WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL AND METHODS
An isolation tool and related methods for protecting a wellhead to which a casing string is operably coupled. In an exemplary embodiment, the isolation tool includes an anchor assembly adapted to be connected to the wellhead; a mandrel adapted to sealingly engage an interior portion of at least one of the wellhead and the casing string; and a lock assembly including a mandrel head connected to the mandrel and adapted to be displaced, relative to the anchor assembly and the wellhead, to sealingly engage the mandrel with the interior portion; a landing sleeve connected to the mandrel head and adapted to be displaced, relative to the mandrel head, the mandrel, the anchor assembly, and the wellhead, to engage the anchor assembly; and a connector adapted to secure the landing sleeve to the anchor assembly when the mandrel sealingly engages the interior portion and the landing sleeve engages the anchor assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the landing sleeve may be unnecessary, as the range of adjustment for the mandrel may be provided by the combination of a lockdown wing which threadably engages the anchor assembly and a weight holding lug which threadably engages the mandrel head.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/238,019 filed on Aug. 16, 2016, entitled WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL AND METHODS, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/859,702, filed on Sep. 21, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,441,441, issued on Sep. 13, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/859,665, filed on Sep. 21, 2015, entitled WELLHEAD ISOLATION TOOL AND METHODS, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,366,103, issued on Jun. 14, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to oil or gas wellbore equipment, and, more particularly, to a wellhead isolation tool and wellsite connectors for same.
BACKGROUNDWellhead equipment utilized in connection with an oil or gas wellbore may be subject to extreme conditions during oilfield operations, such as, for example, cementing, acidizing, fracturing, and/or gravel packing of a subterranean wellbore. Wellhead isolation tools are often used to protect wellhead equipment from excessive pressures, temperatures, and flow rates encountered during such oilfield operations. An exemplary wellhead isolation tool is adapted to position and secure a mandrel within a wellhead. The mandrel includes a packoff assembly, which is adapted to isolate the wellhead equipment from fluid flowing through the mandrel to and from the oil or gas wellbore. However, in the field, the performance and reliability of the mandrel and packoff assembly are often an issue because of the extreme duty cycles experienced by wellhead isolation tools during oilfield operations. For example, during oil or gas wellbore fracturing operations, wellhead equipment may be subject to a fluid or slurry pressure of up to 20,000 psi or more. As a result, the high pressures and flow rates encountered during oil or gas wellbore fracturing operations often cause packoff assemblies to “lift-off” from a sealing surface, allowing the fracturing fluid or slurry to leak or blow by the packoff assembly and into the wellhead equipment. Moreover, in order to protect the packoff assembly from damage, it is important to provide support against external forces applied to the mandrel along the longitudinal axis thereof, in both axial directions. Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus, system, or method that addresses one or more of the foregoing issues, among one or more other issues.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numbers may indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in
Still referring to
The piston rod 32 defines opposing end portions 32a and 32b. The end portion 32a of the piston rod 32 is connected to a piston (not shown) disposed within the cylinder barrel 30. The piston (not shown) is adapted to reciprocate back and forth within the cylinder barrel 30, thereby causing the piston rod 32 to reciprocate back and forth through the cylinder head 38. The end portion 32b of the piston rod 32 includes a plug 42 and a connector, such as, for example, a threaded wing nut 44. The threaded wing nut 44 is adapted to connect the plug 42 to the valve stack 26 by threadably engaging an adapter 46, which is connected to the valve stack 26. Thus, when the threaded wing nut 44 is connected to the adapter 46, as shown in
The valve stack 26 includes one or more valves such as, for example, a pair of valves 48 and 50, which are adapted to either prevent or allow the flow of a fluid through the valve stack 26. The valve stack 26 may also include a fluid block 52 connected between the valves 48 and 50, respectively. The fluid block 52 includes an internal passage (not shown), through which a fluid is communicated between the valves 48 and 50, respectively. The fluid block 52 may also include one or more diverter passages (not shown), through which a fluid is communicated to and/or from the internal passage of the fluid block 52. The valve stack 26 is connected to the wellhead isolation tool 28. In several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, the valves 48 and 50, the valve stack 26 includes one or more other valves.
The wellhead isolation tool 28 includes a lock assembly 54, an anchor assembly 56, and an adapter 58. The lock assembly 54 is adapted to be connected to the anchor assembly 56, as shown in
Referring to
In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, with continuing reference to
Referring now to
In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, with continuing reference to
In an exemplary embodiment, with continuing reference to
In an exemplary embodiment, with continuing reference to
Referring now to
In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in
The support member 74 also includes external threads 148 at the end portion 74b thereof. A flange 150 is connected to the end portion 74b of the support member 74, via the external threads 148. Specifically, the flange 150 includes internal threads 152, which are threadably engaged with the external threads 148 of the support member 74. The flange 150 also includes a plurality of through-holes 154 formed therethrough. The through-holes 154 are adapted to accommodate a plurality of fasteners 156. In several exemplary embodiments, the threaded engagement of the internal threads 152 with the external threads 148 enables the connection of the flange 150 to the support member 74 without the use of metal joining techniques, such as, for example, welding, brazing, or soldering. Thus, the connection of the flange 150 to the support member 74 is a weld-less connection. However, in other embodiments, the connection of the flange 150 to the support member 74 is facilitated, at least in part, by a metal joining technique, such as, for example, welding, brazing, or soldering.
An internal annular ridge 158 is formed into the interior portion 74c of the support member 74, proximate the end portion 74a thereof. Further, an internal annular shoulder 160 is formed into the interior portion 74c of the support member 74, between the internal annular ridge 158 and the end face 134. The internal annular shoulder 160 faces in the axial direction 136. An internal annular seal, such as, for example, a plurality of self-energizing annular seals 162, is disposed along the interior portion 74c of the support member 74, between the internal annular shoulder 160 and the internal annular ridge 158. The self-energizing annular seals 162 may include any type of self-energizing seals, such as, for example, O-rings, chevron seals (V-packing), another type of self-energizing seals, or any combination thereof. Further, a packing nut 164 is engaged with the internal annular shoulder 160. The packing nut 164 applies a load, in the axial direction 142, against the self-energizing annular seals 162 and, consequently, the internal annular ridge 158. As a result, the self-energizing annular seals 162 are trapped between the packing nut 164 and the internal annular ridge 158. Thus trapped, the self-energizing annular seals 162 are adapted to sealingly engage the exterior portion 70d of the mandrel 70 when the mandrel 70 extends through the support member 74. Moreover, once the packing nut 164 is in place, the self-energizing annular seals 162 are adapted to remain in a fixed position relative to the anchor assembly 56, including the support member 74 and the base member 76, during operation of the lock assembly 54.
The support member 74 may also include a radially-extending opening 166 formed therethrough, from the interior portion 74c to the exterior portion 74d thereof. The radially-extending opening 166 is used to place the support member 74 in fluid communication with, for example, a variety of bleed-off equipment (not shown).
In an exemplary embodiment, with continuing reference to
The base member 76 includes external threads 172 at the end portion 76a thereof. The base plate 60 is connected to the end portion 76a of the base member 76, via the external threads 172. Specifically, the base plate 60 includes internal threads 174, which are threadably engaged with the external threads 172 of the base member 76. In several exemplary embodiments, the threaded engagement of the internal threads 174 with the external threads 172 enables the connection of the base plate 60 to the base member 76 without the use of metal-joining techniques, such as, for example, welding, brazing, or soldering. Thus, the connection of the base plate 60 to the base member 76 is a weld-less connection. However, in other embodiments, the connection of the base plate 60 to the base member 76 is facilitated, at least in part, by a metal joining technique, such as, for example, welding, brazing, or soldering. The base plate 60 also includes a plurality of threaded-holes 176, which are threadably engaged by the plurality of fasteners 156. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the threaded-holes 176 are formed into the flange 150 and the through-holes 154 are formed into the base plate 60. In other embodiments, the base plate 60 and the flange 150 both include threaded-holes. In still other embodiments, the flange 150 includes the through-holes 154 and the base plate 60 also includes through-holes. In any event, the fasteners 156 connect the flange 150 to the base plate 60 and, consequently, the base member 76. The connection between the base plate 60 and the flange 150 enables the connection of the support member 74 to the base member 76 without the use of metal joining techniques, such as, for example, welding, brazing, or soldering. Thus, the connection between the base plate 60 and the flange 150 is a weld-less connection. However, in other embodiments, the connection between the base plate 60 and the flange 150 is facilitated, at least in part, by a metal joining technique, such as, for example, welding, brazing, or soldering.
An external annular shoulder 178 is formed into the exterior portion 76d of the base member 76 proximate the end portion 76b thereof. The external annular shoulder 178 faces in the axial direction 136. The base member 76 includes an end face 180 at the end portion 76b thereof. The end face 180 faces in the axial direction 142. An external annular shoulder 182 is also formed into the exterior portion 76d of the base member 76 proximate the end portion 76b thereof, and is located axially between the external annular shoulder 178 and the end face 180. The external annular shoulder 182 faces in the axial direction 142. As a result, an external annular foot 184 is formed at the end portion 76b of the base member 76. An annular groove 186 is formed into the external annular shoulder 182. The base member 76 includes an axially-extending annular portion 188 at the end portion 76b thereof, extending between the external annular shoulder 182 and the end face 180. One or more annular grooves 190 are formed into the annular portion 188 of the base member 76. The annular grooves 190 are each adapted to accommodate an annular seal 192.
In an exemplary embodiment, with continuing reference to
Referring now to
An internal annular shoulder 212 is formed into the interior portion 58c of the adapter 58 at the end portion 58a thereof. The internal annular shoulder 212 faces in the axial direction 202. The adapter 58 includes an axially-extending annular portion 214 at the end portion 58a thereof, extending between the internal annular shoulder 212 and the end face 200. The annular portion 214 is adapted to be sealingly engaged by the annular seals 192, which are accommodated within the annular grooves 190 in the annular portion 188 of the base member 76. Alternatively, in several exemplary embodiments, the annular grooves 190 is formed into the annular portion 214 of the adapter 58 and the annular seals 192 are adapted to sealingly engage the annular portion 188 of the base member 76. An annular groove 216 is formed into the end face 200 of the adapter 58. The annular groove 216 accommodates a resilient metal seal 218, such as, for example, a metal C-ring seal. The resilient metal seal 218 is adapted to be crushed between the annular groove 216 in the end face 200 of the adapter 58 and the annular groove 186 in the external annular shoulder 182 of the base member 76. In this manner, when the base member 76 is connected to the adapter 58, the resilient metal seal 218, along with the annular seals 192, is adapted to seal a flow of fluid within the respective internal passages 58e and 76e of the adapter 58 and the base member 76.
In operation, in an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in
Referring initially to
Referring now to
Still referring to
Referring additionally to
Still referring to
Referring now to
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in
More particularly, as shown in
Once the external annular foot 108 has been landed on the support member 74 (as discussed above in relation to
In order for the external annular foot 108 to properly land on the end face 134 of the support member 74, the landing distance D.sub.1 must be less than, or equal to, the range of adjustment D.sub.2. In several exemplary embodiments, in order to ensure that the landing distance D.sub.1 is less than, or equal to, the range of adjustment D.sub.2, the overall length of the mandrel 70 is adjusted via the addition or removal of one or more mandrel extension sections (not shown). Accordingly, the lock assembly 54 is compatible for use with a variety of different wellheads, including, but not limited to, the wellhead 12.
Once the landing sleeve 66 has been secured to the locking member 74 via the threaded wing nut 68 (as discussed above in relation to
In several exemplary embodiments, the lock assembly 54 operates to prevent, or at least reduce, the transfer of any force from the mandrel head 64 or the landing sleeve 66 to the mandrel 70 and, consequently, the packoff assembly 72.
In several exemplary embodiments, the lock assembly 54 operates to prevent, or at least reduce, the transfer of any axial force from the mandrel head 64 or the landing sleeve 66 to the mandrel 70 and, consequently, the packoff assembly 72.
In several exemplary embodiments, the lock assembly 54 isolates the mandrel 70 and the packoff assembly 72 from any external forces that are applied to the mandrel head 64 or the locking sleeve 66.
In several exemplary embodiments, the lock assembly 54 operates to lock the mandrel 70, including the packoff assembly 72, down into position within the wellhead 12, while, at the same time, supporting the weight of the valve stack 26, the hydraulic cylinder 24, a variety of other wellbore fracturing and gravel packing equipment, and/or other well-site equipment.
The anchor assembly 56 and the adapter 58 have been described herein as part of the wellhead isolation assembly 10. However, in several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, being part of the wellhead isolation assembly 10, the anchor assembly 56 is, includes, or is part of, a wellsite connector that may be used to connect various wellsite components within a number of wellsite systems, such as, for example, a pump system, a manifold system, a lubricator system, another wellsite system, etc. Further, in several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, being part of the wellhead isolation assembly 10, the combination of the anchor assembly 56 and the adapter 58 is, includes, or is part of, another wellsite connector that may be used to connect various wellsite components within a number of wellsite systems, such as, for example, a pump system, a manifold system, a lubricator system, another wellsite system, etc. Further still, in several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, being part of the wellhead isolation assembly 10, the combination of the base member 76 and the adapter 58 is, includes, or is part of, yet another wellsite connector that may be used to connect various wellsite components within a number of wellsite systems, such as, for example, a pump system, a manifold system, a lubricator system, another wellsite system, etc.
Moreover, in several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, being part of the wellhead isolation assembly 10, one or more components of the anchor assembly 56 form, include, or are part of, a wellsite connector that may be used to connect various wellsite components within a number of wellsite systems, such as, for example, a pump system, a manifold system, a lubricator system, another wellsite system, etc. Further, in several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, being part of the wellhead isolation assembly 10, the combination of one or more components of the anchor assembly 56 and one or more components of the adapter 58 is, includes, or is part of, another wellsite connector that may be used to connect various wellsite components within a number of wellsite systems, such as, for example, a pump system, a manifold system, a lubricator system, another wellsite system, etc. Further still, in several exemplary embodiments, instead of, or in addition to, being part of the wellhead isolation assembly 10, the combination of one or more components of the base member 76 and one or more components of the adapter 58 is, includes, or is part of, yet another wellsite connector that may be used to connect various wellsite components within a number of wellsite systems, such as, for example, a pump system, a manifold system, a lubricator system, another wellsite system, etc.
In several exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in
Referring now to
Lockdown wing 268 comprises internal annular shoulder 310, which engages exterior annular shoulder 298 of mandrel head 264. Lockdown wing 268 also comprises internal threads 316 which engage with external threads 238 on support member 274, as described in more detail below. Lockdown wing 268 also comprises an upper annular surface 314, which extends radially outward from the central longitudinal axis of the tool.
Weight holding lug 288 comprises a lower annular surface 312, which extends radially outward from the central longitudinal axis of the tool. When the isolation tool of this embodiment is installed and fully engaged, lower annular surface 312 of weight holding lug 288 abuts upper annular surface 314 of lockdown wing 268, as shown in
To install the embodiment shown in
Once the packoff assembly is in the desired position, lockdown wing 268 is threadably advanced in an axial direction, through the engagement of internal threads 316 and external threads 238 on support member 274, until internal annular shoulder 310 abuts exterior annular shoulder 298 of mandrel head 264. At this point, the mandrel and packoff assembly are locked in position and mandrel head 264 is just above support member 274. Finally, weight holding lug 288 is threadably advanced in an axial direction, through engagement of internal threads 308 and external threads 284, until lower annular surface 312 of weight holding lug 288 abuts upper annular surface 314 of lockdown wing 268.
The present disclosure introduces a wellsite connector apparatus, including an adapter including a first end face having a first annular groove formed therein, a first annular shoulder, and a first annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the first annular shoulder; a first member adapted to be connected to the adapter, the first member including a second end face, a second annular shoulder having a second annular groove formed therein, and a second annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the second annular shoulder; and a resilient metal seal adapted to be crushed between the first and second annular grooves when the first member is connected to the adapter; wherein, when the first member is connected to the adapter, the first end face and the first annular shoulder are axially adjacent the second end face and the second annular shoulder, respectively, and the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the first and second annular portions includes one or more annular grooves and the other of the first and second annular portions includes an annular sealing surface; wherein the wellsite connector apparatus further comprises one or more annular seals extending within the one or more annular grooves, respectively; and, when the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another, the one or more annular seals sealingly engage the annular sealing surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the resilient metal seal is a metal C-ring seal. In an exemplary embodiment, the wellsite connector apparatus further includes a connector including internal threads and an internal annular shoulder; wherein one of the adapter and the first member includes external threads and the other of the adapter and the first member includes an external annular shoulder; wherein, when the first member is connected to the adapter, the internal threads of the connector threadably engage the external threads so that the internal annular shoulder of the connector engages the external annular shoulder to crush the resilient metal seal between the first and second annular grooves. In an exemplary embodiment, the wellsite connector apparatus further includes a base plate connected to the first member via a first weld-less connection and a flange connected to a second member via a second weld-less connection, the base plate and the flange being connected to each other via a third weld-less connection; wherein the first and second members define first and second fluid passageways, respectively; and wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that the first and second fluid passageways are in fluid communication with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the first member includes first external threads and the base plate includes first internal threads that are threadably engaged with the first external threads to effect the first weld-less connection; and the second member defines second external threads and the flange defines second internal threads that are threadably engaged with the second external threads to effect the second weld-less connection. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of threaded-holes are formed in one of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout; a plurality of through-holes are formed through the other of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout, the through-holes being aligned with the threaded-holes; and a plurality of fasteners extend through the through-holes and threadably engage the threaded-holes to effect the third weld-less connection.
The present disclosure also introduces a wellsite connector apparatus, including first and second members defining first and second fluid passageways, respectively, the first and second members being adapted to be connected to first and second wellsite components, respectively; a base plate connected to the first member via a first weld-less connection; and a flange connected to the second member via a second weld-less connection; wherein the base plate and the flange are connected to each other via a third weld-less connection; and wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; and the first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the first member includes first external threads and the base plate includes first internal threads that are threadably engaged with the first external threads to effect the first weld-less connection; and the second member defines second external threads and the flange defines second internal threads that are threadably engaged with the second external threads to effect the second weld-less connection. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of threaded-holes are formed in one of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout; a plurality of through-holes are formed through the other of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout, the through-holes being aligned with the threaded-holes; and a plurality of fasteners extend through the through-holes and threadably engage the threaded-holes to effect the third weld-less connection. In an exemplary embodiment, the first member includes a first annular shoulder having a first annular groove formed therein; and the wellsite connector apparatus further includes an adapter to which the first wellsite component is adapted to be connected, the adapter being connected to the first member and comprising a first end face having a second annular groove formed therein; and a resilient metal seal crushed between the first and second annular grooves. In an exemplary embodiment, the wellsite connector apparatus further includes a connector including internal threads and an internal annular shoulder; wherein one of the adapter and the first member includes external threads and the other of the adapter and the first member includes an external annular shoulder; and wherein the internal threads of the connector threadably engage the external threads and the internal annular shoulder of the connector engages the external annular shoulder so that the resilient metal seal is crushed between the first and second annular grooves. In an exemplary embodiment, the first member further includes a second end face and a first annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the first annular shoulder; the adapter further includes a second annular shoulder and a second annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the second annular shoulder; and the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the first and second annular portions includes one or more annular grooves and the other of the first and second annular portions includes an annular sealing surface; the wellsite connector apparatus further includes one or more annular seals extending within the one or more annular grooves, respectively; and, when the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another, the one or more annular seals sealingly engage the annular sealing surface.
The present disclosure also introduces a method of assembling a wellsite connector apparatus, the method including connecting a base plate to a first member via a first weld-less connection, the first member defining a first fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a first wellsite component; connecting a flange to a second member via a second weld-less connection, the second member defining a second fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a second wellsite component; and connecting the flange to the base plate via a third weld-less connection; wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; and the first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, connecting the base plate to the first member via the first weld-less connection includes threadably engaging first internal threads of the base plate with first external threads of the first member; and connecting the flange to the second member via the second weld-less connection includes threadably engaging second internal threads of the flange with second external threads of the second member. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of threaded-holes are formed in one of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout; a plurality of through-holes are formed through the other of the base plate and the flange and distributed circumferentially thereabout; and connecting the flange to the base plate via the third weld-less connection includes threadably engaging a plurality of fasteners with respective ones of the threaded-holes, aligning the through-holes with the threaded-holes, and inserting the plurality of fasteners through respective ones of the through-holes. In an exemplary embodiment, the first member includes a first annular shoulder having a first annular groove formed therein; and the method further includes: providing an adapter comprising a first end face having a second annular groove formed therein; and connecting the first member to the adapter so that a resilient metal seal is crushed between the first and second annular grooves. In an exemplary embodiment, connecting the first member to the adapter includes threadably engaging internal threads of a connector with external threads of one of the adapter and the first member; and engaging an internal annular shoulder of the connector with an external annular shoulder of the other of the adapter and the first member to crush the resilient metal seal between the first and second annular grooves. In an exemplary embodiment, the first member further includes a second end face and a first annular portion extending axially between the second end face and the first annular shoulder; the adapter further includes a second annular shoulder and a second annular portion extending axially between the first end face and the second annular shoulder; and, when the first member is connected to the adapter, the first end face and the first annular shoulder are axially adjacent the second end face and the second annular shoulder, respectively, and the first and second annular portions are radially adjacent one another.
It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
In several exemplary embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative exemplary embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative exemplary embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.
Any spatial references, such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” “bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above.
In several exemplary embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously and/or sequentially. In several exemplary embodiments, the steps, processes, and/or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes and/or procedures.
In several exemplary embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations.
Although several exemplary embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are exemplary only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C . . . sctn.112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.
Claims
1. An isolation tool for protecting a wellhead to which a casing string is operably coupled, the isolation tool comprising:
- an anchor assembly comprising a support member, at least a portion of said support member being externally threaded;
- a mandrel comprising a packoff assembly; and
- a lock assembly comprising: a mandrel head operably connected to said mandrel, said mandrel comprising an exterior annular shoulder, and at least a portion of said mandrel head being externally threaded; a lockdown wing comprising an interior annular shoulder and an upper annular surface, at least a portion of said lockdown wing being internally threaded and configured to threadably engage with the externally threaded portion of said support member; and a weight holding lug comprising a lower annular surface configured to abut the upper annular surface of said lockdown wing, at least a portion of said weight holding lug being internally threaded and configured to threadably engage with the externally threaded portion of said mandrel head.
2. The isolation tool of claim 1, further configured such that said mandrel and mandrel head are locked in position when said lockdown wing has threadably engaged said support member.
3. The isolation tool of claim 1, wherein the anchor assembly further comprises:
- a first member adapted to be connected to a wellhead;
- a base plate connected to the first member and adapted to be secured to said support member via a weld-less connection.
4. A method of protecting a wellhead to which a casing string is operably coupled, the method comprising:
- connecting to a wellhead an anchor assembly comprising a support member;
- positioning within the wellhead a mandrel comprising a packoff assembly, wherein the mandrel is connected to, and adapted to move axially together with, a mandrel head;
- threadably engaging a weight holding lug with an externally threaded portion of said mandrel head;
- axially displacing the mandrel and mandrel head relative to the anchor assembly and wellhead, such that the packoff assembly is positioned at a desired location within at least one of the wellhead and the casing string;
- threadably engaging a lockdown sleeve with an externally threaded portion of said support member, such that said mandrel and mandrel head are locked in the desired position;
- rotating said weight holding lug such that the lug advances axially in a downward direction until a lower annular surface of the weight holding lug abuts an upper annular surface of said lockdown wing.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the desired location of the packoff assembly creates a sealing engagement with at least one of the wellhead and the casing string.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the anchor assembly further comprises:
- a first member adapted to be connected to a wellhead;
- a base plate connected to the first member and adapted to be secured to said support member via a weld-less connection.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 23, 2018
Publication Date: Aug 9, 2018
Applicant: Oil States Energy Services, L.L.C. (Houston, TX)
Inventors: Bob McGuire (Meridian, OK), Charles Beedy (Oklahoma City, OK), Danny L. Artherholt (Asher, OK)
Application Number: 15/903,900