Abstract: A pipe connector has a pin initially stabbed into a box, the pin and box then being axially loaded together at confronting transverse surfaces while the pin and box are pressurized to expand the box and compress the pin, so that when the pressure is relieved a pressure energized shrink fit is provided between the pin and box and the connector is rendered rigid to enhance tensile, compressive and bending strength and provide a fluid tight joint useful in making up lengths of pipe such as piles or pipelines, locking elements or coengageable ratchet teeth or gripping means on the tapered surfaces, automatically locking the pin and box together to prevent separation of the transverse surfaces and hold the pin in compression and the box in tension.

Abstract: A pipe connector has a pin initially stabbed into a box, the pin and box then being axially loaded together at confronting transverse surfaces while the pin and box are pressurized to expand the box and compress the pin, so that when the pressure is relieved a pressure energized shrink fit is provided and the connector is rendered rigid to enhance tensile, compressive and bending strength and provide a fluid tight joint useful in making up lengths of pipe such as piles and pipelines. Lock means hold the connector against axial separation to maintain the pin under axial compression and maintain the box under axial tension, including circumferentially spaced locking elements projecting radially from one of said pin and box into a locking recess of the other of said pin and box.

Abstract: A pipe connector has a pin initially stabbed into a box, the pin and box then being axially loaded together at confronting transverse surfaces while the pin and box are pressurized to expand the box and compress the pin, so that when the pressure is relieved a pressure energized shrink fit is provided and the connector is rendered rigid to enhance tensile, compressive and bending strength and provide a fluid tight joint useful in making up lengths of pipe such as piles and pipelines. A lock ring holds the connector against axial separation to maintain the pin under axial compression and maintain the box under axial tension.

Abstract: A pipe connector has a pin initially stabbed into a box, the pin and box then being axially loaded together at confronting transverse surfaces while the pin and box are pressurized to expand the box and compress the pin, so that when the pressure is relieved a pressure energized shrink fit is provided and the connector is rendered rigid to enhance tensile, compressive and bending strength and provide a fluid tight joint useful in making up lengths of pipe such as piles and pipelines. Locking means are installed while the connector is pressurized, is axially loaded by a loading tool and before pressure is relieved, the locking means engaging between opposed pin and box shoulders to retain the pin in compression and the box in tension when the pressure is relieved and the loading tool removed. The locking means is a wire, discs, balls or a split ring.

Abstract: A seal apparatus adapted to be set in packed-off condition in the annular region between the hanger body and the surrounding wellhead housing disposed at the upper end of a well bore, the seal apparatus then being locked in its packed-off condition by a locking ring and a locking ring actuator. A retrieving tool is employed to release the lock ring, such tool having resilient fingers engageable with the actuator to elevate it from wedging relation to the lock ring and permitting the latter to expand from its locked condition, whereupon the retrieving tool can elevate the seal apparatus, lock ring, and actuator from the region between the hanger body and wellhead housing. The retrieving tool includes a body having passages from which washing fluid can discharge to clean the region between the hanger body and wellhead housing. In one form of retrieving tool, the resilient fingers may be released from the actuator in response to fluid pressure supplied through a running string secured to the retrieving tool.

Abstract: A retrieving tool has resilient fingers engageable with a pulling collar of the actuator ring of a wedge locked underwater wellhead packing to release the lock and the packing for retrieval from the wellhead. The retrieving tool has a body connected to a running pipe string and provided with washing ports. In one form the resilient fingers are releasable from the pulling collar in response to fluid pressure supplied through the running string.

Abstract: Emergency shutoff valve apparatus, including a gate valve assembly actuated to a closed position by fluid pressure acting on an actuator piston, such actuation causing the piston to exert a force through a liquid medium on a power piston to store energy in a spring device or other energy storing means. Relieving of the fluid pressure acting on the piston causes the energy storing means to act through the power piston and liquid medium to shift the actuator piston to a position closing the gate valve assembly. The gate valve assembly can also be shifted to a closed position by supplemental fluid pressure acting on the power piston or on an override piston.

Abstract: Running apparatus is releasably connected to a packing assembly, the combination being lowered on a tubular running string until the packing assembly is disposed between a hanger body and a surrounding wellhead underlying a body of water. The apparatus is responsive to weight to effect setting of the packing in the annular space between the hanger body and wellhead. Test pressure is applied to the packing and more firmly sets it. The apparatus is rotated relative to the packing to shift a locking nut to lock the packing in place, the apparatus then being retrieved to the drilling rig at the water surface.