Abstract: Sand separation systems and methods according to which one or more energy sensors are adapted to detect a response to energy imparted to a sand separator of a known type. One or more computers are adapted to communicate with the one or more energy sensors. The one or more computers and/or the one or more energy sensors are pre-tuned. The one or more computers are configured to determine the unknown sand level in the sand separator of the known type based on: the response detected by the one or more energy sensors, and the pre-tuning of the one or more energy sensors and/or the one or more computers.

Abstract: Sand separation systems and methods according to which one or more energy sensors are adapted to detect a response to energy imparted to a sand separator of a known type. One or more computers are adapted to communicate with the one or more energy sensors. The one or more computers and/or the one or more energy sensors are pre-tuned. The one or more computers are configured to determine the unknown sand level in the sand separator of the known type based on: the response detected by the one or more energy sensors, and the pre-tuning of the one or more energy sensors and/or the one or more computers.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore.

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, apparatus, and system according to which a swap adapter is connected to a swap station while a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore. The swap adapter is connected to a second fracturing pump via a first suction conduit and a first discharge conduit. The swap station is connected to a suction manifold via a second suction conduit. The swap station is connected to the discharge manifold via a second discharge conduit. After connecting the swap adapter to the swap station, and while the discharge manifold remains pressurized by at least the first fracturing pump: fluid is drawn from the suction manifold using the second fracturing pump; and pressurized fluid is discharged into the discharge manifold using the second fracturing pump.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a swap adapter is connected to a swap station while a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore. The swap adapter is connected to a second fracturing pump via a first suction conduit and a first discharge conduit. The swap station is connected to a suction manifold via a second suction conduit. The swap station is connected to the discharge manifold via a second discharge conduit. After connecting the swap adapter to the swap station, and while the discharge manifold remains pressurized by at least the first fracturing pump: fluid is drawn from the suction manifold using the second fracturing pump; and pressurized fluid is discharged into the discharge manifold using the second fracturing pump.

Abstract: Sand separation systems and methods according to which one or more energy sensors are adapted to detect a response to energy imparted to a sand separator of a known type. One or more computers are adapted to communicate with the one or more energy sensors. The one or more computers and/or the one or more energy sensors are pre-tuned. The one or more computers are configured to determine the unknown sand level in the sand separator of the known type based on: the response detected by the one or more energy sensors, and the pre-tuning of the one or more energy sensors and/or the one or more computers.

Abstract: Sand separation systems and methods according to which one or more energy sensors are adapted to detect a response to energy imparted to a sand separator of a known type. One or more computers are adapted to communicate with the one or more energy sensors. The one or more computers and/or the one or more energy sensors are pre-tuned. The one or more computers are configured to determine the unknown sand level in the sand separator of the known type based on: the response detected by the one or more energy sensors, and the pre-tuning of the one or more energy sensors and/or the one or more computers.

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: Sand separation systems and methods according to which one or more energy sensors are adapted to detect a response to energy imparted to a sand separator of a known type. One or more computers are adapted to communicate with the one or more energy sensors. The one or more computers and/or the one or more energy sensors are pre-tuned. The one or more computers are configured to determine the unknown sand level in the sand separator of the known type based on: the response detected by the one or more energy sensors, and the pre-tuning of the one or more energy sensors and/or the one or more computers.

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 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 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: 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 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.