Multifunctional Key Design For Metal Seal In Subsea Applications

A wellbore sealing assembly, particularly for sealing between a casing hanger 104 and a wellhead housing 100, includes a sealing ring 110, an energizing ring 146, and a key 120 for engaging the sealing ring with the energizing ring. As seen in fig 2 the key 120 has a body 122, a guide member 128, and a shearble retainer stud 134. The key body 122 is located in an aperture 118 in a sidewall of the sealing ring. The guide member 128 and retainer stud 134 protrudes into a guide slot 148 and a recess of the energizing ring. Downward force on the energizing ring shears retainer stud 134 while the guide member 128 travels in the guide slot preventing rotation of the energizing ring relative to the scaling ring. The guide member also aids seal retrieval by locking against the bottom of the slot 148 in the energizing ring.