Independent Load Support in an 18¾-in., 15, 000-psi Subsea Wellhead

Summary Previous-generation subsea wellhead equipment was conceived as an extension of well-known surface wellhead equipment. Contemporary performance criteria for subsea wellhead equipment require new technology from the designer/manufacturer. This paper describes the role of a single design concept, independent load support, in addressing these criteria and illustrates the resulting configuration of a severe-service subsea wellhead system.