UCON Connection Systems

UCON Connection Systems

Horizontal and Vertical

Connection Systems

Subsea fields are developed using a variety of connection system solutions.

Over the past two decades, FMC Technologies has manufactured a complete
range of horizontal and vertical connection systems and associated connection
tools. FMCs latest innovation is the Universal Connection System (UCON).

UCON-H is designed to horizontally connect

spools, umbilicals, and flowlines up to 20 OD
with larger sizes to be developed (up to 30
OD). The UCON-H system has no interface with
the seabed during installation and leaves no
hydraulic components subsea after connection.
With the ROV-based tooling, the system has the
ability to perform a series of sealine connections
without returning to the surface vessel for
assistance.

UCON Connection System is a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) manipulator tool-based system offering
both collet and clamp connection systems for the horizontal or vertical connection of rigid jumpers and
spools, flexible flowlines and umbilicals towards subsea structures such as manifolds, satellites, pipeline end
terminations, pipeline end manifolds, in-line tees and riser bases.
significantly simplifies offshore operations so that
FMC Technologies subsea service engineers can carry
out more simultaneous projects worldwide.
The first UCON connection system was installed in
the GoM in 2010. As of the first quarter of 2012,
eleven different customers have selected UCON
as their connection system across sixteen separate
subsea projects in the GoM, Canada, Africa, Australia,
Norway, Mediterranean, Russia and the United
Kingdom.
UCON has been developed through extensive
dialogue with key installation contractors and
operators with many years of subsea experience.
Lessons learned have been incorporated into
the product, resulting in a simplified connection
system with increased flexibility and lower total
installed cost.
Due to unique ROV manipulator tools, multiple
connections can be performed without returning
to the surface vessel which results in a timeefficient subsea operation when sealines are
connected. In addition, by utilizing FMCs
qualified and extensively field proven KC collet
or KL clamp connectors, horizontal and vertical
connection systems are achievable in both
monobore and multibore applications.
UCON Connection System reduces the
possibility of operational problems, decreases
the amount of tools needed for connections and

UCON-H Connection System

UCON-H ROV Manipulator tools





The main features of the UCON system are:












Basic ROV tooling multiple connections can

be performed in less time and with less offshore
support
High alignment performance to accommodate
routine installation tolerances and loads
Field proven KC collet and KL clamp connectors
and gaskets for:
Monobore and multibore connections
Horizontal and vertical connections
Insulated and non-insulated connections
Easy to scale easy to apply across the range
of available connector sizes and insulation
requirements
Stroke in/stroke back for contingency operations
(seal replacement)
Parking functionality park and lock jumper end
on foundation for module retrieval
Minimum mobilization lightweight ROV tooling
is air transportable worldwide







Sealine Stroking Tool (SST) features a subsea lightweight hydraulic cylinder used to stroke
the termination head on the sealine to a position so the connector is ready for make-up. The
tool is hydraulically powered from the ROV via a hot stab.
Connector Actuating Tool (CAT) for connector open/lock of the collet connector. It features a
light weight stroking structure operated
by two hydraulic cylinders powered
from the ROV via a hot stab.
Hub Cleaning Tool (HCT) with
hydraulically powered brushes to clean
the seal face on the inboard hub before
installation of the sealine
Inboard Seal Replacement Tool (SRT)
to install/replace a seal plate or gasket
in the inboard hub after cleaning and
before connection of the sealine
Seal Test Kit to carry out an external
seal test of the connector to verify the
integrity of the connection

UCON-V is installed directly onto the

receiving hub in one operation. Since the
vertical connection system does not require
a pull-in capability, the tools are simpler
and provide a time efficient connection
operation. UCON-V is currently available
for pipe sizes up to 14 OD.

UCON-V Connection System

UCON-V Connection System

UCON-H Connection System

www.fmctechnologies.com/SubseaSystems

UCON-V ROV Manipulator tools (KC Collet Connector)









Connector Actuating Tool (CAT) makes up the collet connector. It features a light weight
stroking structure operated by two hydraulic cylinders powered from the ROV via a hot stab.
Sealine Stroking Tool (SST) push tool used to hydraulic raise/passive lower the UCON-V
connector for gasket replacement
Sealine Stroking Tool (SST) pull tool used for contingency pull-down and retention latch during
installation
Hub Cleaning Tool (HCT) with hydraulically powered brushes to clean the seal face on the
inboard hub before installation of the sealine
Gasket Replacement Tool (GRT) used to replace a gasket subsea
Seal Test Kit to carry out an external low-pressure test of the connector to verify the integrity of
the seal after connection
ROV hot stab

UCON-V ROV Manipulator tools (KL Clamp Connector)








ROV Torque Tool makes up the clamp connector (Vessel / ROV operator supplied)
Latch / Pull Down Tool (LPDT) used for contingency pull-down and retention latch during
installation
Gasket Replacement Tool (GRT) used to replace a gasket subsea
Seal Test Kit to carry out an external low-pressure test of the connector to verify the integrity of
the seal after connection
Hub Cleaning Tool (HCT) with hydraulically powered brushes to clean the seal face on the
inboard hub before installation of the sealine
ROV hot stab

KC4.2 Collet Connector shown in fullbore, high pressure

and multibore configurations.

Collet and Clamp

Connectors

Clamp connectors consist of a two

piece segmented clamp design and
are particularly well suited for larger
bore lower pressure horizontal and
vertical connection applications. FMC
has delivered more than 400 clamp
connectors over the last twenty years.
The clamp connector used for the dual
30 pipelines in the Ormen Lange field
is the largest delivered so far.
FMC Technologies provides a standard
family of collet and clamp connectors
for both horizontal and vertical
connection applications. UCON
connection system utilizes FMCs
field proven KC collet and KL clamp
connectors.
Clamp Connectors ready to be delivered

Monobore and Multibore

Both collet and clamp connectors can be used
to connect mono- or multi-bore connections.
Multibore applications may be attractive on
jumpers/spools where the production flow,
service lines and hydraulic control lines can be
connected in one single operation.
KC4.2 Multibore Collet Connector

Insulated and non-insulated

Connectors are used to make a tight

connection between two fluid carrying
elements. Most of the fluid is carried under
high pressure and/or high temperature. The
connection may also be exposed to high
external loads and/or pressure as a result of
the deep water depth.

UCON-H and UCON-V connections are

available in both insulated and non-insulated
configurations. Shown on left is an FMC KC
collet connector with modular insulation. This
unique and highly effective insulation approach
integrates modular insulation material within
the connector and termination head assemblies,
thereby eliminating the need for installing an
external dog house or shroud after a subsea
connection has been made. FMCs modular
insulation design can be used for both vertical
and horizontal applications and mono and multibore applications.

Collet connectors are attached to one end of

the pipe-connection and carry a cylindrical
set of fingers which grip on the other pipe
ends hub. For UCON, collet connectors are
made up by an ROV-tool based external
actuator tool (CAT) leaving no hydraulic
components subsea.
UCON-H-12 Insulated

Copyright February 2012 | FMC Technologies

www.fmctechnologies.com/SubseaSystems

FMC Technologies
1777 Gears Road
Houston TX 77067
USA
Phone: +1 281 591 4000

FMC Technologies
P.O. Box 1012
NO-3601 Kongsberg
Norway
Phone: +47 3228 6700