FMC KC4.2 Collet Connectors

Connectors are used to make a tight connection between two fluid carrying elements. The KC Collet Connector has been designed for connection of subsea flowlines, risers, and XT-wing hubs, to the different parts of the subsea production systems.

FMC Technologies provide a series of standard connectors from 2" to 36" both single- and multi-bore, in both horisontal and vertical applications.

KC4.2 Collet Connector shown in fullbore, high pressure and multibore configurations.

KC4.2 Multibore Collet Connector

Connectors are used to make a tight connection between two fluid carrying elements. Most of the fluid is carried under high pressure, and /or high temperature. The connection may also be exposed to high external loads and/or pressure as a result of the deep waterdepth. FMC Technologies provide a series of standard connectors from 2" to 36", in both horizontal and vertical applications.

The KC Collet Connector has been designed for connection of subsea flowlines, risers, and XT-wing hubs, to the different parts of the subsea production and flowline systems. They may be operated horizontally or vertically. The connectors may be fitted with several bore configurations, from the nominal full-bore, to smaller single- and multi-bore versions, including umbilicals.

Collet Connectors are attached to one end of the pipe-connection, and have fingers gripping on to the other pipe-ends flange or hub.

Connectors are made up by either internal hydraulic operation, or by an external Connector Actuation Tool (CAT ), leaving no hydraulic components subsea. Both KC Collet Connectors and KL Clamp connectors fit the same hub profile.

FMC KC4.2 Collet Connectors

FMC Connection products

Definitions & Abbreviations

FMC KC Connectors use the KX metal to metal seal. The seal is made of Inconel 625, and is Silver Plated. This provides a gas tight seal, and is suitable for single- and multi-bore connections. The KX gasket has a flexible design, allowing for compensation of fabrication tolerances and misalignments. In case of damage to the primary sealing area in the hubface, the KX-design provides a back-up seal by utilizing a different area in the sealface. The seal design is equipped for a back seat (external seal) test after connection to verify proper connection operation.

The KX- gasket was developed in the early 80s, and has successfully held sealed connections in all major oil-producing fields around the world.

KX-gasket

Testing of first generation Collet Connector

KX-gasket from " to 36"

The KC connector was first developed in the early 1980s, with the KC-1 design. Over decades, this connector concept has been improved by global field experience and innovative design.

FMC now produces and delivers the KC4.2 connectors as a global standard for horizontal and vertical applications.

FMC has over the last twenty years delivered more than 2000 Collet Connectors.

FMC Connector history

F/F Flat-to Flat. The back (external diam.) of the collet fingers is in contact with the actuator ring. At the end of the actuator stroke (fingers locked) the back of the fingers changes from conical form to cylindrical. The cylindrical form appears flat when seen in section.

T/T Tapered-Type, refers to the conical interface between external diameter of collet fingers and mating actuator ring CompaCT range Connectors with compact hubs (i.e. not API hub dimensions)

apI range Connectors with hub dimensions according to API

TH Termination Head on flowline/umbilical

KX FMC Technologies type metal to metal seal.

KXX FMC Dual barrier seal

Hp High Pressure

Lp Low Pressure

Inboard Connection Equipment on the subsea production structure

ouTboard Connection equipment on the sealine termination.

Connector matrix for Collet Connectors type KC4.2 for subsea sealines, risers & XT-wing Hub

STandard preSSure raTIngS For ConneCTor SIZeSHigher pressures are available for small bore sizes.

maX.pIpe SIZe (od)

maX ConneCTor Id Con-nector type-size

6"

7" 8" 9 10" 12" 14" 16" 18" 20" 27"

12 " KC4.2-1015 ksi

1035 bar10 ksi

690 bar5 ksi

345 bar5 ksi

345 bar5 ksi

345 bar

14" KC4.2-1215 ksi

1035 bar10 ksi

690 bar10 ksi

690 bar10 ksi

690 bar5 ksi

345 bar5 ksi

345 bar

16" KC4.2-1415 ksi

1035 bar15 ksi

1035 bar10 ksi

690 bar10 ksi

690 bar5 ksi

345 bar5 ksi

345 bar

18" KC4.2-1615 ksi

1035 bar10 ksi

690 bar10 ksi

690 bar5 ksi

345 bar5 ksi

345 bar

20" KC4.2-1815 ksi

1035 bar10 ksi

690 bar10 ksi

690 bar5 ksi

345 bar5 ksi

345 bar)

22" KC4.2-2015 ksi

1035 bar10 ksi

690 bar10 ksi

690 bar5 ksi

345 bar5 ksi

345 bar

27" KC4.2-2715 ksi

1035 bar10 ksi

690 bar10 ksi

690 bar5 ksi

345 bar5 ksi

345 bar

KC4.2 connector

The KC4.2 Series of Collet Connectors are qualified to ISO 13628-4 and ISO 10423 requirements. The connectors are the HPHT solution (rated for 350F and 15,000 psi bore pressure) for all future projects. Some of the key features of the connectors include a compact hub design and a self locking feature which prevents accidental unlock.

The connector is designed to maintain pretension of the hub-faces in all load cases. The need for separate locking device is eliminated. This has a positive impact on the operational procedures. A further advantage is that preload of the connector is factory set and not subjects to service personnel intervention.

The connector may be locked and unlocked through integral hydraulics or through external tooling based upon the project and application requirements. In all instances, the preload of the connector is determined by geometrical tolerances and cannot be manually adjusted.

FMC Collet Connectors type KC4.2

KXX Dual Barrier Seal

Insulated KC4.2 Collet Connector for horizontal and vertical applicationsThe new Insulated KC4.2 Collet Connector integrates insulation material in the connector and termination head. The modular design implies that the connector can be used for both vertical and horizontal application, single- and multi-bore design and actuated hydraulically or mechanically. The insulated modular connector is designed for installation with the existing FMC Tie-in systems.

The new KXX Gasket System utilizes the best aspects of the proven KX and MC gaskets to create a dual barrier seal in flowline applications.

The KXX Gasket system is design for horizontal and vertical operations in both monobore and multibore configurations. It may be used in both the KC Series of Collet Connectors and the KL Series of Clamp Connectors.

Main Hydraulic Operation and Installation

The KC4.2 Collet Connectors can be hydraulically operated with incorporated integral actuators & a retractable finger feature. Back-up release is possible in case of hydraulic failure.

The hydraulic version of the connector is used for subsea connection of modules such as, XT- flow-loop and choke modules, but can also be used for flowline connections. In case of connection of stiff flow-loops, the stroking length can be reduced by use of a KC-4 connector with retractable fingers.

The mechanical Non Hydraulic Collet Connectors are used with Tie-in tools from the KOSCON Tie-in system family.

Mechanical Operation and Installation

The Non-hydraulic KC-4 Collet Connectors can be operated using Tie-in tools from the KOSCON Tie-in system family. This includes the following Tie-in systems:

ucon-H: Pipe size up to 20ND (Horizontal connection)ucon-V: Pipe size up to 20ND (Vertical connection)rovcon-1: Pipe size up to 12ND (Horizontal connection)rovcon-2: Pipe size up to 18ND (Horizontal connection)Stabcon-1: Pipe size up to 12ND (Horizontal connection)Vecon-1: Pipe size up to 12ND (Vertical connection)Vecon-2: Pipe size up to 14ND (Vertical connection)

Type KC4.2

27" Collet Connector for Hydros Ormen Lange Field

UCON-HFMCs new Universal Connection System-Horizontal mode (UCON-H) is designed for horizontal connection of Mono- and Multibore; spools,Jumpers Umbilicals and flowlines,currentlyupto20OD(18ID), UCON-H is utilizing the standard and field-proven KC4 connector.

ROVCON

The ROV based Tie-in & Connection System ROVCON is attached underneath a Work class ROV. The Tie-in skid package perfoms tie-in using two winches. Final pull-in and closing of the connector is by using stroking cylinders. The system comes with a set of ROV operated tools for hub preparation prior to connection.

Advantages of the ROVCON Tie-in system is that it is designed to perform a series of tie-ins and connections of prelaid lines without returning to the surface.

STABCONThe Stab and Hingeover Connection System (STABCON) is specifically designed to minimise the cost and complexity of vertical installation and connection of rigid and flexible Flowlines, Umbilicals and Rigid Spools in deep and ultra-deep waters. A hinged stab on the termination-head enters a receptacle on the subsea-structure before the termination-head is rotated into horizontal position for connection by the ROV carried Connector Actuating Tool (CAT)

Advantages of the STABCON Tie-in system is that it is designed to perform a series of tie-ins and connections without returning the CAT to the surface.

VECONThe Vertical Connection System VECON is designed to minimise the cost and complexity of vertical installation and connection of Flexible Flowlines, Rigid Spools Rigid Flowlines with flexible tails, Flowline Risers and Umbilicals.. The collet connector with the V-CAT (Vertical Connector Actuation Tool) is lifted directly onto the receiving hub. The V-CAT incorporates a soft-landing device.

www.fmctechnologies.com/SubseaSystems

FMC TechnologiesP.O. Box 1012NO-3601 KongsbergNorwayPhone: +47 3228 6700

FMC Technologies1777 Gears RoadHouston TX 77067USAPhone: +1 281 591 4000

Copyright February 2012 | FM

C Technologies