Rotating connection assembly for subsea pipe connection

Abstract

A subsea connection assembly including a connection box having an open top and provided with a plurality of pipe segments coupled thereto, each pipe segment having an outlet end near the open top of the connection box. The pipe segments have their inlet ends coupled to a manifold assembly having connections to subsea wells. Guide wires are attached to the connection box for guiding a frame downwardly from a floating vessel or platform on the surface of the sea, the frame being operable to carry the lower ends of a plurality of fluid conductors downwardly to the connection box so that such lower ends can become connected to the outlet ends of the pipe segments. The connection box is adapted to be pivotally mounted on the sea bed so that it can pivot through an angle, such as 90 degrees, and lay on its side after the fluid conductors have been coupled to the pipe segments, whereby the fluid conductors define a J-shaped riser for transport of hydrocarbons from the subsea wells and, through the manifold assembly, the pipe segments, and the fluid conductors to the vessel. The material of the pipe segments allows them to be twisted or torqued to assure that they remain tubular as the connection box pivots, yet no sliding or rotating seals are required in the connections of the pipe segments to the fluid conductors and to the manifold assembly.