Adjustable flowline connections

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022049802-A1
Application number	US-202016991848-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 12, 2020
Priority date	Aug 12, 2020
Publication date	Feb 17, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A tubular connection system includes a connector coupled to a tubular segment, the connector having a first bore with a first bore diameter and a mating connector coupled to the connector, the mating connector having a second bore with a second bore diameter. The connector includes a plurality of connector lugs extending into the first bore. The connector also includes a plurality of gaps, respective gaps of the plurality of gaps are arranged between adjacent connector lugs of the plurality of connector lugs in a first alternating pattern. The plurality of connectors lugs are arranged in connector lug rows. The mating connector includes a plurality of mating lugs radially outward. The mating connector also includes a plurality of openings, respective openings of the plurality of openings are arranged between adjacent mating lugs of the plurality of mating lugs. The plurality of mating lugs are arranged in mating lug rows.

First claim

1 . A tubular connection system, comprising:
a connector coupled to a tubular segment, the connector having a first bore with a first bore diameter, the connector comprising:
a plurality of connector lugs extending into the first bore for a first radial distance, the connector lugs being positioned circumferentially about the first bore;
a plurality of gaps, wherein respective gaps of the plurality of gaps are arranged between adjacent connector lugs of the plurality of connector lugs in a first alternating pattern;
wherein the plurality of connectors lugs are arranged in connector lug rows, axially separated by connector spaces, extending for a first row length axially along the first bore;
a mating connector coupled to the connector, the mating connector having a second bore with a second bore diameter, the second bore diameter being smaller than the bore diameter, the mating connector comprising:
a plurality of mating lugs radially outward for a second radial distance, the mating lugs being positioned circumferentially about the second bore;
a plurality of openings, wherein respective openings of the plurality of openings are arranged between adjacent mating lugs of the plurality of mating lugs in a second alternating pattern;
wherein the plurality of mating lugs are arranged in mating lug rows, axially separated by mating slots, extending for a second row length axially along the second bore.

2 . The tubular connector system of claim 1 , wherein respective axial mating lug lengths of the plurality of mating lugs correspond to respective space lengths of the connector spaces to provide an area to receive the plurality of mating lugs.

3 . The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein respective axial lug lengths of the plurality of connector lugs correspond to respective slot lengths of the mating slots to provide an area to receive the plurality of connector lugs.

4 . The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector and mating connector are axially movable, with respect to one another, via alignment of the plurality of mating lugs and the plurality of connector gaps, wherein the plurality of mating lugs pass through the plurality of connector gaps.

5 . The tubular connector of claim 4 , wherein axial movement between the connector and mating connector is blocked when the plurality of mating lugs at least partially align with the plurality of connector lugs.

6 . The tubular connector of claim 4 , wherein an overall axial length is based, at least in part, on a respective position of the plurality of mating lugs within respective connector spaces.

7 . The tubular connector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a locking assembly, coupled to the connector, the locking assembly having a locking extension extending into at least one of gap of the plurality of gaps, the locking extension blocking rotation of at least one of the connector or the mating connector.

8 . The tubular connector of claim 1 , further comprising:
a seal arranged within a groove formed in the mating connector, the seal and the groove being arranged axially higher than the plurality of mating lugs.

9 . The tubular connector of claim 1 , wherein the mating connector is a sleeve positioned about a tubular.

10 . A flowline, comprising:
a first flowline segment, the first flow line segment being coupled to a fracturing tree at a first end; a second flowline segment, the second flow line segment coupled to a second end of the first flow line segment at a third end; and a connector joining the second end of the first flowline segment to the third end of the second flowline segment, the connector having a plurality of connector lugs arranged circumferentially about a connector bore, the connector bore receiving at least a portion of the first flowline segment, the connector enabling axial movement between the first flowline segment and the second flow line segment when mating lugs associated with the first flow line segment are aligned with respective gaps between adjacent connector lugs of the plurality of connector lugs and blocking axial movement between the first flowline segment and the second flow line segment when the mating lugs associated with the first flowline segment are aligned with the plurality of connector lugs, wherein at least one of the first flowline segment or the second flowline segment is rotatable about an axis to move between a first position enabling axial movement and a second position blocking axial movement.

11 . The flowline of claim 10 , wherein an overall flowline length is adjustable based on a position of the first flowline segment relative to the second flowline segment, the first flowline segment being movable over a row length that includes a plurality of rows of mating lugs.

12 . The flowline of claim 10 , further comprising:
a sleeve arranged about at least a portion of the first flowline segment, the sleeve having the mating lugs.

13 . The flowline of claim 10 , further comprising:
openings between adjacent mating lugs of the plurality of mating lugs, wherein axial movement between the first flowline segment and the second flowline segment includes passage of respective connector lugs through respective openings.

14 . The flowline of claim 10 , further comprising:
a plurality of rows, extending along a row length of the connector, each row of the plurality of rows including at least a first portion of the plurality of connector lugs; and a plurality of spaces, wherein a respective space of the plurality of spaces is positioned between adjacent rows of the plurality of rows, the respective space having an axial length adapted to receive the mating lugs.

15 . The flowline of claim 10 , further comprising:
a plurality of rows, each row of the plurality of row including at least a first portion of the mating lugs; and a plurality of slots, wherein a respective slot of the plurality of slots is positioned between adjacent rows of the plurality of rows, the respective slot having an axial length adapted to receive the connector lugs.

16 . The flowline of claim 10 , further comprising:
a locking assembly, coupled to the connector, the locking assembly having a locking extension extending into at least one of gap of the respective gaps, the locking extension blocking rotation of at least one of the first flowline segment or the second flowline segment.

17 . A flowline arranged at a fracturing site, the flowline extending in at least three directions between a manifold and a tree, the flowline comprising:
a first flowline segment, the first flowline segment having a first portion and a second portion coupled together via a first coupling arrangement, the first flowline segment arranged in a first direction, wherein a first flowline segment length is adjustable via axial movement of at least one of the first portion and the second portion at the first coupling arrangement; a second flowline segment, the second flowline segment having a third portion and a fourth portion coupled together via a second coupling arrangement, the second flowline segment arranged in a second direction, different from the first direction, wherein a second flowline segment length is adjustable via axial movement of the third portion and the fourth portion at the second coupling arrangement; and a third flowline segment, the third flowline segment having a fifth portion and a sixth portion coupled together via a third coupling arrangement, the third flowline segment arranged in a third direction, different from the first direction and the second direction, wherein a th

Assignees

• Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations Llc

Inventors

• Choate Jeremy
• Adams Keith
• Udipi Mahesha
• Munk Brian N
• Montoya Blanca Estela

Classifications

• E21B43/2607

  Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations · CPC title

• F16L27/127 Primary

  with means for locking the longitudinal adjustment or movement in the final mounted position · CPC title

• F16L23/032

  characterised by the shape or composition of the flanges · CPC title

• F16L27/125

  having longitudinal and rotary movement · CPC title