Cameron Collet Connector

Collet Connector Comparison

All Cameron collet connectors have thefollowing features:

• High strength and stiffness with adirect “load path” through theconnector.

• Metal-to-metal sealing AX gaskets on the collet end ensure seal integrity. A new version of the AX gasket with acontingency seal may be used with theDWHC.

• Positively driven-open collet segmentsduring unlock ensure that no overpullis required to disconnect. A secondaryunlock function is also included in thedesign.

• Inconel® inlays on all sealing surfacesexposed to seawater.

• Available with studded, flanged orclamped tops.

• Available with secondary unlockpistons.

• Inherent self-locking characteristics.

Model 70 Collet Connector

The Model 70 Collet Connector forms atight seal while withstanding the bendingstresses and separating forces caused bywell pressure, riser tension and vesselmotion. Features include:

• Cylinders may be easily repaired orreplaced.

• Short “swallow up”, tapered hubprofile and positive unlocking systemallow disconnection at angles up to30°.

• 25° angles on the clamp segmentfaces and a large actuating piston areacreate a greater clamping force at agiven hydraulic pressure.

• Standard manual override.

• Actuated by hydraulic cylinders whichprovide high clamping preloads.


SD24752

As drilling depths have increased

over the years, Cameron collet

connectors have evolved to

address issues concerning higher

internal and external pressures,

ever-increasing applied bending

and tension loads, and extreme

operating conditions. Additionally,

Cameron collet connectors are

designed to fulfill a variety of

requirements caused by restricted

space, high preload and fatigue life,

as well as customer requirements

for unique operating environments.

Cameron Model 70, HC, HCH4 and

DWHC Collet Connectors are

typically used for connection of the

BOP stack to the wellhead, and to

secure the lower riser assembly to

the top of the BOP. While these

collet connectors utilize the same

basic design, their preload and

structural load capabilities vary.

2

HC Collet Connector

SD24753


HC Collet Connector

The HC Collet Connector is similar to thepopular Model 70, but is designed toprovide greater preload to withstandhigher separating forces. Featuresinclude:

• Short “swallow up”, tapered hubprofile and positive unlocking systemallow disconnection at angles up to 30°.

• Shortest “swallow up” of any majorwellhead connector available on themarket.

• Large actuating piston area creates a greater preload at a given hydraulicpressure than the Model 70.

• Higher applied loads can be toleratedwithout causing hub face separationbecause of the higher preloads.

• Uses annular cylinder with greaterannular piston area for larger lockingand unlocking force.

• Compact design minimizes height andweight.

HCH4 Collet Connector

The HCH4 Collet Connector is based onCameron’s standard HC Collet Connector.It incorporates most major features of thestandard HC Collet Connector with itsstandard HC operating system andstructural load carrying components. Its unique locking design includes threeload shoulders on the colletsegments/fingers, allowing the customerto use a Cameron HC connector to lockonto an H4 wellhead and still maintain a direct load path.

DWHC Collet Connector

The DWHC is a high strength drilling andcompletion collet connector engineeredfor the high loads encountered in ultradeepwater applications. Features include:

• Segment and hub geometry and alarge actuating piston area create agreater clamping force for the higherloads encountered in ultra deepwaterconditions.

• New flange exceeds API standardswith a thicker neck, a larger bolt circleand larger bolt diameter to match thecapacity of the DWHC.

• New hub profile accommodates highload carrying capacity. This Camerondesign will be shared with the industryin an effort to promotestandardization and reduce totalinterfaces.

• Provides 21 million pounds totalequivalent tension capacity, based onAPI design criteria.

• Design forms the foundation for therequirements of Cameron’s ultradeepwater SpoolTreeTM ProductionSystem applications.

AX, CX and BX Gaskets

Cameron subsea collet connectors utilizefield-proven, metal-to-metal gaskets toensure seal integrity. The connector’sinternal hub is fitted with the AX gasket,available with bonded hycar resilient ringsupon customer request.

The flanged, studded or clamped topconnection of the connectors is fittedwith either the pressure-energized CXgasket or the ring joint BX gasket. Thesegaskets are recessed into and retained bythe clamped, studded or flanged hub,ensuring face-to-face contact withminimal clamping force.

SD24754


SD24755

3

HCH4 Collet Connector


Hub Interchangeability

In addition to the standard wellhead hub, Cameron has designed aunique dual hub wellhead profile to use with the DWHC Connector.This DWHC hub allows other collet connectors to be used inapplications where the loading requirements are not as severe.

While the standard HC Collet Connector and the Model 70 ColletConnector locks onto the DWHC hub, the DWHC Collet Connectorlocks onto the standard wellhead hub. No modification to either collet connector is required.

Cameron’s newest collet connector, the HCH4, was designedspecifically to fit on a mandrel-style hub.

4

SD017194

HCH4 Connector with H4 Hub

HCDWHC Model 70

HCDWHC Model 70

DWHC Hub

Standard Hub

SD24780

SD24781

5

Load Paths and Performance Data

A load path is the way applied loads are transmitted through the connector to the wellhead. The more direct the load path, the fewercomponents it travels through, yielding a stiffer, more stable connection. In turn, this stiff and stable connection directly affects resistanceto hub face separation. All Cameron connectors have direct load paths which provide high resistance to hub face separation.

Performance Model 70 HC DWHC HCH4Pressure Rating (psi/MPa) 10,000/69.00 10,000/69.00 15,000/103.50 15,000/103.50 10,000/69.00 15,000/103.50

Bending @ 0 pressure, 0 tension* (ft-lb) 3,645,000 4,048,000 5,293,000 11,500,000 2,961,000 1,868,000

Bending @ 0 pressure, 0 tension* (Nm) 4,942,000 5,488,000 7,176,000 15,591,000 4,014,000 2,533,000

Bending @ 10,000 psi, 0 tension* (ft-lb) 1,706,000 3,219,000 3,308,000 11,750,000 3,045,000 2,631,000

Bending @ 10,000 psi, 0 tension* (Nm) 2,313,000 4,364,000 4,485,000 15,930,000 4,128,000 3,567,000

Bending @ 10,000 psi, 2,000,000 lb tension*(ft-lb) 549,000 2,063,000 2,151,000 10,300,000 2,109,000 1,850,000

Bending @ 10,000 psi, 2,000,000 lb tension*(Nm) 744,000 2,797,000 2,916,000 13,964,000 2,859,000 2,508,000

Bending @ 15,000 psi, 2,000,000 lb tension* (ft-lb) – – 1,161,000 9,300,000 – 1,145,000

Bending @ 15,000 psi, 2,000,000 lb tension*(Nm) – – 1,574,000 12,609,000 – 1,552,000

Preload (lb) 245,000 4,385,000 5,875,000 12,000,000 4,740,000 8,352,000

Preload (N) 1,090,000 19,505,000 26,133,000 53,379,000 21,085,000 37,152,000

Load Shoulder Angle (housing/connector) 25°/25° 25°/25° 25°/25° 25°/10° 45°/0° 45°/0°

Maximum Release Angle ≤30° ≤30° ≤30° 4°**** 4° 4°

Water Depth Rating (feet/meters) – – ≤10,000/3048 ≤10,000/3048 – –

Connector Style (hub, collet, etc.) Collet with Hub Collet with Hub Collet with Hub Collet with Hub Collet with Hub Collet with Hub

Maximum Subsea Wellhead OD (in/mm) 31.39/797.31 31.39/797.31 31.39/797.31 35.25/895.35 27.00/685.80 27.00/685.80

Maximum Connector OD (in/mm) 64.00/1625.60 59.00/1498.60 62.00/1574.80 75.25/1911.35 59.00/1498.60 62.00/1574.80

Swallow** (in/mm) 13.38/339.85 12.50/317.50 12.50/317.50 24.51/622.55 11.63/295.40 14.63/371.60

Weight (studded top) (lb/kg) 16,600/7530 20,600/9344 23,100/10,478 67,000/30,391 23,200/10,524 25,350/11,499

Operating Pressure (psi/psi) 1500/3000 1500/3000 1500/3000 1500/3000 1500/3000 1500

Operating Pressure (MPa/MPa) 10.30/20.60 10.30/20.60 10.30/20.60 20.60 20.60 10.30

Hydraulic Volume Required (Open) (gal/liters) 4.97/18.81*** 18.50/70.02 25.00/94.63 52.80/199.85 18.50/70.02 25.00/94.63

Hydraulic Volume Required (Closed) (gal/liters) 4.18/15.82 14.90/56.40 20.00/75.70 42.20/159.73 14.90/56.40 20.00/75.70

Interchange Kit for Standard Connector Not required Not required Not required Not required Not required Not required

* Ratings are based on API allowable stresses for normal design loads.

** Top of wellhead to bottom of connector. If the Hydrate seal is used, the swallow will increase by approximately 2”(50.8mm).

*** Additional 2.49 gallons (9.43 liters) is necessary for secondary unlock.

**** The 4° release angle limit applies to initial connector/wellhead lift off of zero to 1” (25.4mm). For greater than 1” (25.4mm) of lift off, the connector can be rotated up to 6° while clearing the wellhead.

Cameron Collet Connector Data – Typical Ratings, Normal Operating Conditions/Stresses*

When selecting a collet connector, factors regarding preload and structural load should be taken into consideration. For instance, the Model 70 is forapplications requiring up to 245,000 lb preload. For applications requiring a higher preload of up to 5.875 million lb, the Model HC is available. Both theModel 70 and HC connectors utilize the same structural capacities therefore, preload is the determining factor when choosing between the two. Cameronoffers the HCH4, an HC equivalent, to fit on a mandrel-style wellhead. When even higher preload and structural load capacity is called for, the DWHC isthe collet connector of choice.

Model 70 Load Path HC Load Path HCH4 Load PathDWHC Load Path

SD24782 SD24783 SD24784 SD24785


The charts on the right show the loadsinduced by the riser system on the BOPstack components. The riser loadcreates both a tension and bendingmoment on the BOP stack as shown. Inthese examples, F is the force on top ofthe BOP stack and “θ” is the angle ofthe flex joint.

As these charts indicate, the DWHC hasa greater capability than the standardconnector, making it a clear choice fordeepwater drilling and productionoperations. Therefore, each connectionabove the DWHC in the stack needs tobe strengthened in order to match theDWHC’s capabilities.

Case 1 shows the loads on each stackconnection under a normal drillingcondition of 1.5 million pounds tensionand 1.88° riser angle.

Case 2 shows that with the maximumbending moment capability of theDWHC connector, each connectionpoint in the stack sees significantlyhigher bending moments compared to the normal drilling conditions.

6

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

8 10 12 14 16 18 204 620

Bend

ing

Mom

ent

Capa

city

(Mill

ion

ft-lb

)

Tension Capacity (Million lbs)Model 70 / Model HC DWHC

Bend

ing

Mom

ent

Capa

city

(Mill

ion

ft-lb

)

Tension Capacity (Million lbs)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

8 10 12 14 16 184 620

Model HC DWHC

Flex Joint

Annular BOP

ColletConnector

Adapter Spool

Annular BOP

Single BOP

Double BOP

Double BOP

WellheadConnector

1,000,0000 2,000,000 3,000,000 4,000,000 5,000,000 6,000,000 7,000,000 8,000,000 9,000,000 10,000,000

F = 2,326,828 lb

θ = 5.28°

Working Pressure = 15,000 psi

DWHC Max Top Tension = 2,000,000 lb

FY, Top (lb)

M, Top (ft-lb)

Stack Loads with DWHC, Case 2Stack loads derived from the extreme load capability of theDWHC connector.

Flex Joint

Annular BOP

ColletConnector

Adapter Spool

Annular BOP

Single BOP

Double BOP

Double BOP

WellheadConnector

0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000

F = 1,517,112 lb

θ = 1.88°

Working Pressure = 15,000 psi

DWHC Max Top Tension = 2,000,000 lb

FY, Top (lb)

M, Top (ft-lb)

Stack Loads, Case 1Stack loads with DWHC connector under normal drilling conditions.

Structural Load Capacities, 10K Bore PressuresBased on membrane plus bending at yield

Structural Load Capacities, 15K Bore PressuresBased on membrane plus bending at yield

Operating Data and Dimensions

7

Bore Working Operating Preload Fluid Requirements (gal/liters) A B C D WeightSize Pressure Pressure (lb/MPa) (lb/MPa) Open Closed (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (lb/Kg)

18-3/4“ 15,000 psi 3000/20.68 12,000,00/82,728 52.80/199.85 42.20/159.73 66.78/1696.21 18.75/476.25 75.25/1911.35 24.51/622.55 67,000/30,391


HC Collet Connector

HCH4 Collet ConnnectorBore Working Operating Preload Fluid Requirements (gal/liters) A B C D WeightSize Pressure Pressure (lb/MPa) (lb/MPa) Open Closed (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (lb/Kg)

18-3/4” 10,000 psi 3000/20.68 4,740,000/31,712 18.50/70.02 14.90/56.40 44.00 /1117.60 18.75/476.25 59.00/1498.60 11.63/295.40 23,200/10,52418-3/4” 15,000 psi 1500/10.44* 3,000,000/20,682 25.00/94.63 20.00/75.70 43.72/1110.49 18.75/476.25 61.24/1555.50 11.63/295.40 25,350/11,499

Bore Working Number of Stroke Fluid Requirements (gal/liters) A B C D WeightSize Pressure* Cylinders Length (in/mm) Open Closed (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (lb/Kg)

18-3/4” 10,000 psi 9 9.75/247.65 4.97/18.81 4.18/15.82 38.28/972.31 18.75 /476.25 64.00/1625.60 13.38/339.85 16,600/7530

*Also available in the following sizes and working pressures: 13-5/8” 5000, 10,000 and 15,000 psi; 16-3/4” 5000 and 10,000 psi; 20-3/4” 2000 and 3000 psi; 21-1/4” 2000 , 5000and 10,000 psi.

*Also available in the following sizes and working pressures: 13-5/8” 15,000 psi, 21-1/4” 5000 psi

*At 3000 psi (20.68 MPa) operating pressure, preload is 6,140,000 lb (42,329 MPa)


C

B

A

D

D

A

B

C

CB

A

D

C

B

A

D

Bore Working Operating Preload Fluid Requirements No Secondary Unlock Secondary Unlock WeightSize Pressure* Pressure (lb/MPa) (gal/liters) A B A B C D (lb/Kg)

(psi/MPa) Open Closed (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm) (in/mm)

18-3/4” 10,000 psi 3000/20.68 2,821,000/19,448 18.50/70.02 14.90/56.40 – 18.75/476.25 44.00/1117.60 18.75/476.25 59.00/1498.60 12.50/317.50 20,600/9,34418-3/4” 15,000 psi 3000/20.68 5,875,000/40,502 25.00/94.63 20.00/75.70 35.41/899.41 18.75/476.25 43.71/1110.23 18.75/476.25 62.00/1574.80 12.50/317.50 23,100/10,478

Model 70 HC

DWHCHCH4

SD24786 SD24787

SD24788 SD24789

© Cooper Cameron Corporation, Cameron Division, Printed in USA, 6/99, TG/5M, WR6585/TC1272

Western Hemisphere

Cameron

PO Box 1212

Houston Texas 77251-1212

Tel 713 939 2211

Fax 713 939 2620

http://www.camerondiv.com

Eastern Hemisphere

Cooper Cameron (U.K.) Ltd.

5 Mondial Way

Harlington

Hayes UB3 5AR

Tel 44 181 9901800

Fax 44 181 9901888


Asia Pacific/Middle East

Cooper Cameron (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

No. 2 Gul Circle, Jurong Industrial Est

Locked Bag Service No. 3

Jurong Town Post Office

Singapore 629560

Republic Of Singapore

Tel 65 8613355

Fax 65 8616197


Inconel® is registered trademark of INCO.

Documents

Cameron Collet Connector