Patent · US Active

Subsea wellhead stabilization using cylindrical sockets

US8973664B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
49References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 2012
Grant dateMar 10, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 27, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B33/035
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A wellhead assembly for use subsea includes a high pressure housing landed within a low pressure housing. The low pressure housing is an annular member that mounts into the sea floor and having an inner surface engaging the high pressure housing along a loading interface. Upper and lower sockets are formed along axially spaced apart portions of the outer surface of the high pressure housing. As the high pressure housing inserts into the low pressure housing, the high pressure housing sockets engage corresponding sockets formed along axially spaced apart sockets on portions of the inner surface of the low pressure housing. The sockets each have cylindrically shaped outer surfaces, and when engaged with one another define the loading interface. The sockets are strategically located on the upper and lower portions of the housings to maximize their distance apart.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.