Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting a well casing and then capping the cut well casing are provided. A well casing cutting assembly having a tensioned wire cutting element may first be moved into position relative to the well casing and operated so that the cutting element reciprocates transversely (i.e., in saw-like fashion) while simultaneously being advanced forwardly into cutting relationship with the well casing. The cutting assembly is removed from the cut well casing and replaced with a well capping assembly having a shield enclosure and a thread cutting subassembly. The thread cutting subassembly includes an interiorly threaded pipe coupling which rigidly carries a normally open, remotely controlled valving assembly and is mounted to the shield enclosure so as to be capable of both rotational and vertical movements relative to the cut well casing.

Abstract: Relatively thick-walled (or solid) tubular members may be cut by a cutting tool which includes an annular frame having a rotatable ring which is adapted to surround the tubular member to be cut. A pair of cutting assemblies are radially connected to the rotatable ring of the annular frame so as to be orbitally movable about the tubular member to be cut in response to rotation of said rotatable ring. The radial cutting assemblies carry a bit subassembly (preferably a pair of generally radially opposed cutting assemblies) for cutting said tubular member. A drive/indexing assembly is provided so as to rotate the rotatable ring (and thereby cause the radial cutting assemblies to move orbitally about said tubular member), and indexing the bit radially toward a central longitudinal axis of the tubular member in response to orbital movement of the radial cutting assembly.

Abstract: Relatively thick-walled (or solid) tubular members may be cut by a cutting tool which includes an annular frame having a rotatable ring which is adapted to surround the tubular member to be cut. A cutting assembly is radially connected to the rotatable ring of the annular frame so as to be orbitally movable about the tubular member to be cut in response to rotation of said rotatable ring. The radial cutting assembly carries a bit subassembly for cutting said tubular member. A drive/indexing assembly is provided so as to rotate the rotatable ring (and thereby cause the radial cutting assembly to move orbitally about said tubular member), and indexing the bit radially toward a central longitudinal axis of the tubular member in response to orbital movement of the radial cutting assembly. The bit subassembly includes a cutting bit having a dimension D.sub.1 as measured parallel to said central longitudinal axis, and a planar bit support block radially extending rearwardly of said bit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting a well casing and then capping the cut well casing are provided. A well casing cutting assembly having a tensioned wire cutting element may first be moved into position relative to the well casing and operated so that the cutting element reciprocates transversely (i.e., in saw-like fashion) while simultaneously being advanced forwardly into cutting relationship with the well casing. The cutting assembly is removed from the cut well casing and replaced with a well capping assembly having a shield enclosure and a thread cutting subassembly. The thread cutting subassembly includes an interiorly threaded pipe coupling which rigidly carries a normally open, remotely controlled valving assembly and is mounted to the shield enclosure so as to be capable of both rotational and vertical movements relative to the cut well casing.

Abstract: Relatively thick-walled (or solid) tubular members may be cut by cutting tools which include a frame assembly which is concentrically positionable (either interiorly or exteriorly) relative to the tubular member to be cut. A radial cutting assembly defines a cutting plane and is connected to the frame so as to be rotationally movable about the longitudinal axis of the tubular member to be cut. The radial cutting assembly carries a bit subassembly (preferably a pair of generally radially opposed cutting assemblies) for cutting the tubular member. A drive/indexing assembly is provided so as to rotate the rotatable ring (and thereby cause the radial cutting assembly to move orbitally about said tubular member), and index the bit radially toward the tubular member in response to rotational movement of the radial cutting assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting a well casing and then capping the cut well casing are provided. A well casing cutting assembly having a tensioned wire cutting element may first be moved into position relative to the well casing and operated so that the cutting element reciprocates transversely (i.e., in saw-like fashion) while simultaneously being advanced forwardly into cutting relationship with the well casing. The cutting assembly is removed from the cut well casing and replaced with a well capping assembly having a shield enclosure and a thread cutting subassembly. The thread cutting subassembly includes an interiorly threaded pipe coupling which rigidly carries a normally open, remotely controlled valving assembly and is mounted to the shield enclosure so as to be capable of both rotational and vertical movements relative to the cut well casing.

Abstract: Relatively thick-walled (or solid) tubular members may be cut by a cutting tool which includes an annular frame having a rotatable ring which is adapted to surround the tubular member to be cut. A cutting assembly is radially connected to the rotatable ring of the annular frame so as to be orbitally movable about the tubular member to be cut in response to rotation of said rotable ring. The radial cutting assembly carries a bit subassembly for cutting said tubular member. A drive indexing assembly is provided so as to rotate the rotatable ring (and thereby cause the radial cutting assembly to move orbitally about said tubular member), and indexing the bit radially toward a central longitudinal axis of the tubular member in response to orbital movement of the radial cutting assembly. The bit subassembly includes a cutting bit having a dimension D.sub.1 as measured parallel to said central longitudinal axis, and a planar bit support block radially extending rearwardly of said bit.

Abstract: A portable cutting tool has an annular frame for surrounding the pipe. A rotatable ring on the frame carries a radially fed cutter which includes a bit subassembly for cutting the tubular member. The bit subassembly is indexed in response to orbital movement of the cutter. The bit subassembly includes a bit planar support block which has a dimension (as measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member being cut) which is less than that of the bit which it carries. In such a manner, a channel passageway may be formed between the bit support block and the tubular member being cut as the bit penetrates into the tubular member during the cutting operation such that lubricating/flushing fluid may be directed to the bit.

Abstract: Blowout preventers (BOP) include a tubular shell which is insertable within, and thus contained by, an upper portion of the well casing. The tubular shell includes a removable inner sealing/pressure-reducing (SPR) assembly which provides for a high-pressure seal against the exterior surface of the drill stem as well as reducing the pressure of rising subterranean gas. The SPR assembly includes a channel passageway for the rising subterranean gas in which a series of longitudinally separated transverse orificed baffles is disposed. In this manner, the pressure of the subterranean gas flowing upwardly through the channel passageways will be reduced as the gas encounters the orificed baffles. A longitudinally separated pair of split sealing blocks is also preferably disposed within the sealing/pressure-reducing assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting a well casing and then capping the cut well casing are provided. A well casing cutting assembly having a tensioned wire cutting element may first be moved into position relative to the well casing and operated so that the cutting element reciprocates transversely (i.e., in saw-like fashion) while simultaneously being advanced forwardly into cutting relationship with the well casing. The cutting assembly is removed from the cut well casing and replaced with a well capping assembly having a shield enclosure and a thread cutting subassembly. The thread cutting subassembly includes an interiorly threaded pipe coupling which rigidly carries a normally open, remotely controlled valving assembly and is mounted to the shield enclosure so as to be capable of both rotational and vertical movements relative to the cut well casing.