Abstract: A gate valve including a valve body, a gate assembly, an operating end, a balancing end, and a valve bore assembly. The valve bore assembly includes two sets of components positioned on either side of the gate assembly to maintain the axial alignment of the gate assembly within the valve body during actuation between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which at least part of a wellhead is fluidically isolated from excessive pressures, temperatures, and/or flow rates during a wellbore operation using an isolation head, the isolation head including an isolation spool and an isolation sleeve.

Abstract: A managed pressure drilling (“MPD”) manifold is adapted to receive drilling mud from a wellbore during oil and gas drilling operations. The MPD manifold includes one or more drilling chokes.

Abstract: A plug valve including a valve body defining a cavity and a pair of fluid passages intersecting the cavity, the cavity defining a tapered interior surface of the valve body, a plug extending within the cavity, the plug defining an exterior surface and a fluid passage adapted to be substantially aligned with the fluid passages of the valve body, and an insert extending within the cavity and circumferentially about at least a portion of the plug, the insert defining a pair of fluid passages substantially aligned with the fluid passages of the valve body, respectively. In several exemplary embodiments, the plug valve is used in oil or gas operations, such as, for example, the fracturing or gravel packing of a subterranean wellbore, with the plug valve being used to control the flow of fracturing and/or gravel-packing fluids. Exemplary embodiments of methods associated with the plug valve are also described.

Abstract: A drilling choke including a choke body defining an internal region, an inlet passage, and an outlet passage, a seat extending within the outlet passage, a nose extending within the internal region and defining a recessed region, a plug extending within the recessed region, and a stem connected to the plug and extending axially therethrough, the stem defining an internal passage. The plug can be engaged with the seat to at least partially restrict fluid flow from the inlet passage to the outlet passage via the internal region. The stem and the plug are together axially moveable in opposing directions relative to the seat to thereby control a backpressure of the fluid flow. In some embodiments, the recessed region of the nose is in fluid communication with the outlet passage of the choke body via the internal passage of the stem to thereby pressure balance the plug.

Abstract: A plug valve including a valve body defining a cavity and a pair of fluid passages intersecting the cavity, the cavity defining a tapered interior surface of the valve body, a plug extending within the cavity, the plug defining an exterior surface and a fluid passage adapted to be substantially aligned with the fluid passages of the valve body, and an insert extending within the cavity and circumferentially about at least a portion of the plug, the insert defining a pair of fluid passages substantially aligned with the fluid passages of the valve body, respectively. In several exemplary embodiments, the plug valve is used in oil or gas operations, such as, for example, the fracturing or gravel packing of a subterranean wellbore, with the plug valve being used to control the flow of fracturing and/or gravel-packing fluids. Exemplary embodiments of methods associated with the plug valve are also described.

Abstract: An isolation tool and related methods for protecting a wellhead to which a casing string is operably coupled. In an exemplary embodiment, the isolation tool includes an anchor assembly adapted to be connected to the wellhead; a mandrel adapted to sealingly engage an interior portion of at least one of the wellhead and the casing string; and a lock assembly including a mandrel head connected to the mandrel and adapted to be displaced, relative to the anchor assembly and the wellhead, to sealingly engage the mandrel with the interior portion; a landing sleeve connected to the mandrel head and adapted to be displaced, relative to the mandrel head, the mandrel, the anchor assembly, and the wellhead, to engage the anchor assembly; and a connector adapted to secure the landing sleeve to the anchor assembly when the mandrel sealingly engages the interior portion and the landing sleeve engages the anchor assembly.

Abstract: A wellsite connector apparatus and related method. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes connecting a base plate to a first member via a first weld-less connection, the first member defining a first fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a first wellsite component; connecting a flange to a second member via a second weld-less connection, the second member defining a second fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a second wellsite component; and connecting the flange to the base plate via a third weld-less connection; wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; and the first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively.

Abstract: An isolation tool and related methods for protecting a wellhead to which a casing string is operably coupled. In an exemplary embodiment, the isolation tool includes an anchor assembly adapted to be connected to the wellhead; a mandrel adapted to sealingly engage an interior portion of at least one of the wellhead and the casing string; and a lock assembly including a mandrel head connected to the mandrel and adapted to be displaced, relative to the anchor assembly and the wellhead, to sealingly engage the mandrel with the interior portion; a landing sleeve connected to the mandrel head and adapted to be displaced, relative to the mandrel head, the mandrel, the anchor assembly, and the wellhead, to engage the anchor assembly; and a connector adapted to secure the landing sleeve to the anchor assembly when the mandrel sealingly engages the interior portion and the landing sleeve engages the anchor assembly.