Abstract: A wellhead assembly comprises a central bore through the wellhead assembly having a pressure boundary region. A port is provided in the wellhead assembly having an opening in the central bore in the pressure boundary region of the wellhead assembly. The port preferably extends through the high pressure housing into the bore of the wellhead assembly. A first casing string is secured at a first end within the wellhead assembly below the opening of the port in the central bore of the wellhead assembly. A second casing string is secured at a first end within the wellhead assembly above the opening of the port in the central bore of the wellhead assembly. A fluid flowpath is thereby formed comprising the port in the wellhead assembly and an annulus between the first and second casing strings. In this way, access is provided to an annulus within the well.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly comprises an outer housing having a central bore therethrough and an inner housing having a central bore therethrough secured in the central bore of the outer housing. The inner housing has a first end within the outer housing. A first inner casing having a central bore therethrough is secured at a first end in the outer housing and spaced from the first end of the inner housing. A port is provided through the outer housing in communication with the central bore therethrough, the port opening into the central bore of the outer housing between the first end of the inner housing and the first end of the first inner casing. A second inner casing is secured in the wellhead assembly at a first end, whereby the port opens into the central bore of the outer housing between the first end of the first inner housing and the first end of the second inner housing. An annulus is formed between the first and second inner casings.

Abstract: A remotely operable horizontal connection apparatus apparatus and method for establishing an annulus access connection with a wellhead housing using the weight of the valve connection apparatus to aid in positioning and securing the valve connection apparatus to an annulus access port disposed on the wellhead housing. The apparatus comprises a wellhead housing with a substantially horizontal annulus access port, a valve with a remotely operable collet connector for sealingly engaging the access port, a guide base for maintaining the wellhead housing in a substantially vertical position with an inclined ramp extending laterally from the guide base, and a cradle for installing the valve utilizing the slope of the ramp and the horizontal component of the weight of the cradle and valve and connector assembly to urge the connector into engagement with the annulus access port.

Abstract: An improved subsea tubing hanger having a body with an external shoulder for landing on a seat within a subsea wellhead housing, locking ring carried on the hanger to engage an interior recess of the wellhead housing with an actuator ring for setting the locking ring. A preloading mechanism includes a biconical radially movable split ring hydraulically actuated by an axially movable conical ring cooperates with the locking ring to prevent any movement of the tubing hanger when engaged.

Abstract: An improved metal-to-metal seal of a generally U shaped configuration which utilizes an enlarged seal portion on the interior and exterior of the inner and outer seal legs to effect an initial seal. The initial interference of the seal legs is maintained by disposing a solid support ring in the annulus between the seal legs with holes in the support ring to prevent pressure lock and to balance pressure distribution within the seal. The invention is shown in a unidirectional form with a single pair of seal legs extending axially from an annular base and in a bidirectional form with a pair of seal legs extending axially in both directions from an annular base. An alternative form of the invention discloses a support member of U shaped configuration which allows greater flexibility in the seal legs while maintaining initial sealing contact. This support member also has holes to prevent pressure lock and to balance pressure distribution within the seal.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement in which a sealing member 25 seals against an annular sealing surface 20. The sealing member 25 has an annular sealing surface 29 the axis of which is offset relative to the rotational axis of the surface 20. Thus when the annular surface 20 rotates the area swept out by the sealing member surface is larger than the area of its sealing surface. The arrangement has application to seals for gate valve stems.

Abstract: An improved clamp and clamp supporting apparatus includes a clamp of semicircular arcuate segments with enlarged ear portions having bolt studs positioned thereon in a staggered pattern. Through holes are drilled in the ear portions in a complementary pattern to receive the bolt studs of adjacent clamp segments with nuts threaded thereon to secure the clamps around abutting clamp hubs and maintain the hubs in sealed relationship. One of the clamp hubs has paired guide rods extending therefrom on opposite sides engaging mating holes in the clamp to allow positioning the clamp in a desired position without requiring additional support means.

Abstract: An improved method for draping curtains which allows one person to form a decorative window treatment without requiring any specialized skills or training. The method allows a curtain to be draped from a curtain rod of conventional configuration in a decorative manner about a window opening. The method uses hook and loop type fastening means to secure the curtain fabric to the curtain rod and thereby prevents the curtain from sagging at the top. Simple curtain rings are placed over the ends of the depending curtain fabric and then installed on the curtain rod near its ends to allow a portion of the curtain to form a decorative downwardly curved arc of fabric. The newly formed arc is then "dressed" or folded into pleats to complete the decorative window treatment. The improved method is also shown applied to a bay window treatment.

Abstract: A balanced sleeve control choke includes a choke with inlet and outlet flow passages intersecting in a cylindrical flow chamber. A balanced external sleeve and cage trim configuration which vents downstream pressure to a balance chamber within the choke body includes an external sleeve with a wear sleeve of tungsten carbide shrink fitted therein is reciprocable within the flow chamber to control flow between the inlet and outlet flow passages. The external sleeve is closed at one end with a stem extending therefrom which is reciprocated by a handwheel operated travelling nut assembly. The external sleeve telescopes over a flow cage of composite construction secured within the flow chamber with a portion of the flow cage constructed of tungsten carbide with pressure balancing ports therethrough. The external sleeve has ports disposed within its wall which communicate downstream pressure to a balance chamber disposed thereabout.

Abstract: A valve arrangement having an insert assembly (11) receivable in a receptacle (10). The insert assembly includes valve elements for controlling fluid flow through the valve. These include a gate (40) and chamber valve seat members (52, 53). The insert is constructed so that it can be removed from and located in the receptacle. When located in the receptacle and in operation the gate is urged against one of the seat members so that a seal is formed between the seat and gate and between the seat and receptacle body. The gate (40) can be an expandable gate.