Abstract: For use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through a sleeve which is sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeve and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeve have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit. The unit can include a packing injection system and novel seal configuration.

Abstract: A self-aligning stuffing box having a spherical joint between the upper and lower portions of the housing permits universal movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion to permit a rod to pass through the bore if the axis of the rod is misaligned relative to the axis of the bore in each of the upper and lower housing portions. An energized seal in the upper housing resides at or below the spherical joint due to a downwardly depending central portion of the upper housing which extends into a recess formed in the lower housing permitting the height of the stuffing box to be relatively short. A second seal is positioned above the first seal and may be spaced sufficiently above the first seal to permit a flapper valve to be installed between the seals. The flapper valve is mounted through a port in the upper housing which is accessible without disassembly of the stuffing box, the seals or the wellhead.

Abstract: A high-pressure stripper rubber provides inserts and support members that cooperatively support the profile of the rubber against elastic deformation. The inserts dynamically cooperate to resist elastic deformation of the rubber due to down hole pressure. The stripper rubber has a generally cylindrical upper moiety and a dynamic, generally frusto-conical, lower moiety that cooperatively define a bore for receiving oilfield equipment. A generally ring-shaped adapter insert, at least partially within the stripper rubber, is disposed toward the upper moiety for attaching the stripper rubber to drilling head equipment. A structural retention insert assembly provides (1) one or more support members proximately, movably and selectively attached to the adapter insert, and (2) one or more structural retention inserts at least partially within the stripper rubber and distally attached to the one or more support members.

Abstract: A convertible rotary seal has a housing for receiving a polish rod. A mandrel is rotatably mounted in the seal housing and surrounds the polish rod. A wear sleeve surrounding the mandrel engages a primary seal. A secondary seal engages the mandrel and polish rod and rotates therewith but may be converted for use as a static seal if necessary. A locking mechanism selectively secures the mandrel in a stationary orientation with respect to the seal housing. Fluid that leaks past the primary seal will be detectible through an external orifice. If a leak in the primary seal is detected via the external port, then the mandrel may be secured in a stationary orientation with respect to the housing and the secondary seal may be reconfigured to operate as a stationary seal until such time as the rotary sealing unit can be overhauled.

Abstract: An armored stripper rubber is provided that protects the drillstring bore of the stripper rubber from substrate infiltration, yet pivotally dilates to facilitate the passage of drillstring components through the bore while effectively maintaining a fluid-tight seal. Additionally, the stripper rubber substantially inhibits resilient contraction of the stripper rubber to an internal bore diameter smaller than a pre-selected internal diameter. The armored stripper rubber, or armadillo, substantially prevents rubber inversion and puckering under high operational well pressures. Also provided are stripper rubber inserts and insert assemblies.

Abstract: A high-pressure stripper rubber provides inserts and support members that cooperatively support the profile of the rubber against elastic deformation. The inserts dynamically cooperate to resist elastic deformation of the rubber due to down hole pressure. The stripper rubber has a generally cylindrical upper moiety and a dynamic, generally frusto-conical, lower moiety that cooperatively define a bore for receiving oilfield equipment. A generally ring-shaped adapter insert, at least partially within the stripper rubber, is disposed toward the upper moiety for attaching the stripper rubber to drilling head equipment. A structural retention insert assembly provides (1) one or more support members proximately and movably attached to the adapter insert, and (2) one or more structural retention inserts at least partially within the stripper rubber and distally attached to the one or more support members.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vertical movement of a tubular within a wellhead includes an anchor spool connected atop the wellhead, and a detachable superstructure supporting the tubular. The anchor spool provides connectors for detachably connecting bottom ends of at least two piston cylinders of the detachable superstructure. The tubular may be a landing joint or a high-pressure mandrel of either a well stimulation tool, or a well isolation tool. The apparatus provides unobstructed access to a top end of the tubular. The anchor spool includes an elongated sidewall and an axial passage through which a tubing hanger can be reciprocated. The height of the sidewall permits the apparatus to be used for landing/removing a tubing string even if the anchor spool is mounted directly to a blowout preventer (BOP).

Abstract: A removable seal 10 is provided for positioning in a bore 14 around an element which, in use, passes therethrough. The seal comprises: a cylindrical outer sleeve 13 having an axial bore, the sleeve 13 having at least one engagement portion for engaging, in use, with an internal surface of the bore 14; and a sealing element 17 mounted on the cylindrical outer sleeve 13 for, in use, extending into the axial bore 14 to seal around the element passing therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for sealing a well stuffing box.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a drill string is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inner core assembly having a first and second transverse bore, and wherein the inner core assembly has a first end and a second end. The apparatus further includes a first and second piston, disposed within the first and said second transverse bore, for closing an internal longitudinal bore of the inner core assembly, and wherein the first end of the inner core assembly is connected to the drill string and the second end is operatively connected to a swivel or top drive. The pistons are movable into the internal longitudinal bore of the inner core assembly in order to close the internal longitudinal bore. The apparatus may further comprise a third and fourth transverse bore positioned within the inner core assembly and third and fourth pistons, disposed within the third and fourth transverse bores of the inner core assembly, for closing the internal longitudinal bore of the inner core assembly.

Abstract: An end piece arrangement is mounted on an end of a pipe sleeve to close off the annular passage between the pipe sleeve and drill stem and to divert an upward flow of sludge, cuttings and gas into a conduit system to transport the flow to a remote location. In one embodiemnt, the arrangement is a self-contained unit that houses seal rings to seal against the drill stem. In another embodiment, the arrangement includes separate components; i.e. a housing mounted on the pipe sleeve to divert the upward flow and a seal unit mounted on the drill stem and rotatably mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A pump drive head for a progressing cavity pump comprises a top mounted stuffing box rotatably disposed around a compliantly mounted standpipe with a self or manually adjusting pressurization system for the stuffing box. To prevent rotary and vertical motion of the polish rod while servicing the stuffing box, a polished rod lock-out clamp is provided with the pump drive head integral with or adjacent to a blow-out-preventer which can be integrated with the pump drive head to save space and cost. A centrifugal backspin braking system located on the input shaft and actuated only in the backspin direction and a gear drive between the input shaft and output shaft are provided.

Abstract: An insert rod guide has an elongated cylindrical member with an externally threaded first or upper end of a first diameter and an internally threaded lower or second end of a larger diameter with an axial bore extending between the ends. Intermediate the ends of the member is a truncated conical shoulder with a plurality of regularly spaced bores angled outwardly from the axial bore through the shoulder. An annular sand shield is mounted externally on the member for axial movement therealong. The sand shield has one face which is tapered to mate with the shoulder. An annular hardened insert is mounted on the upper end of the member and is held in place by retainer collar.

Abstract: An articulated seal for use with polished rod and rotary drive head assemblies is described. In particular, an articulated seal assembly or system 10 is described which seals a rotating drive head and polished rod between high pressure internal fluids within a well 12 and the exterior while absorbing the normal wobble motion of a rotating polished rod.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for sealing a tubular string. In one aspect, a drilling system is provided. The drilling system includes a rotating control head for sealing the tubular string while permitting axial movement of the string relative to the rotating control head. The drilling system also includes an actuating fluid for actuating the rotating control head and maintaining a pressure differential between a fluid pressure in the rotating control head and a wellbore pressure. Additionally, the drilling system includes a cooling medium for passing through the rotating control head. In another aspect, a rotating control head is provided. In yet another aspect, a method for sealing a tubular in a rotating control head is provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention discloses a well pressure activated pack off head to be used in conjunction with a wellhead situated on a hydrocarbon producing wellbore. The well pressure activated pack off head comprises a hollow body formed for coaxial connection to the wellhead, the hollow body must also provide for unobstructed passage of a data transmitting wireline therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting equipment in a wellhead from exposure to fluid pressures, abrasives and corrosive fluids used in a well treatment to stimulate production, includes a mandrel to be inserted through the wellhead into an operative position. The apparatus further includes injectors for reciprocating the mandrel to and from the operative position. The injectors are connected on their top ends to a connector plate that provides a support platform to permit equipment, such as blowout preventers, wireline units, coil tubing injectors or the like, to be mounted to the top of the apparatus.

Abstract: A high torque and high capacity rotatable center core and floatable sealed body apparatus with universal ram applications. The apparatus includes a central core assembly, connected between a swivel on its upper end and the work string below, with the central core assembly having a central passageway therethrough. The apparatus further includes a first outer assembly, having a central bore for slidably engagement around a portion of the central core assembly. In one embodiment, a second outer assembly is included, with the second outer assembly having a central bore for slidably engaging around a portion of the central core assembly above the first outer assembly. A pair of opposing transverse bores is contained within both of the first and second outer assemblies, corresponding to a pair of transverse bores in the central core assembly.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal seal assembly provides a dynamic seal between a piston and a cylinder. A first seal engages the inner diameter of the piston, while a second seal engages an outer diameter of the piston. The piston is disposed between an inner mandrel and an outer tubular member that form an annular space therebetween. The seal uses a hollow seal ring is provided having a “C”-shaped cross section and containing a coiled spring. The seals form an interference fit against the mandrel and tubular member.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the coiled tubing from the well is described. The apparatus includes a base with a pair of spaced-apart carriages extending upwardly therefrom. The base is part of a frame positioned above a wellhead. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriages to move toward and away from one another in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the superstructure and the base. Thus, the gripper chain systems comprises gripper chains that can be engaged or disengaged from the coiled tubing extending through the apparatus. A wetting fluid basin is positioned below the gripper chains, and support guides engage the coiled tubing below the gripper chains to prevent buckling of the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A high torque and high capacity rotatable center core and floatable sealed body assembly with universal ram applications and method for use in a drill string, including a central core assembly, connected between a swivel on its upper end and the drill string below, having a central passageway therethrough; a first outer assembly, having a central bore for slidably engagement around a portion of the central core assembly; a second outer assembly, having a central bore for slidably engaging around a portion of the central core assembly above the first outer assembly; a pair of opposing transverse bores in both the first and second outer assemblies, corresponding to transverse bores in the central core assembly; sleeve members for aligning the bores of the core assembly and the first and second outer assemblies; and rams positionable in the transverse bores in the first and second outer assemblies for sealing off the passageway in the central core assembly when moved to the sealing position.

Abstract: A stuffing box support assembly is configured to be positioned between a production pumping tree and a stuffing box of a wellhead. In use, the support assembly functions like a joint between the wellhead production tree and the stuffing box. The support assembly is configured such that it could tilt or move laterally to maintain a coaxial relationship between the stuffing box and a polished rod extending therethrough. This alignment between the stuffing box and the polished rod reduces wear and tear of the stuffing box packing.

Abstract: The assembly functions to clamp onto and frictionally engage the polished rod of a well's rod string, with sufficient force to suspend the string from the wellhead. The assembly comprises an annular body forming opposed, radial, internally threaded side openings extending from its outer circumferential surface to its central vertical bore. An externally threaded locking member is positioned in each side opening and protrudes externally. The locking members can be manually threaded inwardly to engage the polished rod. An external leverage assembly is anchored to the body and engages one of the locking members. This leverage assembly can be manually turned to tighten the locking member against the polished rod with powerful axial force to provide enhanced gripping.

Abstract: A oil well stuffing box containment system is disclosed, which may be used for containing leaks from an oil well stuffing box which is used to seal around the polish rod which is connected to the rod string. The disclosed apparatus comprises a secondary container which encloses the stuffing box, a drain from the secondary container, and a storage container which is used for collecting any liquids which are drained from the secondary container. The secondary container has an upper seal for sealing around the polish rod, and a lower seal which seals around a member of the production tree. A disclosed alternative embodiment provides means for injecting the escaped liquids back into the production system.

Abstract: A sealing ring packing (1) includes a cooled packing casing (4) that can be placed inside a stuffing box borehole (3), and holds at least one essentially annular slide ring (5) pressed against the moved component (2) to be sealed, whose outside periphery (11) exhibits at least one heat transfer sleeve (9) expandable until resting on the inside periphery of the stuffing box borehole (3) when inserted, and which is otherwise not separately cooled. This makes it possible to avoid the disadvantages of a separate liquid cooling in this area without impermissible temperature rises.

Abstract: A self aligning stuffing box for pump jacks includes a first tubular body having an interior bore with internal stops. A second tubular body has a first end with a concave contact surface. The second tubular body is telescopically received within the first tubular body with the concave contact surface precluded from withdrawal by the internal stops. An annular body is received within the interior bore of the first tubular body. The annular body has a convex contact surface which engages the concave contact surface of the second tubular body. A third tubular body is received within the first tubular body and exerts a compressive force upon the annular body to maintain the convex contact surface engaged with the concave contact surface of the second tubular body during relative movement.

Abstract: A concentric tubing hanger having a radially offset tubing annulus passage closeable by a remotely operable valve, preferably a pressure balanced, hydraulically-operated shuttle valve positioned at an upper end of the tubing annulus passage. The tubing hanger is of relatively compact design, accommodating a large diameter production bore and a large number of downhole service lines. Service line couplers and outlet ports of the valve are housed in a void defined between the tubing hanger and a seal stab assembly of a subsea Christmas tree. The couplers are bathed in an annulus fluid. A tubing hanger running tool has a slot and an orientation helix which cooperate with a key projecting into the production bore to provide passive orientation between the tubing hanger rubbing tool and tubing hanger. A subsea Christmas tree has an annulus flow conduit having a deviated portion, allowing room in a tree block for a bypass conduit and a valve.

Abstract: A pump drive head for a progressing cavity pump comprises a top mounted stuffing box rotatably disposed around a compliantly mounted standpipe with a self or manually adjusting pressurization system for said stuffing box, To prevent rotary and vertical motion of the polish rod while servicing the stuffing box, a polished rod lock-out clamp is provided with the pump drive head integral with or adjacent to a blow-out-preventer which can be integrated with the pump drive head to save space and cost. A centrifugal backspin braking system located on the input shaft and actuated only In the backspin direction and a gear drive between the input shaft and output shaft are provided.