Rotating indexing coupling (RIC) assembly for installation and orientation of a subsea production tree

A method, comprising:

• attaching at least one hydraulic coupling element to a tubing hanger;
• securing the tubing hanger within a subsea well;
• operatively coupling an apparatus to a bottom of a subsea production tree,
• the apparatus comprising:
• a stab body;
• at least one inlet/outlet;
• a flange on an end of the stab body,
• wherein the first and second inlets/outlets are positioned adjacent an upper surface of the flange;
• a coupler body positioned around the stab body, the coupler body adapted to rotate relative to the stab body;
• at least one hydraulic coupling element positioned on the coupler body;
• and
• at least one coiled tube positioned around the stab body, the at least one coiled tube being in fluid communication with the at least one hydraulic coupling element and the at least one inlet/outlet;
• lowering at least the production tree and the attached apparatus toward the subsea well until an orientation key engages at least one angled surface, the production tree and the attached apparatus having a combined weight;
• continue lowering at least the production tree and the attached apparatus so as to further insert the apparatus into the subsea well,
• whereby the combined weight of at least the production tree and the attached apparatus forces the orientation key to travel along at least a portion of the at least one angled surface and causes the coupler body to rotate relative to the stab body;
• continue lowering at least the production tree and the attached apparatus so as to further cause the coupler body to rotate until the orientation key registers in the orientation slot thereby vertically aligning the at least one hydraulic coupling element positioned on the coupler body with the at least one hydraulic coupling element on the tubing hanger;
• and
• continue lowering at least the production tree and the attached apparatus so as to cause the at least one hydraulic coupling element positioned on the coupler body and the at least one hydraulic coupling element on the tubing hanger to operatively engage one another.

A method, comprising:

• attaching at least one hydraulic coupling element to a tubing hanger;
• installing the tubing hanger in its final installed position within a subsea well, the tubing hanger comprising a first orientation structure;
• determining an as-installed orientation of the first orientation structure with respect to a second orientation structure;
• positioning an apparatus at a surface location, the apparatus comprising:
• a stab body;
• at least one inlet/outlet;
• a flange on an end of the stab body,
• wherein the first and second inlets/outlets are positioned adjacent an upper surface of the flange;
• a coupler body positioned around the stab body, the coupler body adapted to rotate relative to the stab body;
• at least one hydraulic coupling element positioned on the coupler body;
• at least one coiled tube positioned around the stab body, the at least one coiled tube being in fluid communication with the at least one hydraulic coupling element and the at least one inlet/outlet;
• and
• the second orientation structure located on the coupler body,
• wherein the second orientation structure and the first orientation structure are adapted to engage one another so as to establish a desired relative orientation between the coupler body and the tubing hanger;
• coupling the apparatus to a production tree;
• with the apparatus positioned at a surface location and coupled to the production tree, rotating the coupler body around the stab body until such time as the second orientation structure is at a desired orientation, whereby, when the second orientation structure is in a final registered position with respect to the first orientation structure, the at least one hydraulic coupling element positioned on the coupler body will be operatively coupled to the at least one hydraulic coupling element on the tubing hanger;
• and
• lowering at least the production tree and the attached apparatus until the second orientation structure on the apparatus is positioned in its final registered position with respect to the first orientation structure and the at least one hydraulic coupling element is operatively coupled to the at least one hydraulic coupling element on the tubing hanger.