Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to obstruction detector assemblies, systems, and related methods for detecting obstructions along oil and gas equipment. In one implementation, an obstruction detector assembly includes a driver housing having an internal chamber and a plurality of fastener openings. The obstruction detector assembly includes a driver stem disposed at least partially in the internal chamber of the driver housing. The driver stem is movable partially out of the internal chamber of the driver housing. The obstruction detector assembly includes a driver head disposed outside of the driver housing and coupled to the driver stem. In one implementation, movement of the driver stem and the driver head is used to detect obstructions (such as a wireline) in a wellhead structure. In one implementation, movement of the driver stem and the driver head is used to detect obstructions (such as sand) in a valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to fail open or fail close actuator assemblies and related methods for valve systems. In one implementation, an actuator assembly for valves includes an outer housing that includes an inner surface at least partially defining an internal volume. The actuator assembly includes one or more first fluid openings formed in the outer housing, one or more second fluid openings formed in the outer housing, and one or more ambient openings formed in the outer housing. The actuator assembly includes a valve stem disposed at least partially in the internal volume, and a first piston disposed in the internal volume and coupled to the valve stem. The actuator assembly includes a second piston disposed in the internal volume and disposed about the valve stem.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to valve skid apparatus and related methods for wellhead systems. A check block of the check valve includes a check side face that interfaces with a gate side face of a gate block of the gate valve. A pump side block is coupled to the gate valve, and a well side block is coupled to the check valve. A first pressure relief valve is coupled to a top face of the pump side block, and a first bleed-off valve is coupled to a top face of the first pressure relief valve. A second pressure relief valve is coupled to a top face of the well side block, and a second bleed-off valve is coupled to a top face of the second pressure relief valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to obstruction detector assemblies, systems, and related methods for detecting obstructions along oil and gas equipment. In one implementation, an obstruction detector assembly includes a driver housing having an internal chamber and a plurality of fastener openings. The obstruction detector assembly includes a driver stem disposed at least partially in the internal chamber of the driver housing. The driver stem is movable partially out of the internal chamber of the driver housing. The obstruction detector assembly includes a driver head disposed outside of the driver housing and coupled to the driver stem. In one implementation, movement of the driver stem and the driver head is used to detect obstructions (such as a wireline) in a wellhead structure. In one implementation, movement of the driver stem and the driver head is used to detect obstructions (such as sand) in a valve.

Abstract: A fluid conduit system includes a trunk line and a manifold header coupled to the trunk line. The manifold header has a first bore in fluid communication with the trunk line and a second bore intersecting the first bore. A first manifold valve is coupled to the manifold header. A second manifold valve is coupled to the first manifold valve. A fracture header is coupled to the second manifold valve. A plurality of connection rods is coupled to the manifold header and to the fracture header. Each connection rod extends through a corresponding hole in the first manifold valve and a corresponding hole in the second manifold valve.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to spool assembly implementations and related methods for fluidly connecting wellheads. In one implementation, a spool assembly for fluidly connecting wellheads includes a first end flange, a second end flange, and one or more pivotable connections positioned between the first end flange and the second end flange. Each respective pivotable connection of the one or more pivotable connections includes a connection tubular having an outer spherical surface, and a bearing tubular having a spherical end disposed about the outer spherical surface of the connection tubular. Each respective pivotable connection of the one or more pivotable connections includes a socket flange tubular disposed about the spherical end of the bearing tubular, and a shoulder flange tubular disposed about an outer shoulder of the connection tubular. The shoulder flange tubular is coupled to the socket flange tubular.

Abstract: A fluid conduit connector includes a monolithic body having a first opening at a first side and a second opening at a second side. A throughbore extends from the first opening to the second opening. A first array of holes in the first side is positioned around the first opening, each hole of the first array of holes terminating within the body. A second array of holes in the first side is positioned around the first array of holes, each hole of the second array of holes extending through the body to the second side.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to actuator assemblies and related methods for valve systems. In one implementation, an actuator assembly for valves includes an outer housing. The outer housing includes a first internal volume and an inner shoulder portion. The actuator assembly includes an inner housing disposed at least partially in the outer housing. The inner housing includes a second internal volume. The actuator assembly includes one or more first pistons disposed in the first internal volume of the outer housing, and one or more second pistons disposed in the second internal volume of the inner housing. The one or more first pistons are disposed between the one or more second pistons and the inner shoulder portion of the outer housing. The actuator assembly includes an actuator stem disposed through at least a portion of the outer housing and coupled to the one or more second pistons.

Abstract: A fluid conduit system includes a trunk line and a manifold header coupled to the trunk line. The manifold header has a first bore in fluid communication with the trunk line and a second bore intersecting the first bore. A first manifold valve is coupled to the manifold header. A second manifold valve is coupled to the first manifold valve. A fracture header is coupled to the second manifold valve. A plurality of connection rods is coupled to the manifold header and to the fracture header. Each connection rod extends through a corresponding hole in the first manifold valve and a corresponding hole in the second manifold valve.

Abstract: A fluid conduit connector includes a monolithic body having a first opening at a first side and a second opening at a second side. A throughbore extends from the first opening to the second opening. A first array of holes in the first side is positioned around the first opening, each hole of the first array of holes terminating within the body. A second array of holes in the first side is positioned around the first array of holes, each hole of the second array of holes extending through the body to the second side.

Abstract: A method of blowing out debris or sand from a separation device comprises opening a second valve assembly such that the second valve assembly is not exposed to pressurized fluid from the separation device when opening. A first valve assembly is opened, wherein the first valve assembly is downstream of the separation device and upstream of the second valve assembly. Debris or sand from the separation device is blown through the first and second valve assemblies, and through a choke port of a third valve assembly. A method of closing fluid flow through a high integrity pressure protection system comprises closing a primary valve in response to detecting the over pressurization of fluid in the fluid line, and closing at least one secondary valve in response to detecting the closing of the primary valve.

Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.

Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.

Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.

Abstract: A valve actuator control system for use with a valve actuator may include two pump assemblies, two control valve assemblies, two transducers, a fluid reservoir, and a controller assembly. The controller assembly may actuate the pump assemblies to direct fluid from the fluid reservoir to the valve actuator, and may actuate the control valve assemblies to direct fluid from the valve actuator to the fluid reservoir. A method of actuating a valve actuator using a valve actuator control system may comprise sending a signal to the valve actuator control system, injecting pressurized fluid from a fluid reservoir of the valve actuator control system into a first chamber of the valve actuator, discharging pressurized fluid from a second chamber of the valve actuator into the fluid reservoir, and actuating the valve actuator from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.

Abstract: A dual piston valve actuator operable to provide an initial thrust force that is greater than a subsequent thrust force for moving a gate valve from a closed position to an open position. The actuator may include a first piston and a second piston movably disposed within a bore of the first piston. The first piston may define a first piston area for proving the initial thrust force, and the second piston may define a second piston area (that is less than the first piston area) for providing the subsequent thrust force. Movement of the first piston is limited relative to the second piston for moving the gate valve using the initial thrust force an initial portion of the valve stroke, while moving the gate valve using the subsequent thrust force the remaining portion of the valve stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pressure control system for an actuator is provided. In one embodiment, the pressure control system may include a housing defining an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and a piston disposed between the upper and lower chambers. A valve may be coupled to the piston that is operable to control fluid communication between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. In one embodiment, a method of controlling over-pressurization of an actuator includes supplying a fluid pressure to a first chamber of an actuator having a piston and actuating the piston using the fluid pressure. The method may further include relieving the fluid pressure from the first chamber through a valve that is coupled to the piston when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.