Abstract: A drill bit guide is mounted in a wellhead in place of a wear bushing. The bit guide is capable of guiding strings and tools through the wellhead without damage to the wellhead or string while drilling. In one version of the bit guide, a pair of linear actuators radially extend and retract separate halves of the bit guide to conform to the size of the object located between them. In another version of the bit guide, a set of interlocking arms and wear bars are articulated to form a circular opening having a variable inner diameter. A drill string may be lowered through a fully open bit guide or landed on top of a fully closed bit guide. The bit guide also can be moved to more closely receive the drill string passing through it to prevent damage to the drill string and the wellhead.

Abstract: A trolley hoisting system for use in a rig has a derrick mounted to the rig, a winch line extending from an upper end of the derrick, and a traveling block located at one end of the winch line. An injector trolley has at least one cavity for allowing the winch line passage therethrough and is adapted to engage the traveling block so that the winch line may be used to raise and lower the injector trolley along the derrick. A lock arrangement for fixing the injector trolley to the derrick at an upper end thereof allows the traveling block to extend below the injector trolley for performing other desired tasks on the rig.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with position sensors. When the apparatus has moved one tubular into alignment with another tubular a button on a remote control console is pressed to memorize the position. After the next tubular has been gripped by the apparatus a “recall” button is pressed and the apparatus automatically moves the next tubular to the memorized position. This saves vital seconds in joining tubulars and also reduces the likelihood of threads being damaged due to misalignment of the tubulars.

Abstract: A coil tubing hanger system and a method of installing such system is provided. The coil tubing hanger system comprises a body having an axial opening there through. A slip bowl having a base and housing a slip that can be retained in a first position spaced apart from bowl base and a second position proximate the bowl base is fitted within the opening. The slip has inner teeth. Tubing is fitted within the slip and through the bowl while the slip is retained in the first position. The slip is then allowed to drop to the second position such that the slip teeth bite onto the outer surface of the tubing.

Abstract: A well stimulation tool is connected to a top of a tubing hanger in a well to be stimulated. The well stimulation tool includes an adapter pin that connects to the tubing hanger. The adapter pin is connected to a mandrel that reciprocates through a top end of an adapter spool, which is mounted to a tubing head spool that supports the tubing hanger. A high-pressure valve is mounted to a top end of the mandrel. High-pressure fluids are pumped through the high-pressure valve, the mandrel, the adapter pin, the tubing hanger, and a production tubing into the well.

Abstract: An apparatus for making up and breaking out of a tubing string in a well includes a connector (9; 109) for connection to a tubular (1) and a main high pressure conduit (13; 113) communicating with the connector (9; 109) for allowing circulation through a tubular (1) connected thereto. Below that unit a connecting shell (17; 117) bounding a connecting chamber (18) has an upper passage (19) and a lower passage (20), a preventer (23) for separating an upper portion (24) of the connecting chamber (18) from a lower portion (25) thereof, and a back-up high pressure conduit (26) communicating with the connecting chamber (18). A pressure corresponding to the pressure in the upper portion (24) of the connecting chamber (18) is provided in at least one pressure chamber (51; 151) and exerts a force pressing a tubular (1) or the connector (9; 109) into the connecting chamber (18) against forces exerted by pressure in the connecting chamber (18).

Abstract: A wellhead isolation tool for use with a wellhead assembly from which a tubing string is suspended comprises a tubular mandrel which includes an axial passage that extends therethrough and lower end that is adapted to engage the tubing string, a pumping head which is connected over the wellhead assembly and which includes an internal chamber that is in fluid communication with the axial passage and a port that extends through the pumping head to the chamber, and an actuator which is connected over the pumping head for moving the mandrel axially through the pumping head and into engagement with the tubing string. When the mandrel is engaged with the tubing string, fluid may be communicated through the port, the chamber and the mandrel and into the tubing string.

Abstract: A wellbore tubular handling system and method is provided for operation in holding and lowering tubulars, such as casing strings, at a rig site. The handling system utilizes a plurality of interchangeable gripping modules for use with both the elevator slips and the spider. Because the gripping modules are completely interchangeable, only one additional gripping module is needed to provide redundancy at the well site to thereby reduce the equipment normally required. An elevator module receives the interchangeable gripping module therein. An interchangeable gripping module may also preferably be flush mounted in many standard rotary table types. Alternatively a top mount spider module is provided to receive a gripping module for other rig floor and/or rotary table constructions. The gripping module has three inner support rings and slips between approximately one and two feet in length to permit load support while protecting any thin walled casing that is used in the casing string.

Abstract: The invention is an adjustable tubing hanger for suspending a tubular string from a wellhead. The adjustable tubing hanger has an upper body having a seal, a lower body attached to the upper body and the tubular string, a carrier assembly located between the upper body and the lower body providing at least one metal seal for an annulus, and a drive lock assembly attached to the lower body with a tension lock and numerous segments. Each segment has an outer diameter with a grooved profile forming a load bearing interlock for the drive lock assembly. The tension on the tubular string is adjustable depending on adjustments made to the interlock position of the grooved profile.

Abstract: A mast for lifting and suspending over a wellhead a coiled tubing injector and blow out preventer is pivotally mounted on a rear portion of a truck. The mast has two side-by-side telescoping legs that extend and retract synchronously. When in a retracted position, the blow out preventer and coiled tubing injector are attached to the mast, between the legs, and legs of the mast extended to lift the equipment.

Abstract: A drilling rig includes a tower, a stabilizer for lifting/lowering an injector and BOP stack, and a powered arm adapted to manipulate BHA segments. The tower includes a plurality of interlocking modules and is mounted on a two perpendicularly aligned skids. The tower is also provided with an opening that enables the side loading of equipment. The preferred rig includes one module adapted to support a stabilizer that includes hydraulic lifts that can raise the injector and BOP stack off the wellhead. The stabilizer also accommodates the thermal expansion of the BOP stack by rising and lowering the stack during well servicing operations. The powered arm attaches to the tower and includes an articulated gripper for manipulating the bottom hole assembly segments. Preferably, the powered arm is controlled by a general purpose computer that guides the powered arm through a predetermined sweep.

Abstract: A torque head for gripping tubular members, in at least some aspects, has a housing, grip mechanism secured within the housing, the grip mechanism for selectively gripping a tubular member, the grip mechanism including at least one jaw selectively movable toward and away from a portion of a tubular member within the housing, the at least one jaw having mounted thereon slip apparatus for engaging the portion of the tubular member, the slip apparatus including die apparatus movably mounted to the at least one jaw, the die apparatus movable with respect to the at least one jaw so that relative movement of the tubular with respect to the torque head is possible to the extent that the die apparatus is movable.

Abstract: A drilling system and a method of using a drilling system that has a first rotatable tubular connector, a second non-rotatable tubular connector and a washpipe assembly having at least one dynamic seal and defining a fluid conduit having at one end a first mating connector and at another end a second mating connector designed to interconnect with the first and second tubular connectors. A controllable torque driver is arranged to mechanically engage the washpipe assembly such that fluid connections are made between the first mating connector and the first tubular connector, and the second mating connector and the second tubular connector.

Abstract: A device for use in removing and installing an inline component from a drill string that is depending downward over a deck. The device has an elongate member with a flange adapted to abut the deck and support the elongate member in a substantially upright orientation, and an engagement member on the elongate member adapted to rotably engage the inline component.

Abstract: A flexible assembly is provided for a fill-up and circulation (FAC) tool. The flexible assembly preferably comprises a flexible hose portion and a rigid tubular housing portion. The flexible assembly is attached to the tool body of the FAC tool below the casing seal of the FAC tool. The casing seal is utilized for sealing with an interior surface of an upper joint of a casing string. Preferably a tapered guide is provided at a lower end of the flexible assembly and a fluid outlet may preferably be formed in the tapered guide. The flexible assembly preferably has an overall length such that the tapered guide is positioned within the interior of the upper joint of the casing string when the fill-up and circulation tool is attached to a standard traveling block assembly and the elevator casing gripping slips attached to the traveling block assembly are engaged with the upper joint of the casing string.

Abstract: A system that is usable with a well includes a structure that has a region that is adapted to receive a tubing hanger interface. The system also includes at least one communication connection that penetrates the structure below the region to receive the tubing hanger interface.

Abstract: Methods and devices are described for efficiently installing sea-borne wellhead components and tying back sub-sea wellhead components with them. In specific aspects, a single running and setting tool is used to land a tubing head housing upon the stem of a floating platform and tension and pressure testing casing string risers extending between a subsea wellhead and a floating vessel.

Abstract: A method of lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section, the shoulder of the drill pipe and the shoulders of the wedge members being rotatable with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to metal protectors for threaded extremities of pipe joints for the drilling of oil, gas and geothermal wells. The protectors are intended to protect the threads and seals of the assembly joint against shocks during transportation and handling in the wells and also eliminate the need to use a cardboard washer, which is only used to deliver the product, exposing the seal to shocks during handling in the wells after deterioration of the cardboard washer, considering that cardboard does not provide the same protection against impacts and shocks as steel.

Abstract: A drill bit guide is mounted in a wellhead in place of a wear bushing. The bit guide is capable of guiding strings and tools through the wellhead without damage to the wellhead or string while drilling. In one version of the bit guide, a pair of linear actuators radially extend and retract separate halves of the bit guide to conform to the size of the object located between them. In another version of the bit guide, a set of interlocking arms and wear bars are articulated to form a circular opening having a variable inner diameter. A drill string may be lowered through a fully open bit guide or landed on top of a fully closed bit guide. The bit guide also can be moved to more closely receive the drill string passing through it to prevent damage to the drill string and the wellhead.

Abstract: A gripping assembly for pipe tongs is provided to grip and rotate a pipe. The gripping assembly includes a pair of jaw assemblies that exert counteracting forces on the pipe. Each jaw assembly has a body with a cylindrical hollow defined in the body and having longitudinal slots formed in the body. The slots are separated from one another by longitudinal struts. In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical hollow, flat faces of the slots form portions of a regular polygon. Each jaw assembly also has toothed tong die inserts that fit into the slots and provide for frictional engagement of the jaw assembly with the pipe. Each jaw assembly also has a first and a second end plate for retaining the tong dies in the slots with at least one of the end plates being removably attached to the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a tong comprises a piston and cylinder assembly (101) and a mounting assembly (102) therefor. The mounting assembly (102) is mounted on a support beam in the drilling derrick and the piston and cylinder assembly (101) is pivotally mounted on the mounting assembly. The piston and cylinder assembly (101) can be pivoted between an operative position in which it can be extended and retracted to move a tong towards and away from a string of tubulars, and an inoperative position in which the piston and cylinder assembly (101) extends along an upwardly extending axis with part of the piston and cylinder assembly (101) disposed to either side of the mounting assembly (102).

Abstract: A system for continuously circulating fluid to and through a tubular string either of coiled tubing or made up of a plurality of tubulars connected end-to-end while an upper tubular is added to or removed from a top tubular of the plurality of tubulars, all tubulars having a top-to-bottom fluid flow channel therethrough, the system having an upper chamber with a bottom opening, a top opening, and an upper sealing apparatus for sealingly encompassing a portion of the upper tubular, a lower chamber with a bottom opening, a top opening and a lower sealing apparatus for sealingly encompassing a portion of the top tubular, one of the upper chamber and the lower chamber sized for accommodating connection and disconnection therein of the upper tubular and the top tubular, and gate apparatus between and in fluid communication with the upper chamber and the lower chamber.

Abstract: A tool tie down system is provided which ties down a well tool inserted into the top end of a casing string being lowered into a well from upward movement caused by pressure forces from below the well tool inside the upper end of the casing string. The system includes a frictionally engageable clasp for supporting a tie down yoke on the bails connecting the traveling block and elevator slips assembly. A plurality of cords attached to the elevator on one end and the tie down yoke on the other end redirect forces from below to hold the well tool in place resisting these forces, the cords being fabricated, for example from an elastomer, a metal or metal alloy, a fiber, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A drill bit guide is mounted in a wellhead in place of a wear bushing. The bit guide is capable of guiding strings and tools through the wellhead without damage to the wellhead or string while drilling. In one version of the bit guide, a pair of linear actuators radially extend and retract separate halves of the bit guide to conform to the size of the object located between them. In another version of the bit guide, a set of interlocking arms and wear bars are articulated to form a circular opening having a variable inner diameter. A drill string may be lowered through a fully open bit guide or landed on top of a filly closed bit guide. The bit guide also can be moved to more closely receive the drill string passing through it to prevent damage to the drill string and the wellhead.

Abstract: A snubbing unit drilling system which includes a power tong and a hydraulically activated back-up tong. A mounting structure having a rotating slip assembly positioned thereon such that the rotating slip assembly rotates relative to the mounting structure. A plurality of support legs are attached between the power tong, the back-up tong, and the mounting structure such that the support legs prevent relative rotation between the power tong and the mounting structure.

Abstract: A method of lowering items from a drilling rig to a well located below it through the use of a landing string comprised of drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section with a shoulder, in combination with upper and lower holders having wedge members with shoulders that engage and support the drill pipe at the shoulder of the enlarged diameter section.

Abstract: A tapered connector for a tubing string. The present invention includes a tapered connector used in interconnecting sections of the tubing string having differing outside diameters. The connector is preferably conical and fixedly attached to the tubing portions in various ways, such as welding. The tubing string can be injected into a well by using a tubing injector with gripper blocks having a V-shaped groove defined therein adapted for engaging the different diameter tubing sections and the tapered connector and methods of injecting are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a plurality of tubular members. The apparatus comprises A tong member for coupling a first tubular with a second tubular. A first axial roller is positioned on the first side of the tong member and a second axial roller is positioned on the second side of the tong member. A hydraulic power pack is used to provide power to the first roller, the second roller, and the tong member. A first Y-frame roller is positioned on the first side of the tong means, and a second Y-frame roller positioned on the second side of the tong member. In the preferred embodiment, the axial and Y-frame rollers are connected to a support member, with the first axial roller being configured for movement of the plurality of tubular members in a longitudinal direction and the second Y-frame rollers being configured for movement of the plurality of tubular member in a radial direction.

Abstract: A drill pipe handling apparatus for oil and gas drilling rigs, the drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section positioned between the ends of the drill pipe. The enlarged diameter section of drill pipe has a shoulder which corresponds with and is engaged by a shoulder located on wedge members of lower and upper holders on a drilling rig for supporting the drill pipe without damaging it during and after addition or removal of joints of drill pipe.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling machine including a magazine for holding a plurality of rods. The magazine includes a plurality of columns in which the rods are held. Each of the columns has a separate bottom opening. A feed structure is positioned beneath the magazine. The feed structure includes a plurality of upwardly opening pockets sized for receiving the rods from the columns. The horizontal directional drilling machine further includes a blocking arrangement that automatically blocks one or more of the pockets of the feed structure.

Abstract: A drill pipe for oil and gas drilling rigs, the drill pipe having an enlarged diameter section positioned between the ends of the drill pipe. The enlarged diameter section of drill pipe has a shoulder which corresponds with and is engaged by a shoulder located on wedge members of a holder in a drilling rig for supporting the drill pipe without crushing or otherwise damaging the drill pipe.

Abstract: A valve assembly for hydrocarbon wells comprises a first valve (e.g., a conventional gate valve) and a second valve (e.g., a hydraulically operated, fail safe check valve). The second valve provides an alternative to the pressure barrier conventionally formed by a downhole annulus safety valve. It is installable/retrievable through the first valve using a tool of the type used for installation of surface wellhead VR (valve replacement) plugs.

Abstract: A tong for rotating tubulars, the tong having, in certain embodiments, a tong outer case, a rotary movably mounted in the case for rotating a tubular, apparatus for rotating the rotary to rotate the tubular, at least one gripper or jaw movably mounted in the case and movable by the rotary for gripping the tubular, the at least one gripper or jaw having at least one cam following member or roller, and at least one non-circular cam surface on the rotary, the at least one cam following member or roller contacting and movable on the at least one non-circular cam surface for maintaining a desired position of the at least one gripper or jaw with respect to the tubular. In certain embodiments a specific cam angle, within certain tolerances, is maintained substantially the entire length along a cam surface.

Abstract: A water-well-head adaptor has an adaptor body (1) with matching plate-fastener orifices (7, 8, 9, 10) and matching pump-element apertures (14, 16, 18, 20). The plate-fastener orifices match well-plate fastener orifices (12, 13) in a predetermined class of well-head plates (4) on an adaptor-bottom surface (2) and match pump fastener orifices (11) in a predetermined class of well pumps (6) on an adaptor-top surface (3). The pump-element apertures match plate orifices in a predetermined class of well-head plates on the adaptor-bottom side and match pump-element apertures in bottoms of a predetermined class of well pumps on the adaptor-top surface. The adaptor-bottom surface and the adaptor-top surface are juxtaposed a predetermined distance apart.

Abstract: A clamp for gripping casing strings is disclosed. A series of radially arranged spring biased slips are mounted in a housing attached to a top drive. A hydraulic system is used to release the slips from the gripping position upon a casing string.

Abstract: A cylindrical cavity is continuously contacted while removing a rigid liner from within the cavity. The supporting apparatus includes a flexible liner insertable within the rigid liner, having an expanded diameter greater than a diameter of the cavity, and having a top end and closed bottom end. A hollow conduit is attached to the bottom end of the flexible liner and has an opening adjacent the bottom end for introducing a fluid to expand the flexible liner against the cavity and contact the cavity as the rigid liner is withdrawn from about the flexible liner.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for rapid replacement of upper inside blowout preventers (IBOP) on a top drive system (TDS) utilizes a hydraulic pressure booster to increase the operating pressure of a pipe handler/torque wrench, an air amplifier to increase the air pressure to a main shaft brake of the TDS in order to provide torque back-up, a rotary table back-up structure (RTBS) for providing a torque back-up for removing the upper IBOP, and a drive ring for preventing relative rotation between the RTBS and upper IBOP. The saver sub and lower IBOP are first broken out, or loosened, with the pipe handler/torque wrench. The upper IBOP is then broken out by placing the RTBS over the rotary table with the rotary table and the TDS main shaft locked. The modified TDS and pipe handler/torque wrench are then used together with the RTBS and drive ring in order to rapidly and safely replace the upper IBOP.

Abstract: The invention provides a back spin swivelling device for a downhole rod pump, for backing off drive strings which may be under torque. The device of the invention is particularly suited for use with progressive cavity pumps (PCP), and for the release of torque in a drive string through “back spin”. The device comprises a housing having an opening at a bottom end adapted to receive a rotatable shaft and having means for attachment to an external support at a top end; said rotatable shaft being partially housed within the housing and projecting from the bottom end of the housing, the shaft having at its bottom end means for attachment to a drive string; and means for mounting the shaft rotatably within the housing. The shaft and the means for attachment to the drive string are substantially symmetrical about their common axis of rotation, and provide no point of articulation between the shaft and the drive string.

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the coiled tubing from the well is described. The apparatus includes a base with a pair of spaced carriages extending upwardly therefrom. The base is attached to a superstructure. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriages to move toward and away from one another in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the superstructure and the base. Thus, the gripper chain systems can be engaged or disengaged from tubing extending through the apparatus. Each of the carriages are pivotally attached to the base with a load pin which extends through lugs attached to the base and corresponding lugs extending down from the carriage.

Abstract: An improved vent hood for abandoned oil and gas wells which is made of concrete and reinforced with linear and coiled rebar to withstand substantial overburden. The invention can be fabricated in either a two-section conical or cylindrical embodiment. Either of the two-section embodiments allow the base member to be positioned around the abandoned well casing and thereafter filled with gravel. A concrete lid having an aperture is thereafter placed upon the base section with a gas sealant disposed between the mating surfaces of lid and base sections. A vent pipe is thereafter inserted into the aperture to permit gas collected within the vent hood to flow to surface.