Apparatus for connecting underwater flowlines

Claim 1

In combination with an underwater installation of the type including a guide means base secured to the floor of a body of water and from which guide lines extend upwardly, an apparatus for receiving, guiding and securing an end portion of a flowline to be placed in communication with the underwater installation, said apparatus comprising an upright support rigidly secured in the floor of the body of water independently of the guide means base of the installation and including an upper end portion which projects above the floor of the body of water in a predetermined location relative to the guide means base; and a flowline-receiving unit comprising an elongated base downwardly telescopically engaged with the upper end portion of the upright support, a connector comprising movable connector means actuatable between a securing position and a released position, and remotely operable means for moving the movable connector means between its securing position and its released position, the movable connector means occupying its securing position and securing the elongated base to the upright support against vertical movement relative to the upright support, whereby the elongated base is supported solely by the upright support, the elongated base being freely movable vertically relative to the upright support when the movable connector means occupies its released position, a hollow elongated curved flowline receiver having an entrance end and an opposite end, support means rigidly securing the flowline receiver to the elongated base with the entrance end of the receiver opening generally horizontally away from the elongated base and with the opposite end of the receiver opening upwardly, and a flowline connector member located at said opposite end of the flowline receiver and secured rigidly thereto.