Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes first and second wellhead members. An annular lock groove is located on an inner or an outer diameter surface of the first wellhead member. An annular lock ring is supported on an annular shoulder of the second wellhead member and is radially moveable between an unset position and a set position where a locking profile of the annular lock ring engages the annular lock groove. The second wellhead member is positioned concentrically with the first wellhead member, defining an annulus between the first and second wellhead members. An energizing ring is positioned in the annulus and axially movable between an unengaged position and an engaged position. The energizing ring has an engaging portion with a corrugated shape in cross section that is interference fit between the annular lock ring and the second wellhead member when the energizing ring is in the engaged position.

Abstract: A tool for polishing a seal surface of a wellhead assembly includes a cylindrical tool body with an axis. The tool body includes a base member with a first end, and a second end. A tubular skirt member extends from the second end of the base member. The skirt member has a sidewall, a base end connected to the base member, and an open end opposite the base end. A plurality of axial slots extend through the sidewall of the skirt member, the axial slots being spaced circumferentially around the skirt member. A polishing belt is woven through the axial slots of the skirt member.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a casing head, tubing head, and a production tree mounted on the tubing head. An isolation sleeve is set in a main bore of the wellhead assembly that extends across an interface between the casing and tubing heads so that a portion resides in each. The isolation sleeve is configured so that a fracturing string, and its associated hanger, can be retrieved through the isolation sleeve; which significantly reduces the time and steps required to conduct a fracturing operation in a well. Moreover, the present isolation sleeve can be used without changes to existing casing or tubing heads.

Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to a valve assembly includes an actuator housing with a plurality of housing lugs protruding radially. A cylinder assembly is located within the actuator housing and has a horseshoe connector to engage a valve stem nub of a valve stem and transfer axial movement of the horseshoe connector to axial movement of the valve stem. A bonnet has a plurality of bonnet lugs protruding radially from the bonnet to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the plurality of bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position, the actuator housing being rotatable to a locked position such that the plurality of bonnet lugs prevent axial movement of the actuator housing in at least one direction.

Abstract: A fracturing system includes a fracturing spool that mounts onto a wellhead assembly for injecting fracturing fluid into a well beneath the wellhead assembly. An isolation sleeve is included with the fracturing system that couples to the fracturing spool and extends into the wellhead to isolate and protect portions of the wellhead assembly from the fracturing fluid. A seal is between the isolation sleeve and bore of the wellhead assembly, which is threaded to the isolation sleeve. Manipulating the threaded connection between the isolation sleeve and seal selectively positions the isolation sleeve to designated axial positions within the wellhead assembly.

Abstract: A valve with a packing assembly can include a first stem packing circumscribing a first portion of a valve stem, forming a seal between the valve stem and a valve body assembly, and being located in the second bore portion. A first packing retainer can have a collar that limits axial movement of the first stem packing and a first retainer body defining an inner cavity. A second stem packing can circumscribe a second portion of the valve stem and be located in the inner cavity of the first packing retainer. A second packing retainer can limit axial movement of the second stem packing. A piston member can be located axially between the first stem packing and the second stem packing, the piston member being moveable to apply axial force to one of the first stem packing and the second stem packing.

Abstract: A gate valve includes a body with a flow passage intersected by a gate cavity and a gate with an axis, the gate being axially movable in the gate cavity between a gate closed position and a gate open position. A lifting device is in engagement with a stem of the gate to move the gate to the gate open position. A port extends from a first external surface of the gate to a second external surface of the gate. A seal member is mechanically connected to the lifting device, the seal member being moveable in response to axial movement of the lifting device between a seal open position where fluids can flow through the port and a seal closed position where the seal member blocks fluids from flowing through the port.

Abstract: A valve assembly for managing a flow of fluids in hydrocarbon development and production operations includes a valve body having an internal body cavity and a body bore intersecting the body cavity. A valve plug is located within the body cavity and is rotatable between an open position and a closed position. A sleeve is located between the valve plug and the valve body and is rotationally fixed to the valve body and remains rotationally static relative to the valve body as the valve plug rotates. A seal groove is located on a sidewall surface of the sleeve and circumscribes one of the sleeve openings. A seal assembly has a seal ring that is U shaped in cross section with an inner leg that engages the seal groove and an outer leg that extends out of the seal groove and engages one of the valve body and the valve plug.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a dynamic stem seal assembly includes a valve stem for moving a valve member from a closed position to an open position, the valve stem extending through a stem opening of a valve assembly body and having an axis. A packing assembly seals between the valve stem and the stem opening. The packing assembly has a seal assembly circumscribing the valve stem at a portion of the valve stem with a reduced outer diameter. The packing assembly also has a packing retainer assembly releasably secured to the valve stem at the portion of the valve stem with the reduced outer diameter. The packing assembly is axially static relative to the valve stem.

Abstract: A valve with a packing assembly includes a valve body assembly with a bore, a valve member moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a valve stem coupled to the valve member. A first stem packing circumscribes a portion of the valve stem, and is located in an upper bore portion of the bore. A first packing retainer has a collar that limits axial movement of the first stem packing, and also has a first retainer body defining an inner cavity. A second stem packing circumscribes a portion of the valve stem and is located in the inner cavity of the first packing retainer. A second packing retainer has a neck compressingly engaging the second stem packing, and a retainer shoulder that engages the first packing retainer. A retaining assembly is coupled with the valve body assembly for applying axial force to the second packing retainer.

Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to body of a valve assembly includes an actuator housing having housing lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of housing slots therebetween. A bonnet has bonnet lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween. Each of the housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position and, after passing through the bonnet slots, the actuator housing is rotatable to a locked position where at least a portion of one or more of the housing lugs is axially aligned with a portion of a respective bonnet lug to prevent axial movement of the actuator housing, the actuator housing rotating less than one full revolution between the released and locked positions. A securing mechanism prevents relative rotation between the actuator housing and the bonnet.

Abstract: A casing head assembly for landing on a stem head of a floating structure can include a stem head adapter assembly that includes a ring shaped stem head adapter plate. A solid upper ring is spaced axially above the stem head adapter plate, defining an adapter gap between the upper ring and the stem head adapter plate. At least one load cell can have a first end that is supported by the stem head adapter plate and a second end that engages the upper ring. At least one piston assembly is selectively secured to the upper ring. The casing head assembly also includes a casing head landed on, and secured to, the upper ring of the stem head adapter assembly. The load cell is selectively constrained between the upper ring and the stem head adapter plate by a load on the casing head.

Abstract: A gate valve includes a valve body with a How passage intersected by a gate cavity. The gate valve also includes a gate with an axis, a downstream gate face, and an upstream gate face on an opposite side. The gate is axially movable in the gate cavity between a gate closed position and a gate open position. A seat ring is located between each gate face and the valve body, at the intersection of the flow passage and the gate cavity. An annular seal is located between each of the seat rings and the valve body. At least one annular filter is located between at least one of the seat rings and the valve body, each of the at least one filters being located radially inward from one of the seals relative to an axis of the flow passage.

Abstract: A gate valve includes a valve body with a flow passage intersected by a gate cavity. The gate valve also includes a gate with a gate body. The gate body has a downstream gate body face, and an upstream gate body face on an opposite side of the gate body. A seat ring is located between each gate body face and the valve body, at the intersection of the flow passage and the gate cavity. Each seat ring has a seat ring face proximate to the gate. At least one removable insert is located between one of the seat ring faces and one of the gate body faces. The insert is removably coupled to one of the faces and formed of a material harder and more wear resistant as compared to the gate body and the seat ring.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for attaching to an end of a valve actuator includes an assembly body, the assembly body releasably securable to a valve actuator. The assembly body has a stem bore for receiving an actuator stem, and a plunger orifice through a sidewall of the assembly body. An immobilizer assembly has a plunger extending through the plunger orifice, and biased radially outward and moveable between a radially inner position where the immobilizer assembly extends over the stem bore, and a radially outer position where an inner end of the immobilizer assembly is radially outward of the stem bore. A segmented housing circumscribes the assembly body and is moveable between a first position where the plunger is in the radially outer position and a second position where the plunger is in the radially inner position. A fusible band selectively retains the segmented housing in engagement with the immobilizer assembly.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a linear valve, such as a gate valve, includes a quick connect coupling between the housing and at least one of a bonnet and a power head assembly. In embodiments, the quick connect coupling includes a plurality of lugs spaced apart around an annular actuator housing surface, and a plurality of lugs spaced apart around an annular surface of another member such as a bonnet or power head, each of the lugs defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The lugs pass through corresponding slots, and then the housing is rotated relative to the other member until at least a portion of the lugs of each component are axially aligned in a locked position. The rotation is less than one full revolution of the rotated component. A latch prevents the component from rotating out of the locked position.

Abstract: A termination block assembly for fluidly coupling a fluid line at a hydrocarbon production device includes a fluid line block with an inner surface selectively mated to a corresponding surface of the hydrocarbon production device. The fluid line block has a protruding member extending from the inner surface. A primary seal is located at an end of the protruding member. The primary seal has an inner diameter selectively circumscribing the fluid line extending from the hydrocarbon production device, and an outer diameter selectively engaging a sidewall passage surface of the hydrocarbon production device and sealing between the fluid line block and the hydrocarbon production device. A secondary seal circumscribes the protruding member, engaging both the inner surface of the fluid line block and the corresponding surface of the hydrocarbon production device and sealing between the fluid line block and the hydrocarbon production device.

Abstract: A method for remotely controlling services to a well during hydraulic fracturing operations includes the steps of (a) generating a high pressure fluid and pumping the high pressure fluid into a subterranean geologic formation through a wellbore of a first well, the high pressure fluid being provided at a sufficient pressure to fracture the subterranean geologic formation: (b) performing a service on a second well, the second well being located within a pressure zone defined around the first well and the second well; and (c) controlling the performance of the service from a remote operations hub. Step (a) and step (b) are performed simultaneously and step (c) is performed from the remote operations hub located outside of the pressure zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting an actuator to close a valve has a cylindrical booster housing with a central axis. The booster housing includes an upward facing piston cavity and a downward facing lower cavity with internal threads for selectively coupling with external threads of a piston head of a valve actuator. A bulkhead is formed between the piston cavity and the lower cavity. The bulkhead has an opening for selectively accepting an actuator stem of the valve actuator therethrough. A booster piston is located within the piston cavity. The booster piston has a piston mounting means located on its bottom side for selectively securing a top end of the actuator stem of the valve actuator to the booster piston. The booster piston is moveable upwards in an axial direction to move the valve from a lower open position to an upper closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an upper wellhead member to a lower wellhead member includes a box connector. The box connector has an upper portion that selectively circumscribes the upper wellhead member and a lower portion that selectively circumscribes the lower wellhead member. An adapter plate assembly having an upper adapter ring selectively engages a hub profile of the lower wellhead member, and a separate lower adapter ring selectively engages a generally opposite facing lower hub profile of the lower wellhead member. A plurality of locking dog assemblies drive the adapter plate assembly into engagement with the hub profile and the lower hub profile, the locking dog assemblies being spaced around the box connector.