Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aligning pressure drilling system equipment. According to such methods, a longitudinal axis of a shaft of the pressure drilling system is determined. An offset between the axis of the shaft and a longitudinal axis of a blowout preventer is determined. A first adjustment component is coupled with the blowout preventer. A second adjustment component is aligned relative to the first adjustment component based on the measured offset. The second adjustment component is coupled with the first adjustment component. A rotating control device is coupled with the second adjustment component such that an axis of the rotating control device corresponds with the axis of the shaft to account for the measured offset.

Abstract: A cap for protecting a sealing surface of a hub of a subsea device includes an equalization valve and a fluid conduit. The equalization valve includes a valve body having a pressure equalization conduit, a sleeve disposed about the valve body and having a port allowing fluid communication across the sleeve, and a valve spring configured to bias the sleeve to a closed position. The sleeve is configured to move to an open position in response to a force that depresses the sleeve and causes the valve spring to compress and the port is fluidly isolated from the pressure equalization conduit in the closed position and is in fluid communication with the pressure equalization conduit in the open position. In the open position, an interior environment of the subsea device is in fluid communication with the environment outside the cap through the equalization valve.

Abstract: The invention describes a system for capping an abandoned well having production casing and surface casing. The system enables the effective sealing of the production casing volume from the surface casing volume such that any gases leaking from either volume can be independently released from independent valves. The system is particularly effective in improving the safety of re-entering an abandoned well.

Abstract: A well cover arrangement is shown for covering the exposed opening of a well where the well has a submersible pump supported on a collared well string which is suspended downwardly in the well. The cover arrangement includes both a U-plate with a U-shaped opening therein and a door element which fits within the U-plate opening. Once the door element is properly positioned on the U-plate, cooperating locking elements maintain its proper position. The ultimate weight of the well tubing string further secures the door element as the collar in the well string contacts a portion of the door element, making removal of the door element only possible by first lifting the well string.

Abstract: An apparatus for rigless subterranean well completion, re-completion, servicing or workover includes at least two substantially vertically oriented double acting prime movers incorporated into a spool for pressure containment, which is mounted to the top of a wellhead. The spool further includes a Bowen union mounted to a top thereof for sealingly connecting an annular adapter, which provides a seal between the well bore and a tubular that is inserted under the well fluid pressure into the well by the prime movers. The spool may further include a mechanism for securing a hydraulic crane that can be temporarily mounted to the top of the spool to hoist equipment and tools above the wellhead when the prime movers are used to support heavy workloads induced by well fluid pressure or the weight of a tubing string. The apparatus can be used in various operations for well completion, re-completion, servicing or workover without the necessity of using a servicing rig.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided which holds a rod or tubular within a well, allowing a well service provider or operator to safely and more cost effectively disassemble, remove, or otherwise work on a drive assembly. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises an annular body having at least one radial aperture formed therethrough and at least one rod holder disposed through each aperture. The rod holder comprises a push jaw disposed on a first end of a screw. In one aspect, the method comprises shutting down a drive assembly and supporting a rod or tubular with an annular body comprising at least one radial aperture formed there-through, at least one threaded member disposed within the aperture, and at least one push jaw disposed on a first end of the threaded member.

Abstract: This invention is a cap for protecting wells from ground surface liquids getting into a well through the top. The cap encompasses the lid and the top portion of the well casing. The cap has a top, a sidewall and an access port. The top is coupled to a sidewall to define a space to accept a lid and well casing. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the access port has either a tube and boss or a neck and adaptor. The boss surrounds an opening in the top and receives a proximal end of the tube whereas the neck surrounds the opening in the top and the adaptor is received within the neck. The cover is disposed on the tube or neck at an open end distal to the top to cover the opening. In both embodiments, there is at least one hole in the access port.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus, in particular an internal tree cap, for use in a wellhead is disclosed, the wellhead having a central bore and first and second retaining means, such as a shoulder and a groove, within the bore of the wellhead. The retaining apparatus has a housing for location within the bore of the wellhead. A first engagement assembly is provided for engaging with the first retaining means in the bore of the wellhead to thereby retain the housing within the bore of the wellhead. A second engagement assembly for engaging with the second retaining means in the bore of the wellhead is also provided. The apparatus further comprises a preload assembly operable when the housing is located within the bore of the wellhead to apply a preload to the housing between the first and second retaining means. A method for retaining an assembly within a wellhead bore, in which a preload is applied between the first and second retaining means, is also disclosed.