Abstract:
An improved pin member (12) adapted for use in a tubular connection where said pin member is adapted for coaxial threaded engagement with a box member (14) having a counterbore for receiving the pin member (12). A pilot surface (34) is disposed from a distal-proximate end to the distal end of the pin member (12) inclining to a lesser extent than the angle of the incline of an internal sealing surface (24) of the pin member. The pilot surface (34) is substantially parallel to the axis of the connection (22). This poilot surface allows the end-of-pin flat (28) thickness to be increased thereby allowing positioning of the interengaged threads (16, 18) so as to provide an increased annulus thickness of the box member (14) thereby increasing the axial tensile strength capability and burst pressure rating of said tubular connection while additionally protecting said internal surface of said pin member (12) and providing a rugged end-of-pin flat (28). Additionally, a pilot surface (34) is presented for the free end of a box member so as to provide additional protection of the external sealing surface of the box member and providing a more rugged end-of-box flat (36).
Abstract:
A tubular joint or connector of box and pin members having two-step tapered threads (20, 21). Two metal-to-metal seals of complementary engaging sealing surfaces (14, 15, 18, 19) are provided, one adjacent the end of the pin member, the other axially disposed between the two steps. Reverse angle torque shoulders (16, 17) at the end of the pin member and the interior termination of the box member and hooked threads further characterize the joint and box and pin members.
Abstract:
A joint (10) and male and female tubular element (30, 20) where the threads (70, 80) of the female and male members (20, 30) have negative load flanks (44) and have two or more radial steps axially separated one from another by a reverse angle torque shoulder (43) having one or two adjacent conical sealing surfaces (41, 42). The reverse angle torque shoulder (43) produces radial positional interference of the conical sealing surfaces (41, 42) when the male and female members (30, 20) are fully assembled and serves as a positive assembly stop. The negative load flank angle of the threads and the reverse angle torque shoulder combine to interlock the male and female members and to prevent differential radial separation of the conical sealing surfaces when the joint (10) is exposed to internal pressure, external pressure or both. Tapered threads and sealing surfaces and interference threads may advantageously be used in joint construction.
Abstract:
A safety valve (10) adapted for placement above a wellhead. The valve has a housing (11) having coaxial upper (24) and lower (23) vertical housing passages, the diameter of the upper and lower passages being sufficiently large to pass a tubing hanger (4) with tubing for landing in the wellhead. The valve also has a control element means disposed between said upper and lower vertical housing passages for preventing or allowing fluid flow through a passage smaller than the lower vertical housing passage and for providing full diametrical access via the upper housing passage to the lower housing passage. In a ball control element embodiment of the invention, a rotatable ball (21) is disposed between upper and lower passages and lateral outlets in the housing. The ball has a removable insert (22) such that in one position of the ball, the insert can be removed to provide full bore access in line with the well. The housing may be incorporated with the tubing head or may be attached to the top of the tubing head. During insertion of or workover of tubing, a blowout preventer may be attached to the top of the valve housing. The ball may be rotated for closing off the flow path from the well below. A christmas tree may be installed after the blowout preventer is removed.
Abstract:
A threaded connection for exploration and production of a hydrocarbon well and comprising a coupling member, a first tubular member and a second tubular member, wherein the coupling member has a coupling outer diameter, a first box part with first inner threads, and a second box part with second inner threads, the first tubular member has a first unthreaded tube part, and a first pin part with first outer threads, the second tubular member has a second unthreaded tube part, and a second pin part with second outer threads, the first inner threads and the first outer threads are configured to form a first inner primary seal at final make-up, and the second inner threads and the second outer threads are configured to form a second inner primary seal at final make-up.
Abstract:
A threaded connection includes a pin member comprising a first pin step and a second pin step, and pin wedge threads disposed on each of the first and second pin steps and a box member comprising a first box step and a second box step, and box wedge threads disposed on each of the first and second box steps, wherein an axial separation of the first and second pin steps differs from an axial separation of the first and second box steps.
Abstract:
A method for heat treating thick-walled forgings including heating a low alloy steel to an austenitizing temperature, wherein the low alloy steel comprises carbon of about 0.05- 0.2 wt.%, manganese of about 0.3-0.8 wt.%, and nickel of about 0.25-1.0 wt.%. The method further includes quenching the low alloy steel in a quench media, and then tempering the low alloy steel for less than about thirty minutes per inch of critical section thickness plus about two hours.
Abstract:
A tool for radially plastically expanding a pipe having a threaded connection therein, that includes a first section. The first section has an increasing diameter and increasing cone angle along a direction of travel through the pipe. The first section includes a first outer surface adapted to contact an inner surface of the pipe at a plurality of selected contact patches on the first outer surface. The tool also includes a second section axially disposed behind the first section along the direction of travel. The second section has an increasing diameter and decreasing cone angle along the direction of travel. The second section includes a second outer surface adapted to contact an inner surface of the pipe at least one selected contact patch on the second outer surface.
Abstract:
A radially expandable tubular connection including a box member (131) having an internal thread (132) and a first seal surface (134B) and a pin member (130) having an external thread and a second seal surface (134A). The external thread threadedly engages the internal thread (132) and the first and second seal surfaces form a metal-to-metal seal (134) upon engagement of the seal surfaces. At least one groove (136) is formed on an outer surface of the box member (131) and the at least one groove (136) is shaped so that the box member (131) radially deforms in a direction toward the pin member (130) in a region near the metal-to-metal seal (134) after radially plastic expansion of the pin and box members after engagement of the threads.
Abstract:
A coupling (10) for making a pressure tight, threaded connection with two axially aligned plain end pipe joints (12, 14) is disclosed. The coupling (10) comprises a tubular member having internal screw threads (16, 18) adjacent opposite ends of the tubular member. The threads form a spiral groove in the outer surface of each of two aligned plain end pipe joints upon relative rotation between the pipe and the coupling to form threaded connections with the pipe joints when the coupling is rotated relative to the pipe joints. The coupling configured as a swivel union can also be used to connect a new section in a pipeline in place of a damaged section.