Abstract: A break-away flowline fitting for protecting a subsea Christmas tree to which the flowlines are connected when the flowlines are subjected to an externally applied axial load and/or bending moment. The fitting comprises a tubular member having a reduced wall thickness section integrally formed in the member and designed to part or separate axially at an externally applied load less than what would be necessary to harm the tree. A clamp closely surrounds the reduced wall thickness section and limits the pressure induced hoop membrane stress in the reduced wall thickness section to about the same value as in the adjacent normally configured fitting portions, thereby maintaining the pressure integrity of the fitting. A frame having supports disposed on the normally configured fitting portions and axially beyond each end of the reduced wall thickness section has removable reinforcing members which span the reduced wall thickness section prior to placing the fitting in service.

Abstract: An improved well structure such as a well housing on which a casing hanger is to be landed which housing includes a high strength landing shoulder insert which allows the housing to support the casing hanger, its casing and the heavy loads associated therewith and with substantial pressure loads experienced in new wells. In one form of the invention an insert is provided in an internal recess in the housing and held therein by a housing ring threaded on the interior of the housing body. In another form an insert is introduced into an internal housing recess in the form of seat segments and bypass segments which are secured in place by the radial forming of a high strength seat ring. In still another form of the invention the high strength seat insert is segmented, positioned as segments in the internal housing recess and secured therein by the radial forming of a metal ring outwardly into internal recesses in each of the high strength seat insert segments.

Abstract: Connectors, particularly remotely operated connectors used to connect underwater well members under large clamping forces, are provided with rigid rolling antifriction elements engaged between a camming surface and a cam follower surface for converting axially directed operating motion into radial movement of a contractible and expansible annular locking means.