Abstract: A casing annulus remediation hose assembly having a hose with an inlet in selective fluid communication with a fluid supply and an exit connected to a nozzle. On the nozzle is an insertion tip for facilitating insertion and retrieval of the hose assembly in and out of an annulus in a wellhead assembly. The insertion tip has an outer annular flexible housing that is coaxially attached to the nozzle and spherical weighted members arranged in series in the housing. A cable extends coaxially from a downstream end of the nozzle and through each weighted member.

Abstract: A low torque operator for selectively engaging a gear unit in an actuating drive stem of a valve having a collar with an axial bore and a slot through its side. The slot includes a projection directed towards an upper end of the collar and has an edge oriented oblique to the collar axis. A drive shaft inserts in the bore, and a pin mounted in the drive shaft engages the slot during low torque conditions. The operator also includes an idler gear and a bullgear. A driven shaft with two drive pins inserts into the bore on a lower side of the collar. The upper of the two pins remains in contact with a shoulder formed on a lower end of the collar during low torque conditions. The lower of the two pins engages a shoulder formed on a lower side of the bullgear during high torque conditions.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and program code, and methods for monitoring the health and other conditions of the valve, are provided. An exemplary system for monitoring the condition of the gate valve includes a logic module configured to perform the operations of receiving sensor data providing an acoustic emission, vibration, and/or stream level signature and determining the level of lubricity, level of friction, level of surface degradation, and leakage rate at a gate-valve seat interface. An exemplary method for monitoring the condition of the gate valve includes receiving sensor data providing an acoustic emission, vibration, and/or stream level signature and determining the level of lubricity, level of friction, level of surface degradation, and leakage rate at a gate-valve seat interface.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a valve that is in a differential screw assembly when the valve is in a portion of its stroke that experiences high resistance. The actuating assembly is selectively changeable into a direct drive configuration when the valve is in a lower resistance portion of its stroke. A sliding sleeve moves axially within the actuating assembly and has a profile that is strategically dimensioned to change the actuating assembly configuration.

Abstract: A reinforced wellhead member for use during fracing operations. The wellhead member is preloaded at a flange section by creating compressive stresses via a ring that interacts with a tightening nut on a bolt. The bolt is rigidly attached to an adapter which may also be modified to create stresses on the flange of the wellhead member. The induced stresses counter the tensile stresses experienced by the flange during fracing operations, allowing a standard wellhead member to be utilized.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in regulating a fracturing fluid that includes an actuating stem for actuating a gate, a balancing stem, and a backseat on the stem that defines a backseat seal when urged against a profile in the valve assembly. The backseat seal is energized by applying a force to an end of the balancing stem. An end of the balancing stem is enclosed within a plenum, so that the force on an end of the balancing stem can be applied by pressurizing the plenum. The assembly can be on an opposite side of the valve body/bonnet to create a backseat seal on a balancing stem/bonnet to allow changing the stem packing on the balance stem side while maintaining pressure integrity.

Abstract: A lock open device for use with a valve in a hydraulic fracturing system, which maintains the valve in an open position. The lock open device includes a plate with beveled edges and spring loaded ball bearings strategically disposed to contact the edges and interfere with axial movement of the plate. The plate couples to a gate member in the valve, so that the interference between the plate and the ball bearings maintains the valve in a designated open or closed position. The angle of the bevel regulates how much force is required to urge the plate past the ball bearings to thereby open/close the valve.

Abstract: A torque limiter for use in an actuating drive stem of a subsea wellhead having a collar with an axial bore and a slot through its side. The slot includes a projection directed towards a lower end of the collar and has an edge oriented oblique to the collar axis. A driven shaft inserts in the bore, and a pin mounted in the driven shaft engages the slot. A spring assembly coupled to the driven shaft pushes the collar to retain the pin in the end of the projection. A driveshaft with a drive pin inserts into the bore on an upper side of the collar. The upper end of the collar includes a shoulder that contacts the drive pin when the collar rotates. The spring compresses when excessive torque is in the driven shaft moving the pin up the projection and disengaging the drive pin and shoulder.

Abstract: An assembly for actuating a valve that is in a differential screw assembly when the valve is in a portion of its stroke that experiences high resistance. The actuating assembly is selectively changeable into a direct drive configuration when the valve is in a lower resistance portion of its stroke. A sliding sleeve moves axially within the actuating assembly and has a profile that is strategically dimensioned to change the actuating assembly configuration.

Abstract: A reinforced wellhead member for use during fracing operations. The wellhead member is preloaded at a flange section by creating compressive stresses via a ring that interacts with a tightening nut on a bolt. The bolt is rigidly attached to an adapter which may also be modified to create stresses on the flange of the wellhead member. The induced stresses counter the tensile stresses experienced by the flange during fracing operations, allowing a standard wellhead member to be utilized.

Abstract: A low torque operator for selectively engaging a gear unit in an actuating drive stem of a valve having a collar with an axial bore and a slot through its side. The slot includes a projection directed towards an upper end of the collar and has an edge oriented oblique to the collar axis. A drive shaft inserts in the bore, and a pin mounted in the drive shaft engages the slot during low torque conditions. The operator also includes an idler gear and a bullgear. A driven shaft with two drive pins inserts into the bore on a lower side of the collar. The upper of the two pins remains in contact with a shoulder formed on a lower end of the collar during low torque conditions. The lower of the two pins engages a shoulder formed on a lower side of the bullgear during high torque conditions.

Abstract: A casing annulus remediation hose assembly having a hose with an inlet in selective fluid communication with a fluid supply and an exit connected to a nozzle. On the nozzle is an insertion tip for facilitating insertion and retrieval of the hose assembly in and out of an annulus in a wellhead assembly. The insertion tip has an outer annular flexible housing that is coaxially attached to the nozzle and spherical weighted members arranged in series in the housing. A cable extends coaxially from a downstream end of the nozzle and through each weighted member.

Abstract: A torque limiter for use in an actuating drive stem of a subsea wellhead having a collar with an axial bore and a slot through its side. The slot includes a projection directed towards a lower end of the collar and has an edge oriented oblique to the collar axis. A driven shaft inserts in the bore, and a pin mounted in the driven shaft engages the slot. A spring assembly coupled to the driven shaft pushes the collar to retain the pin in the end of the projection. A driveshaft with a drive pin inserts into the bore on an upper side of the collar. The upper end of the collar includes a shoulder that contacts the drive pin when the collar rotates. The spring compresses when excessive torque is in the driven shaft moving the pin up the projection and disengaging the drive pin and shoulder.

Abstract: A method of treating a valve with a coating, such as hardfacing, that includes depositing the coating with a spray stream that is oriented perpendicular to the surface being treated. The method further includes applying a coating of uniform thickness onto lateral surfaces of a valve seat, a portion of the valve seat bore, and the interface between a valve seat lateral surface and the valve seat bore. The valve seat bore can include an annular recess formed to receive a layer of coating.