Abstract: Wellhead system, assembly and method monitors landing or retrieving of wellhead component at pre-determined landed position in main bore of wellhead member of wellhead. System includes running tool, instrument spool and sensor assembly. Running tool couples to wellhead component, lands or retrieves wellhead component within main bore of wellhead member, decouples from wellhead component, and has passive triggering device disposed in or on running tool. Instrument spool is pressure-containing, connects within wellhead at location above landed position of wellhead component, forms bore to align with main bore of wellhead, provides clearance for the wellhead component and running tool to be run therethrough, and has vertical height dimension such that, in pre-determined landed position, passive triggering device is located in bore of instrument spool.

Abstract: A method and fluid connection system to fluidly connect a fracturing manifold to a fracturing tree. The method includes fluidly connecting a plurality of flexible flowlines between the manifold outlet of a fracturing manifold module and the fracturing tree such that fluid from the manifold outlet is distributed into the flexible flowlines and into the fracturing tree to avoid abrupt or right angle changes in direction in all fluid connections at the fracturing tree and between the manifold outlet and the fracturing tree. The fluid connection system includes a flow distribution block having a single inlet and a plurality of outlets, and distributes fluid flow between the single inlet and the plurality of outlets without abrupt or right angle changes in direction. The flexible flowlines have a first end fluidly connected to one of the plurality of outlets, and a second end fluidly connected to the fracturing tree.

Abstract: An expanding gate valve and method is provided for bidirectional sealing capability against pressure, whether the direction of pressure is upstream or downstream. The bidirectional annular seat seals against the gate assembly against pressure from the normal wellhead direction, typically upstream. For sealing against pressure in the opposite direction, the seat is formed with an annular recess extending radially outwardly from the central bore of the annular seat so that a flex portion of the seat formed between the recess and the front sealing face of the annular seat at the central bore flexes toward the gate assembly against this pressure. The front face of the bidirectional seat forms a raised annular sealing portion on the flex portion of the seat adjacent the central bore to provide sealing contact with the gate assembly in the expanded condition when the flex portion flexes toward the gate assembly.

Abstract: A method and fluid connection system to fluidly connect a fracturing manifold to a fracturing tree. The method includes fluidly connecting a plurality of flexible flowlines between the manifold outlet of a fracturing manifold module and the fracturing tree such that fluid from the manifold outlet is distributed into the flexible flowlines and into the fracturing tree to avoid abrupt or right angle changes in direction in all fluid connections at the fracturing tree and between the manifold outlet and the fracturing tree. The fluid connection system includes a flow distribution block having a single inlet and a plurality of outlets, and distributes fluid flow between the single inlet and the plurality of outlets without abrupt or right angle changes in direction. The flexible flowlines have a first end fluidly connected to one of the plurality of outlets, and a second end fluidly connected to the fracturing tree.

Abstract: A fracturing manifold module of a fracturing manifold system for controlling the flow of fracturing fluid from a shared manifold trunk line to a plurality of wellheads each adapted for fracturing a well. The fracturing manifold module includes a transport skid adapted to be ground supported and a flow control unit supported on the transport skid and including an inlet adapted for connection along an axis of the shared manifold trunk line, an outlet adapted for connection to one of the plurality of wellheads via one or more fluid conduits, and one or more flow control valves between the inlet and the outlet. The transport skid and the flow control unit are connected together to provide for rotation of the flow control unit relative to the transport skid in a generally horizontal x-y plane relative to the ground, said rotation being about a z-axis perpendicular to the x-y plane to provide for adjustable connection to the fracturing manifold system at one or both of the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A ball injector for connecting below the frac head of a frac tree to accommodate and sequentially drop a ball into the axial passageway of the frac tree. The ball injector has an axial passage of an injector housing aligned with the axial passageway of the frac tree. A ball cartridge assembly stores one or more balls and sequentially delivers one ball to a port in the ball cartridge assembly. A ball launch side arm extends from the injector housing and forms a ball launch passageway communicating between the ball cartridge port and the axial passage. A first valve member in the ball launch passageway is opened to pass the ball into the axial passage, and is closed to isolate the ball cartridge assembly from a pressure in the axial passage. A second valve member between the first valve member and the ball cartridge assembly may be included to form a pressure isolation chamber between the valve members. Embodiments of ball cartridge assemblies to horizontally store a plurality of balls is provided.

Abstract: A ball injector for connecting below the frac head of a frac tree to accommodate and sequentially drop a ball into the axial passageway of the frac tree. The ball injector has an axial passage of an injector housing aligned with the axial passageway of the frac tree. A ball cartridge assembly stores one or more balls and sequentially delivers one ball to a port in the ball cartridge assembly. A ball launch side arm extends from the injector housing and forms a ball launch passageway communicating between the ball cartridge port and the axial passage. A first valve member in the ball launch passageway is opened to pass the ball into the axial passage, and is closed to isolate the ball cartridge assembly from a pressure in the axial passage. A second valve member between the first valve member and the ball cartridge assembly may be included to form a pressure isolation chamber between the valve members. Embodiments of ball cartridge assemblies to horizontally store a plurality of balls is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for locking together a running tool and a tubular member to rotate the tubular member. The system includes a tubular member and a running tool adapted to engage in a mechanical connection such that the running tool and the tubular member are arranged concentrically and moveable longitudinally together. The system includes a locking assembly adapted to lock the tubular member and the running tool together once the tubular member and the running tool are engaged in the mechanical connection, so that torque applied to the running tool is applied to the tubular member through the locking assembly to rotate the running tool and the tubular member synchronously. The locking assembly is adapted to unlock the tubular member and the running tool when the tubular member is landed on a shoulder of an outer tubular member so that the mechanical connection can then be disengaged.

Abstract: A ball injector for connecting below the frac head of a frac tree to accommodate and sequentially drop a ball into the axial passageway of the frac tree. The ball injector has an axial passage of an injector housing aligned with the axial passageway of the frac tree. A ball cartridge assembly stores one or more balls and sequentially delivers one ball to a port in the ball cartridge assembly. A ball launch side arm extends from the injector housing and forms a ball launch passageway communicating between the ball cartridge port and the axial passage. A first valve member in the ball launch passageway is opened to pass the ball into the axial passage, and is closed to isolate the ball cartridge assembly from a pressure in the axial passage. A second valve member between the first valve member and the ball cartridge assembly may be included to form a pressure isolation chamber between the valve members. Embodiments of ball cartridge assemblies to horizontally store a plurality of balls is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for locking together a running tool and a tubular member to rotate the tubular member. The system includes a tubular member and a running tool adapted to engage in a mechanical connection such that the running tool and the tubular member are arranged concentrically and moveable longitudinally together. The system includes a locking assembly adapted to lock the tubular member and the running tool together once the tubular member and the running tool are engaged in the mechanical connection, so that torque applied to the running tool is applied to the tubular member through the locking assembly to rotate the running tool and the tubular member synchronously. The locking assembly is adapted to unlock the tubular member and the running tool when the tubular member is landed on a shoulder of an outer tubular member so that the mechanical connection can then be disengaged.

Abstract: A ball injector for connecting below the frac head of a frac tree to accommodate and sequentially drop a ball into the axial passageway of the frac tree. The ball injector has an axial passage of an injector housing aligned with the axial passageway of the frac tree. A ball cartridge assembly stores one or more balls and sequentially delivers one ball to a port in the ball cartridge assembly. A ball launch side arm extends from the injector housing and forms a ball launch passageway communicating between the ball cartridge port and the axial passage. A first valve member in the ball launch passageway is opened to pass the ball into the axial passage, and is closed to isolate the ball cartridge assembly from a pressure in the axial passage. A second valve member between the first valve member and the ball cartridge assembly may be included to form a pressure isolation chamber between the valve members. Embodiments of ball cartridge assemblies to horizontally store a plurality of balls is provided.

Abstract: A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.

Abstract: A wellhead seal device forms metal seals in an annular space between inner and outer tubular members such as a rough casing held within aligned casing and tubing heads. An annular metal sealing sleeve has a lower portion seated in the annular space, and an upper portion which forms an inner sealing annulus adjacent the outer wall of the inner tubular member. A metal seal ring and a wedge ring are located in the inner sealing annulus. A retaining ring is retained by the upper portion above the wedge ring. Threaded seal energizing members extend through the retaining ring to push downwardly on the wedge ring and compress the metal seal ring radially inwardly to form a metal seal to the inner tubular member and thus seal the inner sealing annulus. The lower portion of the annular metal sealing sleeve may seal to the casing head and to the casing.

Abstract: A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (BOP) is provided in which each ram includes a primary rope packing seal formed from a first length of rope packing extending horizontally across the front face, rearwardly and then either or both of upwardly and downwardly over the top and/or bottom portion of the ram. The primary rope packing seal is held in, so as to protrude radially outwardly from, a continuous first groove formed in the ram. The continuous first groove is adapted to accommodate joined abutting ends or overlapping ends of the first length of rope packing. A secondary rope packing seal and a circumferential rope packing seal may be provided on the ram.

Abstract: A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.

Abstract: A wellhead coupling and method for coupling and sealing an annulus formed between overlapping ends of an outer pipe and an inner pipe. A clamp housing grips the inner pipe, forms a horizontal landing base for the outer pipe, and forms circumferential ports aligned with the annulus. A seal ring and upper metal ring are located in the annulus, the seal ring being formed with ports to align with ports of the clamp housing, and the upper metal ring being formed with threaded holes to align with ports of the seal ring and the clamp housing. Threaded seal engaging members extend through the aligned ports for threaded connection in the threaded holes of the upper metal ring. A seal energizing member located within or below the clamp housing pulls downwardly on the threaded seal engaging members to energize the seal ring into sealing relationship in the annulus.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and launching down-hole actuation devices that has a body, a bottom end, a top end and a long bore between the ends. Moveable and protruding into the long bore are retainers upon which down-hole actuation devices may rest. Retainers are moved by a lockable hydraulic drive system. Additionally, a method for loading the apparatus with down-hole actuation devices and for launching said devices into a well bore is provided.

Abstract: A wellhead connection to casing is formed from an upper head housing, a slip bowl housing and slip segments. First compression spring extending vertically between slip segment and the a slip bowl housing, and second compression springs extending generally horizontally between adjacent slip segments maintain the slip segments out of gripping engagement with the casing until the slip bowl housing and the upper head housing are fully connected together. On disconnecting the housings, the first compression springs push the slip segments apart from the slip bowl housing, and the second compression springs push the slip segments radially apart from the casing.

Abstract: A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.