Abstract: An improved frac head includes a mixing chamber located in an internal bore downstream of an intercept between the side ports and the internal bore and upstream of a tapered vortex portion of the bore. The tapered vortex reduces the diameter of the bore from a first diameter to a second diameter. The length of the mixing chamber (along the longitudinal axis of the frac head) is advantageously greater than the first diameter. The ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is further advantageously greater than 1.5. Frac heads in accordance with this invention tend to undergo significantly reduced erosion as compared to frac heads of the prior art thereby improving service life. The invention also advantageously obviates the need for deployment of erosion resistant sleeves (or other wear resistant liners) in the interior of the frac head.

Abstract: A wellhead isolation tool includes a lower mandrel sized and shaped for insertion through a wellhead into a length of wellbore tubing. The wellhead isolation tool includes an improved sealing assembly connected to the lower end of the mandrel. The sealing assembly includes a conventional elastomeric cup deployed about a cup carrier for sealingly engaging an inner surface of the tubing. The sealing assembly further includes an abrasive cleaning ring deployed below the cup (e.g., between the cup carrier and the bull nose). Corrosion products, scale, and/or other debris may be advantageously removed from the tubing via the abrasive action of the cleaning ring, thereby promoting a better seal between the cup and the tubing.

Abstract: An improved frac head includes a mixing chamber located in an internal bore downstream of an intercept between the side ports and the internal bore and upstream of a tapered vortex portion of the bore. The tapered vortex reduces the diameter of the bore from a first diameter to a second diameter. The length of the mixing chamber (along the longitudinal axis of the frac head) is advantageously greater than the first diameter. The ratio of the first diameter to the second diameter is further advantageously greater than 1.5. Frac heads in accordance with this invention tend to undergo significantly reduced erosion as compared to frac heads of the prior art thereby improving service life. The invention also advantageously obviates the need for deployment of erosion resistant sleeves (or other wear resistant liners) in the interior of the frac head.

Abstract: A borehole entry apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dual entry apparatus for use in borehole entry applications, such as slick line and/or wireline (electric wireline) applications. Exemplary embodiments of this invention enable first and second borehole entry apparatuses, such as slick line and wireline tool assemblies, to be simultaneously coupled to a well head. Use of the invention tends to advantageously save rig time and thus reduce the cost of slick line and wireline operations, in particular on a deep-water offshore drilling rig.

Abstract: A locking swivel apparatus is provided. The locking swivel includes an upper body portion having a counter bore about a cylindrical axis and a mandrel receivable in the counter bore. The apparatus further includes a locking arrangement, including at least one replaceable gear member, disposed to engage with the upper body portion and the mandrel. The locking arrangement is further disposed to selectively couple and decouple the upper body portion and the mandrel, such selective coupling and decoupling disposed to correspondingly constrain and allow relative rotation of the upper body portion and the mandrel about the cylindrical axis. Embodiments of the locking swivel include two replaceable gears disposed to selectively engage and disengage one another.

Abstract: A locking swivel apparatus is provided. The locking swivel includes an upper body portion having a counter bore about a cylindrical axis, a mandrel receivable in the counter bore, and a lower cap member threadably engaged with the upper body portion. The apparatus further includes an internal locking arrangement configured to selectively couple and decouple the upper body portion and the mandrel. The selective coupling and decoupling is disposed to correspondingly constrain and allow relative rotation of the upper body portion and the mandrel about the cylindrical axis. The apparatus still further includes a supplemental internal locking mechanism configured, upon engagement, to selectively constrain the upper body portion and the mandrel from reciprocating along the cylindrical axis. The engagement of the supplemental locking mechanism is operable to secure the upper body portion and the mandrel in a coupled position.

Abstract: A locking swivel apparatus is provided. The locking swivel includes an upper body portion having a counter bore about a cylindrical axis, a mandrel receivable in the counter bore, and a lower cap member threadably engaged with the upper body portion. The apparatus further includes an internal locking arrangement configured to selectively couple and decouple the upper body portion and the mandrel. The selective coupling and decoupling is disposed to correspondingly constrain and allow relative rotation of the upper body portion and the mandrel about the cylindrical axis. The apparatus still further includes a supplemental internal locking mechanism configured, upon engagement, to selectively constrain the upper body portion and the mandrel from reciprocating along the cylindrical axis. The engagement of the supplemental locking mechanism is operable to secure the upper body portion and the mandrel in a coupled position.

Abstract: A locking swivel apparatus is provided. The locking swivel includes an upper body portion having a counter bore about a cylindrical axis and a mandrel receivable in the counter bore. The apparatus further includes a locking arrangement, including at least one replaceable gear member, disposed to engage with the upper body portion and the mandrel. The locking arrangement is further disposed to selectively couple and decouple the upper body portion and the mandrel, such selective coupling and decoupling disposed to correspondingly constrain and allow relative rotation of the upper body portion and the mandrel about the cylindrical axis. Embodiments of the locking swivel include two replaceable gears disposed to selectively engage and disengage one another.

Abstract: A side entry tool having a lower end portion for receiving a saver sub thereon. There is further provided a sleeve portion positioned in the lower end of the side entry tool having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the tool body; the sleeve would have undergone heat treatment to a certain rockwell hardness so that because of the smaller diameter of the sleeve, any contact of the wireline with the tool body would make contact with the hardened sleeve, which could take the contact without a groove or cut being formed in the sleeve. The sleeve would be held in place with a set screw at its lower end to prevent it from rotating. In the event the sleeve indicates wireline wear, the set screw would be loosened and the sleeve would be rotated so that the wireline would make contact with a non-affected portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A locking swivel apparatus including an upper body portion having a counter bore about a cylindrical axis and a mandrel having an upper end receivable in the counter bore. The locking swivel also includes a lower cap member engaged with the upper body portion and disposed to secure the upper end of the mandrel in the counter bore. The locking swivel further includes an internal locking arrangement including a plurality of mating axial teeth configured to selectively couple and decouple the upper body portion and the mandrel. The selective coupling and decoupling disposed to correspondingly constrain and allow relative rotation of the upper body portion and the mandrel about the cylindrical axis. Methods are provided for fabricating embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: A sleeve member constructed of material, preferably aluminum metal, nonreactive with chemicals from a chemical cutter, including a ringed collar around its upper end, the ring collar secured to the upper end of the sleeve, and defining a base for hanging the sleeve within a bore of a steel riser positioned in as part of a wellhead assembly, the sleeve having an o.d. slightly smaller than the i.d. of the steel riser, and an internal bore of sufficient interior diameter so as to allow a chemical cutter to be positioned there within, the sleeve being of sufficient length to allow the entire chemical cutter to be positioned therein, while the chemical cutter is positioned within the wellhead assembly. The sleeve would further include a plurality of centralizers at its lower end, for maintaining the sleeve positioned equidistant at all points along its length between itself and the steel riser.

Abstract: A side entry sub for use in a drill pipe string which permits continuous injection and/or removal of a wireline equipped with analitical instruments within the hollow of the pipe without interrupting the connection or resulting communication between the wireline and tool apparatus. The operation is performed with the top power device connected to the drill pipe string and may be used during pressure application of drilling mud. Such a device permits location of a stuck pipe without disassembly of the top power drive.

Abstract: A side entry sub for use in a drill pipe string which permits continuous injection and/or removal of a wireline equipped with analitical instruments within the hollow of the pipe without interrupting the connection or resulting communication between the wireline and tool apparatus. The operation is performed with the top power device connected to the drill pipe string and may be used during pressure application of drilling mud. Such a device permits location of a stuck pipe without disassembly of the top power drive.