REMOTE CONNECTION TO WELLHEAD FOR MULTIPLE OPERATIONS

Abstract

A connector adapter for use with a subterranean well includes a generally cylindrical body defining a coaxial passage therethrough, a connector end at one end of the cylindrical body, the connector end having external threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to a remote connector, and an equipment end at another end of the cylindrical body, the equipment end having external threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to well equipment. The remote connector comprises multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof in which the second hub is separable from the first hub. This allows the well equipment to be connected to the wellhead without worker intervention and while a second well operation is being performed near the wellhead.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and apparatuses used in conjunction with a subterranean well and, more particularly, to methods and apparatuses for connecting lubricators, frac lines, and similar well equipment to a wellhead using a high pressure remote connector with self-aligning geometry in order to allow multiple types of well operations to be performed.

BACKGROUND

It is frequently desired to make a pressure bearing connection between components at a well. However, such components are oftentimes large, heavy, manipulated by imprecise positioning equipment and/or located in relatively inaccessible or hazardous locations. Such conditions can make it difficult to accurately align the components so that the connection can conveniently be made without damaging any elements (such as seals) of the connection.

Therefore, it will be readily appreciated that improvements are continually needed in the art of constructing and utilizing connectors for use in conjunction with wells. Such improvements may be useful whether or not components of a connector are large, heavy, manipulated by imprecise positioning equipment and/or located in relatively inaccessible or hazardous locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the exemplary disclosed embodiments, and for further advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a representative partial view of a well system and associated method which can embody principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a representative cross-sectional view of a remote connector and a connector adaptor which may be used in the well system and method of

FIG. 1, and which can embody the principles of this disclosure, the connector being depicted in an open configuration;

FIG. 3 is a representative cross-sectional view of the remote connector and the connector adaptor, the connector being depicted in a closed configuration with the connector adaptor attached to the connector;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the remote connector and the connector adaptor disclosed herein;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the remote connector in a closed configuration with the connector adaptor attached to the connector; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wellhead guide that may be used with the remote connector disclosed herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following discussion is presented to enable a person ordinarily skilled in the art to synthesize and use the exemplary disclosed embodiments. Various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles described herein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than those detailed below without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments as defined herein. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

As mentioned above, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and apparatuses for connecting lubricators, frac lines, and similar well equipment to a wellhead. “Lubricators” are well known to those skilled in the art and refer generally to a long pipe fitted to the top of a wellhead or “Christmas tree” so that tools may be put into the well. The lubricator is installed on top of the tree, well tools are placed in the lubricator, and the lubricator is pressurized to wellbore pressure. The top valves of the tree are then opened to allow the tools to fall or be pumped into the wellbore under pressure. Similarly, frac lines are pipes fitted to the top of the wellhead that carry fracking fluid into the well.

Currently, workers are needed at the wellhead to manually attach/remove a lubricator to/from a wellhead, for example, in wireline operations. However, safety rules restrict personnel from being in a high pressure area (“red zone”) when certain operations, such as fracturing operations, are being performed nearby, such as in an adjacent well. This can cause delays while waiting for the personnel to clear the area. Eliminating the need for personnel at the wellhead to attach/remove the lubricator would improve operational efficiency and reduce HSE (health, safety, and environment) exposure.

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems that eliminate the need for personnel to manually attach and remove lubricators, frac lines, and similar well equipment at the wellhead. The methods and systems accomplish this by enabling such well equipment to be attached ahead of time to a remote connector with self-aligning geometry. The self-aligning geometry of the connector in turn allows it be connected to the wellhead using remotely operated equipment whenever needed. A connector adapter may be provided to attach the well equipment to the remote connector. Multiple types of connector adapters may be used to attach multiple types of well equipment to the remote connector, thereby allowing multiple types of well operations to be performed without the need for personnel to be at the wellhead.

In some embodiments, the remote connector may be the same as or similar to the remote connector described in the earlier referenced Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/023,610, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The connector adapter herein disclosed may then be used to make the features of the referenced remote connector (i.e., self-aligning geometry, pressure rating, flow bore) beneficially available for use with the well equipment at the wellhead. Such an arrangement would provide a method of swapping in well services (e.g., wireline services) without exposing personnel to high pressure areas. This would in turn allow other operations (e.g., high pressure operations) to be performed concurrently at or near the wellhead with the current operation, thereby reducing HSE exposure on location.

Representatively illustrated in FIG. 1 is a typical well system 10 that can be used with the embodiments disclosed herein. However, it should be clearly understood that the well system 10 is merely one example of an application in which the principles of this disclosure may be practiced and a wide variety of other examples are possible. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited in any way to the details of the system 10 described herein and/or depicted in the drawings.

In the example of FIG. 1, a remote connector 12 is used to connect a line 14 to a wellhead 16, which may be, for example, an ExpressKinect Wellhead Connection Unit available from Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. The wellhead 16 is shown on land in the figure, but in other examples the remote connector 12 could be used to connect to an underwater wellhead, to another line connected to a wellhead on land or underwater, to a rig on land or water, and the like. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular wellhead location or to any particular use for the connector 12.

In the FIG. 1 example, the line 14 is used to deliver fluids at high pressures and flow rates to the wellhead 16 in a stimulation operation. The connector 12 is specially configured to withstand high pressures such as those used in stimulation operations, and to enable rapid and convenient connection of the line 14 to the wellhead 16 without damage to any components of the connector. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to stimulation operations or in any other particular well operation, or to only relatively high pressure operations.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a description of the connector 12 is provided by way of background. As can be seen, an enlarged scale cross-sectional view of the connector 12 is representatively illustrated. The connector 12 may be used in the well system 10 of FIG. 1, or it may be used in other well systems, in keeping with the principles of this disclosure.

In the FIG. 2 view, it may be seen that the connector 12 includes multiple engagement structures 18 circumferentially spaced apart and distributed about a radially enlarged hub 20. Each of the structures 18 includes a recess 22 formed therein for receiving the hub 20 and another hub 24, whereby the hubs can be clamped together. The hub 24 can, for example, be secured to the wellhead 16 (see FIG. 1) with a flange 26.

The structures 18 are pivotably mounted to the connector hub 20, for example, with recesses 28 in the structures 18 being engaged with a ring 30. In other examples, the structures 18 could be pivotably mounted using pivot pins or other devices.

An upper end 18a of each structure 18 is biased radially inward by a biasing device 32. In the open configuration depicted in FIG. 2, a biasing force exerted by the biasing device 32 has displaced the upper ends 18a of the structures 18 inward, so that lower ends 18b of the structures are outwardly displaced. This allows the connector and wellhead hubs 20, 24, respectively, to be separated from each other, or to be axially aligned and engaged with each other, as described more fully below.

The biasing device 32 depicted in FIG. 2 is a single continuous coiled extension spring (also known as a “garter” spring), which extends about the upper ends 18a of the structures 18. In other examples, the biasing device 32 could be other types of devices (such as, an elastomer, leaf springs, etc.) capable of exerting a biasing force, or multiple biasing devices could be used, etc.

In the FIG. 2 example, the structures 18 are surrounded by a sleeve 34. The sleeve 34 is used to pivot the structures 18 between their open and closed configurations. The sleeve 34 also prevents outward displacement of the structures 18 from their open configuration, so that the lower ends 18b of the structures can be used to axially align the hubs 20, 24 with each other when they are displaced into engagement.

Note that the lower ends 18b of the structures 18 are generally funnel-shaped and have an inner surface 18c that will approximately laterally center the hub 24 with the hub 20 as they are displaced toward each other. This coarse axial alignment helps to guide a seal insert 36 in the wellhead hub 24 into engagement with a seal 38 in the connector hub 20. The seal insert 36 can be received in the connector hub 20 without damage (e.g., which damage might otherwise be caused by the seal insert improperly striking another component) and more precisely axially align the hubs 20, 24, due to the coarse axial alignment of the hubs 20, 24 provided by the structures 18 being maintained in their open configuration by the sleeve 34.

The sleeve 34 is displaced by an actuator 40 of the connector 12. The actuator 40 includes a piston 42 connected to the hub 20, and a cylinder 44 connected to the sleeve 34, so that the sleeve can be displaced relative to the hub 20 and structures 18.

In the open configuration of FIG. 2, an increased pressure has been applied to an upper chamber 46 of the actuator 40, thereby producing a pressure differential across the piston 42 and displacing the cylinder 44 and sleeve 34 upward (as viewed in the figure). To displace the structures 18 to a closed configuration thereof, an increased pressure can be applied to a lower chamber 48 (see FIG. 3) of the actuator 40, thereby producing an oppositely directed pressure differential across the piston 42 and displacing the cylinder 44 and sleeve 34 downward (as viewed in the figure).

As evident from above, the use of the connector 12 provides a number of advantages. However, depending on the implementation, the connector 12 may not be physically compatible with certain types of well equipment. Note in particular the connector 12 has a generally cylindrical connector port 50 at the opposite end from the engagement structures 18 to which well equipment such as the line 14 may be connected. That connector port 50 may not be able to accommodate some types of well equipment.

Referring still to FIG. 2, a connector adapter 60 may be provided for attaching well equipment 90, such as a lubricator or frac line and the like, to the remote connector 12. In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, instead of connecting well equipment directly to the remote connector 12, a connector adapter 60 that is specifically designed to be compatible the cylindrical connector port 50 of the connector 12 may be interposed between the connector 12 and the well equipment. Different types of connector adapters 60 may then be developed to allow the remote connector 12 to be used with different types of well equipment. It is of course also possible for one type of connector adapter 60 to be used with multiple different types of well equipment (i.e., a “universal” adapter).

In the particular example of FIG. 2, the connector adapter 60 is designed to accommodate multiple types of pipe-shaped well equipment 90, including the lubricator or frac line and the like. To this end, the connector adapter 60 has a generally cylindrical body 62 extending between two ends, an equipment end 64 and a connector end 66. The generally cylindrical body 62 has an interior inner wall 68 having a given inner diameter (i.e., a first inner diameter D1) that defines a passage 70 running coaxially along the connector adapter 60. Near the equipment end 64, the interior inner wall 68 transitions to an intermediate inner wall 72 having another given diameter (i.e., a second inner diameter D2) that is larger than the first inner diameter. Beyond the intermediate inner wall 72, the passage 70 expands outward through a funnel shaped opening 74 at the equipment end 64. A similar funnel-shaped opening 76 is also formed at the connector end 66 of the connector adapter 60. External threads 78 on the connector end 66 allow the connector adapter 60 to be threadedly connected to the connector 12 via internal threads 52 of the connector port 50. In a similar manner, external threads 80 on the equipment end 64 of the connector adapter 60 allow it to be threadedly connected to the well equipment 90 via internal threads 92 thereof.

FIG. 3 shows the connector 12 with the hubs 20, 24 engaged and clamped to each other so that the connector is able to contain pressure, with the structures 18 having been displaced to their closed configuration by downward displacement of the sleeve 34. In this closed configuration, the seal 38 can prevent leakage of relatively high pressure fluid in the connector 12.

Note that when the sleeve 34 is displaced downward by the actuator 40, the structures 18 are caused to pivot relative to the connector hub 20, with the upper ends 18a displacing outward and the lower ends 18b displacing inward. This inward displacement of the lower ends 18b causes the hubs 20, 24 to be received in the recesses 22 and clamped together, thereby preventing separation of the hubs. The hubs 20, 24 and recesses 22 are provided with inclined surfaces, so that engagement between these surfaces acts to urge the hubs toward each other as the recesses pivot inwardly.

In FIG. 3, the connector adapter 60 can be seen threadedly engaged to the remote connector 12 with the well equipment 90 threadedly engaged to the connector adapter 60, the assembly being indicated generally at 92. This assembly 92 may be completed ahead of time and stored or set aside until such time when the well equipment 90 needs to be installed on the wellhead. When the time arrives, the well equipment 90 with the connector adapter 60 and the connector 12 already attached may be retrieved and simply installed on the wellhead remotely via the connector 12 without further worker intervention at the wellhead. Because no worker intervention is needed at the wellhead, other nearby operations, such as a fracking operation, may take place simultaneously with the well equipment 90 being installed without risk to personnel. This improves overall operational efficiency and reduces HSE exposure. It is of course also possible to connect only the connector 12 and the connector adapter 60 or only the connector adapter 60 and the well equipment 90 ahead of time without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector 12 with the connector adaptor 60 connected thereto. The well equipment 90 may then be attached to the connector adapter 60, and the entire assembly 92 (see FIG. 3) set aside for later use. Then, when the well equipment is ready for use, the connector 12 with the connector adapter 60 and the well equipment 90 already attached may then be clamped to the hub 24. This is depicted in FIG. 5, which is a perspective view of the connector 12 in a closed configuration and the connector adaptor 60 and the well equipment 90 attached.

Referring to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, a wellhead guide 60 may be placed on the wellhead (i.e., over the hub 24) to assist in aligning the connector 12 and the wellhead. Although not expressly shown, a lubricator entry guide (LEG) may also be provided on the lubricator to assist in loading of tools into the lubricator.

Although various examples have been described above, with each example having certain features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for a particular feature of one example to be used exclusively with that example. Instead, any of the features described above and/or depicted in the drawings can be combined with any of the examples, in addition to or in substitution for any of the other features of those examples. One example's features are not mutually exclusive to another example's features. Instead, the scope of this disclosure encompasses any combination of any of the features.

Although each example described above includes a certain combination of features, it should be understood that it is not necessary for all features of an example to be used. Instead, any of the features described above can be used, without any other particular feature or features also being used.

Accordingly, as set forth above, in general, in one aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a connector adapter for use with a subterranean well. The connector adapter comprises, among other things, a generally cylindrical body defining a coaxial passage therethrough, a connector end at one end of the cylindrical body, the connector end having threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to a remote connector, and an equipment end at another end of the cylindrical body, the equipment end having threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to well equipment. The remote connector comprises multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof in which the second hub is separable from the first hub.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the the well equipment is one of a lubricator and a frac line.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the remote connector further comprises a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from the open configuration.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the remote connector further comprises an actuator which, in response to a first pressure differential applied across a piston of the actuator, displaces the sleeve to an open position in which the biasing device displaces the engagement structures to the open configuration.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the actuator, in response to a second pressure differential applied across the piston, displaces the sleeve to a closed position in which the sleeve biases the engagement structures into clamping engagement with the first and second hubs.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the the engagement structures are pivotably mounted relative to the first hub between first and second ends of the engagement structures.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the biasing device inwardly biases the first ends of the engagement structures and the second ends of the engagement structures are displaced outward by a biasing force exerted by the biasing device.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures in the open configuration aligns the first and second hubs.

In general, in another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method of connecting well equipment to a wellhead. The method comprises, among other things, connecting the well equipment to a connector adapter at an equipment end thereof, connecting a connector end of the connector adapter to a remote connector, and connecting the remote connector to the wellhead. The method further comprises applying pressure to the remote connector from a remote location, thereby allowing multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures of the connector to displace outward to an open configuration thereof, and displacing a first hub of the connector into contact with a second hub secured to the wellhead, the engagement structures axially aligning the second hub with the first hub during the displacing.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the the well equipment includes one of a lubricator and a frac line.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the well equipment is connected to the wellhead while a second well operation is being performed near the wellhead.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the second well operation includes a fracking operation.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the applying of pressure further comprises displacing a sleeve of the connector to an open position thereof, the sleeve in the open position preventing outward displacement of the engagement structures from the open configuration.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the applying of pressure further comprises applying a first pressure differential across a piston of an actuator, thereby displacing the sleeve to the open position.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the method further comprises applying a second pressure differential across the piston, thereby displacing the sleeve to a closed position in which the sleeve biases the engagement structures into clamping engagement with the first and second hubs.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the engagement structures are pivotably mounted relative to the first hub between first and second ends of the engagement structures.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, a biasing device biases the engagement structures toward the open configuration.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the biasing device inwardly biases ends of the engagement structures.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, opposite ends of the engagement structures are displaced outward by a biasing force exerted by the biasing device.

In general, in yet another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a connector adapter for use with a subterranean well. The connector adapter comprises, among other things, a generally cylindrical body defining a coaxial passage therethrough, a connector end at one end of the cylindrical body, the connector end having threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to a remote connector, and an equipment end at another end of the cylindrical body, the equipment end having threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to well equipment. The coaxial passage has a first inner diameter that transitions to a second inner diameter near the equipment end, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter. The remote connector comprises multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs and a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof in which the second hub is separable from the first hub.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the well equipment is one of a lubricator and a frac line.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures in the open configuration aligns the first and second hubs.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the remote connector further comprises an actuator which, in response to a first pressure differential applied across a piston of the actuator, displaces the sleeve to an open position in which the engagement structures are in the open configuration.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the actuator, in response to a second pressure differential applied across the piston, displaces the sleeve to a closed position in which the sleeve biases the engagement structures into clamping engagement with the first and second hubs.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the engagement structures are pivotably mounted relative to the first hub between first and second ends of the engagement structures.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the remote connector further comprises a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward the open configuration.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the biasing device inwardly biases ends of the engagement structures.

In accordance with any one or more of the foregoing embodiments, opposite ends of the engagement structures are displaced outward by a biasing force exerted by the biasing device.

In general, in still another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a wellhead assembly for mounting to a wellhead in a subterranean well. The wellhead assembly comprises, among other things, a remote connector comprising (i) multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs, (ii) a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the second hub is separable from the first hub, (iii) a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from the open configuration, and (iv) an actuator which, in response to a first pressure differential applied across a piston of the actuator, displaces the sleeve to an open position in which the biasing device displaces the engagement structures to the open configuration, (v) wherein the engagement structures and the piston of the actuator are circumferentially aligned with one another so as to define a flow path therethrough extending coaxially with the first and second hubs when the engagement structures clamp together the first and second hubs. The wellhead assembly also comprises a connector adapter connected to the remote connector, the connector adapter comprising a generally cylindrical body defining a coaxial passage therethrough, a connector end at one end of the cylindrical body configured to connect to the remote connector, and an equipment end at another end of the cylindrical body, wherein the coaxial passage has a first inner diameter that transitions to a second inner diameter near the equipment end, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter. The wellhead assembly further comprises well equipment connected to the connector adapter at the equipment end thereof, the well equipment being one of a lubricator and a well servicing line, the well servicing line including a frac line, wherein the wellhead assembly is preassembled as a single assembly for mounting to the wellhead.

It should be understood that the various embodiments described herein may be utilized in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of this disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples of useful applications of the principles of the disclosure, which is not limited to any specific details of these embodiments.

In the above description of the representative examples, directional terms (such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” etc.) are used for convenience in referring to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be clearly understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular directions described herein.

The terms “including,” “includes,” “comprising,” “comprises,” and similar terms are used in a non-limiting sense in this specification. For example, if a system, method, apparatus, device, etc., is described as “including” a certain feature or element, the system, method, apparatus, device, etc., can include that feature or element, and can also include other features or elements. Similarly, the term “comprises” is considered to mean “comprises, but is not limited to.”

While the invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the description. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A connector adapter for use with a subterranean well, the connector adapter comprising: a generally cylindrical body defining a coaxial passage therethrough;a connector end at one end of the cylindrical body, the connector end having threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to a remote connector; andan equipment end at another end of the cylindrical body, the equipment end having threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to well equipment;wherein the remote connector comprises multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof in which the second hub is separable from the first hub.

2. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein the well equipment is one of a lubricator and a well servicing line, the well servicing line including a frac line.

3. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein the remote connector further comprises a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from the open configuration.

4. The connector adapter of claim 2, wherein the remote connector further comprises an actuator which, in response to a first pressure differential applied across a piston of the actuator, displaces the sleeve to an open position in which the biasing device displaces the engagement structures to the open configuration.

5. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein the actuator, in response to a second pressure differential applied across the piston, displaces the sleeve to a closed position in which the sleeve biases the engagement structures into clamping engagement with the first and second hubs.

6. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein the engagement structures are pivotably mounted relative to the first hub between first and second ends of the engagement structures.

7. The connector adapter of claim 6, wherein the biasing device inwardly biases the first ends of the engagement structures.

8. The connector adapter of claim 7, wherein the second ends of the engagement structures are displaced outward by a biasing force exerted by the biasing device.

9. The connector adapter of claim 1, wherein engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures in the open configuration aligns the first and second hubs.

10. A method of connecting well equipment to a wellhead, the method comprising: connecting the well equipment to a connector adapter at an equipment end thereof;connecting a connector end of the connector adapter to a remote connector;connecting the remote connector to the wellhead;applying pressure to the remote connector from a remote location, thereby allowing multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures of the connector to displace outward to an open configuration thereof; anddisplacing a first hub of the connector into contact with a second hub secured to the wellhead, the engagement structures axially aligning the second hub with the first hub during the displacing.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the well equipment includes one of a lubricator and a well servicing line, the well servicing line including a frac line.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the well equipment is connected to the wellhead while a second well operation is being performed near the wellhead.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second well operation includes a fracking operation.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the pressure applying further comprises displacing a sleeve of the connector to an open position thereof, the sleeve in the open position preventing outward displacement of the engagement structures from the open configuration.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the pressure applying further comprises applying a first pressure differential across a piston of an actuator, thereby displacing the sleeve to the open position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising applying a second pressure differential across the piston, thereby displacing the sleeve to a closed position in which the sleeve biases the engagement structures into clamping engagement with the first and second hubs.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the engagement structures are pivotably mounted relative to the first hub between first and second ends of the engagement structures.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a biasing device biases the engagement structures toward the open configuration.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the biasing device inwardly biases ends of the engagement structures.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein opposite ends of the engagement structures are displaced outward by a biasing force exerted by the biasing device.

21. A connector adapter for use with a subterranean well, the connector adapter comprising: a generally cylindrical body defining a coaxial passage therethrough;a connector end at one end of the cylindrical body, the connector end having threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to a remote connector; andan equipment end at another end of the cylindrical body, the equipment end having threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to well equipment, the coaxial passage having a first inner diameter that transitions to a second inner diameter near the equipment end, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter;wherein the remote connector comprises multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs and a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof in which the second hub is separable from the first hub.

22. The connector adapter of claim 21, wherein the well equipment is one of a lubricator and a well servicing line, the well servicing line including a frac line.

23. The connector adapter of claim 21, wherein engagement between the second hub and the engagement structures in the open configuration aligns the first and second hubs.

24. The connector adapter of claim 21, further comprising an actuator which, in response to a first pressure differential applied across a piston of the actuator, displaces the sleeve to an open position in which the engagement structures are in the open configuration.

25. The connector adapter of claim 24, wherein the actuator, in response to a second pressure differential applied across the piston, displaces the sleeve to a closed position in which the sleeve biases the engagement structures into clamping engagement with the first and second hubs.

26. The connector adapter of claim 21, wherein the engagement structures are pivotably mounted relative to the first hub between first and second ends of the engagement structures.

27. The connector adapter of claim 21, further comprising a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward the open configuration.

28. The connector adapter of claim 27, wherein the biasing device inwardly biases ends of the engagement structures.

29. The connector adapter of claim 28, wherein opposite ends of the engagement structures are displaced outward by a biasing force exerted by the biasing device.

30. A wellhead assembly for mounting to a wellhead in a subterranean well, the wellhead assembly comprising: a remote connector comprising (i) multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs, (ii) a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the second hub is separable from the first hub, (iii) a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from the open configuration, and (iv) an actuator which, in response to a first pressure differential applied across a piston of the actuator, displaces the sleeve to an open position in which the biasing device displaces the engagement structures to the open configuration, (v) wherein the engagement structures and the piston of the actuator are circumferentially aligned with one another so as to define a flow path therethrough extending coaxially with the first and second hubs when the engagement structures clamp together the first and second hubs;a connector adapter connected to the remote connector, the connector adapter comprising a generally cylindrical body defining a coaxial passage therethrough, a connector end at one end of the cylindrical body configured to connect to the remote connector, and an equipment end at another end of the cylindrical body, wherein the coaxial passage has a first inner diameter that transitions to a second inner diameter near the equipment end, the second inner diameter being larger than the first inner diameter; andwell equipment connected to the connector adapter at the equipment end thereof, the well equipment being one of a lubricator and a well servicing line, the well servicing line including a frac line;wherein the wellhead assembly is preassembled as a single assembly for mounting to the wellhead.