Apparatus and method for connecting tubular members

Abstract

A connector for connecting a first tubular member to a second tubular member is disclosed, for example for connecting a riser to a wellhead in a subsea oilfield location. The second tubular member has a seating surface and comprises an engagable locking profile. The connector comprises a housing for securing the connector to the end portion of the first tubular member, the housing comprising a seating surface for contacting the seating surface of the second tubular member. A locking assembly is provided having a locking portion engagable with the locking profile of the second tubular member, the locking assembly movable between an unlocked position, in which the locking portion of the locking assembly is not in engagement with the locking profile of the second tubular member, to a locked position, in which the locking portion of the locking assembly is engaged with the locking portion of the second tubular member and in which the seating surface of the housing is in contact with the seating surface of the second tubular member. The connector further includes a first actuator, operable to move the locking assembly from the unlocked position to the locked position, and a second actuator, operable after operation of the first actuator to apply an axial tensile load to the locking assembly, thereby urging the seating surface of the housing against the seating surface of the second tubular member. A method of connecting a first tubular member to a second tubular member is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.