Abstract: An improved seal for a blowout preventer ram which can be moved into and out of engagement with a length of pipe and includes intersecting recesses formed in the outer surfaces of the ram body for accommodating seal for forming a pressure-tight seal around the length of pipe and between the ram and at least a portion of a housing in which the ram moves when the ram engages the pipe. The seal includes a front seal with a curved portion shaped to engage the length of pipe and a body portion formed of an elastomeric material shaped to fit within one of the recesses in the ram. An insert in the body portion is formed of a deformable material with low friction properties and positioned to engage the pipe when the ram is in its engaging position. The insert is held between a pair of rigid retainer plates oriented perpendicular to the pipe. The seal engages a second top seal located in the other recess and pushes it outwardly into sealing positions when force is exerted on the front seal.

Abstract: A composite seal is adapted to fit in a groove formed in the outer surface of a first body and project outwardly to engage a second body spaced apart from the first body and form a fluid-tight seal between the two bodies. The seal includes an elongated raised portion which engages the second body and is formed of a deformable material. The seal further includes a pair of retainer portions formed of a material stiffer than the raised portion, the raised portion being formed integral with and located between the retainer portions. The raised portion projects outwardly beyond the outer ends of the retainer portions. The seal also includes recesses between the raised portion and both retainer portions extending below the outer ends of the retainer portions so that when the second body moves closer to the first body the material forming the raised portion will deform and flow into the recesses.

Abstract: An inside blowout preventer well tool includes an elongated body threaded at both ends and including an axial opening. A flapper is pivotally mounted on a side of the opening and movable between a lower-open position and an upper-closed position. A downwardly-facing valve seat is formed around the opening, the flapper engaging the seat in the upper-closed position. A spring urges the flapper toward the seat and a piston is movable in the opening between an upper position, where the lower end of the piston is above the valve seat, and a lower position, where the piston encases the flapper and holds it in the lower-open position. The piston is normally urged toward its upper position, the piston being shaped so that when the internal pressure of drilling mud normally circulating through the opening is greater by a predetermined amount than pressure outside the body, the pressure differential will overcome the force urging the piston upwardly and move the piston to the lower position.

Abstract: A valve assembly for preventing a column of drilling fluid from spilling out of the lower end of a kelly includes an elongated body which has an axial opening and is threaded at both ends. A cam is rigidly mounted in the bore and a hollow piston in the opening is mounted for axial movement relative to the cam, the piston being shaped so that fluid pressure in the body will exert a downward force on the piston. A valve element is pivotally mounted in the piston (the piston inner surface defining a valve seat) and movable between a lower-closed position when the valve element is above the cam and engages the seat to an upper-open position where the cam engages the valve element and holds it away from the seat. A spring urges the valve element toward the closed position and the piston is urged upwardly in the bore so that the valve element is normally in its closed position.

Abstract: A well line strap connection comprises:A. a lengthwise elongated flexible strap, andB. a keeper connected to the strap,C. the keeper having a recess at the innerside thereof and extending through the keeper in a transverse direction relative to the length direction of the strap,D. the keeper having a through socket to pass the free end of the strap, andE. there being means carried by the coupling proximate the socket to positively interlock the strap to the keeper in response to feeding of the strap through the socket.The recess in the keeper is typically sized to pass an auxiliary line or lines to be coupled to well pipe.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.