Wellsite connector with floating seal member and method of using same

A method of connecting components of a wellsite, the wellsite having a wellbore extending into a subsurface formation, the method comprising:

• providing a wellsite connector comprising:
• a connector body having an axis, an end adapted for coupling to a first of the components, and a cavity adapted to receive a second of the components;
• a piston axially movable in the connector body, the piston having a pocket along an inner surface thereof;
• and
• a floatable seal member comprising a seal ring having a hole therethrough to sealingly receive the second of the components, the seal member slidably movable in the pocket of the piston transversely relative to the axis of the connector body;
• operatively connecting the end of the connector body to the first of the components;
• receiving the second of the components within the cavity of the connector body, and within the hole of the seal ring, and within the inner surface of the piston;
• aligning the second of the components to the first of the components for connection therebetween;
• slidably moving the seal member in the connector body transversely relative to the axis of the connector body;
• and
• forming a radial gap between the inner surface of the piston and the second of the components, wherein the radial gap extends axially from an end of the piston to the floatable seal member.

A subsea connector for forming a connection between a first subsea device and a second subsea device, comprising:

• a connector body having a longitudinal axis, a coupling end coupled to the first subsea device and a cavity end expandable to define a variable diameter cavity to receive a connecting member of the second subsea device;
• a piston that is axially movable within the connector body, wherein the piston includes a pocket extending into an inner surface of the piston along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connector body;
• and
• an annular seal member disposed within the pocket of the piston and positioned about an inner surface of the cavity end to provide the subsea connector with a hydrate seal when the connecting member extends through the seal member, the seal member being floatable within the pocket in the radial direction;
• wherein the seal member has radially-extending top and bottom seal ring surfaces supported by the top and bottom walls of the pocket;
• and
• wherein the bottom wall of the pocket extends radially inward further than the top wall of the pocket.