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 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 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: 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 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 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 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: 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 connection including first and second housings with the first housing partly within the second housing to form an annulus. The housings form a seal to a cylindrical inner bore when connected together. The first housing has a circumferential groove formed in its outer periphery. A radially expandable and contractable latch ring formed from latch ring segments is located in the annulus adjacent the circumferential groove. Radial actuators extend through the second housing to the latch ring segments to move the latch ring segments between a contracted position with the latch ring in contact with the circumferential groove, and an expanded position, with the latch ring out of contact with the circumferential groove. The upper and lower housings are adapted to lock the latch ring in the contracted position by applying a downward force on the latch rings, or by tightening the bottom connector to a wellhead member.

Abstract: A wellhead connection including first and second housings with the first housing partly within the second housing to form an annulus. The housings form a seal to a cylindrical inner bore when connected together. The first housing has a circumferential groove formed in its outer periphery. A radially expandable and contractable latch ring formed from latch ring segments is located in the annulus adjacent the circumferential groove. Radial actuators extend through the second housing to the latch ring segments to move the latch ring segments between a contracted position with the latch ring in contact with the circumferential groove, and an expanded position, with the latch ring out of contact with the circumferential groove. The upper and lower housings are adapted to lock the latch ring in the contracted position by applying a downward force on the latch rings, or by tightening the bottom connector to a wellhead member.

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: A wellhead assembly to seal and suspend an in-casing hydraulic drive unit for a downhole pump, including pressure-containing wellhead body members with a vertical bore and a production bore at its uppermost portion. A hydraulic pump hanger is retained and sealed in the vertical bore. The hydraulic pump hanger suspends and seals the hydraulic cylinder, includes a bore extending vertically therethrough, forms at least one hydraulic line to communicate with hydraulic fluid supply lines, forms a hydraulic inlet port to each hydraulic line, and provides a check valve sealed in each hydraulic inlet port. The wellhead body member(s) includes a stem port aligned with each hydraulic inlet port, with a valve actuating stem sealed in each stem port to actuate each check valve between a normally closed and open position. The wellhead body member(s) also includes hydraulic injection port(s) formed to supply hydraulic fluid to each hydraulic inlet port.

Abstract: The invention provides a casing adapter tool which connects and seals to a casing pipe at its lower end and to production or service equipment at its upper end, and is used with well servicing equipment, such as is involved in fracturing. The casing adapter tool includes a generally tubular casing adapter body having an upper end and a lower end, and is formed with a central bore extending therethrough. The central bore provides a profile which forms a casing seal chamber at the lower end, and a barrier seal chamber located thereabove. The barrier seal chamber is formed with a profile to accommodate and seal to a first removable pressure barrier on removal of any well servicing equipment. Most preferably, the barrier seal chamber has a profile sized to provide full bore access to the casing pipe and to accommodate and seal to the first removable pressure barrier which is of a threaded, latched or snap ring type check valve or plug.

Abstract: The invention provides a Y-body Christmas tree for use with coil tubing and other wellhead components which integrates components of a Christmas tree, while providing for coil tubing access without necessarily adding to the vertical height of the unit. The Y-body Christmas tree includes firstly, a body formed as a single piece of steel and forming a vertical bore extending axially therethrough, wherein the body comprises in sequence from the bottom to the top: i) a bottom connector for connecting to a wellhead component located therebelow; ii) a first valve housing section forming a side opening communicating with the vertical bore; iii) a flow tee housing section forming at least one side opening communicating with the vertical bore, for producing well flow; and iv) a top connector for connecting to a wellhead component located thereabove.