Well head system

Details Well head system Well head system

1999-03-29

2001-03-06

Schoeppel, Roger (Department: 3672)

Wells

Submerged well

Wellhead

C166S382000, C166S208000, C166S380000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196323

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a well head system, especially in connection with high pressure wells.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As shown in
FIG. 1
, a conventional 18¾″ well head (
2
) will usually be mounted on a casing (
4
) having the dimension of 18⅝″ or 20″. Such a casing will not have a pressure integrity equal to that of the well head, and it is therefore necessary to use new casings (
6
) having higher pressure integrity later in the well, which must be tied back to the high pressure well head in order for the well to have the same pressure integrity as said well head. According to conventional technique this will be provided by using so-called casing hangers (
8
) with associated gaskets between casing hangers and said well head. Normally there will be space for three casing hangers in a well head with associated gaskets and equipment therefor.
In order for such a conventional well head to be operable a lot of extra equipment is required. Such equipment will involve:
casing hangers,
pack of assemblies, seal assemblies,
wear bushings, one for each casing hanger, normally three pieces,
running tool for casing hangers, universal tool and full bore casing hanger running tools,
running tool for pack-off assembly/seal assembly,
running tool for wear bushings,
milling and flushing tools for seal assembly/pack-off assembly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a well head system which to a substantial degree will reduce the equipment involved therein.
Another object of the present invention is to drastically reduce the weight of steel involved during drilling in such a well head system.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a well head system which can specifically be used for testing a blow out preventer in a more rational and less costly manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These objects are achieved in a well head system of the type as stated in the preamble, which according to the present invention is characterized in that said well head system comprises a casing programme based on liners.
This will drastically reduce the weight of steel involved during drilling operation.
Also, by using such a well head system all the previously listed equipment and tools will become unnecessary, because the present well head to be used will not have facilities for using casing hangers, but take the advantage of using liners instead.
The present well head system with its well head is particularly adaptable for a drilling within a dimensional range which can be used for testing a blow out preventer, but it is not necessary with profiles in order to encounter casing hangers and associated pack-off/seal assemblies.
Neither is there in the present well head system a requirement for including wear bushings, since it will not occur any reduction in the drilling of the well head, as this is represented by a casing hanger. Further, it is not necessary to include wear bushings because it is not the sealing area in the well head which has to be protected, as the case is in connection with standard well heads.
Another advantage with the present well head system including a casing programme based on liners, is a reduced weight of steel, which in a normal North Sea well can be approximately 150 tons of steel.
The present well head system is especially adapted for slim hole drilling including a well head of reduced diameter, which means less pipe dimensions during drilling operation with less clearance between casings and drill head.
Further features and advantages of the present well head system will appear from the following description taken in connection with the appended drawings, as well as from the enclosed patent claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3720261 (1973-03-01), Heilhecker et al.
patent: 4646842 (1987-03-01), Arnold et al.
patent: 4960174 (1990-10-01), Rodrigues et al.
patent: 4969517 (1990-11-01), Valka et al.
patent: 5184686 (1993-02-01), Gonzalez
patent: 5273117 (1993-12-01), Reimert
patent: 5299643 (1994-04-01), Vetter et al.
patent: 5620052 (1997-04-01), Turner
patent: 5857524 (1999-01-01), Harris et al.
patent: 0422705 (1991-04-01), None
patent: 2193520 (1988-02-01), None
patent: 2245624 (1992-01-01), None
patent: 2310679 (1997-09-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Well head system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Well head system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Well head system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2483082