Abstract: A setting tool for a liner hanger in an oil well completion system wherein the setting tool mechanism incorporates the necessary structure for manipulating a liner prior to and subsequent to hanging the liner hanger in a well casing. Prior to setting the liner hanger the setting tool is keyed to a liner hanger by longitudinal dogs in longitudinal grooves. After hanging the liner hanger, the dogs are released and rotation of the setting tool mandrel uncouples a coupling nut from the liner hanger to release the setting tool from the liner hanger and further rotation locks the setting tool mandrel to the clutch housing with a lock nut so that the liner hanger can be rotated after it is hung in a well casing.

Abstract: A setting tool for a liner hanger in an oil well completion system wherein the setting tool mechanism incorporates structure for manipulating a liner prior to and subsequent to hanging the liner hanger in a well casing. Prior to setting the liner hanger the setting tool is locked to a liner hanger by an interconnection with a clutch housing. After hanging the liner hanger, rotation of the setting tool mandrel uncouples the coupling nut from the liner hanger to release the setting tool from the liner hanger and further rotation of the setting tool moves a lock nut to a position when the coupling nut locks the clutch housing to the setting tool so that the liner hanger can be rotated after it is hung in a well casing. The liner hanger and the clutch housing have interengageable clutch surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the protection of downhole equipment from excessive pressure conditions which includes providing structures of volume compensating material which are designed to resist normal pressures expected in the well bore. One form of the invention has a plurality of half sections of volume compensating material positioned around one of the tubular member in the annulus which has fluids that can increase in pressure to a point approaching damage to the interior of exterior member of the annulus. In another application a resilient seal includes a recess into which a ring of volume compensating material is placed to allow a place for fluids to flow when they are subjected to overpressure conditions.

Abstract: A hanger for suspending a liner in a cased subterranean well comprises an elongated tubular body having ramp elements formed on its exterior and a plurality of peripherally spaced slip elements secured to a sleeve piston surrounding the lower end of the tubular body. Seals provided intermediate the piston and the tubular body define a first fluid pressure chamber. A clean fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through an axially extending passageway of restricted diameter provided in the wall of the tubular body and having an opening at its bottom end communicating with the first pressure chamber and at its top end communicating with a second pressure chamber defined by a tubing carried run-in tool detachably engaged with the liner hanger.

Abstract: A well casing hanger with a wide temperature range seal element that is energized by axial compression with a pre-determined initial portion of the casing hang load, the remaining portion of that hang load then being transferred to the wellhead or other surrounding well element without imposition on the seal element.

Abstract: A wear bushing for a casing hanger mounts to the bore of a casing hanger before the casing hanger is lowered into the well. The running tool for running the casing connects to the wear bushing. The wear bushing has a setting ring that connects to the seal for the casing hanger. The running tool has a setting sleeve that connects to the setting ring. The running tool will release from the wear bushing and the setting ring after the casing has been cemented and the seal set.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in suspending an inner case within an outer casing of an offshore well at the ocean floor, which includes an outer body adapted to be connected to the outer casing for lowering therewith into a landed position at the ocean floor, a hanger body adapted to be connected to the inner casing for lowering therewith into the bore of the outer hanger body, and first and second circumferentially split rings carried about the hanger body for radial movement with respect thereto between contracted and expanded positions in which they may be moved with the hanger body into and out of the bore and normally expanded expansion in which they are seated within the bore of the outer body to support the hanger body from the outer body.

Abstract: A device for releasably locking an inner member within the bore of a tubular outer member holds load in upward and downward directions. The inner member has a grooved profile on its exterior. The outer member has a grooved profile in its bore. A split latch ring is carried by the inner member. The ring has an inner profile that mates with the profile on the inner member. The ring has an outer profile that mates with the profile in the bore. The ring cannot move axially relative to the inner member while fully engaging the inner member profile. Similarly, the ring cannot move axially relative to the outer member while fully engaging the profile of the outer member. The inner member is released by a releasing device which provides an axial force to the ring independent of any force applied to the inner or outer members.

Abstract: A hydraulic running and release tool includes a mandrel, outer sleeve, latch nut and piston which may be hydraulically or mechanically actuated to release the tool from a tubular member after it has been positined in a well bore.The latch nut and piston are releasably connected together by a shear member between the outer sleeve and the mandrel and the latch nut is releasably connected to a tubular member, with the piston positioned adjacent the releasable connection between the latch nut and tubular member to prevent premature disconnection of the latch nut from the tubular member.To release the hydraulic tool, fluid pressure through a port in the mandrel from the well string acts on the piston to shear the member that connects the piston to the latch nut so that the piston shifts away from the releasable connection.

Abstract: A mechanism mounts to a casing hanger for supporting the casing in tension. The mechanism includes a plurality of dogs mounted around the exterior of the casing hanger. Each of the dogs has wickers on its exterior which engage wickers formed in the bore of a wellhead housing. The dogs are carried within a recess. The recess has upper and lower parallel conical shoulders. A sleeve retains the dogs in a retracted position until tension has been applied. The sleeve releases the dogs by rotational movement of the running tool which runs the casing hanger.

Abstract: An improved wellhead annulus seal installation tool and preload retention apparatus is disclosed particularly adapted for metal-to-metal seals. The seal installation tool includes a telescoping mandrel with a torsion spring attached and a torque sleeve rotatably mounted thereon with a pair of antirotation pins for limiting the rotation of the torque sleeve, a resilient seal for sealing the lower portion of the tool inside the hanger and torque pins for transmitting the torque and axial movement of the tool to the preload retention apparatus. The preload retention apparatus includes an upper body with an annulus packoff seal which may be resilient or metal-to-metal and a driving ring threaded thereon. An expansible lock ring in carried on the driving ring with an expander ring thereabove which coacts with the seal installation tool to thereby lock the annulus packoff seal inside the wellhead.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a tubular member such as a casing string within another tubular member such as a wellhead, comprising a generally tubular tool which can be lowered into the annular space between said members, a slip carrier supported from said tool and a slip assembly carried by said slip carrier, said slip assembly including a slip bowl which can be supported against one of said tubular members and one or more slip elements which can be urged into wedging engagement between said slip bowl and the other tubular elements, the slip elements normally being supported by said slip carrier in a non-engaged position and said tool including means operable to urge the slip elements into said wedging engagement. A method of supporting a casing string within a well including the steps of landing the slip bowl on the casinghead shoulder, actuating the tool to force the slip element into engagement between the casing and the slip bowl and retrieving the tool and slip carrier.

Abstract: An arrangement for lowering into a well bore casing on an operating string to sealably engage a packer that is supported on a tubular member so that the packer can be set either by a combination of hydraulic or mechanical action or mechanical action alone or hydraulic action alone includes a packer supported by a tubular member. An outer tubular member extends from adjacent the other end of the packer and telescopically receives the tubular member and a release mechanism releasably connects the tubular member and the outer tubular member with the operating string. A lock arrangement locks the tubular member and the outer tubular member together against relative longitudinal movement and the lock arrangement is operable after the release mechanism is actuated to disconnect the tubular member from the operating string whereupon said outer tubular member may be moved relative to the tubular member to expand the packer into sealing engagement with the casing.

Abstract: A running tool for setting a casing hanger packoff in a subsea well has a connection assembly that connects the running tool to the casing hanger. The running tool has a mandrel which connects to a string of drill pipe. A setting sleeve is carried by the mandrel for carrying the packoff. The mandrel carries a body also. The body has a split ring which moves between an extended position engaging a groove located in the casing hanger to a retracted position. The split ring moves between the engaged and retracted positions by longitudinal movement of an annular cam. The cam is threaded to the body, and when rotated, will move longitudinally. The mandrel extends through the cam and has a longitudinal slot. A dog engages the slot in the mandrel. A flexible link connects the dog to the cam so that rotation of the mandrel rotates the cam. The dog is biased by the flexible link to allow the slot to move downward below the dog when the mandrel moves to the packoff setting position.

Abstract: A well casing hanger/packoff apparatus with ports through which fluids can be circulated during installation and cementing operations, and a sleeve-type valve that can be moved axially to open or close the ports as desired.

Abstract: An improved subsea tubing hanger having a body with an external shoulder for landing on a seat within a subsea wellhead housing, locking means carried by the hanger to engage the housing to lock the hanger in landed position, which locking means includes a locking element, actuator for setting the locking element and a securing pin for holding the actuating means in its locked position but being releasable responsive to sufficient upward force to sever the securing pin. The improved running tool includes a body with hydraulic actuated latching means for engaging the tubing hanger and which maintains its engagement with the tubing hanger even when hydraulic pressure is lost. The actuator includes an area exposed to hydrostatic riser pressure with sufficient area to retain the actuator in latched position even through the remainder of the actuating means is exposed to well bore hydrostatic head urging it out of latched position.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a casing hanger utilizes diverging tapered surfaces. The casing hanger locates within a wellhead housing. The casing hanger has an outer wall spaced inward from an inner wall of the wellhead housing, defining an annular clearance. At least one of the inner or outer walls has a tapered or conical sealing section. The taper is downward, resulting in increased radial width of the annular clearance in a downward direction. A metal packoff locates in the annular clearance. The packoff has inner and outer legs which are spread apart by means of an energizing ring. The legs seal against the casing hanger outer wall and wellhead housing inner wall.

Abstract: A casing hanger seal member has a locking section that will lock the seal member to the casing hanger, to the wellhead, or to both. A set of serrations are formed on the wellhead and also on the casing hanger, across from each other. The seal member has a seal on its lower end that seals below the serrations. A locking section extends upward from the seal section. A locking section has inner and outer walls which are separated by an annular channel. Serrations are formed on the inner and outer walls for engaging the serrations on the wellhead and the casing hanger. An energizing ring locates within the channel, urging the inner and outer walls radially apart form each other to cause engagement of the serrations. The serrations on the inner and outer members have a pitch that is the same as the pitch on the wellhead and casing hanger, divided by a whole number greater than one.

Abstract: An emergency casing hanger and packoff allows casing to be set when it has been stuck. The hanger has a slip body that slides over the casing after the casing is cut. The slip body lands in a wellhead housing. The slip body has a bowl which carries slips for gripping the casing. A split ring carried by the body engages a recess in the wellhead housing to lock the hanger in place. A wedge moves the split ring outward when rotated by a running tool. An energizing ring carried by the slip body moves the slips downward to energize them. The packoff has a metal seal ring with an annular cavity, defining inner and outer faces. The inner face contains a plurality of deformable bands. A wedge member urges the faces apart, causing the bands to deform and seal against the casing.

Abstract: A liner setting assembly is useful in setting a liner into a casing string secured in a borehole of a well. The liner setting assembly includes a cone and a cage. The cone enables slidably fitting over the liner, the cone having grips with an oblique notched face forming an engaging surface. The cage receives the cone and includes a second set of grips having oblique notched faces. The cone and cage assembly is secured to the casing string by the grips. Since the cone has a sliding fit in relation to the liner, the operator can reciprocate and rotate the liner even after the cage and cone assembly has been securely engaged with the casing string in the borehole, thereby enabling a positive indication of the correct set position prior to the cement bonding of the liner to the wall of the well.

Abstract: In a wellbore having a liner hung from a higher string of pipe, a permanent packer and a seal unit are utilized to isolate the annulus between the liner and the wellbore surface. The downhole completion assembly, which comprises an on-off tool, a latch and seal assembly and a tailpipe, can be lowered into the packer and seal unit by the production tubing, with the latch mechanism of the latch and seal assembly snapping into a threaded portion of the packer. The on-off tool can be disconnected and the production tubing withdrawn from the well. Alternatively, the latch mechanism can be disengaged and the entire downhole completion assembly can be withdrawn from the well in a single trip.

Abstract: A metal seal or packoff for a casing hanger has features which allow a slight downward movement of the casing hanger relative to the well head after the seal has been set. The seal ring has a base and inner and outer walls that extend upward from the base. The inner and outer walls are radially separated by an annular cavity. An energizing ring will move into this cavity to push the inner and outer walls farther apart into sealing engagement with the casing hanger and wellhead. A protective member locates below the base. A flexible section extends downward from the protective member, while joining the protective member to the base. The flexible section is located on the inner side of the base and has a radial dimension that is much less than the base. This thin section enables the base to flex if downward movement of the casing hanger occurs after the seal has been set. The flexing reduces the chance for any movement between the inner and outer walls and the wellhead and casing hanger to take place.

Abstract: A hanger for suspending a liner in a cased subterranean well comprises an elongated tubular body having ramp elements formed on its exterior and a plurality of peripherally spaced slip elements secured to a sleeve piston surrounding the lower end of the tubular body. Seals provided intermediate the piston and the tubular body define a first fluid pressure chamber. A clean fluid is supplied to the first pressure chamber through an axially extending passageway of restricted diameter provided in the wall of the tubular body and having an opening at its bottom end communicating with the first pressure chamber and at its top end communicating with a second pressure chamber defined by a tubing carried run-in tool detachably engaged with the liner hanger.

Abstract: A mechanical or hydraulic actuated liner hanger for supporting on an operating string to be lowered to position a liner on a tubular member in a well bore includes an integral tubular body having upper and lower annular rings thereon. A surface is provided on each ring to enable upper and lower cone segments to be positioned on each upper and lower ring, respectively, and a surface is provided on each ring that cooperates with a surface on the cone segments interlocks and retains the cone segments removably on their respective ring. A securing device may removably secure the cone segments in position on each ring. A sleeve is slidably supported on the body by lugs on the body and a recess arrangement. The sleeve includes upper and lower slip arms secured at one end on the sleeve and extending therefrom with upper and lower slip segments secured on the end of each the upper and lower slip arms.

Abstract: A multiple cone, multiple bearing liner hanger for hanging a well liner for extension of the casing liner. The multiple slip cone and multiple bearing arrangement provides uniform, positive distribution of liner weight thereby facilitating hanging of heavier liner strings. The multiple bearings ensure proper rotation of the liner during cementation. The multiple cone, multiple bearing liner hanger includes an upper slip assembly with an associated bearing and a lower slip assembly with an associated bearing. The hanger is hydraulically set by first setting the upper slips and thereafter setting the lower slips. A series of shear pins ensure proper setting of the hanger to distribute the hang weight evenly over the slip cones and bearings.

Abstract: An improved wellhead structure having a housing with an internal landing seat to receive the landing shoulder on a hanger having a bore with a counterbore below the bore and a shoulder between, a hanger mandrel positioned within the counterbore and having an external flange having a diameter less than the diameter of the counterbore, a first bushing positioned above the mandrel flange and in engagement with said shoulder within the hanger counterbore, a second bushing positioned within the counterbore below said mandrel flange, and a support sleeve positioned within said hanger in supporting relationship to said second bushing, said bushings being of an electrical insulating material and sized to retain said mandrel in spaced relationship with respect to said hanger to prevent electrical connection therebetween. This structure also is used for supporting and sealing a tubing string or a section of a tubing string in a well while electrically insulating the section from the remainder of the string.

Abstract: A supporting mechanism for a casing hanger improves the load withstanding ability. The casing hanger is located in a wellhead housing. A recess is formed in the bore of the wellhead housing with an upward facing shoulder extending into the bore. An insert ring is stationarily and rigidly mounted in this recess. The insert ring has a load shoulder on its upper side. The load shoulder of the insert ring is considerably less in width than the recess shoulder. However, the insert ring has a greater hardness to increase the capacity of the insert ring. The casing hanger has an exterior load ring that lands on the insert ring. The load ring has threads which are cut to have clearances initially between the load flanks. A clearance also exists between the upper end of the load ring and a downward facing shoulder on the casing hanger.

Abstract: An improved wellhead slip and seal assembly including a slip assembly with slips supported within a slip bowl and a seal assembly positioned above the slip assembly and interconnected thereto for supporting the slip assembly, the seal assembly including two segments connected to form the seal ring and each of the segments includes arcuate elements embedded in a resilient material which forms an inner seal in an inner groove, the inner seal having an inner diameter sufficient smaller than the outer diameter of the pipe to which it is to seal and an outer seal of the resilient material in an outer groove, the outer seal having an outer diameter sufficiently larger than the inner diameter of the wellhead housing into which it is inserted so that both seals are brought into direct sealing engagement with their respective pipe and housing sealing surfaces and the loading on the slip bowl is not a seal compressing load through the connection between the seal assembly and the slip assembly.

Abstract: A tool for running in a liner hanger and a depending lining string comprises a tubular body having telescopically related inner and outer tubular units which are shearably interconnected for co-rotation. A plurality of downwardly projecting tongues are provided on the periphery of the outer tubular unit and respectively engage upwardly facing grooves provided in the liner hanger to impart rotation in either direction to the liner hanger. A downwardly extending mandrel secured to the inner tubular unit extends through the outer tubular unit and provides a mounting for the ring portion of a collet. The collet has spring biased arms mounting head portions which respectively engage in an annular groove provided in the liner hanger to secure the running tool to the liner hanger for run-in purposes. The collet is normally released from the running tool by a fluid pressure actuated piston mounted on the mandrel.

Abstract: An improved wellhead casing hanger for suspension of successive casing strings with particularly small annular spacings having an adapter sleeve of double wall construction which is utilized with a load bearing shoulder on the inside of the inner member for receiving a conventional expanding type hanger, with the annulus between the inner and outer walls providing an improved fluid return path without restricting the bore of the sleeve, packoff for sealing the annulus at the appropriate time and an installation tool.

Abstract: A system for cementing liners in well bores where a liner and drill pipe are made up in telescopic relationship with the lower end of the drill pipe having a polished mandrel or slick pipe slidably and sealingly received in a sealing bore receptacle in the lower end of the liner at a location just above the cementing equipment. When an interconnected setting tool and liner hanger are attached to the drill pipe and liner, a continuous passage is formed by the drill pipe from the setting tool to the location below the sealing bore receptacle. The polished mandrel has an upper normally closed sleeve valve and a lower normally open check valve so that when the liner hanger is located in the well bore, the check valve can be closed for hydraulic operation of the setting tool and opened thereafter for cementing. The sleeve valve is opened at the end of the cementing operation to bypass the interior of the pipe string to the interior of the liner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved well structure and the method of connecting the support ring to the well string within the well bore which includes the steps of lowering the support ring into the well bore in surrounding relationship to the well string and into seated position in the housing seat, lowering a pressure forming tool through the well string to the level of the support ring, pressurizing the tool to form the well string into tight secured and sealed relationship within the support ring and recovering the tool from the well string. The tool includes a means of increasing the pressure used in the forming process without subjecting the interior of the string along its full length to such forming pressure. The structure includes a support ring with an exterior shoulder for engaging the seat within the housing, a sealing profile of a plurality of internal grooves each of which is partially filled with pressure compensating material and a gripping profile of a plurality of gripping teeth.

Abstract: A new wellhead housing structure which utilizes identical units of a unique wellhead housing of selected internal diameter and pressure rating. Each wellhead housing utilizes a new flexible bowl ("flexbowl") hanger support ring which may be installed and removed as desired during assembly of the wellhead structure during completion of the well. Each wellhead housing forms an internal circumferential groove to receive the flexible bowl hanger support ring in position to receive and support different kinds and sizes of hangers for casing, protective sleeves, and the like. The flexible bowl support ring is drawn into a contracted position. The contracted support ring will pass through the wellhead housing and is seated by a setting tool. Subsequently, a tubing or casing hanger may be landed upon the support ring and supported by the support ring which serves the same functions as the bowl seat in a conventional wellhead housing. The support ring may be removed by a removal tool.

Abstract: A packoff assembly for sealing the annulus between the outside surface of a tubing hanger and the internal bore of a subsea wellhead includes a packoff sleeve insertable in the annulus and a seal assembly on its lower end. A release sleeve is disposed around the upper end of the packoff sleeve and is axially movable with respect thereto. An internal shoulder on the packoff sleeve receives a lock ring on the tubing hanger when the seal assembly is set to lock the packoff assembly to the tubing hanger. Circumferentially spaced apart dogs on the packoff sleeve and radially slidable on the shoulder are forced inwardly by the release sleeve when it is pulled up to retract the lock ring from the shoulder and release the packoff assembly from the tubing hanger. A running tool for running the tubing hanger and packoff assembly into the well and setting the packoff includes telescoping upper and lower body members.

Abstract: The improved wellhead structure of the present invention includes a casing or tubing string which is sealed to the housing without the aid of elastomeric seals and an internal bushing to assist in providing the tight gripping and sealing engagement between the string and the housing. The structure provides a substantial inner diameter which is unrestricted unless landing shoulder is included in the structure. Also, the internal bushing used with the cold forging of the string into the housing recess improves the gripping and sealing engagement therebetween. In one form the bushing includes a series of external projections which alternate with the gripping and sealing projections within the housing recess and in another form includes a resilient annulus between the interior of the bushing and the string to ensure the uniform application of pressure against the interior of the string.

Abstract: A selectively releasable valve in a wiper plug releasably attached to a hydraulic setting tool for a liner hanger in a well bore where the valve has an annular valve seat member having collapsible finger members for sealingly receiving a ball member. The valve seat member is movable under predetermined hydraulic pressure to shift and expand the finger members to release the ball member. The valve seat member is retained in the wiper plug.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for hanging and sealing a tubing string in a high pressure wellbore. The invention discloses apparatus which enables the pulling of a tubing string on an injection well to be achieved without having to kill or bleed down the formation pressure. A support and flow control apparatus is provided for supporting the upper end of a tubing string that extends downhole in a cased borehole, while packing off the annulus between the tubing and the casing. The apparatus includes a tubing hanger which is connected to the upper end of the wellbore for supporting the upper end of the tubing string therefrom so that the string is in tension.

Abstract: A rotatable liner hanger for an oil well with a supporting mandrel having an annular recess with upper and lower shoulders and a tubular housing and a bearing means disposed in the recess. The housing has elongated windows with side surfaces having tongue and grooves at an inclination angle of 15.degree. and elongated slip members with interfitting tongue and grooves along their side surfaces where the slip members are initially retracted within the windows of the housing and are extendible outwardly into load bearing support with a casing. A selectively actuated device controls the positioning of the slip members and an annular recess in the housing provides a bypass area when the slip members are extended.

Abstract: An improved setting tool is provided for positioning, setting, and releasing a liner in a subterranean wellbore. The setting tool includes a plurality of fingers, each biased for locking engagement with axially spaced recesses provided in the wall of the tool mandrel axially above a lowermost position of the liner hanger connecting nut. The fingers are automatically forced upward into a release position when interference rollers move radially out of their respective recesses and separate a plurality of axially movable sleeves. Premature release of the liner is avoided by positioning the recesses in the mandrel such that the fingers are in a lock position when the tool string is either in tension or compression. The liner can be rotated after setting the liner hanger, so that the setting tool and drill string can thereafter be reliably retrieved by simple axial pick-up.

Abstract: A packoff for a casing hanger for a subsea wellhead employs a one piece metal part with ancillary elastomer seals. A C-shaped metal seal links external metal lips. A locking section is located above the packoff. The locking section has a neck that allows it to buckle under sufficient downward force. When it deflects, a primary locking shoulder engages a locking shoulder of the casing hanger. At the same time, a secondary locking shoulder on the outer side of the locking section locks to a shoulder on the outer side to prevent the locking section from moving out of the locked position when an upward test pull is exerted.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supporting a liner on an operating string mandrel so that the liner can be lowered into a well bore and selectively rotated and reciprocated. The liner includes rigid splines which are initially engaged with rigid splines releasably engaged on the operating string mandrel to enable the liner to be selectively rotated and reciprocated before positioning on the well bore casing.The liner is secured or positioned on the well bore casing and the operating string can then be manipulated to release the mandrel from the rigid splines releasably engaged thereon. The mandrel rigid splines and mandrel have cooperating surfaces which reconnect the mandrel rigid splines to the mandrel whereupon the mandrel rigid splines can then be disengaged from the liner rigid splines so that the mandrel can be released from the liner.

Abstract: An improved subsea hanger and seal having a hanger body with an external landing shoulder and an upstanding sealing rim with external sealing teeth and multiple internal camming surfaces and an actuating ring which fits within the sealing rim and includes external multiple camming surfaces mating with the camming surfaces on the interior of the sealing rim to move said sealing rim into initial set position and allow subsequent pressure to be applied to the interior of the actuating ring to deform the sealing rim into positive gripping and sealing engagement with the interior of the subsea wellhead housing in which the hanger is landed.

Abstract: An improved liner hanger is provided suitable for use with conventional slips to interconnect a downhole casing with a smaller-diameter liner. The hanger comprises an outer cone sleeve and an inner locking sleeve, with the cone sleeve interconnected with the conventional slips, and the locking sleeve having right-hand and left-hand inner biting threads for engagement with the outer surface of a tubular liner section. Improved mating threads are provided on the outer surface of the locking sleeve and the inner surface of the cone sleeve. The cone sleeve and locking sleeve are initially made up at the surface with the apexes of the tapered thread profiles substantially in axial alignment.

Abstract: An improved well structure such as a well housing on which a casing hanger is to be landed which housing includes a high strength landing shoulder insert which allows the housing to support the casing hanger, its casing and the heavy loads associated therewith and with substantial pressure loads experienced in new wells. In one form of the invention an insert is provided in an internal recess in the housing and held therein by a housing ring threaded on the interior of the housing body. In another form an insert is introduced into an internal housing recess in the form of seat segments and bypass segments which are secured in place by the radial forming of a high strength seat ring. In still another form of the invention the high strength seat insert is segmented, positioned as segments in the internal housing recess and secured therein by the radial forming of a metal ring outwardly into internal recesses in each of the high strength seat insert segments.

Abstract: The improved structure of the present invention includes a hanger having a landing shoulder for engaging the landing seat within a wellhead housing, a hanger holddown ring, an external sealing surface spaced from the internal sealing surface of the housing to form the annulus to be sealed, a seal assembly including a seal body having external metal seal legs diverging outward but having a free diameter less than the diameter of the housing internal sealing surface and internal metal seal legs converging inwardly and having a free diameter smaller than the diameter of the hanger external sealing surface, a lower body movably connected to the seal body and having an upstanding rim engaging the lower outer seal leg, an upper body movably connected to the seal body, a loading ring surrounding the upper portion of the seal body and engaging the upper outer seal leg, a lock down ring for securing said seal assembly to said hanger after the seal assembly has been set in loaded sealed position and a pin for retaining

Abstract: A running tool for lowering, landing and setting a well structure, such as a hanger and an annular seal for sealing between the exterior of the hanger and the interior of the well in which the well structure is landed including a mandrel having means for connecting to a running string, a tool body surrounding and carried by said mandrel and having a purality of windows in its lower portion in which latch element are carried, an actuator sleeve surrounding said mandrel and positioned within said tool body and being free to move axially thereof to engage said latching elements to move them into latching engagement with the interior of the well in the landing position, means for releasably limiting the downward movement of said mandrel with respect to said actuating ring, means limiting the downward movement of said actuating ring with respect to said tool body, and means supported on said mandrel and tool body for carrying an annular seal, setting said annular seal in the annulus between the well structure and

Abstract: A subsea wellhead housing for an underwater well has a small, integral landing shoulder in the bore for supporting an intermediate casing string. The small landing shoulder permits passage of a standard 171/2 inch drill bit. Breech block teeth are provided in the wellhead housing bore above the small landing shoulder for attaching a separately installable landing shoulder insert. The breech block teeth also permit passage of a standard 171/2 inch drill bit. An intermediate casing hanger is landed on the small, integral shoulder, and the landing shoulder insert installed in the wellhead housing. The landing shoulder insert has a skirt at its lower end which is received in and sealed against the upper end of the hanger. The upper end of the landing shoulder insert is sealed against the wellhead housing bore. In one embodiment, the hanger for 17 inch casing is fluted on its outer surface to pass through breech block slots in the wellhead housing bore in order to reach its landing shoulder.

Abstract: An improved wellhead seal for sealing across the annular space between the exterior of a hanger and the interior of a wellhead housing having a seal ring with upper and lower rims, resilient metal lips on the interior of said lower rim for engaging the exterior of the hanger and gripping and sealing elements on the exterior of the upper rim and multiple camming surfaces on the interior of the upper rim and an actuating ring having multiple camming surfaces mating with the multiple camming surfaces on the upper rim so that downward movement of said actuating ring cams the gripping and sealing elements on said upper rim into tight metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the housing interior sealing surface. The sealing may be accomplished directly between the exterior of a hanger rim or by a seal ring positioned between the hanger rim and the interior housing surface.

Abstract: A packoff assembly for sealing between a casing hanger and a wellhead for a subsea well uses a tapered wedge. The tapered wedge locates between inner and outer seal rings formed of metal. When moved downward, the wedge member pushes the seal rings outward to form a metal seal. The seal rings are formed separate from and carried on a base member. The wedge member extends down into a cavity in the base member. Pins connect the wedge member to the base member to retain the seal ring, but allow longitudinal movement of the wedge movement relative to the base member. An elastomeric seal locates between the upper ends of the seal rings and a drive member which moves the wedge member downward.

Abstract: The hanger apparatus includes a segmented bowl structure which includes inner tapered surfaces which are adapted to coact with the outer surfaces of the slips supported on the bowl segments and a lower outer tapered seat which is adapted to engage a shoulder within the well structure. A packing structure is connected to the upper end of the bowl segments and includes an upper plate ring, a lower seat ring having a lower outer seating surface, and a resilient packing ring positioned between the upper plate ring and the lower seat ring. Cap screws engage upper plate ring and extend through the packing ring and the seat ring and are threaded into the bowl segments. The upper plate ring moves downward with the initial downward movement of the bowl segments during setting to compress the packing ring into sealing engagement between the exterior of the string and the interior of the wellhead housing.