Abstract: What is provided is a method and apparatus wherein a swivel can be detachably connected to an annular blowout preventer thereby separating the drilling fluid or mud into upper and lower sections and allowing the fluid to be displaced in two stages, such as while the drill string is being rotated and/or reciprocated. In one embodiment the sleeve or housing can be rotatably and sealably connected to a mandrel. The swivel can be incorporated into a drill or well string and enabling string sections both above and below the sleeve to be rotated in relation to the sleeve. In one embodiment the drill or well string does not move in a longitudinal direction relative to the swivel. In one embodiment, the drill or well string does move longitudinally relative to the sleeve or housing of the swivel.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for sealing against a piece of oilfield equipment in a wellbore. The sealing assembly has a support housing and the support housing defines an inner wall and a port configured for fluid communication with the wellbore. Such inner wall defines a stop shoulder, and the support housing has a limit structure proximate one or both end(s). A sealing element is contained within the support housing. A ring is connected to the sealing element at one or both end(s). Each ring is configured for slidable movement along the inner wall of the support housing and further configured to float between the stop shoulder and the limit structure.

Abstract: A high pressure swivel is disclosed which includes swivel modules each having a stationary inner structure and a rotatable outer structure that can rotate about the inner structure. The inner structure of each module has the same number of vertical passages as the others. The inner structure of each module has a circumferential flange on the top and on a bottom lip so that each swivel unit can be secured to another swivel in its top or bottom with clamps around the flanges. The inner structures are rotatably positioned with respect to each other when assembled so that a vertical passage from a stationary base manifold to an outlet on the rotatable outer structure is formed. Various combinations of standard swivel modules can be assembled to accommodate specific swivel stack requirements for flow capacity and separate or comingled flow paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rotating heads for oil and gas wells and more particularly, to an improved top pot assembly that utilizes an attachment body for attaching the rubber and the driving head to a bearing assembly for rotation with the inner barrel. The attachment body simplifies the replacement of the rubber on the drilling assembly. The attachment body of the present invention provides a driving receiver for attachment of the driving head to the attachment body. The attachment body of the present invention also provides a stripper receiver for attachment of the rubber to the attachment body. The attachment body attaches to the housing. The housing attaches to the bearing assembly for rotation of the driving head, the rubber, and the inner barrel.

Abstract: An annular blowout container (ABOC) that may be used in multiples in a stack in conjunction with additional gate and shear valves to protect a wellhead. The ABOC incorporates a cylindrical formed bladder that provides a tight constrictive seal around whatever pipe or tubing may be in the well bore. The bladder is made of top and bottom rotator plates with springs extending between the plates. The springs are encased in Teflon® and held in place by Kevlar® then covered over completely with cured Viton® that is injected to complete the overall bladder in a molded form. Rotation of the top and bottom rotator plates effects a twisting constriction around the drill pipe or tubing. Electrical and hydraulic operational components are housed inside chambers within the ABOC for predominantly self-contained operation. The cylindrical bladder assembly may be removed and replaced after extended use.

Abstract: A housing of a dual rubber cartridge attaches at least one rubber to an inner barrel for rotation with the inner barrel. A first rubber and a second rubber may attach to the housing for quick installation of the rubbers. The user removes the housing to remove and replace the two rubbers.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for a law profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs.

Abstract: An improved rotating head that utilizes a box assembly that stores at least one locking element that allows for movement of the locking balls within the box assembly such that a liner inserted into the box assembly biases the locking elements to a locked position to couple the box assembly and the outer barrel. An integrated wear surface of the present invention seals the bearing elements to extend the life of the rotating head and reduce downtime caused by necessary maintenance of the rotating head.

Abstract: A sealing element for a rotating control device is disclosed, wherein the sealing element has an inner surface which forms a drillstring bore extending axially through the sealing element, an attachment end having a receiving cavity extending into the attachment end substantially parallel with the drillstring bore, a nose end opposite from the attachment end, wherein the nose end has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the attachment end, a throat region between the attachment end and the nose end, at least one soft elastomer region comprising a soft elastomer material having a hardness of 70 duro or less, and at least one stiff elastomer region comprising a stiff elastomer material having a hardness greater than 70 duro.

Abstract: An improved rotating head that utilizes a box assembly that stores at least one locking element that that allows for movement of the locking balls within the box assembly such that a liner inserted into the box assembly biases the locking elements to a locked position to couple the box assembly and the outer barrel. An integrated wear surface of the present invention seals the bearing elements to extend the life of the rotating head and reduce downtime caused by necessary maintenance of the rotating head.

Abstract: A top drive apparatus for a well drilling head comprises a top drive structure, a seal body and a plurality of resilient members. The top drive structure is configured for being fixedly attached to an upper end portion of a bearing assembly and having a seal-carrying portion. The seal body has a mounting portion and a wiper portion extending from the mounting portion. The mounting portion is slideably disposed within a groove of the seal-carrying portion of the top drive structure. The plurality of resilient members are disposed within the groove between the mounting portion of the seal body and the top drive structure such that the entire seal body is resiliently displaceable with respect to the top drive structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rotating heads for oil and gas wells and more particularly, to an improved rotating head that utilizes a dual rubber cartridge that fixedly attaches at least one rubber to an inner barrel for rotation with the inner barrel. The present invention further utilizes components to at least partially enclose fasteners to prevent removal of the fasteners during normal operation. By enclosing the fasteners, the present invention extends the life of the rotating head and reduces downtime caused by necessary maintenance of the rotating head.

Abstract: A seal assembly, for sealing between a stationary conduit and a rotating conduit, comprises an upper gland assembly, a washpipe, and a lower gland assembly. The upper gland assembly is operable to engage the stationary conduit. A washpipe partially disposed within the upper gland assembly. An upper seal member is disposed within the upper gland assembly around a periphery of the washpipe. An upper packing ring is engaged with the upper gland assembly so as to compress the upper seal member into sealing engagement with the washpipe. A lower gland assembly is disposed about the washpipe and operable to engage the rotating conduit. A lower seal member is disposed within the lower gland assembly and is compressed into sealing engagement with the washpipe by a lower packing ring that is engaged with the lower gland assembly. The engagement of the packing rings with their respective gland assemblies is independent of the engagement of the gland assemblies and the conduits.

Abstract: A packing unit to seal a wellbore, the packing unit including at least one rotatable cam having a cam axis disposed about an axis of the wellbore, wherein the at least one rotatable cam is rotatable about the cam axis, the at least one rotatable cam comprising a seal recess formed in an outer periphery of the at least one rotatable cam, wherein the packing unit sealingly engages a tool in the wellbore by rotation of the at least one rotatable cam, bringing the seal recess into sealing contact with the tool.

Abstract: A top drive apparatus for a well drilling head comprises a top drive structure, a seal body and a plurality of resilient members. The top drive structure is configured for being fixedly attached to an upper end portion of a bearing assembly and having a seal-carrying portion. The seal body has a mounting portion and a wiper portion extending from the mounting portion. The mounting portion is slideably disposed within a groove of the seal-carrying portion of the top drive structure. The plurality of resilient members are disposed within the groove between the mounting portion of the seal body and the top drive structure such that the entire seal body is resiliently displaceable with respect to the top drive structure.

Abstract: A Rotating Pressure Control Head (RPCH) with a rapid engagement mechanism is disclosed. The RPCH comprises an upper body and a lower body. The rapid engagement mechanism allows the upper body to be quickly disengaged from the lower body and replaced with a new upper body. The upper body comprises a sealing element and an inner housing that rotates with respect to an outer housing. The sealing element contains a plurality of internal cavities. The plurality of cavities control the constriction of the sealing element around the drill pipe.

Abstract: This is simple and efficient rotary machine that can be implemented as compressor, pump, motor and mainly as internal combustion engine. The engine comprises a housing, a rotor(s) with a radial blade(s), a chamber(s) swept by the blade(s), an intersecting planar valve(s) with slot, and a combustion chamber. Blades and slots have matching shapes that allow the traversal of the blades through the slots with negligible loss of air/gases. After traversing the slot, the blade aspires air into one side of the chamber while compresses air on the other side. Fuel is injected in the compressed stream in its way to the combustion chamber, where it is ignited. In a double-rotor implementation, combustion gases are then introduced in the second rotor chamber, just after its blade has traversed the corresponding slot. One side of this blade is pushed by the expansion while the other expels gases from the previous stroke.

Abstract: A rotary blowout preventer has a first and a second fluid circuit. Each of the fluid circuits are defined into and out of a stationary body and between the stationary body, a rotating body, and two seals. The first fluid circuit is physically independent from the second fluid circuit although they share a seal interface. A fluid is introduced into the first fluid circuit at a pressure responsive to the well bore pressure. A fluid is introduced into the second fluid circuit at a pressure responsive to and lower than the pressure of the fluid in the first circuit. Adjustable orifices are connected to the outlet of the first and second fluid circuits to control such pressures within the circuits. Such pressures affect the wear rates of the seals. The system can therefore control the wear rate of one seal relative to another seal. A thrust bearing is added to share the load placed upon the upper bearings. The thrust bearing is connected between the top end of a packer sleeve and the stationary body.

Abstract: A stripper assembly for sealing around a drill pipe includes an outer housing having a lateral outlet. The outer housing is mounted at an upper end of a well for receiving an upward flow of drilling fluid and diverting the drilling fluid through the lateral outlet. An inner member is rotatably mounted in the outer housing. A rigid cartridge housing is mounted to the inner member for rotation therewith. The cartridge housing is open to drilling fluid. An annular elastomeric seal member is located in the cartridge housing. The cartridge housing limits upward, downward and outward movement of the seal member as it deforms against the drill pipe due to drilling fluid pressure.

Abstract: A rotating drilling head seals around drill pipe while drilling. The drilling head has an outer housing that mounts to the rig floor. An inner housing is rotatably mounted in the outer housing. An annular bladder is mounted in the inner housing. An annular elastomeric gripping member is mounted in the bladder. The inner housing having a passage for delivering hydraulic fluid pressure to the outer surface of the bladder to cause the bladder to deform inwardly, thereby forcing the gripping member to deform inwardly to grip and rotate with a drill pipe. The gripping member has a first end secured to the inner housing for rotating the inner housing as the drill pipe rotates and a second end that is free to move axially to allow the bladder to elongate in response to the deformation by the bladder.

Abstract: A rotary blowout preventer has a first and a second fluid circuit. Each of the fluid circuits are defined into and out of a stationary body and between the stationary body, a rotating body, and two seals. The first fluid circuit is physically independent from the second fluid circuit although they share a seal interface. A fluid is introduced into the first fluid circuit at a pressure responsive to the well bore pressure. A fluid is introduced into the second fluid circuit at a pressure responsive to and lower than the pressure of the fluid in the first circuit. Adjustable orifices are connected to the outlet of the first and second fluid circuits to control such pressures within the circuits. Such pressures affect the wear rates of the seals. The system can therefore control the wear rate of one seal relative to another seal. A thrust bearing is added to share the load placed upon the upper bearings. The thrust bearing is connected between the top end of a packer sleeve and the stationary body.

Abstract: A rotating drilling head seals around drill pipe while drilling. The drilling head has an outer housing that mounts to the rig floor. An inner housing is rotatably mounted in the outer housing. An annular bladder is mounted in the inner housing. An annular elastomeric gripping member is mounted in the bladder. The inner housing having a passage for delivering hydraulic fluid pressure to the outer surface of the bladder to cause the bladder to deform inwardly, thereby forcing the gripping member to deform inwardly to grip and rotate with a drill pipe. The gripping member has a first end secured to the inner housing for rotating the inner housing as the drill pipe rotates and a second end that is free to move axially to allow the bladder to elongate in response to the deformation by the bladder.

Abstract: A stripper assembly for sealing around a drill pipe includes an outer housing having a lateral outlet. The outer housing is mounted at an upper end of a well for receiving an upward flow of drilling fluid and diverting the drilling fluid through the lateral outlet. An inner member is rotatably mounted in the outer housing. A rigid cartridge housing is mounted to the inner member for rotation therewith. The cartridge housing is open to drilling fluid. An annular elastomeric seal member is located in the cartridge housing. The cartridge housing limits upward, downward and outward movement of the seal member as it deforms against the drill pipe due to drilling fluid pressure.

Abstract: A rotary blowout preventer has a first and a second fluid circuit. Each of the fluid circuits are defined into and out of a stationary body and between the stationary body, a rotating body, and two seals. The first fluid circuit is physically independent from the second fluid circuit although they share a seal interface. A fluid is introduced into the first fluid circuit at a pressure responsive to the well bore pressure. A fluid is introduced into the second fluid circuit at a pressure responsive to and lower than the pressure of the fluid in the first circuit. Adjustable orifices are connected to the outlet of the first and second fluid circuits to control such pressures within the circuits. Such pressures affect the wear rates of the seals. The system can therefore control the wear rate of one seal relative to another seal. A thrust bearing is added to share the load placed upon the upper bearings. The thrust bearing is connected between the top end of a packer sleeve and the stationary body.

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: A stripper rubber for oil and gas wells, water and geo-thermal wells, having an interior surface design which includes a circular, convex knee portion in the throat area of the stripper rubber to provide additional support to the stripper rubber during insertion of a tubular member through the stripper rubber. The composition for the stripper rubber includes, in one embodiment, enhanced wear characteristics by the addition of milled fibers of Twaron.RTM. mixed homogeneously throughout the stripper rubber.