Abstract: The underwater flowline connector includes a cable puller, cable cutter, alignment device, and flowline bundle for remotely pulling and aligning an outboard hub with a subsea inboard hub disposed on an underwater unit. The cable puller is located atop the underwater unit and includes a plurality of hydraulic cable grippers alternatingly engaging and releasing the pull-in cable connected to the flowline bundle to pull the bundle with outboard hub to the underwater unit. Pulling by the cable puller cntinues until the flowline bundle has reached the porch of the underwater unit. During its final ascent along a ramp of the porch, the flowline bundle rights itself because of a self-righting moment on the bundle caused by attaching the cable above the center of gravity of the flowline bundle. The flowline bundle is attached to the alignment device using a universal joint. The alignment device has central hydraulic extension cylinder mounted on the universal joint to engage and lock the flowline bundle.

Abstract: Underwater flow lines, control lines and electrical conduits are connected to mating hubs on an underwater manifold center or other production unit by utilizing hydraulically powered means for pulling the lines toward the mating hubs and aligning them therewith, lock-down means actuated from the surface being utilized to lock the lines in axial alignment with the hubs, and a seal member being lowered from the surface and inserted between the facing hubs, with a split clamp being used to draw the hubs into sealing engagement with the seal means.