Metal to metal sealed joint for tubing string

In a subsea well apparatus having axially-adjacent riser conduit sections connected at end surfaces of their respective mating flanges, each conduit section having opposite end flanges each having axially-aligned tubing string-receiving orifices, and a tubing string section having its opposite ends within said tubing string-receiving orifices, the improvement comprising the provision of:

• a surface element adapted to receive an axially-outward force at each end of said tubing string section comprising an outwardly-extending radial surface on the outer surface of each end of the tubing string section;
• means for exerting an axially-outward force on each said surface member at each end of said tubing string section to adjust the axial position of the ends of the tubing string section.

In a subsea well apparatus having axially-adjacent riser conduit sections connected at end surfaces of their respective mating flanges, each having axially-aligned tubing string-receiving orifices, and a tubing string section having its opposite ends within said tubing string-receiving orifices, the improvement comprising the provision of:

• means for receiving an axially-outward force at each end of said tubing string section;
• and
• adjustable means for exerting an axially-outward force on said force-receiving means at each end of said tubing string section to adjust the axial position of the ends of the tubing string section, said means comprising an annular ring circumventing each tubing string section being retained.

In a subsea well apparatus having axially-adjacent riser conduit sections connected at end surfaces of their respective mating flanges, each conduit section having opposite end flanges each having axially-aligned tubing string-receiving orifices, and a tubing string section having its opposite ends within said tubing string-receiving orifices, the improvement comprising the provision of:

• a surface element adapted to receive an axially-outward force at each end of said tubing string section comprising an outwardly-extending radial surface on the outer surface of each end of the tubing string section;
• and
• means for exerting an axially-outward force on each said surface element at each end of said tubing string section to adjust the axial position of the ends of the tubing string section, wherein said means includes an annular element which is movably-attached to each of the adjacent mating flanges by threaded engagement.

In a subsea well apparatus having a riser conduit section having a mating flange at each end, mating flange end surfaces adapted for mating connection with adjacent riser conduit sections, tubing string-receiving orifices axially-disposed within the mating flanges, and one or more tubing string sections with the tubing string ends disposed within the orifices in each mating flange, each tubing string end having a tubing string end surface wherein the improvement comprises the provision of:

• end portions on each of said tubing string sections which are shaped for free axial movement within each orifice;
• and
• means for axially adjusting the position of each of the end portions of the tubing string section within each orifice to selectively adjust the position of each tubing string end surface relative to the adjacent mating flange end surface.

In a subsea well apparatus having a riser conduit section having a mating flange at each end, mating flange end surfaces adapted for mating connection with adjacent riser conduit sections, tubing string-receiving orifices axially-disposed within the mating flanges, and one or more tubing string sections with the tubing strings ends disposed within the orifice in each mating flange, each tubing string end having a tubing string end surface wherein the improvement comprises the provision of:

• end portions on each of said tubing string sections which are shaped for free axial movement within each orifice and which are provided with an outwardly-extending radial flange;
• and
• means for axially adjusting the position of each of the end portions of the tubing string sections within each orifice to selectively adjust the position of each tubing string end surface relative to the adjacent mating flange end surface, wherein the annular elements include two annular rings circumventing each tubing string section, each ring being disposed adjacent one of the radial flanges, and adapted to axially position said radial flanges.

In a subsea well apparatus having a riser conduit section having a mating flange at each end, mating flange end surfaces adapted for mating connection with adjacent riser conduit sections, tubing string-receiving orifices axially-disposed within the mating flanges, and one or more tubing string sections with the tubing string ends disposed within the orifices in each mating flange, each tubing string end having a tubing string end surface wherein the improvement comprises the provision of:

• end portions on each of said tubing string sections which are shaped for free axial movement within each orifice and which are provided with an outwardly-extending radial surface;
• and
• means for axially adjusting the position of each of the end portions of the tubing string section within each orifice to selectively adjust the position of each tubing string end surface relative to the adjacent mating flange end surface, said means comprising two annular members disposed about each tubing string section, each annular member being adjacent one of the radial flanges, and adapted to axially position said radial flanges.

In a subsea well apparatus having a plurality of conduit sections connected in end to end array with a plurality of tubing strings associated with each of said sections, end portions of the tubing strings terminating adjacent the mating end surfaces of adjacent conduit sections and means for retaining said end portions adjacent said mating end surfaces, the improvement of a metal to metal sealing joint for a plurality of paired up end portions of said plurality of tubing strings which is effected between said conduit sections concurrently on connection of said conduit sections to each other comprising the provision of:

• means for providing an annular inwardly tapered internal surface inwardly of each of said tubing string end portions;
• and
• a plurality of sleeve members having tapered ends, each of said members being of a size and being positioned between a pair of aligned tubing string end portions whereby, on connection of said adjacent conduit sections together, each said member is placed in a metal-to-metal sealing relation with its associated pair of tubing string end portions associated internal surfaces to thereby effect a concurrent joining of the plurality of tubing strings on said adjacent conduit sections.

In a subsea well apparatus having a plurality of conduit sections connected in end to end relation with a plurality of tubing string sections associated with each conduit section, end portions of the tubing strings terminating adjacent the mating end surfaces of adjacent conduit sections and means for retaining said end portions adjacent said mating end surfaces, the improvement in means for joining said tubing string end portions to provide a sealed fluid flow communication between aligned tubing strings on said adjacent conduit sections comprising the provision of:

• a plurality of metal-to-metal type sealing sleeve members, each of said members being positioned between pairs of aligned and opposing end portions of the tubing string at said mating end surfaces of said adjacent conduit sections, said plurality of sleeve members being held in fluid sealing compression between said tubing string end portions by the connection of said adjacent conduit sections to one another.