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.

Abstract: An improved wellhead sealing assembly having an annular body with an outer diameter sufficient to pass through the interior of the wellhead housing and an inner diameter smaller than the exterior of the wellhead hanger so that it lands on the upper end of the hanger, a metal sealing ring secure to said body and adapted to be positioned between the housing and the hanger, said sealing ring having an inner sealing lip for engaging the exterior of the hanger and an upstanding sealing rim, a plurality of locking segments with arms extending radially through said body and projecting beyond the interior of said body, a plurality of load segment carried by said body and engaging the interior of said sealing rim, load pins extending through said body and engaging the interior of each of said load segments and extending inward through and beyond the interior of said body, and a loading wedge ring supported within said body and movable axially therein to engage said load pins and said locking segment arms to move said

Abstract: An assembly for connecting an inner and an outer tubular member to and from each other in a well. A resiliently expandable and contractible locking support element is carried by and is axially slidable on the inner member. Two or more radially outwardly extending and downwardly facing load bearing support shoulders and peripheral locking surfaces are positioned on the inner member and coact with inwardly facing load bearing shoulders and locking surfaces on the locking support element. Two or more radially outwardly facing load bearing support shoulders on the locking support element coact with mating load bearing support shoulders on the inside of the outer tubular member. A release initially prevents axial movement of the locking support element on the inner member and may be positioned above, below or intermediate the ends of the locking support element. The locking support element may be an integral unit or a plurality of multiple separate units.

Abstract: An improved annular seal and hanger which are to be installed in a wellhead housing. The annular seal assembly includes seal ring having a central body with upper outer rim, upper inner rim, lower outer rim and lower inner rim extending from said central body, an upper wedge ring, a lower wedge ring and means connecting said rings to allow setting movement thereof, means releasably securing said assembled rings to the hanger for running into the wellhead housing, each of said rims including an outer sealing lip, the outer sealing lips having a free diameter less than the diameter of the lower wedge ring so that the sealing lips are protected during running of the hanger into the wellhead housing and means for moving said wedge rings into the space between the rims of said seal ring for urging the sealing lips into sealing engagement with the interior sealing surface of said housing.

Abstract: An improved subsea wellhead seal assembly include an annular body having a pair of lower annular skirts, one extending downwardly and outwardly and the other extending downwardly and inwardly, a lower landing ring and means movably securing the lower landing ring to the annular body so that, when the lower landing ring is landed, the annular body continues its downward movement to deform the annular skirts outwardly and inwardly into sealing engagement with the walls of the annulus. A reaction ring is provided above landing ring for engagement by the ends of skirts and spacer rings may be used to preselect the level of the sealing surface engagement by the skirts.

Abstract: There are disclosed several forms of subsea wellhead equipment of the type in which casing hangers connected to the upper ends of successively smaller diameter casing strings are adapted to be lowered into and landed within the bore of a casing head, which is connected to an outermost string at the subsea level, to suspend the strings within the outermost casing of the well bore, and wherein openings in each hanger which connect the annulus between each casing string and the next outer string with the space between the hanger and the bore of the head, to permit cement returns to circulate therethrough as the string is cemented within the well bore, are adapted to be closed off, when the casing has been cemented, by means of a seal assembly lowered into and locked down within the space.

Abstract: The improved wellhead seal assembly includes an annular metal seal ring having upper spaced apart inner and outer rims with an upper energizing ring positioned between such rims and movable axially between them, a resilient seal embedded in and extending through ports in the central portion of the seal ring, lower inner and outer seal rings connected to said central portion of said seal ring by inner and outer bellows and a wedging ring depending from the central portion of the seal ring between such bellows and adapted to move downward between the inner and outer seal rings to wedge them apart into sealing engagement with the inner and outer sealing surfaces, such movement being responsive to downward movement of the upper energizing ring and the flexing of the lower bellows legs and continued movement of said upper energizing ring wedging said upper rims apart into sealing engagement with the inner and outer sealing surfaces, the upper energizing ring being releasably connected to the upper seal rims so tha

Abstract: An improved wellhead structure including a wellhead housing having a sealing surface with grooves therein and pressure compensating material in the grooves, a sealing sleeve having inner and outer resilient seal rings and an internal actuating groove with upper and lower shoulders, an actuating ring having an outer flange engaged within the internal groove in the sleeve and an external surface tapering downward and inwardly and a hanger with an upstanding rim having external grooves with pressure compensating material in the grooves and having an inner surface which tapers upwardly and outwardly and is engaged by the external tapered surface of the actuating ring and upper and lower external seals and a port extending from the interior of the actuating ring to its exterior into the area between such seals so that pressure applied through the port forges the hanger rim and the sealing sleeve outward to ensure positive metal-to-metal sealing across the annulus between the exterior of the hanger rim and the inte

Abstract: A downhole running tool for positioning and locking tool support mandrels within landing nipples of the production tubing string of a well. A housing is provided which forms an internal receptacle receiving upper and lower core sections forming an elongated core which is telescopically movable to collapsed and extended positions defined by spaced stops formed by the housing. A portion of the core extends from the housing for connection with a tool support mandrel. A collet type releasable retainer secures locking lugs of the housing in a substantially fixed position within the internal receptacle and is movable to a lug release position upon contact with the landing nipple during upward movement of the downhole running tool to thus permit spring urged movement of the core to force the mandrel from its retracted position to its locating position.

Abstract: An improved annular seal between tubular members in a subsea wellhead having an annular seal member with a U shape in section with the opening facing upwardly and two interengaged annular wedges for energizing the sealing surfaces of the inner and outer portions of the seal member at different levels. The interengagement of the wedges includes sufficient play to provide proper energizing of both inner and outer sealing surfaces at the same time. Further, the inner sealing surface is positioned at a much higher level than the outer sealing surface and close to the upper end of the inner member in which it is to seal to minimize the setting force for the inner sleeve and to minimize the amount of drag the seal will incur when retrieved. Also, the location of the outer sealing surface close to the inner member shoulder minimizes the reaction path of the lockdown sleeve.

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: A combination landing unit and seal assembly is shown for engaging and sealing within the internal bore of the liner within a well. A special latch mechanism carried on the seal assembly includes an externally threaded latch collet which can be stabbed into the setting sleeve threads which are normally provided in the interior of the liner for use with the running tool which installs the liner in the well bore. An integral seal assembly is carried in the assembly in an upward extension of the landing unit and floats within a tubular extension of the landing unit. A plug can be installed in the landing unit to allow the seal assembly to be retrieved to the well surface without killing the well.

Abstract: A pack-off assembly for a wellhead system including a tapered pack-off mounted on a pack-off nut (22) which has multi-start threads (40) for engaging similar mating multi-start threads (26) on a casing hanger (C). The casing hanger (C) is provided with a taper (20) which faces the surrounding cylindrical wall (16) of the wellhead (W) thus providing a tapered annulus (14). The pack-off, being tapered, is moved into the tapered annulus (14) by rotation of the pack-off nut (22) where the pack-off engages an abutment (30) and is compressed and expanded into sealing engagement with the internal (16) and external surfaces (20) on the wellhead (W) and casing hanger (C). In one embodiment, the multi-start threads (40, 26) on the running nut (22) and casing hanger (C) are tapered buttress threads and, in a second embodiment, the multi-start threads (40a, 26a) on the running nut 22 and casing hanger (C) are cylindrical square threads.

Abstract: An adjustable collet is shown which includes a collet body having an internal bore and integral collet arms. An adjustment ring is received within the bore of the collet body and has a depending portion which engages the collet arms. By adjusting the position of the ring within the collet body bore and varying the longitudinal position of the depending portion relative to the collet arms, the effective collet arm length can be varied.

Abstract: A setting tool and liner hanger where the liner hanger has a threaded release section and elongated slip slots for receiving slips. The slips have inclined tongue and groove interconnections along the sides of the slots defining expander surfaces. The setting tool has a hydraulic actuator and a mechanical actuator respectively having dog members releasably connected to upper and lower internal grooves in the slip members. The hydraulic actuator operates in response to hydraulic pressure for moving connected dog member for setting the slips in a well casing.Upon release of the coupling nut on the setting tool from the liner hanger, the mechanical actuator is deactuated and both dog members are released from the slips so that the setting tool is releasable from the liner hanger.The mechanical actuator operates in response to relative rotation between the setting tool mandrel and liner hanger for moving connected dog members and the slips to a setting condition.

Abstract: A setting tool and liner hanger where the liner hanger has a threaded release section and elongated slip slots for receiving slips. The slips have inclined upper surfaces and inclined tongue and groove interconnections along the sides of the slots defining expander surfaces. The setting tool has a unitary actuating mechanism which can be hydraulically actuated or can be mechanically actuated. Dog members are on the actuating mechanism are releasably connected to internal grooves in the slip members. For hydraulic actuation, hydraulic pressure moves the connected dog members for setting the slips in a well casing. The mechanical actuator operates in response to relative rotation between the setting tool mandrel and liner hanger for releasing a spring force on dog members to move the slips to a setting condition. The tool is raised to a location to set the slips and to release the setting tool from the liner hanger.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead structure including a casing hanger having an exterior downwardly facing shoulder for landing within a well bore, a central bore, means for connecting a casing thereto, an upper exterior surface tapering downwardly and outwardly, and an external surface below said shoulder tapering downwardly and inwardly for centering said hanger on landing, a seal assembly with a metal seal sleeve having downwardly extending fingers, an internal metal annular bulbous sealing surface and an external metal cylindrical sealing surface, means for latching said seal sleeve in sealing position, a protector sleeve and means for releasably securing said protector sleeve to said seal assembly and said latching means, the latching means including retaining means preventing premature setting or movement of the latching means prior to the setting of said sealing means.

Abstract: A running string is releasably connected to a liner an liner hanger setting arrangement for lowering into a well bore casing and securing the liner to a casing. The liner hanger setting arrangement includes a first sleeve with upper and lower annular rows of conically shaped segments circumferentially spaced thereon. Upper and lower spaced rows of hanger slips are connected to a second sleeve by elongated strips and the second sleeve is releasably secured to the first sleeve whereby the second sleeve may be released from the sleeve for relative longitudinal movement therebetween to move the hanger slips onto the segments and secure the liner to the casing. The space between the segments in each row is substantial to accommodate relatively unrestricted fluid flow thereabout as the apparatus is manipulated and operations conducted in the well bore.

Abstract: A casing hanger seal for a subsea well uses a seal ring having inner and outer walls spaced radially apart from each other. An energizing ring is moved from disengaged position to an engaged position between the walls, wedging them apart to form the metal seal. Vertical slots are formed in the walls to facilitate expansion. The slots ae located in a gripping section that engages wickers formed on the inner and outer tubular members of the well. Circumferential grooves are located in the sealing areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a mudline casing hanger tieback adaptor with an adjustable load ring for connecting an installed subsea wellhead on the mudline suspension system.The mudline casing hanger tieback adaptor (180) includes a mudline hanger adaptor body (182) with an adjustable load ring 184, a packoff nut (104) and packoff (102), casing pup (186), and a tieback tool (190), all of which are lowered on a running tool to be connected to an already installed subsea wellhead (80) and sealably connected to an already installed casing hanger (64) on the innermost casing of a mudline supsension system. The adjustability of the load ring compensates for any tolerance buildup in the already installed casing (32) and adjustably shouldering the load ring (184) on the wellhead (80) transfers the load imposed on the innermost tieback tool (190) and casing hanger (70) back to the wellhead (80) during the high pressure testing of the packoff seal (202) between the tieback tool (190) and casing hanger.

Abstract: A subsea well assembly has a casing hanger that lands inside the wellhead with a locking device to lock the hanger in the wellhead. The locking device includes a collar mounted to the hanger body and movable relative to the body between a lower storage position and an upper set position. The collar contacts a landing shoulder located in the wellhead to move to the set position. Washers located between the collar and the hanger body allow the hanger body to move downward when the collar contacts the landing shoulder. The washers deflect downwardly due to interference fit when the hanger moves to the set position to resist upward movement. As the hanger body moves downward, a split ring is pushed outwardly by inclined surfaces to engage locking grooves formed in the interior of the wellhead for supporting the casing hanger.

Abstract: A running tool for a hydraulically set packer, hanger, or the like, having expandable slip elements held in a retracted position by an actuating sleeve during run-in, employs an annular piston to hold the actuating sleeve in a fixed locked position relative to the tubular body portion of the running tool, thus preventing inadvertent setting of the tool due to impacts received during the run-in of the tool. When the slips are positioned at their desired location in the well, an increase in fluid pressure applied to the tubular body portion of the running tool will effect an upward movement of the annular piston, shearing a shear screw which has held the piston during the run-in operation, releasing a positive lock engaged with the slip actuating sleeve, and effecting upward movement of the actuating sleeve to release the slips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved liner hanger adapter containing a tapered brass sleeve which is arranged to wedge into a section of reduced diameter casing and is connected above an expansion joint for accommodating the thermal expansion and contraction of a well liner such as a wire wrapped liner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a casing hanger 10 and running apparatus 16 wherein the casing hanger 10 is mechanically supported by a running thread ring 70 onto a running tool 20 for lowering into a wellhead 12, and wherein the packoff assembly 14 is held above the casing hanger 10 for circulating and cementing operations for improved flowby capabilities and wherein the packoff assembly 14 is mechanically lowered and energized to seal the annular seal area 32 comprising threading the packoff apparatus from the running apparatus 16 onto the casing hanger by rotation of the running tool 20, which concurrently also releases the casing hanger 10 from the running tool 20 by unthreading the primary thread ring 70 therefrom.

Abstract: A setting tool and a liner hanger for setting a liner hanger in well bores traversing earth formations where the setting tool can be hydraulically operated and released from the liner hanger or alternatively, can be mechanically operated and released from a liner hanger. The tool is provided with bypass areas in the liner hanger and locates the tieback sleeve below the liner hanger. The setting tool incorporates most of the expensive setting mechanism in the setting tool and is not a part of the liner hanger. Thus, the setting mechanism is therefore removable from the wellbore and can be reused on other liner hangers.

Abstract: A setting tool is shown if the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore. The setting tool is designed to set a liner hanger using right hand as well as left hand rotation and is released from the setting sleeve using right hand rotation. A plurality of retractable, spring loaded torque fingers carried on a torque collar are used to transmit torque to the setting sleeve but are moved into a retracted position after the setting sleeve is released to avoid damage to the torque fingers. A plurality of splines and a splined ring within the torque collar are used to latch the tool in the running-in position to perform well bore operations, such as hanging a liner. The splines and splined ring have specially mating surfaces which form a key arrangement to facilitate reinsertion of the splines within the splined ring for subsequent operations as the tool is manipulated between the running-in and weight set down positions.

Abstract: A mudline casing hanger assembly wherein a collet 32 latches 20 to a hanger body 10 and positions rotatably attached fingers 40. These fingers rotate outwardly to fit between load surface 24 and load surface 30 whereby hanger body 12 is carried on hanger body 10 thru compression loading of the fingers 40.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support structure, such as a liner hanger, for use in a well, including an assembly of slips for wedging to the interior surface of the surrounding well, but maintained off of wedging surfaces in a running in configuration by a drag assembly and latch mechanism connected to the hanger body carrying the wedges. As the latch is configured to permit setting of the support structure, a lost motion coupling joining the slip assembly with the drag and latch assembly permits rotational and limited longitudinal movement therebetween as the slip system moves rotationally, and possibly longitudinally to a limited extent, with the hanger body relative to the drag assembly.

Abstract: A mudline casing hanger assembly with an elliptical support ring 20 which is run at an angle 46, rotated to horizontal 48, and landed 50. A support and flowby sleeve 16 to support the landing ring 20 is cut and inserted into a recess.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supporting a liner so that the work string which lowers the liner into a well can be manipulated to selectively rotate and/or reciprocate the liner before hanging it on a casing in a well bore and for rotating the liner after it is hung on the casing.

Abstract: A liner hanger is shown of the type used to hang a well liner in a surrounding well bore. The hanger includes a tubular mandrel which is connectible in a liner string. A set of circumferentially-spaced gripping slips are mounted about the mandrel with each slip having a spring arm extending therefrom in alignment with the axis of the mandrel. A tapered, slip expander cone is mounted on the mandrel exterior above each of the slips for expanding the slips radially outwardly in the direction of the surrounding well bore responsive to opposite relative movement of the slips and cones. At least one channel guide is formed on the exterior of the mandrel in longitudinal alignment with one of the expander cones. The channel guide includes a slot portion for slidably receiving the spring arm of one of the gripping slips for supporting the slip on the exterior of the mandrel.

Abstract: A mudline casing hanger assembly wherein the collet (10) is retained on the hanger body (12) during running by tensile coupons (26). The lower portion (32) of the coupon is retained in slot (24) with collet slots (22) and hanger flowby slots (48) being aligned.

Abstract: A liner hanger for use in an oil well completion comprising a hanger assembly which can be passed through a tubular pipe and has a continuous bypass and a shaped area for passing through fluid and cuttings in the pipe. The hanger assembly has an inclined cam surface which is spirally disposed along the length of a hanger body. A one-piece, heat treated, slip device comprised of strip of metal having an internal spiral and inclined cam surface is disposed up on the spiral cam surface on the hanger body. The spiral space around the hanger body provides a shaped bypass area. The spiral slip device is attached to setting means. Upon release of the setting means, relative movement between the slip device and the cam surface on the hanger body permits the slip device to be positioned in setting engagement with the inner wall of a tubular pipe.

Abstract: A universal liner hanger apparatus is shown for hanging a liner in a well bore which has a universal body having upper and lower connecting ends. A hanger mechanism including a plurality of gripping slips and slip expanders are carried on the tubular body for engaging the well bore casing. Interchangeable setting mechanisms can be connected to a selected one of the upper and lower connecting ends and are actuable to engage the gripping slips with the slip expanders responsive to each of mechanical manipulation and fluid pressure. A single universal body is used with each of the different setting mechanisms to make-up the universal liner hanger apparatus. The hanger mechanism shown includes a plurality of longitudinal bars of single piece construction with spaced slip elements integrally formed therein. The longitudinal bars include a guide portion adapted to be slidingly received within guide tracks formed in selected ones of the expanders on the exterior of the tubular body.

Abstract: A liner hanger having an elongate vertical body with a central flow passage means at its lower end engaged with a depending liner, releasable coupling means at its upper end releasably engaging a setting tool on a string of setting pipe. The body has a plurality of vertically extending circumferentially spaced radially outwardly opening recesses with upwardly and radially outwardly inclined ramp surfaces and elongate vertical passages between the upper end of the body and the recesses. The hanger next includes vertically extending slips with outer casing engaging surfaces and inner ramp surface engaging surfaces normally positioned in the lower portions of the recesses with their casing engaging surfaces aligned with the outside of the body. The slips are shiftable vertically upwardly and radially outwardly in the recesses. Spring means normally yieldingly urge the slips upwardly and outwardly in the recesses.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of positioning and seating a retrievable landing assembly within a packer bore receptacle in a well bore. Latching measure provided for releasably securing a landing assembly in the packer bore receptacle. The latching means which are normally in a retracted position are actuated by hydraulic pressure means to lock the landing assembly within the packer bore receptacle. The retrievable landing assembly can be retrieved with a spear mechanism by shearing a release mechanism. The retrievable landing assembly is hydraulically set and mechanically retrieved.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for setting a mechanical liner hanger inside of a well conduit by right-hand or clockwise rotation and without downward movement. The hanger includes a mandrel having an annular cone and a lug. A movable cage telescopically and rotatably mounted on the mandrel includes slips, bow springs and a right-hand downwardly extending and downwardly directed spiral surface. A hanger is moved downhole with the lug engaging the cage holding the slips in the retracted position. When the setting location is reached the mandrel is lifted up releasing the cage, and the mandrel is rotated by right-hand rotation moving the lug against the downwardly directed surface of the cage for moving the slips upwardly onto the cone and expanding the slip into a setting engagement with the well conduit. The set hanger may be released by longitudinally raising the mandrel and lug.

Abstract: A setting tool for setting a well tool, such as a mechanical liner hanger, inside of a well conduit by right-hand or clockwise rotation. A setting tool supports a well tool by a running nut having left-handed external threads and includes a setting nut for setting the well tool. Both nuts are positioned on an elongate member which includes an out-of-round external contour for rotating each of said nuts and includes a round contour for selectively rotating only the supporting nut for disengaging the tool by right-hand rotation after setting the well tool. An improved right-hand set mechanical liner includes internal threads for supporting the mandrel from a setting tool and includes one or more upwardly extending notches for receiving and being rotatively set by setting tool. A liner hanger includes a mandrel with two lugs moving against a downwardly directed surface of a cage for moving slips upwardly onto a cone on the mandrel and expanding the slips into a setting engagement with the well tool.

Abstract: A hanger collet (10) for a mudline casing suspension system in the form of a hollow cylinder. Vertical slots (32,34) create a serpentine form which is radially collapsible. Flow space behind the legs (30) permits a flowpath for running and cementing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved apparatus for effecting the cementing of a liner at the bottom of a well bore. The liner sleeve assembly is inserted into the well bore on a hanger which is detachably connected to a running tool, which, in turn is connected to the work string by a torque transmitting expansion joint. The running tool may be fluid pressure actuated to set the hanger. In the event of failure of the fluid pressure setting operation, the hanger may be mechanically set by rotation of the work string transmitted to the running tool by the torque transmitting expansion joint.

Abstract: A liner and a hydraulic liner hanger setting arrangement for setting the liner in a well bore casing includes a setting tool having a tubular mandrel connected in a pipe string to extend through the hydraulic setting arrangement with the liner forming an outer housing surrounding the liner and to form a longitudinally extending annular recess therebetween with one end of the recess exposed to the well bore. Longitudinally extending piston means are sealably engaged in the recess with the piston means having a cone shaped end. Slips are releasably secured to the liner and means are provided to retain and to lock the piston means against premature retraction into the recess. A port in the housing communicates fluid pressure from the mandrel to the housing recess to move said piston means in the recess and engage the cone shaped end thereof with said slips to urge them into engagement with the well bore casing and thus secure the liner in position.

Abstract: A well casing hanger assembly for releasably connecting first and second well casings to and from each other in a well by longitudinal movement of the first member. The first member includes an annular recess in its peripheral surface and a stop shoulder is positioned at each end of the recess and a resiliently expandable and contractible locking ring is positioned in the recess for engagement with a locking notch on the second member. A protrusion is positioned in the recess and initially coacts with an opening in the locking ring. An improved releasable holding means is provided for initially preventing the locking ring from moving axially on the first member until the locking ring expands and engages the second member.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for sealing between two concentric annular surfaces whereby the sealing engagement may be disrupted in response to an excess pressure differential acting on the sealing apparatus in one axial direction sense. Elastic means restore the apparatus to its sealing configuration upon reduction of the pressure differential. Apparatus and method disclosed are particularly applicable to cementing liners in wells.

Abstract: A well apparatus and method of running same, which apparatus includes a hanger body with a downwardly facing external shoulder adapted to land on a wellhead housing landing seat and having an external flow passage therearound for flow of fluids past the landing shoulder and around the exterior of the hanger body; a packer assembly adapted to seal against the interior of the wellhead housing and against a seal surface on the hanger body with an actuating sleeve surrounding a mandrel, which sleeve is adapted to move to set the packing ring and includes means holding the sleeve against inadvertent setting and means holding the packer assembly in set position, together with a running tool which is releasably engaged to the hanger body and to the packer assembly so that on seating of the hanger body, the running tool may be released from the hanger body to move the packer assembly into sealing engagement with the hanger body and with the interior of the wellhead housing.

Abstract: A delayed action hydraulic well liner hanger and running tool for running, setting, and anchoring a string of tubular well bore liner within a well casing as in an oil and gas well including a liner hanger device having expandible slips for anchoring the device in a well casing, slip expanders for expanding the slips, an annular seal element for sealing around the device with the inner wall of the casing, locking slips for holding the casing anchor slips at locked positions and locking slips for holding the annular seal expanded against the casing wall and a running tool for running, setting and anchoring the liner device including a hydraulic piston assembly having a piston operated coupling connectible by shear pin means with an outer sleeve portion of the liner hanger device, a coupling assembly having a threaded nut and a load bearing thrust plate connectible with an inner sleeve portion of the liner hanger device and an expandible dog assembly for engaging the upper end of the outer sleeve portion of the

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: Improved latch means for well tools, such as retrieving or handling tools, and well components, such as tubing hangers and casing hangers, employing latch segments disposed in an annular series in an outwardly opening groove free from the usual windowed retaining lip. The segments are retained in the groove by the annular means used to retract the segments, and that means is improved both as to capability of retaining the segments in the groove and its ability to be actuated for retraction of the segments.

Abstract: A liner hanger and setting tool for use in oil well completions employing a liner hanger having a one piece body member and spring biased slips and a setting tool having a hydraulically actuated slip release mechanism normally retaining the slips in a retracted position and operable upon application of fluid pressure for releasing such slips. The setting tool has a retreivable pack off bushing disposed in the bore of the liner hanger and a threaded nut type of release for disconnecting the setting tool from the liner hanger. The setting tool requires pressure for setting and rotation for release.

Abstract: A hanger apparatus for suspending an upright inner pipe from an outer pipe including a hanger body carried by the outer pipe, a hanger mandrel carried by the inner pipe, and a split locking ring carried in a recess in the hanger mandrel, the hanger body having a groove for receiving a rib on the locking ring and the hanger mandrel having a load-bearing shoulder received on a corresponding shoulder on the locking ring. The locking ring has a thick main body portion and a thin, flexible skirt depending therefrom. A rib on the hanger mandrel has an upwardly facing lifting surface for contacting a downwardly facing lifting surface formed as an upper wall in a transverse groove in the locking ring main body portion to provide a positive engagement during retrieval of the inner pipe. A guard rib below the lifting rib is releasably coupled to the hanger mandrel so the locking ring can be slipped into the mandrel with a minimum of distortion.

Abstract: A liner hanger and setting tool for use in oil well completions employing a liner hanger having a one piece body member and spring biased slips and a setting tool having a hydraulically actuated slip release mechanism normally retaining the slips in a retracted position and operable upon application of fluid pressure for releasing such slips. The setting tool has a retrievable pack-off bushing disposed in the bore of the liner hanger and a threaded nut type of release for disconnecting the setting tool from the liner hanger. The setting tool requires pressure for setting and rotation for release.