SUBSEA ENGINEER TRAINING PROGRAM

Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

1.11 Hydraulic Connectors

1.11.1 Introduction

The hydraulic connectors are used on the stack and the LMRP to connect the stack with
the wellhead and the LMRP with the stack. The stack connector requires the same
pressure rating as the ram-type BOPs. The LMRP connector often has the same pressure
rating as the annular-type BOPs installed on the LMRP. The connector installed on the
LMRP has normally a "high-angle release" layout unlike the wellhead connector.

Figure 1.11.1-1 BOP layout with two connectors installed.

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Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

Figure 1.11.1-2 Reentry with LMRP onto the stack after disconnecting.

The connectors are remotely operated to latch the BOP onto the wellhead or to latch the
LMRP onto the stack. The connectors have indicator rods in order to determine the
position of the connector with subsea cameras. The connectors have two primary
functions (latch and unlatch) and one secondary function (secondary unlatch). The use
of two separate and redundant unlatch functions improves the reliability of the
connectors.

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Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

1.11.2 General Design

There are two basic types of connectors:

1. Multiple-piston connector
a) Vetco H-4, type EXF and type E
b) Vetco SHD H-4
c) Vetco Super HD H-4
d) Cameron model 70 Collet Connector (Figure 11.1-3)

2. Annular piston connector

a) Cameron HC Collet Connector
b) Cameron DWHC Collet Connector
c) Cameron HCH4 Collet Connector
d) DrillQuip type DX
e) McEvoy type MD

Due to a larger surface area, the annular piston-type connector has a higher pre-load at
lower hydraulic pressures. The angle of the locking dogs has also a significant influence
on the pre-load.

Position indicator

Segment

Actuator Ring

AX-ring

Hydraulic Cylinder

Figure 1.11.1-3 Cameron model Collet 70 connector.

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Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

Position indicator

Segment

Actuator ring

Secondary piston

Locking chamber

Locking piston

Figure 1.11.2-1 Cameron 18-3/4" connector Model HC 15M.

Figure 1.11.3-2 Vetco 18-3/4" Super HD H-4 connector with conversion kit installed.

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Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

1.11.3 Operation

1. The cam ring or actuator ring, with a 4° taper on its internal diameter (ID), is
forced down by the operation pistons. As the ring travels downwards, the ID
decreases and drives the connector dogs or collet fingers, locking the connector
inwards.

2. Just like a flange, the connector creates a clamping force, called the pre-load,
between the two hub faces.

3. The 4° taper is considered a locking taper. The dogs or segments generate more
friction on the cam ring or actuator ring to back out. Subsequently, they can
generate force while attempting to unlock the connector.

4. The connectors have two primary functions for the connector, namely latch and
unlatch plus a third, the secondary unlatch.

5. Two separate and redundant unlatch functions are used to ensure extra reliability.
On the H4 two unlatch functions have separate operating chambers and seals inside
the connector plus two separate circuits in the control system for complete
redundancy. On the HC there is no separate circuit and the secondary unlatch is a
back-up only.

6. With improper lubrication, such as a lubricant that is easily washed away, the
friction force between the cam ring and the dogs might be excessive (Vetco H-4
connectors). The connector may be very difficult to unlatch at the completion of
the well.

7. The Vetco connectors require to be greased, but afterwards the connector is to be

cycled at least twenty times to remove the excess of grease from the dogs. The old
grease and the debris will be pushed out of the area behind the dogs and the new
grease will be in place for the next well. Only grease recommended by the
manufacturer should be used. The amount of grease is rather large each time the
stack is on the surface (a third to half a drum of 25 kg). The initial unlatch
pressure of the connector after a pressure test should remain below 700 psi in
order to prove the smooth operation of the H-4 connector. This should be regularly
checked (every 6 months).

NOTE: The Vetco H-4 should never be greased while latched on the stump
because a hydraulic lock will result and only complete disassembly of the connector
can resolve this!

8. When the LMRP is disconnected, the hydraulic latching pressure is lost on the
wellhead connector. It must stay latched due to friction between the locking dogs
and the cam ring.

9. With improper lubrication (i.e. lubrication oil that is too slick), the friction force may
not be great enough to stop the cam ring from rising when the connector is under
wellbore pressure and the locking pressure is released. This backward or
unlatching movement is called "back-driving".

10. To eliminate the possibility of "back-driving", the 4-degree contact surface (red-
colored arrows pointing out to large oval) should not be greased without
providing a POCV (Pilot-Operated Check Valve) at the locking side. The POCV is
intended to keep the connector latched even if the control system pressure is lost.
The contact area between the segments and the hub faces (the green colored
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Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

arrows pointing out to small oval) should be greased with Lubriplate or an

equivalent grease recommended by the manufacturer.

Figure 1.11.3-1 Contact surfaces on the Cameron HC connector.

Operating Pressures
The operating pressure of the operating chambers is 1,500 psi. The chambers are
designed to operate at 3,000-psi maximum working pressure. The hydraulic functions
and hydraulic connections for the primary and the secondary unlatch should be totally
independent. In-field use has found that when only the primary unlatch function is used,
seawater can be drawn into the secondary unlatch cylinders; therefore, it is
recommended that both functions be operated. As explained below this will ensure the
connector will unlatch and also avoid sea water ingress.

Testing
The connector's hydraulic circuits are to be tested to their full working pressure at
regular intervals to check for leaks in the hydraulic system. The travel of the cam ring
can also be measured. Data for the different types of connectors can be obtained from
the manufacturer and is normally available in the service/maintenance manual.

Forces on the Connector

In the multiple-piston design, the unlatch force is simultaneously increased when primary
and secondary unlatches are used. The unlatch or release force of the 18-3/4" Vetco
15M HD connector is 23% (figures as mentioned in ABB Vetco brochure 1998) greater
than the locking force for the same operating pressure using primary release only. Using
the primary and the secondary release systems together results in a release
force of approximately 2.5 times the locking force.

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Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

The connectors using a secondary annular piston (Cameron HC) do not have any
additional unlatching force if operated simultaneously. Its only function is to provide a
back-up hydraulic chamber in the event of a leak or malfunction in the primary circuit.

1.11.4 Sealing and Seal Rings

The connectors provide a tight seal between the stack and the wellhead. Soft AX
(Cameron) or VX (Vetco) rings are used, which deform after being energized. With
normal operations, these seals provide steel-to-steel integrity.

Figure 1.11.4-1 Vetco VX ring.

The seal rings are very soft and vulnerable. They have to be in a spotless condition as
well as the sealing area of the connectors and hubs. No knifes or wire brushes are
allowed to clean the sealing areas, only a very fine emery cloth can be used. The seal
rings are either cadmium-plated for application up to 10,000 psi or made of stainless
steel for applications up to 15,000 psi or high-temperature wells. The cadmium-plated
rings are softer than the stainless-steel rings and deform more easily. This results in
slightly better sealing characteristics than the stainless-steel rings. Just like the
cadmium-plated rings, the stainless-steel rings can only be used once, although they are
much more expensive.

For special operations or on DP vessels (which may have to use the same ring gasket
after a disconnect situation), rings with seals are used. The Cameron AX-ring with seals
is called a resilient ring. The Vetco VX-ring with seals is called a Hy-car ring. There are
different designs of the seal rings. It is obvious that the rings can only be used in their
designed wellheads and connectors and cannot be used in other applications.

Figure 1.11.4-2 Figure 1.11.4-3

VX ring (Vetco). AX ring (Cameron).

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Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

1.11.5 Seal Support Dogs

Vetco H-4
The support dogs of the Vetco H-4 connectors are allen-headed retainer bolts and they
are usually manually operated. T-bars are installed for remote operation by the subsea
ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle). Most newer connectors have hydraulically operated
dogs installed. These require an open and an optional closed (as they are spring return)
hydraulic connection from the control pod.

VX ring

Retainer
bolt

Figure 1.11.5-1 Seal locking dog in Vetco H-4 connector.

Cameron
The support dogs of Cameron connectors are spring-loaded dogs that extend on the
spring force and retract when hydraulic pressure is applied. Normally, the maximum
operating pressure of the AX release dogs is 1,000 psi.

The Cameron connector requires only a hydraulic connection to retract the dogs.

Figure 1.11.5-2 Cameron AX release dogs and AX ring.

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Unit 1.11 – Hydraulic Connectors

Questions – Hydraulic Connectors

1. Explain how to clean the sealing areas of the connectors properly.

2. What is the difference between hydraulic connectors designed for the LMRP and those
designed for the wellhead connectors?

3. Why is it necessary to grease the Vetco connectors?

4. What would be the result of greasing a Vetco connector latched on the test stump?

5. Why does an annular piston type connector have higher pre-load?

6. What is the degree of taper on the cam ring and actuator ring of all connectors?

7. What should you use to clean the VX profile on the connector?

8. What is the difference between the secondary unlock of an HC connector compared

the the H4?

9. What is the risk of greasing the contact surfaces of the connector and what can be
done to mitigate it?

10. What could be the result of losing closing pressure of the hydraulic connectors?

11. What can be done to maintain a constant closing pressure on the hydraulic
connectors?

12. Explain why the unlocking force is always greater than the locking force with the
Vetco connectors.

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SSETP-01-11a Brazil Hydraulic Connectors 5th ed.doc