Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis and a header. The fluid transfer system further includes a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the header. The coupler has a fixed length and includes a coupler multi-path flow connector in fluid communication with the valve tree. The coupler also includes a flow control valve having a flow axis, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector and in fluid communication with the header.

Abstract: A ball dropper assembly includes a main body, a sealing piston, and a magazine assembly. The main body includes a main bore, angle bore, and transverse bore formed therethrough. The transverse bore is fluidly coupled to the main bore through the angle bore. The sealing piston is positioned within the transverse bore. Seal rings are positioned between the main body and the sealing piston on either side of the angle bore. The magazine assembly includes a magazine body and a carrier piston. The magazine body is mechanically coupled to the main body. The carrier piston has a carrier hole formed therein and is mechanically coupled to the sealing piston.

Abstract: A ball dropper assembly includes a main body, a sealing piston, and a magazine assembly. The main body includes a main bore, angle bore, and transverse bore formed therethrough. The transverse bore is fluidly coupled to the main bore through the angle bore. The sealing piston is positioned within the transverse bore. Seal rings are positioned between the main body and the sealing piston on either side of the angle bore. The magazine assembly includes a magazine body and a carrier piston. The magazine body is mechanically coupled to the main body. The carrier piston has a carrier hole formed therein and is mechanically coupled to the sealing piston.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system for use with a valve tree at a well, the valve tree having a wellhead axis, may comprise a header having a header flow axis and a coupler connected to the valve tree and the header and providing fluid communication between the valve tree and the header, the coupler having a coupler flow axis. The sum of the direction changes for a fluid flowing from the header into the valve tree may be less than 225°. The coupler may include a coupler inlet, which may be at substantially the same elevation as the header flow axis. The coupler may be connected to the header such that the coupler flow axis intersects the header flow axis or such that the coupler axis passes between the header axis and the surface of the earth. An angle between the coupler flow axis and the wellhead axis may be acute.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conduit forming part of a drilling fluid return path from a wellbore. The the conduit has at least one well outflow control in the conduit. The at least one well fluid outflow control has at least two annular flow restrictors each separately operable to close to a respective inner diameter.

Abstract: A ball dropper assembly includes a main body, a sealing piston, and a magazine assembly. The main body includes a main bore, angle bore, and transverse bore formed therethrough. The transverse bore is fluidly coupled to the main bore through the angle bore. The sealing piston is positioned within the transverse bore. Seal rings are positioned between the main body and the sealing piston on either side of the angle bore. The magazine assembly includes a magazine body and a carrier piston. The magazine body is mechanically coupled to the main body. The carrier piston has a carrier hole formed therein and is mechanically coupled to the sealing piston.

Abstract: A conduit forming part of a drilling fluid return path from a wellbore has at least one flow restrictor disposed on an interior surface of the conduit. A drill string is disposed through the interior of the conduit and has at least one flow restrictor disposed on an exterior surface of the drill string. The drill string is longitudinally movable through the conduit to enable placing the flow restrictor in the conduit, and the flow restrictor on the drill string at a selected longitudinal distance from each other.

Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a valve tree, the valve tree having a master valve having a flow axis and a header. The fluid transfer system further includes a coupler disposed between, connected to, and in fluid communication with, the valve tree and the header. The coupler has a fixed length and includes a coupler multi-path flow connector in fluid communication with the valve tree. The coupler also includes a flow control valve having a flow axis, the flow control valve directly coupled to the coupler multi-path flow connector and in fluid communication with the header.

Abstract: A conduit forming part of a drilling fluid return path from a wellbore has at least one flow restrictor disposed on an interior surface of the conduit. A drill string is disposed through the interior of the conduit and has at least one flow restrictor disposed on an exterior surface of the drill string. The drill string is longitudinally movable through the conduit to enable placing the flow restrictor in the conduit, and the flow restrictor on the drill string at a selected longitudinal distance from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing and at least two pipe ram systems engageable with the housing. Each of the at least two pipe ram systems comprises an actuator, a bonnet and a sealing pipe ram element. The at least two pipe ram systems are disposed on opposed sides of the housing. A carousel is disposed proximate at least one of the at least two pipe ram systems. The carousel has mounted thereon a plurality of pipe ram systems. The carousel is rotatable to orient a selected one of the plurality of pipe ram systems toward a receiving bore in the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a conduit forming part of a drilling fluid return path from a wellbore. The the conduit has at least one well outflow control in the conduit. The at least one well fluid outflow control has at least two annular flow restrictors each separately operable to close to a respective inner diameter.