rigid lines attached to the riser. The connection between the flexible and rigid lines is often a “U” shaped gooseneck connection bolted to the riser. 
         [0003]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown in a side view is an example of a prior art subsea drilling assembly. The assembly  10  includes a floating rig  12  on the sea surface with an attached riser  16  spanning to a wellhead  18  anchored on the sea floor  20 . A drill string  14  is shown inserted within the riser  16  and projecting through the wellhead assembly  18 . A drill bit (not shown) on the drill string  14  terminal end bores a wellbore  22  through a formation  24  under the sea floor  20 . The riser  16  includes a section  26  having a telescopic joint to account for bobbing motion of the floating rig  12 . 
         [0004]    Flexible fluid flow lines  28  drop from the floating rig  12  and connect with rigid flow lines  29  shown attached along the section  26  outer periphery. Gooseneck connectors  30  provide connection between the flexible flow lines  28  and the rigid flow lines  29 . The fluid through the lines may include drilling fluid as well as fluid used during “choke and kill” operations, hydraulic fluid, or booster fluid. Typical drilling operations involve manually removing the gooseneck connections  30  from the riser section  26  when the riser section  26  is raised through the drill floor for well drilling operations. Due to the size and weight of the connections  30  and the location of the riser  16 , manually removing the gooseneck connections  30  can pose a risk to personnel and equipment. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    Disclosed herein is a riser for use in boring a wellbore subsea. The riser includes an annular body, a housing circumscribing at least a portion of the body, an elongated pocket formed in the housing and oriented with its length substantially parallel with the body, a flowline having an end projecting into an end of the pocket, a gooseneck assembly selectively inserted into the pocket, a connector assembly affixed on an end of the gooseneck assembly having a locked configuration coupled with the end of the flowline in the pocket and selectively and remotely movable into a released configuration that is free from the end of the flowline, so that the gooseneck assembly can be removed from the end of the flowline. Ears can be included on the gooseneck assembly that laterally protrude from opposite sides of the gooseneck assembly and profiles provided in the housing adjacent the pocket having a shape corresponding to the ears, so that the ears can pass into or out of the housing when aligned with the profiles. 
         [0006]    Also disclosed is a gooseneck assembly for use with a subsea drilling riser. The gooseneck assembly can include, first and second ports for fluid flow, each port adapted for connection to a hose, a fluid flow exit adapted to receive therein an end of a drilling riser flow line, a remotely actuatable connector assembly latch provided on the end containing the second port, the latch adapted to receive an upper end of a flow line of the riser, and which snaps into engagement with the upper end of the flow line, and a pull line attached to the release mechanism for releasing the latch in response to a pull on the pull line. 
         [0007]    Further disclosed is a method of operating a subsea excavation system, where the system includes a floating drilling platform, a riser depending from the platform to a subsea wellbore, and a flowline on the riser. The method includes deploying onto the riser a gooseneck assembly having a remotely actuated connection assembly, attaching the connection assembly the flowline on the riser so that the gooseneck assembly and flowline are in fluid communication, and releasing the gooseneck assembly from the flowline by remotely applying tension to a release line connected to a latch on the connection assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a prior art system for drilling subsea. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of a riser having gooseneck type fluid connections. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts the riser of  FIG. 2  with its fluid connections removed. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate an example of gooseneck type fluid connections in side and rear views. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  depicts the riser of  FIG. 2  in an enlarged side view. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the riser of  FIG. 6  taken along line  7 - 7 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  portrays in side sectional view an example of a coupling assembly between the gooseneck and a line on the riser. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an overhead view of the assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  provides a partial sectional view of the collet assembly of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The device, system, and method of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which disclosed embodiments are shown. The disclosed subject matter may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be through and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0018]    It is to be understood that the device, system, and/or method described herein is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed illustrative embodiments and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation. Accordingly, the subject of applicant&#39;s disclosure is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0019]    Shown in a side perspective view in  FIG. 2  is an example of a riser section  40  in accordance with the present disclosure. The section  40  includes an annular riser body  41  through which a drill string or fluid may axially pass therethrough. A flange on the upper end provides an upper connection  42  for coupling the riser section  40  with a section of a riser suspended from a floating platform. Similarly, a flanged fitting on the lower end defines a lower connection  44  for connecting to a riser affixed to a wellhead. An outer barrel or cylindrical housing  49  covers a portion of the section  40 ; in the housing  49  are elongated pockets  43  aligned with the body  41 . Gooseneck connections  46  are illustrated attached to the riser section  40  and disposed within the pockets  43 . When anchored within the pockets  43 , the gooseneck connector has a lower end coupled with an auxiliary flow line  48  attached along the riser section outer surface and along the body  41 . Further described below is an elongated release member  52  shown connected to each gooseneck assembly  46 . 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the gooseneck assemblies  46  are shown detached from the section  40  and outside of the pockets  43  supported by optional guy wires  50 . As will be described in more detail below, in an embodiment, the gooseneck assemblies  46  are each shown coupled on their respective lower ends with a male sub  72 . The male sub  72  is provided on the upper terminal end of an auxiliary line  48 . The gooseneck assemblies  46  connection assembly  70  that may be selectively releasable from the male sub  72  and line  48  for decoupling and removal from the riser section  40 . A release member  52  can be included to remotely and mechanically actuate the connection assembly  70   72  so manual gooseneck  46  removal is not required. An example of a release member  52 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is an activation line that connects to the gooseneck assembly  46 , for remotely actuating the connection assembly  70  enabling its release function. A handoff line  53 , which may be included with each gooseneck assembly  46 , can be used for raising and lowering the gooseneck assemblies  46 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side view of an example of an alternative gooseneck assembly  54  is shown. In this embodiment, the gooseneck has a U-shaped configuration starting with a fluid inlet  56  that extends through piping upward and courses laterally. The piping intersects with an elongated conduit  66  that foams a body section for the remaining portion of the gooseneck assembly  54 . The fluid inlet  56  is flanged with bolt holes arranged around the flange providing for a bolted connection to connect to a flexible fluid flow line (not shown). A vertically disposed plate on the lateral portion of the inlet piping includes connections  58 ,  61  that are depicted as shackles. Connection  58  may include an attached guy wires  50  and connection  61  can be connected to the handoff line  53 . Also on the vertical plate is an attached bridle  60  having a connection  62  on its upper end for connecting to the main activation line  52  and a connection on its lower end having an attached lead line  64 . The lead line  64  is shown extending substantially parallel with the conduit  66  and terminating at the gooseneck connection assembly  70 . A housing  68  circumscribes a portion of the conduit  66  above the connection assembly  70 . 
         [0022]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the connection assembly  70  is illustrated having an outer cylindrical configuration and shown protruding from its lower end is connector sub  72  for this embodiment, that as will be described below couples to the upper end of a riser flow line  48 . A center line C L  axially bisects the connection assembly  70 . To the right of the center line C L  represents the connection assembly  70  when in an engaged configuration and in connection with the flow line  48  ( FIG. 2 ). On the left of the center line C L  the connection assembly  70  is in a disengaged configuration ( FIG. 3 ). As seen in  FIG. 4 , the connection assembly  70  when disengaged is at a higher elevation and thus circumscribing less of the male sub  72  than when engaged. 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  provides a rearward view the gooseneck assembly  54  of  FIG. 4 . Shown in this view, the bridle  60  shape is generally triangular having a pair of lead lines  64  depending downward from opposing sides of the bridle  60  base. The connector  62  is shown on the apex of the bridle  60 . Represented by a dashed outline are cable guides  67  anchored on the inner surface of the housing  68  proximate to where the conduit  66  enters the housing  68 . The cable guides  67  are generally elongated members oriented perpendicular to the center line C L . Shown adjacent the cable guides  67 , and on the housing  68  outer surface are ears  69  projecting radially outward from the housing  68 . As will be described later, the ears  68  in combination with profiles  45  on the riser housing  49  help retain the gooseneck assembly  54  within the riser  40 . 
         [0024]    A side view of an embodiment of a riser section  40  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Illustrated within pockets  43  formed on the riser housing  49  are various gooseneck assemblies  46 ,  47 ,  54 . The pocket  43  having gooseneck  54  is shown with a profile  45  on its periphery. The profile  45  is a rectangular-shaped contour matching the shape and position of the ears  69 . Accordingly, when vertically aligning the ears  69  of the gooseneck assembly  54  with the profiles  45  allows gooseneck assembly  54  insertion into the pocket  43 . Once in the pocket  43  and having the ears  69  out of alignment with the profiles  45 , the gooseneck assembly  54  is retained within the pocket  43  by the ears  69 . A profile ramp  51  is illustrated within the pocket  43  and adjacent the profile  45 . The ramp  51  is a plate-like member connecting on one end to the housing  49  inner surface adjacent the profile  45  upper end. The profile ramp  51  angles backward toward the inner portion of the pocket  43  so that when withdrawing the gooseneck  54  from within the window  43 , the ears  69  can slide along the ramp  51  and be guided outward from within the pocket through the profile  45 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional downward-looking view of the riser section  40  of  FIG. 6  and taken along line  7 - 7 . In this embodiment, the circular cross-section of the pockets  43  can be seen with the annular bodies of gooseneck assemblies  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  therein. In this example, gooseneck  46  can be used for conveying or connecting hydraulic fluid to a rigid line on the riser  40 , gooseneck assembly  47  can be used for providing booster fluid, and gooseneck assemblies  54 ,  55  used for delivering choke and kill fluids within the riser assembly  40 . Accordingly, the system and method described herein is applicable with any type of gooseneck connection contemplated for use with oil and gas exploration and/or production. Additionally, illustrated in  FIG. 7  are weldments  57 ,  59  for gooseneck mux lines. 
         [0026]    Shown in  FIG. 8  is an example of a connection assembly  70  shown in a side sectional view; which can be employed for any of the gooseneck assemblies described and/or discussed herein. The connection assembly includes annular conduit extension  71  shown welded to the lower terminal end of the conduit  66 . The conduit extension  71  and conduit  66  are coaxially formed around an axis A X . A flange  75  radially circumscribes the conduit extension  71  on its end opposite where it attaches to the conduit  66 . Similar to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 8  illustrates an engaged and disengaged configuration on opposing sides of the axis A X . More specifically, the connection assembly  70  above the axis A X  depicts it engaged with the connector sub  72  and below the axis A X  the connection assembly  70  is depicted in a disengaged configuration. It should also be pointed out, the sections displayed above and below the axis A X  do not lie in the same plane, as indicated along section line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 9 . The connector sub  72  is shown having profiles on its inner circumference for connection with a flow line upper end (not shown). When the assembly  70  is disengaged from the connector sub  72 , the gooseneck assemblies  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  with disengaged assembly  70  can be removed from its corresponding riser flow line. 
         [0027]    Circumscribing the conduit extension  71  on its upper end are a disk-like stop plate  80  and a sleeve flange  78 . The stop plate  80  and sleeve flange  78  are shown bolted together. The sleeve flange  78  radius at its upper portion is substantially equal to the stop plate  80  radius, but transitions to a smaller radius at a distance away from the stop plate  80 . When the connection assembly  70  is in the engaged configuration, the sleeve flange  78  lower end rests against the upper surface of an annular collet assembly  88 . Circumscribing the connection assembly  70  on its lower portion is an annular sleeve  76  having an upper end profiled to engage the sleeve flange  78  along its radial transition. 
         [0028]    The collet assembly  88 , as shown in a side partial sectional view in  FIG. 10 , includes on its upper end an annular base ring  92  and having a series of cantilevers  93  depending from the base ring  92  and extending substantially parallel with the axis A X  away from the base ring  92 . The cantilevers  93  circumscribe an annular receptacle connector  74  shown having an upper end that receives the conduit extension  71  therein and a lower end receiving the connector sub  72  upper end therein. Seals  83  are shown along the interface between the receptacle connector  74  and where it receives protruding male stabs of the conduit extension  71  and connector sub  72 . Attached on the free end of the cantilevers  93  are a series of segmented members  90  having a profiled surface facing the axis A X  that form protrusions  91 . When the connector assembly  70  is in the engaged configuration, the protrusions  91  fit within a groove  73  shown formed along the connector sub  72  outer surface. Each member  90  is shown having an angled surface  94  at its tip end at an angle from the protrusion  91  directed towards the sleeve  76  inner surface. 
         [0029]    Shown threaded within the sleeve  76  lower end is an annular release ring  77 . The release ring  77  has an upper end  95  directed towards the profiled segmented members  90 . The upper end  95  has a surface at an angle corresponding to the angled surface  94  of the segmented members  90 . Shown below the axis A X  of  FIG. 8 , the sleeve  79  is slid toward the conduit  66  relative to its position above the axis A X . This contacts the upper end  95  against the angled surface  94  to spread the member  90  radially outward toward the sleeve  76  out of its engagement with the groove  73 . Removing the member  90  from the groove  73  releases the connector sub  72  from the connection assembly  70  enabling the gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  to be freely withdrawn from its connection with the riser flow line. As noted above, pulling a release line remotely located pulls the activation bridle  60  and activation lead lines  64  to slide the sleeve  76  as described above to disengage the members  90  of the collet ring from the connector sub  72 . 
         [0030]    Shown in  FIG. 9  is a view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . From this view, recesses  85  are shown formed in the stop plate  80  so that the lead line connector  65  bolts directly into the sleeve flange  78  below the stop plate  80 . Also shown is a bore  84  in which an indicator pin  82  is inserted. Visibility of the indicator pin  82  may indicate whether or not the connector assembly  70  is in the engaged or disengaged configuration. 
         [0031]    In one example of operation, a gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  is suspended from an end of a handoff line  53 , with the handoff line  53  other end being reeled from a platform, such as the platform  12  in  FIG. 1 . Guy wires  50  may also be attached to the gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  to aid in guiding the assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  to a corresponding pocket  43  within the riser  40 . Tension is maintained in the release member  52  so that the lead lines  64  draw the sleeve  76  upward so the release ring  77  radially outward spreads the segmented members  90  against the sleeve  76 , as represented in  FIG. 8  below the axis A X . This maintains the connection assembly  70  in its disengaged position. After insertion within a pocket  43 , including positioning the ears  69  and profile  45 , the assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  is lowered within the pocket  43  by slowly releasing tension in the handoff line  53 . The ears  69  are guided along the ramp  51  to orient the gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  within the pocket  43  so the opening on the connection assembly  70  bottom end receives therein the male sub  72  upper end. The receptacle connector  74  lower terminal end seats on an annular shoulder  81  formed by a radial transition on the male sub  72 . When tension on the release member  52  is released, the mass of the moving components in the connection assembly  70  moves the sleeve  76  from its configuration shown below the axis A X  to the configuration provided above the axis A X . This separates the release ring  77  from the members  90  allowing inward radial movement into engagement with the groove  73  on male sub  72  to couple the gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  to the flow line  48 . Removing the gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55  from within the pocket  43  involves tensioning the release member  52  to move the sleeve  76  to the below axis A X  configuration. The gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55 , now disengaged, can be pulled upward, either by the release member  52  or handoff line  53 . In one example of use, the release member  52  travel is limited to the distance required to move the sleeve  76  from/to an engaged to/from a disengaged configuration, and thus not used for raising or lowering the gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55 . In another embodiment, a single handoff line  52  is used for raising/lowering each gooseneck assembly  46 ,  47 ,  54 ,  55 ; this reduces the number of lines on the drilling assembly to minimize safety concerns. 
         [0032]    The present system and method described herein, therefore, is well adapted to carry out and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment has been given for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures for accomplishing the desired results. For example, connection between the passages that extend between the upper and lower valve blocks  46 ,  47  may be accomplished with seal stabs. These and other similar modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the spirit of the present invention disclosed herein and the scope of the appended claims.