Externally actuated subsea wellhead tieback connector

An externally actuatable tieback connector for establishing fluid communication and force resisting connection of a conduit to a subsea wellhead having an internal locking geometry, comprising:

• a tubular outer body;
• a tubular inner body being connected to said tubular outer body and adapted to extend partially into an inner diameter of the wellhead;
• a lock ring located circumferentially around a portion of said inner tubular body and disposed for locking engagement with the internal locking geometry of the wellhead;
• a lock energizing element being movable relative to said tubular outer body and said tubular inner body and having a portion thereof disposed for actuating engagement with said lock ring and having a locking position expanding said lock ring into locking engagement with the internal locking geometry of the wellhead and an unlocking position permitting retraction of said lock ring to a position clear of the internal locking geometry of the wellhead;
• and
• at least one drive member extending from said lock energizing element and having a portion thereof positioned externally of said outer tubular connector body for engagement and actuating movement by a lock actuating tool located externally of said tieback connector and the subsea wellhead.

An externally actuatable tieback connector for establishing fluid communication and force resisting connection of a conduit to a subsea wellhead having an internal locking geometry, comprising:

• a connector body having a portion thereof adapted to be received within an inner diameter of the subsea wellhead;
• a lock ring located circumferentially around a portion of said connector body and disposed for locking engagement with the internal locking geometry of the wellhead;
• a lock energizer element being movable relative to said connector body and having a portion thereof disposed for actuating engagement with said lock ring and having a locking position expanding said lock ring into locking engagement with the internal locking geometry of the wellhead and an unlocking position permitting retraction of said lock ring to a position clear of the internal locking geometry of the wellhead;
• and
• at least one drive member extending from said lock energizer element and having a portion thereof positioned externally of said connector body for engagement and actuating movement by a lock actuating tool located externally of said tubular connector body.