Section 17

Mudline Suspension Systems

In 1958, the oil and gas exploration industry entered a
new era when offshore drilling from a mobile drilling rig
was first accomplished. The earliest mobile rigs were
submersible rigs drilling individual wells in shallow water
and the equipment was identical to that used on land
wells. As the drilling moved into open waters, the need
for producing well protection, and treating facilities
resulted in the installation of platforms or well jackets
when a well or wells were to be produced. The jackup rig
evolved as the need arose for a mobile offshore rig which
could be used for the purpose of exploratory drilling since
the investment in a platform was not desirable until a
commercially viable reservoir was discovered. Since the
necessary protection and treating facilities were not
present as these exploratory wells were drilled it was
necessary to temporarily abandon the wells after drilling
until a platform or well jacket could be constructed and installed over the well. To facilitate
re-entry into these wells, mudline suspension systems were developed. The mudline
suspension system provides a base of support for the weight of the casing strings and a
disconnect/tieback interface for easy abandonment and re-entry. Mudline suspension
systems are now universally utilized for exploration drilling from jackup and other
submersible drilling rigs.
As offshore drilling moved into deeper waters, the free standing column of a conductor
string in 300' to 400' water depths could not support the weight of subsequent casing
strings at rig level. Mudline suspension move the load support interface to the conductor
stabilized by the surface strata of the ocean floor.
ABB Vetco Gray has developed a new mudline casing suspension system that provides
the load bearing capacities for deep, high pressure wells and incorporates metal-to-metal
sealing technology for working pressures up through 15,000 p.s.i.
The ML mudline suspension systems also include the ML-H hanger only system for
applications which do not require any disconnect/tieback interface (usually run from
platforms which cannot support additional casing loads.
The ML-L, ML-H, and ML-C systems all provide the operator with the ability to complete
the well by:
• tieback to a fixed platform,
• or installation of a subsea tree.

ML Mudline Suspension Systems Ratings

The Pressure and load capacities of system components varies with the type of ML
system used as well as the sizes, grade, and weights of the casing programs utilized.
The MLC system, rated at 10,000 p.s.i maximum, has sufficient capacities for nearly all
wells drilled by jackups. Since it is the lowest cost system the MLC system is now used
17-1
in most cases. The MLL system has more load support capability, deeper stack down,
and 15,000 p.s.i. pressure capacity in the 9-5/8” and smaller suspension assemblies.
This system is used on deep, extreme service wells. The MLS system is no longer
actively marketed.

Typical Mudline system joints made up - 30” X 20” X 13-3/8” X 9-5/8” X 7”

17-2
Mudline Systems Assemblies
Mudline Suspension Systems utilize various components to provide for the suspension,
abandonment, and tieback of exploration and/or development wells. These components
are typically assembled into casing joints prior to shipment to the rig, permitting each
assembly to be handled easily on the rig, and minimizing the potential for delay during
assembly in the field.

Conductor Landing Rings

The first component installed in a
mudline system is the Conductor Landing
Ring which is a one piece ring with an
internal load shoulder of a smaller inside
diameter than the pipe in which it is
installed. The Conductor Landing Ring
has butt weld end preparations, and is
typically welded into one of the conductor
landing joints. In the field the landing ring joint is run such that the Conductor Landing
Ring is positioned at or just below the mudline.

Conductor Release Connector

A remote release connector is sometimes supplied
for the conductor string to permit a fast reliable way
of disconnecting the conductor just above the
mudline and to facilitate tieback to the connector
once the platform or jacket is installed. Some
operators don’t tieback the conductor to the platform
in which case the conductor is typically cut off.
ABB Vetco Gray offers several specialty conductor
connectors which are easily released and can
tolerate pile driving loads which the most common
way of installing the conductor string.
DMR Conductor Connector
The DMR Driveable mudline releasable connector is
a remote method of releasing the drive
pipe/conductor string at the mudline when drilling
form a jackup rig. When the DMR connector is Diverless Remote Release - DMR
remotely released, a box connection is left on the Conductor Connector
well. Then at a later date, the well can be tied back
using the DMR-T pin to re-establish the connection. The connector can be driven,
jetted, or run into a pre-drilled hole.

17-3
The connector is run box up pin down. The pin engages the box using four rectangular
lugs on the outside diameter of the pin which drop into a double step L-slot in the box.
Rotation to the left engages the connection which is then pinned in position by a single
shear pin.
The connector is released by pulling slight tension, and rotating to the left applying
about 25,000 ft./lbs. of torque to shear the brass pin and then following the double step
profile until the connector releases.
Tieback is effected using the DMR-T pin connector which stabs and locks to the DMR
box without rotation or alignment requirements. An expanding lock ring on the pin snaps
into a mating recess in the box to lock the connection. An o-ring on the pin serves as
the pressure seal between the mating components.

ALT-2 Squnch Joint Connector

The ALT-2 Squnch Joint Connector is a
threadless automatic-lock/mechanical-release
connector that requires no rotation for make-up.
It is designed to save expensive rig time with its
extremely fast make-up characteristics. An
expanding lock ring on the pin connector engages
a mating recess in the box connector to lock the
components together. An o-ring on the pin
provides the primary pressure seal. The pin
connector has an anti-rotation lug below the seal
profile which is engaged by a key slot on the box
connector so to prevent rotation the connectors in
relation to one another. A series of tapped holes
around the circumference of the box penetrating
the recess for the lock ring. To release the
connector hex socket screws are made up into
the tapped holes and depress the lock ring out of
30” ALT-2 Squnch Joint
the mating profile in the box permitting connection Connector
release.
Because it is necessary to be hands on with this connector to
release it, when used as a conductor release connector, it
requires a diver to release the connection subsea.

RL-4 Connector
A left hand threaded RL-4 Connector is sometimes used for
remote release of the conductor string above the mudline.
This preloaded driveable connector has four interwoven
threads which engage simultaneously and make up fully in
1/4 to 1/2 turns. The thread form is self locking and utilizes 30” RL-4 Conductor Connector

17-4
an o-ring seal as the primary pressure seal. By using
the left hand thread the connector can be released
for abandonment by right hand rotation eliminating
the likelihood of inadvertently backing the conductor
off at the wrong connection.

Ml Mudline Suspension Systems Casing Hangers

Mudline hangers are designed to nest one inside the
other. Each hanger except the last includes the profile
to suspend the casing hanger for the next casing
string. The tops of each hanger is below the top of the
preceding hanger so that the running/tieback interface
connections are below one another facilitating washout
of cement around the running tieback thread, and
affording space to install corrosion caps upon
abandonment. 20” MLC Casing Hanger
ABB Vetco Gray's new mudline suspension systems
use two types of mudline hangers.
Fluted no-go landing rings are incorporated on mudline hangers wherever annular space
permits a shoulder in the preceding hanger,
and a full size drill bit can be passed.
Expanding mudline hangers are used where
landing seat in a previous hanger would not
permit passing a full size drill bit.

External Fluted Landing Shoulder Mudline

Hangers
Most fluted landing shoulder mudline hangers
include a removable landing ring so that one
hanger body can accommodate a number of
casing programs. For instance, a single 20"
hanger body can be used inside a 48", 36" or
30" conductor by installing a 48", 36" or 30"
fluted landing ring on the 20" hanger body.
Four flow-by slots in the removable landing ring
permit mud and cement to pass by the mudline
hanger when it is run and landed on the
preceding hanger seat.
Some casing programs, particularly those with
intermediate casing strings, require mudline
hangers with integral landing shoulders on the
hanger bodies. Flow-by slots are included in the 13-3/8” MLC Casing Hanger

17-5
 9-5/8” MLC Casing Hanger

7” MLC Casing Hanger

17-6
hanger body for adequate flow-by in the running and landed positions.
Fluted landing rings or integral no-go shoulder style mudline hangers are typically used in
24", 20", 18 5/8" and 16" casing strings.

Expanding Collet Landing Ring Mudline Hangers

Smaller mudline hangers use a patented expanding serpentine collet landing ring to
suspend casing string weight.
The expanding collet ring is included on the outside diameter of the mudline hanger
assembly and is free to collapse and expand, when lowered through a casing string with
an inside diameter very nearly the same as the hanger body itself.
Once collapsed inside the preceding hanger, the collet ring expands only when a unique
recessed profile in the previously installed hanger is reached. The recessed profile does
not resemble BOP, annular or pipe ram bores, or any casing coupling internal profiles,
and cannot set prematurely in the wrong position.
The expanding collet landing ring is machined from a one piece forging and slotted on
both ends for radial spring action to assure positive setting. Sixteen flow-by slots,
approximately 7/8" wide, extend three-quarters of the length of the collet. Eight slots
extend from the bottom up and eight slots (offset 15o from the first eight slots) extend
from the top down. The slots provide the flow-by path and allow the serpentine-shaped,
continuous piece collet ring to radially collapse and expand during running and landing.

MLC Collet Landing Ring

Each expanding collet ring has a single external load bearing shoulder distributing the
hanging load into the previously installed hanger body.
A retention lip on the hanger body is engaged by a mating lip at the bottom of the
serpentine collet which retains the collet in the running position. Once the collet engages
its mating profile in the previous hanger, the casing weight causes the lip on the collet to
slip off the retention lip and as the casing is further slacked off the hanger body travels
down through the serpentine collet stopping as the load shoulder on the hanger lands on
top of the collet. A step on the hanger body behind the serpentine collet forces the collet
out into its mating profile and locks it in the set position.
The mudline hanger can be easily retrieved or reciprocated by lifting straight up, pulling
the hanger radial backup surface from behind the collet landing ring, which collapses
inward to the as-run position. Even in lightweight (thinnest wall) casing running strings,
the collet landing ring will remain collapsed and retained in its lowermost as-run position,
as long as the casing hanger is not pulled out of the casing string.

ML-L and ML-S Collet Ring

Each expanding collet ring has two external shoulders (ML-L and ML-S) distributing the
hanging load into the previously installed hanger body. Because of this dual shoulder

17-7
load sharing, engagement depth is less and the outer mudline hanger can have a thicker
wall.
The inner casing wall thickness is also increased because the expanding collet ring does
not have to retract as far as it would using only one external shoulder.
The collet landing ring is retained in the running position by two tensile coupons. When
the collet-style landing ring latches into its profile in the previously installed hanger body,
the weight of the casing hanger string parts the two tensile coupons, allowing the hanger
body to continue traveling downward to land out on its mating bearing surface on the
collet landing ring. This continued downward movement positions a radial backup surface
behind the collet landing ring, holding it securely in the expanded position.
A tensile coupon is a long steel strap, factory installed on the hanger assembly by two
button head screws. The upper end of the tensile coupon is inserted in a recess on the
landing ring. The lower end of the coupon is inserted into a recess in a retainer ring on
the hanger body, after the collet landing ring has been slipped onto the hanger body. The
external radial shoulder at the lowermost portion of the collet landing ring is overlapped
and radially trapped by a mating radial shoulder in the retainer ring.
When the collet landing ring and mudline hanger are assembled, the two tensile coupons
align the lower flow-by slots in the expanding collet ring with the slots in the retainer ring
and retain the collet landing ring in the running position for installation. This orientation
also aligns the collet ring upper flow-by slots with the hanger body flow-by slots and
maximizes contact surfaces between the top of the collet landing ring and the hanger
body shoulder.
The tensile coupons separate at the notched section in the upper end of the coupon. By
parting at the notch, the longer, lower piece of the coupon attached to the retainer ring
maintains the expanding collet ring in its oriented position, so that its flow-by slots are
aligned with the hanger body flow-by slots. Flow-by enters through the lower collet ring
slots and passes through a recessed section under the ring to the upper collet landing
ring flow-by slots. This recessed section provides adequate flow-by, even when the
expanding collet landing ring is collapsed during installation. Tensile coupons rupture at
approximately 15,000 lbs. For a mudline hanger with two coupons, it takes 30,000 lbs of
weight to set the hanger. After landing out, the mudline hanger is ready for cementing.
The mudline hanger can be easily retrieved or reciprocated by lifting straight up, pulling
the hanger radial backup surface from behind the collet landing ring, which collapses
inward to the as-run position. Even in lightweight (thinnest wall) casing running strings,
the collet landing ring will remain collapsed and retained in its lowermost as-run position,
as long as the casing hanger is not pulled out of the casing string.
The ABB Vetco Gray ML mudline hangers are machined from single body, or one-piece,
forgings and can be supplied for most casing programs to exceed the tensile and
pressure ratings of the casing strings they are suspending. The only casing connection is
in the bottom of the mudline hanger. Some systems available on the market today
include a casing pup joint between a lower hanger housing and an upper running and
tieback collar. The casing pup joint, which is a part of the mudline hanger assembly,
17-8
limits the mudline hanger pressure and running strength ratings to the capacity of the
casing joint between the two mudline hanger parts. Two potential leak paths are created
by the casing pup joint connecting two portions of a mudline hanger assembly.
Running tools used in the ML systems include the threads and seals required to install the
casing strings and maintain the pressure integrity of the running tool-to-mudline hanger
connection. Strength is provided by a one thread-per-inch loose left hand thread form,
typically on 24", 20", 18-5/8" and 16" running tools. A large pitch loose thread form
improves tieback operations with large diameter pipe. Loose threads still provide the
necessary strength needed for installing long casing strings but provide flexibility when
removing the running tool and installing the tieback tool. Perfect vertical alignment is not
necessary when loose threads are used in large diameter mudline hangers.
Separate running and tieback threads are included in the 13-3/8" and smaller hangers
(except on 7" ML-C hangers). During drilling, the mudline hanger running tool is threaded
into the lower left-hand thread in the hanger body, while still on the jackup rig drill floor.
The running tool and mudline hanger assembly are then made up to the last joint of the
casing string and run on a casing running string. Casing joints extend the running tool
and mudline hanger to the jackup rig. Buttress or premium casing couplings used to
connect the joints of casing are conventionally right-hand make-up.
When a well is abandoned, all running tools must be disconnected from the mudline
hangers at the mudline. Since a greater amount of torque can be transmitted in the
right-hand direction (same direction as casing string coupling makeup), it is an important
feature that ABB Vetco Gray running tools release from the mudline hangers using
right-hand rotation. This eliminates strap welding, tack welding pins to boxes, or
Bakerloking couplings together to produce greater torque transmission. When the ML
system is completed using tieback equipment, casing strings connecting the tieback tools
to the surface also create high-strength, pressure-tight tieback connections because right-
hand rotation is used to make up tieback threads in the ABB Vetco Gray ML mudline
hangers.
Washout ports for the ABB Vetco Gray high pressure mudline suspension systems are
located in the mudline hangers (ML-C hangers have washout ports in the running tool),
whether fluted landing ring or expanding collet landing ring type. The washout ports are
positioned radially through the hanger body to direct a generous volume of fluid up the
outside diameter of the mudline hanger. The large volume of pressurized fluid pumped
down through the mudline hanger ID and discharged through the small washout ports
creates a high velocity jetting effect to break up cement deposits and debris accumulated
in the annular area above the washout ports.
When the washout ports are closed, the pressure inside the hanger is sealed off by a
primary seal (metal-to-metal for the tieback tool, resilient for the running tool). The wall
thickness of the running tool, in addition to that of the hanger, is used to contain pressure.
O-rings above and below the washout ports provide additional sealing. The
requirements for high pressure and reasonable flow-by are all met.

17-9
17-10
Annulus washout is further enhanced by the stacked down arrangement of ML mudline
hangers which places the washout ports in each hanger body below the mudline
hanger/running tool connection of the preceding mudline hanger. When washout fluid is
introduced through the washout ports, the entire 13-3/8" x 9- 5/8" annulus above the
9-5/8" mudline hanger washout ports is washed free of cement and drilling mud.
In the deep stacked down arrangement of the ML-L system, the expanding collet landing
ring of the 9-5/8" mudline hanger lands roughly two feet below where the 13-3/8" fluted
landing ring sits in the 20" mudline hanger. This positions the washout ports of the 9-5/8"
hanger well below the top of the 9-5/8" hanger body and below the connection between
the 13-3/8" mudline hanger and running tool.
The deep stacked down arrangement of the ML-L system promotes a debris-free system.
Extra clearance between each mudline hanger, below the washout ports, accumulates
residual debris out of the way of running tool reconnection, abandonment or tieback
operations.
One-way polypak seals on the running tool isolate running and tieback threads during
drilling so that no pressure can build up between the hanger and the running tool during
makeup. Tieback tool seals also isolate both thread forms when installed in the mudline
hanger, preventing corrosion and marine growth from interfering with threaded
connections.
In the deep stacked down ML-L system, the one-way polypak seals on the running tool
isolate running and tieback threads during drilling and annulus cleanout. In the washout
mode shown in the upper half section of, the running tool has been rotated to expose the
washout ports in the hanger body. The polypak seal above the running tool/tieback
threads and the resilient seal below the threads (the upper washout port isolation seal)
remain sealed.
On 13-3/8" and smaller running tools, the metal-to-metal seal surface of the mudline
hanger is protected during drilling by a resilient seal on the running tool nose. Each
running tool seals above and below a 10o tapered surface in the mudline hanger bore that
forms a metal-to-metal seal with the tieback tool nose. The 8o tapered nose of the
tieback tool rotates and wedges against the 10 o tapered hanger surface, creating a
metal-to-metal seal.
The metal-to-metal seal between the tieback tool and mudline hanger features a
controlled amount of surface bearing load. A shoulder is provided on the tieback tool
which controls the loads across the metal-to-metal sealing surfaces within the elastic
limits of the material. This ensures a metal-to- metal seal which is pressure energized
and unaffected by temperature cycles. The metal seal nose on the tieback tool is also
reusable because no plastic or permanent deformation of the seal profile takes place.
Mudline suspension equipment is used many times on deviated wells. The upper
shoulder on the mudline hanger body acts as a centralizer above the collet ring and the
retainer ring provides centralization below. The collet rings are centralized so that, once
the tensile coupons are parted, the hanger body lowers behind the collet ring, locking the
17-11
mudline hanger in place and distributing casing load equally around the circumference of
the expanding collet landing ring.

Running Tools
In the mudline suspension assembly each hanger is run using a Running Tool to attach
the casing running string to the casing downhole. For 20”casing hangers the running
thread is a one pitch left hand square thread box. The 20”running tool has a matching
thread on its pin and a thread box matching the casing at the top. A series of o-rings on
the pin maintain pressure integrity throughout the running and cementing of the casing.
The 13-3/8”and smaller hangers have a two pitch modified left hand square thread.

20”,13-3/8”, 9-5/8” and 7” MLC Running Tools

17-12
Corrosion Caps
Once the running string is backed of during the abandonment procedure an corrosion cap
may be run on drill pipe to protect the top of the hanger from debris and marine life until
the well is tied back to a platform.
The corrosion caps make up to the running threads of the mudline hanger. A series of o-
rings on the outside diameter seal between the corrosion cap and the hanger. The top of
the corrosion cap has a fishing neck with four lugs on the outside diameter. The corrosion
cap running tool has J-slots in the lower bore which engage the fishing neck lugs to carry
the corrosion cap into position for make up.
Corrosion caps are available with an open port at the top so they will not retain pressure
which may migrate up the hold during the abandonment period.
Corrosion caps are also available with a check valve in the top port so
pressure will be retained when the Corrosion cap running/retrieving tool
engages the corrosion cap.

Corrosion Cap Running And Retrieving Tool

The Corrosion Cap Running And Retrieving Tool has the J-slots in the
lower bore to engage the fishing neck of the corrosion cap. A series of
o-rings permit the tool to seal to the corrosion cap fishing neck. If the
corrosion cap has a check valve, a stinger is run in the Corrosion MLC Corrosion Cap
Cap Running And Retrieving Tool to unseat the check valve and Running And
release any pressure below the cap before the cap is backed off. Retrieving Tool
The top of the Corrosion Cap Running And Retrieving Tool has a
drill pipe tool joint thread so that the corrosion caps can be run on drill pipe.

20”, 13-3/8”, 9-5/8”, 7” MLC Corrosion Caps

17-13
Tieback Tools
Tieback tools permit casing risers run from a platform or jacket set over the well to re-
establish connections to each casing string in the well. Tieback tools for the 20” casing
are the same as the running tools in most systems although a separate tieback thread
is available if desired.

20” Latch And Lock Tool

A 20”Latch And Lock Tieback Tool is offered which
permits tieback to the 20”casing without rotation of the
casing. The tool has an expanding lock ring with the
mating profile for the 20”running threads in the casing
hanger. This ring ratchets into the casing hanger running
thread and locks with about 1/8 of a turn right hand.
It should be noted that the 20”Latch And Lock Tieback
Tool has a restricted bore relative to the 20”Running
Tool.
O-ring seals are provided on the 20”Latch And Lock
Tieback Tool.
13-3/8” and smaller Tieback Tools have a three pitch right hand modified square thread
on the pin to mate with the tieback thread on the mudline casing hangers using right
hand rotation. The nose of these tieback tools seals metal to metal on a taper in the
thread box of the mudline hanger. A back up o-ring seal is provided as well.

13-3/8” and 9-5/8” MLC Tieback Tools

17-14
Additional Service Tools
Additional service tools include clean and flush tools for each size hanger so that gumbo
or cement tailings can be cleaned from the mudline hanger bores if there is a problem
setting the mudline hangers.
Dummy hangers which are run on drill pipe permit confirmation of the viability of the
hanger landing profile before the casing is run.
Impression blocks allow location and space out of corrosion cap tops if they are not
concentric to the casing bore of the previous string.

17-15
Typical Operating Sequence For Drilling Well From Jackup using the MLC
Mudline System and the CWCT-NT2 Surface Wellhead System
1. Drill the 36" hole, or rig up a hammer to drive the 30”conductor.
1. Run 30" conductor. The 30" landing ring must be positioned properly. The releasable
(diver or diverless) connection on the 30" should be located close to, but above the
mudline (about 5 feet). Cement to the mudline if the conductor is run into a drilled
hole.

17-16
2. Nipple up the 29-1/2" diverter system using 30”VG-loc adapter (no welding required).

17-17
4. Drill the 26" hole.
5. Run the 20" surface pipe.
6. Land the 20" fluted hanger on the 30" landing ring. Cement to the surface. Open the
20" washports by rotating the string 1-1/2 turns to the right. Flush annulus, and spot
retarder. Close the washports. Then test the 20" casing.

17-18
7. Nipple down 29-1/2" diverter system and install 20”CWCT starting head using the
VG-loc connection (no flange to be cut on the conductor, or welding required on the
casing head).

17-19
8. Nipple up the 20”BOP or the 29-1/2”diverter (NT-2 connector saves nipple up time).

17-20
9. Drill the 17-1/2" hole.
9. Run the 13-3/8" casing. Land the 13-3/8" fluted hanger in the 20" casing hanger.
Cement the casing. Open the 13-3/8" hanger washports with 4 turns right-hand
rotation. Flush the 20" x 13-3/8" annulus. Spot cement retarder. Close the ports. Test
the 13 3/8" string.

17-21
11. Nipple down the BOPand raise it for surface hanger installation. (NT-2 connector
saves nipple down time).

17-22
12. Install the 20”X 13-3/8”slip type casing hanger.
13. Cut the 13-3/8" casing.

17-23
14. Install 9-5/8" casing spool and test. (NT-2 connector saves nipple up time).

17-24
15. Nipple up 13-5/8" BOP and test. (NT-2 connector saves nipple up time).
16. Drill 12-1/4" hole.

C
L
O
S
O

E
P E
N

N
E
P
O
E
S
O L

17-25
17. Run the 9-5/8" casing. Land the 9-5/8" collet ring in the 13-3/8" hanger. Observe or
feel pipe for signs of collet engagement. Cement the casing. Open the 9-5/8"
washports with four turns right-hand rotation. Flush the 13-3/8" x 9-5/8" annulus.
Spot cement retarder. Close the ports. Test the 9-5/8" casing.

17-26
18. Nipple down the BOP and raise it for the surface casing hanger installation (NT-2
connector saves nipple down time).
19. Install the 13-3/8”X 9-5/8”slip type casing hanger.

17-27
20. Cut the 9-5/8"casing

17-28
21. Nipple up the 9-5/8”casing spool and test (NT-2 connector saves nipple up time).

17-29
22. Nipple up BOP and test (NT-2 connector saves nipple up time).

C
L
O
S
E
O
P
E
N

P EN
O
E
S
O
L

17-30
23. Drill the 8-1/2" hole to pay zone.
24. Run and set the production packer.
25. Run test the tubing string and SCSSV.
26. Production test well.
27. Kill the well.
28. Pull test string and suspend well with cement plugs.
29. Nipple down the BOP (NT-2 connector saves nipple down time).
30. Nipple down the 9-5/8”casing spool and remove it (NT-2 connector saves nipple
down time).
31. Spear casing and remove the casing hanger.
32. Rotate to right to release and pull the 9-5/8" riser.
33. Run in and set corrosion the cap.
34. Repeat Step 17 for 13-3/8" and 20".(NT-2 connector saves nipple down time for each
casing spool. The casing head is easily released without cutting the pipe using the
VG-loc release mechanism).
35. Release the conductor and pull the 30" riser.
36. Install a mud can over capped well and fill with corrosion inhibitor.
NOTE: The well can now be completed as a tieback or with a subsea tree. If the well is
a duster or strictly exploratory and not to be produced, after Step 18 the pipe can be cut
below the mudline. All components are then removed from the sea floor by pulling the
30" riser.

Type 'DJ' Mudline Suspension

The type DJ Mudline suspension system was the Gray Tool designed system. Although
they are no longer manufactured there still may be some use of existing inventory.
In the DJ system the hangers were all nested one inside of the next. A separate landing
sub and tieback collar provide the disconnect. This sub and collar were made up into the
hanger joint utilizing a casing nipple between the hanger and the tieback connection. By
varying the length of this nipple the system was able to accommodate abandonment caps
as each subsequent tieback connection would be placed further above the hanger itself.
The DJ mudline suspension system utilized three different load support mechanisms. For
the larger diameter casing strings a fluted external support ring (DJS) is used on the
hanger to land in a welded landing ring with a 45o load shoulder.
For smaller diameter pipe an expanding C-ring is used to snap into a landing profile inside
the previously run hanger (DJMR). The suspension ring is drawn into a recess in the
hanger body by a special service tool and pinned there utilizing two dogs which are
anchored into the hanger body. The dogs are attached to a spring loaded pawl. As the
17-31
hanger is passed through its landing profile and then drawn back up, a shoulder in the
profile catches the pawl and causes the dogs to be drawn out of the suspension ring
releasing it and allowing it to expand so that as the pipe is lowered once more the
suspension ring locates in the recess in the hanger profile and suspends the weight of the
casing.
The third type of load support mechanism was the expanding latch device (DJEL). These
hangers consisted of a cage around the hanger body which housed a series of spring
loaded dogs which were compressed into the cage as the pipe was lowered into the
casing. When the hanger finds the landing profile in the previously run hanger the springs
cause the dogs to snap into this profile and take weight. A couple of brass shear pins
which hold the hanger cage in running position shear off as weight is applied and give a
positive indication of hanger setting.
The DJ landing sub and collar consist of a 2 pitch acme landing and tieback thread
connection available in either right hand or left hand thread designs. The same threads
were utilized for running the hangers, setting abandonment caps, and tying back into the
casing. Metal to metal seal tapers backed up by hydraulic packing were located at the top
of the connection and at the base of the connection. A couple of o-rings were used on the
landing sub to seal the annulus when the connection was opened for wash out. Wash out
ports could be placed on the landing sub, the collar, or none could be used depending on
operator preference. The landing sub and collar had casing thread box connections for
attachment to the casing.
The nomenclature of the DJ hangers was such that letters in the style designation
indicated what type of suspension system the hanger had and what type of landing profile
was machined into the bore. Thus a hanger which had a shoulder type landing ring
externally and a profile for the suspension ring internally would be designated DJMSR. A
hanger which had the expanding latch system both internally and externally would be
designated DJELEL.

17-32