Abstract: The invention comprises an expansion spool in which a pipe connected between two mounting pieces of the spool is cut to one of a plurality of suitable lengths for mounting between an open gap in a pipeline to create a stable fluid connection. The pipe has disposed therein a plurality of spaced and shaped grooves in which to insert a shaped split ring. A separate flange mounted over each shaped split ring imposes compressive but not shear forces on the shaped split ring. One mount has disposed therein a recess to permit variable insertion depths of the pipe so as to permit the spool to span variable gap lengths. The mounts, clamps, split rings and pipe combine to create an expansion spool suitable for low pressure and high-pressure pipelines.

Abstract: A modular assembly for a wellhead has a housing and a plurality of modular cartridges. The housing connects with a studded or flanged connection to the wellhead, which can have a tubing adapter, casing hanger, etc. The modular cartridges can interchangeably stack in the housing's internal pocket so that the bores of the stacked cartridges configure the through-bore of the assembly communicating the wellhead with external components, such as flow lines, capillary lines, etc. The modular cartridges include a spacer cartridge, a hanger cartridge, a valve cartridge, and a cross cartridge. The spacer cartridge can be used to space other cartridges in the internal pocket, and the hanger cartridge can be used to support capillary strings and/or velocity strings in the wellhead. The valve cartridges have valve elements that can be opened and closed by bonnets that affix externally to the housing.

Abstract: A modular assembly for a wellhead has a housing and a plurality of modular cartridges. The housing connects with a studded or flanged connection to the wellhead, which can have a tubing adapter, casing hanger, etc. The modular cartridges can interchangeably stack in the housing's internal pocket so that the bores of the stacked cartridges configure the through-bore of the assembly communicating the wellhead with external components, such as flow lines, capillary lines, etc. The modular cartridges include a spacer cartridge, a hanger cartridge, a valve cartridge, and a cross cartridge. The spacer cartridge can be used to space other cartridges in the internal pocket, and the hanger cartridge can be used to support capillary strings and/or velocity strings in the wellhead. The valve cartridges have valve elements that can be opened and closed by bonnets that affix externally to the housing.

Abstract: A modular assembly for a wellhead has a housing and a plurality of modular cartridges. The housing connects with a studded or flanged connection to the wellhead, which can have a tubing adapter, casing hanger, etc. The modular cartridges can interchangeably stack in the housing's internal pocket so that the bores of the stacked cartridges configure the through-bore of the assembly communicating the wellhead with external components, such as flow lines, capillary lines, etc. The modular cartridges include a spacer cartridge, a hanger cartridge, a valve cartridge, and a cross cartridge. The spacer cartridge can be used to space other cartridges in the internal pocket, and the hanger cartridge can be used to support capillary strings and/or velocity strings in the wellhead. The valve cartridges have valve elements that can be opened and closed by bonnets that affix externally to the housing.

Abstract: To deploy a capillary string through a wellhead to a downhole safety valve, a control port and a retention port are drilled in an adapter between a casing hanger and a gate valve or elsewhere. The capillary string is connected to a first port of a capillary hanger and installed through the wellhead. The capillary hanger is landed on a tubing hanger, and a side port on the capillary hanger communicates with the control port. Because the side port's location may not align with the control port, operators may need to measure how long the capillary hanger should be. A control line connects to the control port in the wellhead's side to communicate with the capillary line, and a retention rod inserts in the retention port to support the capillary hanger.

Abstract: Wellhead control line deployment involves replacing the seat/retainer plate of a master valve of the wellhead with a modified retainer plate. The retainer plate defines a first port communicating from a central opening of the plate to outside the plate. A modified bonnet installs on the master valve, and the bonnet has two ports, one communicating with the first port in the retainer plate and the second communicating with a needle valve port. The communication ports are linked by a tube with outside diameter seals that inserts between the retainer plate and the bonnet. A control line hanger can be retained by locking into an adapter sleeve or directly in the back-pressure valve threads of a tubing hanger. The adapter sleeve can be attached to the retainer plate or have a collet to snap into the back-pressure valve threads of the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A slip on nut and reverse cut die is provided for dressing the threads of a wellhead or other item. A nut is provided that may be slipped onto a threaded section, past any damaged threads, without engaging the threads of the threaded section. Once positioned on a threaded section the nut may be tightened as desired. When removing the nut the reverse edges of the nut may repair or even cut new threads into the threaded section.

Abstract: A wellhead completion assembly has a head connected to surface casing. A rotatable flange or the like can be used to connect various components to a threaded end of the head. A casing hanger installs in the head, and the hanger's upper end extends beyond the head's top edge. This exposed end has an external threaded connection to connect to various wellhead components using a rotatable flange or the like. For example, a locking ring can threadably connect to the head's threaded end to support the hanger in the head. Then, a rotatable flange can threadably connect to the hanger's exposed end so that another component, such as a completion spool or gate valve, can nippled up directly to the hanger. When the hanger is fluted, a pack-off assembly can allow testing off inner and outer sealing integrity via a test port accessible through an opening in the locking ring.

Abstract: An object launching apparatus for a well has a housing, a flow mandrel, and a cage. The flow mandrel is disposed in the housing's internal chamber, and a flow passage in the mandrel communicates flow from the housing's inlet to the mandrel's flow port, which in turn communicates with the housing's outlet. The cage is disposed in the internal chamber and defines pockets for holding the objects. A motor and shaft move the cage in the housing relative to the mandrel's flow port so the cage's pockets can be selectively positioned in communication between the mandrel's flow port and the housing's outlet. This allows any of the object(s) held in the positioned pocket to be launched into the flow to the well. Preferably, the motor rotates the shaft so the cage can ride linearly along the shaft's thread and the cage can rotate through a cammed engagement with the housing.

Abstract: Hydraulic flange connectors connect two flange components together, and hydraulic pressure applied to ports in connector holes of one of the flanges tension the flange studs and crush the gasket between the flange components. Each connector has a piston that disposes in the connector hole and can move therein when hydraulic pressure is applied through the port by a pump. A first stud connected to the piston extends beyond one open end of the hole for connection to a first nut, while a second stud connected to the piston extending beyond another open end of the to the second flange component for connection to a second nut. A retainer having seals threads in this other open end of the hole and seals between the hole and the second stud.

Abstract: To deploy a capillary string through a wellhead to a downhole safety valve, a control port and a retention port are drilled in an adapter between a casing hanger and a gate valve or elsewhere. The capillary string is connected to a first port of a capillary hanger and installed through the wellhead. The capillary hanger is landed on a tubing hanger, and a side port on the capillary hanger communicates with the control port. Because the side port's location may not align with the control port, operators may need to measure how long the capillary hanger should be. A control line connects to the control port in the wellhead's side to communicate with the capillary line, and a retention rod inserts in the retention port to support the capillary hanger.

Abstract: A rotating breech lock rotates tubing to distribute wear caused by a rotating or reciprocating rod of an artificial lift system. The rotating breech lock has a spool that disposes on a wellhead. A bowl element disposes in the spool's bore, and a hanger fits into the spool and lands on the bowl element with a thrust bearing. Above the hanger, a load ring fits against the hanger with a bearing, and a hold-down sleeve and locking pins hold the load ring against the hanger. The spool has a worm that mates with a wheel defined about the hanger so turning the worm by a ratchet or other mechanism rotates the hanger. Internally, the hanger has a bore with opposing shoulders separated by gaps. A mandrel couples to the tubing and disposes up into the hanger. Protrusions or keys on the hanger can selectively align with the gaps and the shoulders depending on how the mandrel is rotated in the hanger bore.

Abstract: Hydraulic flange connectors connect two flange components together, and hydraulic pressure applied to ports in connector holes of one of the flanges tension the flange studs and crush the gasket between the flange components. Each connector has a piston that disposes in the connector hole and can move therein when hydraulic pressure is applied through the port by a pump. A first stud connected to the piston extends beyond one open end of the hole for connection to a first nut, while a second stud connected to the piston extending beyond another open end of the to the second flange component for connection to a second nut. A retainer having seals threads in this other open end of the hole and seals between the hole and the second stud.

Abstract: An assembly supports a control line of a downhole tool, such as a downhole deployment valve. The tool deploys on casing and has a control line extending from the wellhead to the tool. To support the line separately from any casing hanger, a split bowl disposes around the casing and lands on a shoulder in the head. A port in the bowl has one opening that aligns with a side port in the head. Another opening of the bowl's port connects to the control line that extends to the downhole tool. A section of the control line from the split bowl can be flexible to help prevent kinking or breaking of the line during installation procedures. A hanger disposes on another shoulder in the head uphole from the bowl. The hanger supports the casing in the head separate from the bowl's support of the control line.

Abstract: To deploy a capillary string through a wellhead to a downhole safety valve, a control port and a retention port are drilled in an adapter between a casing hanger and a gate valve or elsewhere. The capillary string is connected to a first port of a capillary hanger and installed through the wellhead. The capillary hanger is landed on a tubing hanger, and a side port on the capillary hanger communicates with the control port. Because the side port's location may not align with the control port, operators may need to measure how long the capillary hanger should be. A control line connects to the control port in the wellhead's side to communicate with the capillary line, and a retention rod inserts in the retention port to support the capillary hanger.

Abstract: A modular assembly for a wellhead has a housing and a plurality of modular cartridges. The housing connects with a studded or flanged connection to the wellhead, which can have a tubing adapter, casing hanger, etc. The modular cartridges can interchangeably stack in the housing's internal pocket so that the bores of the stacked cartridges configure the through-bore of the assembly communicating the wellhead with external components, such as flow lines, capillary lines, etc. The modular cartridges include a spacer cartridge, a hanger cartridge, a valve cartridge, and a cross cartridge. The spacer cartridge can be used to space other cartridges in the internal pocket, and the hanger cartridge can be used to support capillary strings and/or velocity strings in the wellhead. The valve cartridges have valve elements that can be opened and closed by bonnets that affix externally to the housing.

Abstract: Hydraulic flange connectors connect two flange components together, and hydraulic pressure applied to ports in connector holes of one of the flanges tension the flange studs and crush the gasket between the flange components. Each connector has a piston that dispose in the connector hole and can move therein when hydraulic pressure is applied through the port by a pump. A first stud connected to the piston extends beyond one open end of the hole for connection to a first nut, while a second stud connected to the piston extending beyond another open end of the to the second flange component for connection to a second nut. A retainer having seals threads in this other open end of the hole and seals between the hole and the second stud.

Abstract: Wellhead control line deployment involves replacing the seat/retainer plate of a master valve of the wellhead with a modified retainer plate. The retainer plate defines a first port communicating from a central opening of the plate to outside the plate. A modified bonnet installs on the master valve, and the bonnet has two ports, one communicating with the first port in the retainer plate and the second communicating with a needle valve port. The communication ports are linked by a tube with outside diameter seals that inserts between the retainer plate and the bonnet. A control line hanger can be retained by locking into an adapter sleeve or directly in the back-pressure valve threads of a tubing hanger. The adapter sleeve can be attached to the retainer plate or have a collet to snap into the back-pressure valve threads of the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A slip on nut and reverse cut die is provided for dressing the threads of a wellhead or other item. A nut is provided that may be slipped onto a threaded section, past any damaged threads, without engaging the threads of the threaded section. Once positioned on a threaded section the nut may be tightened as desired. When removing the nut the reverse edges of the nut may repair or even cut new threads into the threaded section.

Abstract: A wellhead completion assembly has a head connected to surface casing. A rotatable flange or the like can be used to connect various components to a threaded end of the head. A casing hanger installs in the head, and the hanger's upper end extends beyond the head's top edge. This exposed end has an external threaded connection to connect to various wellhead components using a rotatable flange or the like. For example, a locking ring can threadably connect to the head's threaded end to support the hanger in the head. Then, a rotatable flange can threadably connect to the hanger's exposed end so that another component, such as a completion spool or gate valve, can nippled up directly to the hanger. When the hanger is fluted, a pack-off assembly can allow testing off inner and outer sealing integrity via a test port accessible through an opening in the locking ring.