Abstract: A testable back pressure valve can include a body. The valve can also include a first flow regulating device movably disposed within a top end of the body, where the first flow regulating device is configured to move from a first default position to a first position based on first flow characteristics of a first fluid that flows into a top end of the body toward a bottom end of the body. The valve can further include a second flow regulating device movably disposed within the bottom end of the body. The valve can also include a network of channels disposed within the body between the first flow regulating device and the second flow regulating device.

Abstract: A load shoulder assembly is provided to land a component in a bore of a mineral extraction system. The load shoulder assembly includes a housing and a retractable shoulder assembly disposed in the housing. The retractable shoulder assembly is configured to selectively move a load shoulder surface between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the bore.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a pressure containment device for containing a fluid pressure in an annular space around a drill string while allowing the drill string to rotate in the pressure containment device. The seal assembly includes a seal comprising and an inner surface and a tubular body, and a wear sensor embedded in the tubular body. The wear sensor emits an alert signal when the inner surface of the seal has been worn away by a preset amount.

Abstract: Present invention regards a device for injection and stimulation of fluids in a wellbore, where the device is typically is installed in Christmas trees, wellheads or subsea. The device comprises two separable sections, where the section that is mounted/arranged within the Christmas tree or wellhead, will remain in a closed position even if the other section due to external forces is broken off or in other ways is damaged.

Abstract: A system in some embodiments includes a back pressure valve configured to mount in a mineral extraction system. The back pressure valve comprises a cylindrical body comprising a venting port coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body and a plunger disposed in the venting port, wherein the plunger comprises a stem that extends from the venting port into an adjacent cavity of the cylindrical body. In some embodiments, a method of operating a valve, includes biasing a plunger to an open position, biasing a valve locking mechanism to a locked position in relation to a bore of a mineral extraction system, and biasing a plunger to a closed position.

Abstract: A well conveyance apparatus for conveying equipment into a wellbore possessing long-lasting movable and slidable hydraulic seals against the interior of a borehole casing located within a wellbore in a geological formation in the earth that is caused to move by the application of pressurized wellbore fluids against the seals. The seals are allowed to rotate on bearings about the tool mandrel to prevent the build-up of torque on the seals to minimize wear and to extend the life of the seals. Vibratory means are attached to the tool mandrel to vibrate the sealing portion of the seals, so as the extend the life of the seals and to minimize wear of the seals. Sensor arrays provide information to a computer system that is used to control the vibratory means, pressure relief valves, and other parameters to minimize wear of the hydraulic seals.

Abstract: A system includes a back pressure valve. The back pressure valve includes a body, a plunger disposed internal to the body, and a friction member disposed about the exterior of the body. The friction member is configured to expand radially to contact an internal surface of a bore. A method includes disposing a back pressure valve into a straight bore and expanding a friction member of the back pressure valve radially into contact with an internal surface of the straight bore.

Abstract: A ram blowout preventer for sealing a well, the ram blowout preventer including a body having a cavity with a recess; a ram block configured to move inside the cavity; a top seat disposed in the recess and configured to seal the well when in contact with the ram block; a movable lock ring extending inside a groove of the body and a corresponding groove of the top seat and configured to move inside the groove of the body, along a direction substantially parallel to the well; a first seal extending inside a groove of the top seat and configured to contact the body and the top seat; and a second seal extending inside a groove of the ram block and configured to contact the ram block and the top seat. A width of the groove of the body is larger than a width of the lock ring by a predetermined value, which is larger than normal tolerances, and a distance from a centerline of the well to the first seal is larger than a distance from the centerline of the well to the second seal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for isolating an annular bore below a tubing hanger body disposed in a wellhead assembly. The hanger body is characterized by at least two annulus flowby passages that are capable of fluid communication with areas outside the hanger body through the central bore of the hanger body. An integral valve piston is disposed within the central bore of the hanger body, and is operable to axially displace within the central bore between a closed and opened position. The displacement of the piston is caused by the alternating introduction of pressurizing fluid into separate actuation chambers. In the closed position, the piston is positioned so that at least one of the flowby passages is sealingly engaged in a manner that prevents fluid flow through the hanger body from outside sources such as an annulus bore located below the hanger body.

Abstract: A well conveyance apparatus for conveying equipment into a wellbore possessing long-lasting movable and slidable hydraulic seals against the interior of a borehole casing located within a wellbore in a geological formation in the earth that is caused to move by the application of pressurized wellbore fluids against the seals. The seals are allowed to rotate on bearings about the tool mandrel to prevent the build-up of torque on the seals to minimize wear and to extend the life of the seals. Vibratory means are attached to the tool mandrel to vibrate the sealing portion of the seals, so as the extend the life of the seals and to minimize wear of the seals. Sensor arrays provide information to a computer system that is used to control the vibratory means, pressure relief valves, and other parameters to minimize wear of the hydraulic seals.

Abstract: A system in some embodiments includes a back pressure valve. The back pressure valve includes a body, a plunger disposed internal to the body, and a friction member disposed about the exterior of the body. The friction member is configured to expand radially to contact an internal surface of a bore. In some embodiments, a method includes disposing a back pressure valve into a straight bore and expanding a friction member of the back pressure valve radially into contact with an internal surface of the straight bore.

Abstract: A completion system including a packer disposed in a wellbore and a tubular string having a bore therethrough configured to land into the packer. The tubular string includes an alignment sub, a seal assembly disposed below the alignment sub and having at least two longitudinal bores disposed through the seal assembly and offset from the bore of the tubular string. The tubular string also includes a sleeve sub disposed below the seal assembly, wherein the sleeve sub allows fluid communication between a bore of the tubular string and an annulus formed between the tubular string and the wellbore. The tubular string also includes at least two control lines operatively connected to the sleeve sub, wherein the at least two control lines are run through he at least two longitudinal bores of the seal assembly.

Abstract: A casing running tool comprising an integral elevation module and make-up/torque module. In accordance with one aspect or the invention, the tool is adapted to automatically engage a collared end of a tubular structure such as a casing string segment. The integral make-up/torque module is actuated by hydraulic control lines to exert compression force upon the outer diameter of a tubular, such as a casing string segment. This compression force is sufficient to enable torque to be applied to the tubular without slippage. In one embodiment, the make-up/torque module comprises an outer body carrying a plurality of hydraulically-actuable pistons, such that the tool is actuable from the rig floor to grasp the tubular with sufficient force that rotational force (torque) supplied via a drive motor in a top-drive rig. In accordance with another embodiment, the multifunction tool further includes an internal ball valve assembly for selectively allowing or restricting fluid flow through the tool.

Abstract: A valve (30), a drill string valve assembly (10) and a method of drilling using compressed fluid as a drill drilling fluid are described. The valve and valve assembly (10) may be used in order to prevent escape of compressed fluid during the time that a connection is being made into the drill string. The valve (10) can be insertable into a drill string inner diameter to seal against fluid passage past the body except through the valve (30) and can be selected to maintain fluid pressure in the drill string when the upper end of the drill string is open to atmosphere. The valve can also be capable of being releasably engaged to a drive mechanism, such as a top drive (40) which is handling the drill string (12) to be slidably moved within the drill string, as driven by the drive mechanism, but releasable from the drive mechanism, when the drive mechanism is removed from the drill string.

Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly has the capabilities of communicating from a tree assembly mounted on an inner wellhead housing to a casing annulus. A passage in the wellhead assembly extends within the bore of the wellhead housing from the casing annulus to the tree assembly. A portion of the passage is located within a casing hanger. The passage is opened and closed by a valve. The valve does not open the passage until the tree assembly is connected to the wellhead housing and a tubing hanger orientation sleeve lands in the wellhead assembly. The tubing hanger orientation sleeve actuates the valve when it lands to open the passage. When the passage is opened, the casing annulus is in fluid communication with the interior surface of the wellhead housing, which is in communication with the tree assembly.

Abstract: A plug-dropping container used for releasing plugs or other objects into a wellbore during fluid circulation procedures. In one aspect, the plug-dropping container is used as part of a cementing head. The plug-dropping container comprises an elongated housing, and a canister disposed co-axially within the housing. The canister is configured to receive the plug, such as a drill pipe dart. A valve is disposed below the canister. The valve is movable from a plug-retained position where the plug is blocked, to a plug-released position where the plug may be released into the wellbore there below. In the plug-retained position, fluid is permitted to flow through the canister-housing annulus and around the valve.

Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. The tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located below the top of the tubing hanger. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a subsea well including a bore, wherein the apparatus has a tubing hanger body having an annulus therethrough, a ball valve in the annulus adapted for opening and closing the annulus, comprising a ball valve body within a valve chamber in the tubing hanger body which forms a continuation of the tubing hanger passageway at one end and is closed at its opposite end; a tubular valve housing for the ball valve; the ball valve body having a ball valve closure member substantially in the form of a spherical ball defining two annular valve seats concentric with the annulus for the ball valve; the spherical ball being longitudinally movable and rotatable extending transversely in alternating positions between spherical upstream and downstream valve seat preventing flow through the passage; and a remote source for hydraulically moving the spherical ball.

Abstract: A subterranean oil or gas well apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a single-bore production tubing hanger arranged concentric with a wellhead. The tubing hanger includes a plurality of ports and channels arranged about the tubing hanger to give operators access to the production tubing annulus and provide chemical injection capability. The ports are closable by a sliding valve. The apparatus also includes annulus and production radial-bore stab assemblies between a christmas tree and an internal crossover assembly. The stab assemblies are extendable and retractable between the chirstmas tree and the crossover assembly to allow the retrieval and installation of each independently.

Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.

Abstract: The support assembly functions like a joint between the wellhead production tree and the stuffing box. The joint can tilt or move laterally to maintain coaxial relationship between the stuffing box and the polished rod extending therethrough.

Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.

Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which

Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which

Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.

Abstract: A tubing hanger for a flow completion system which comprises a Christmas tree connected above a wellhead housing that includes a central bore in which the tubing hanger is supported, the tubing hanger comprising a generally annular body; a production bore which extends generally axially through the body; an annulus bore which extends generally axially through the body; the annulus bore comprising a generally lateral first branch which is connected to a generally axial second branch; and a closure member which includes a gate that is moveable generally axially across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch.

Abstract: A tubing hanger incorporates a flow control valve that is ordinarily found in a horizontal christmas tree. A branch passage forming a production fluid outlet has a mouth that intersects with a vertical production bore. A valve closure element in the form of a rotatable sleeve or saddle is disposed in the bore for co-operation with a seat disposed in the branch passage. Rotation of the sleeve, e.g. by a shaft extending through a crown plug, brings a hole into or out of alignment with the seat to control production fluid flow. In other embodiments, the sleeve is axially movable.

Abstract: A concentric tubing hanger having a radially offset tubing annulus passage closeable by a remotely operable valve, preferably a pressure balanced, hydraulically-operated shuttle valve positioned at an upper end of the tubing annulus passage. The tubing hanger is of relatively compact design, accommodating a large diameter production bore and a large number of downhole service lines. Service line couplers and outlet ports of the valve are housed in a void defined between the tubing hanger and a seal stab assembly of a subsea Christmas tree. The couplers are bathed in an annulus fluid. A tubing hanger running tool has a slot and an orientation helix which cooperate with a key projecting into the production bore to provide passive orientation between the tubing hanger rubbing tool and tubing hanger. A subsea Christmas tree has an annulus flow conduit having a deviated portion, allowing room in a tree block for a bypass conduit and a valve.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tubing hanger for a flow completion system which comprises a Christmas tree connected above a wellhead housing that includes a central bore in which the tubing hanger is supported, the tubing hanger comprising a generally annular body; a production bore which extends generally axially through the body; an annulus bore which extends generally axially through the body; the annulus bore comprising a generally lateral first branch which is connected to a generally axial second branch; and a closure member which includes a gate that is moveable generally axially across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch.

Abstract: There is described herein an apparatus for charging a fluid line through a coupler such as a penetrator. The apparatus comprises a body formed from a sidewall defining a bore positioned along the longitudinal axis and extending therethrough. The first end of the body forms a substantially flat face. There is a stem positioned within the bore of the body and being movably mounted in the body for movement from a first position to a second position with respect to the body. There is a valve means attached to the apparatus for filling the body with hydraulic fluid. The substantially flat face of the body is fastened to a coupler. There is also an adjustment means attached to the stem for adjusting the position of the stem within the body. A method for charging a downhole hydraulic system is also described. There is also a method for installing a tubing hanger having a production string depending therefrom in a subsea wellhead while maintaining a hydraulically actuated downhole valve in an open position.