Abstract: A casing head adapter is mounted upon the top of a casing of an oil well by being slipped over the oil well casing and mechanically locked into place. No welding is required to provide a substantially strong, fully pressure intergal casing head upon the top of the casing. The casing head adapter comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow body having a plurality of internal grooves to accommodate a number of O-rings and a plurality of curved wedges releasably mounted in one of the internal grooves. The wedges have upwardly directed teeth for frictional engagement with the casing if a sudden rise in downhole pressure forces the wedges upwardly. The casing head adapter is provided with a plurality of set screws for locking the wedges in place, as well as a number of release screws for assisting in releasing the wedges from the frictional engagement with the casing if the teeth "bite" excessively into the casing due to an occasional rise in downhole pressure.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaft having a first internal bore for receiving, at least in part, a portion of a protected item, a second internal bore communicating with the first internal bore and adapted to receive, at least in part, a portion of the protected item, and a third internal bore communicating with the second bore and adapted to receive a lock, said third bore being further provided with a hexagonal port; anda generally cylindrical sleeve having a first internal bore of a diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the shaft, and a second internal bore adapted to receive a collar attached to one end of the shaft, said sleeve being adapted to receive the shaft and the collar in rotational relationship within the internal bores.

Abstract: An improved tubing head adapter contains a ball valve with special actuation provisions. The tubing head adapter is placed immediately atop a tubing spool in a standard oilwell makeup. The ball valve within the tubing head adapter provides a full positive closure of the pressure opening and yet on a full open position, allows complete workthrough of the tubing. Standard back pressure valves may be installed in a hanger nipple, housed within the tubing head adapter; the christmas tree is installed above adapter. An optional stem lock or similar theft resistant, actuation resistant locking means on the ball valve stem permits the ball valve to be secured open to the full open position on a production christmas tree. This reduces the chances of theft of the christmas tree by preventing pressure shutoff, which is necessary before any components can be removed.

Abstract: A theft deterrent device for "bolting" pieces of material together, comprising:(1) a nut-like device having a smooth outer surface resistant to the effects of conventional wrenches,(2) a male threaded member having an internally threaded axial bore, adapted to threadedly engage the nut-like member,(3) a locking screw for threadedly engaging the internal bore of the male member, and having a head that mates with the smooth outer surface of the nut-like device, resulting in an essentially smooth, continuous outer surface resistant to removal using conventional wrenches, and(4) an environmental plug for inserting into the driving recess or bore of the screw to prevent foreign and corrosive matter from entering the recess. The locking screw threads are of opposite hand to that of the nut-like portion, so that the locking screw must first be removed before the nut may be removed.