US3800869A — Underwater well completion method and apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 198 words

A method of completing an underwater well comprising the steps of: locating drilling means at an underwater well site; installing conductor casing in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached thereto at a point near said floor, said riser extending upwardly to said drilling means; drilling holes for, suspending within said conductor casing and cementing in place other casing, each of said other casing being suspended near said floor by hanger means above which other risers, extending upwardly to said drilling means, are connected; attaching blowout pressure control equipment to the top of at least one of said other risers at said drilling means prior to removal of any of said other risers; removing through said pressure control equipment any of said other risers which are surrounded by the riser to which said pressure control equipment is attached; running a tubing hanger at at least one tubing string, through said control equipment and the riser to which it is attached, into the innermost casing; suspending and latching said tubing hanger and tubing string in the innermost hanger means; and removing said pressure control equipment and the remainder of said other risers.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 198 words

A method of completing an underwater well comprising the steps of: locating drilling means at an underwater well site; installing conductor casing in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached thereto at a point near said floor, said riser extending upwardly to said drilling means; drilling holes for, suspending within said conductor casing and cementing in place other casing, each of said other casing being suspended near said floor by hanger means above which other risers, extending upwardly to said drilling means, are connected; attaching blowout pressure control equipment to the top of at least one of said other risers at said drilling means prior to removal of any of said other risers; removing through said pressure control equipment any of said other risers which are surrounded by the riser to which said pressure control equipment is attached; running a tubing hanger at at least one tubing string, through said control equipment and the riser to which it is attached, into the innermost casing; suspending and latching said tubing hanger and tubing string in the innermost hanger means; and removing said pressure control equipment and the remainder of said other risers.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 68 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that prior to running said tubing string first orientation means is attached to the innermost hanger means and said tubing hanger is provided with second orientation means cooperating with said first orientation means to automatically align said tubing hanger and tubing in a predetermined orientation as they are run into said innermost casing.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 65 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 1 characterized by the further steps of: running a Christmas tree adapter means through said conductor riser and attaching it to one of said hanger means, said adapter means being provided with a packoff assembly for sealing around the interior of said one of said hanger means and preventing passage of fluid therethrough.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 59 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 3 characterized by the further steps of: running a closure cap means through said conductor riser: connecting said cap means to said adapter means, closing the upper end of said adapter means, said innermost casing and said tubing; removing said conductor riser; and temporarily abandoning said well.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 40 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 4 characterized by the further steps of: removing said closure cap means; attaching an underwater Christmas tree assembly to said adapter means; and preparing said well for production.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 45 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 3 characterized by the further steps of: removing said conductor riser; guiding an underwater Christmas tree assembly into place on said adapter means; and connecting said Christmas tree assembly to said adapter means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 98 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that said tubing hanger is provided with latch means for said attachment to said innermost hanger means, said tubing string being longitudinally displaced from its final support position on said tubing hanger as they are run into said riser, said tubing string being lowered to its final support position on said tubing hanger after said tubing hanger reaches its final support position in said innermost hanger means and thereby activating said tubing hanger latch means for said attachment to said innermost hanger means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 50 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that after said tubing hanger and tubing string are latched in said innermost hanger means and before removal of said pressure control equipment, the seals of said tubing hanger and tubing string are pressure tested.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 8 characterized in that after said testing of said seals and before removal of said pressure control equipment a downhole packer attached to said tubing string is set and pressure tested.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 97 words

A method of completing an underwater well as defined in claim 9 wherein the method of pressure testing the downhole packer comprises: installing a back pressure valve in all tubing strings except one remaining tubing string which extends below the downhole packer; applying a fluid pressure through said remaining tubing string causing pressure to be applied beneath the packer; and detecting any pressure leak in the packer by providing an access port through the tubing hanger which communicates with a handling string extending to the surface and by monitoring the handling string for the passage of fluids.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 79 words

A method of completing an underwater well as defined by claim 8 wherein the method of pressure testing the seals of said tubing hanger and tubing string comprises: plugging an access nipple of the tubing hanger with a well tool; applying a fluid pressure through said tubing string causing pressure to be applied beneath the seals; and detecting any pressure leak in the seals by monitoring the pressure in the riser to which the pressure control equipment is attached.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method of completing an underwater well as defined by claim 11 wherein the method of pressure testing the seals further comprises releasing the pressure through an access port in the well tool which communicates with a handling string.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 65 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that after said pressure control equipment and said other risers are removed, Christmas tree adapter means is connected to one of said hanger means, said Christmas tree adapter means being provided with annular seal means for sealing an annular space between said innermost hanger means and an adjacent hanger means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 51 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 13 characterized by the further steps of: removing said conductor riser; and attaching a Christmas tree assembly to said adapter means, said Christmas tree assembly being provided with nipple means communicating with said tubing string through said tubing hanger.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 13 further comprising testing the annular seal means for leaks.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 91 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 15 wherein the method of testing the annular seal means comprises: attaching a running tool, having an internal access port in communication with a handling string, to the Christmas tree adapter; sealing the running tool to the Christmas tree adapter above the annular seal means forming a closed space; placing a fluid pressure through the internal access port and into said closed space and detecting any pressure leak in the seals by monitoring the pressUre in the handling string.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 89 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that said pressure control equipment is connected to the innermost of said other risers, said innermost casing hanger means and riser assembly being provided with first orientation means placed in a predetermined position before running of said tubing string, said tubing hanger being provided with second orientation means cooperating with said first orientation means to automatically align said tubing hanger and tubing string in a predetermined position as they are run in said well.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 82 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 14 characterized in that said tubing string is held in an upwardly displaced position, relative to said tubing hanger by shear means prior to said latching of said tubing hanger in said innermost hanger means, said shear means being sheared after said tubing hanger is latched in allowing said tubing string to be run to bottom and supported in that position by tubing landing nipples supported on said hanger means.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 18 characterized in that said tubing string is cemented in said well in said bottom supported position prior to removing said pressure control equipment.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 88 words

An emergency method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 17 characterized in that after said latching of said tubing hanger in place and lowering of said tubing string as far as possible and before removal of said pressure control equipment said tubing string is cemented in said well, slip means are lowered around the upper part of said tubing string onto said tubing hanger, said slip means are set on said tubing string and said tubing string is cut off above said tubing hanger.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 77 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 1 and the further steps of: lowering Christmas tree adapter means through said conductor riser; connecting said adapter means to said innermost hanger means, said adapter means being provided with packoff means sealingly engaging the interior of said innermost hanger means and the exterior of an extension of said tubing string above said tubing hanger preventing fluid flow through said innermost casing and hanger means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 51 words

A method of completing an underwater well as set forth in claim 21 characterized by the further steps of: removing said conductor riser, attaching a Christmas tree assembly to said adapter means, said Christmas tree assembly being provided with nipple means engaging said tubing string extension for fluidtight flow communication therebetween.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 158 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: a casing string penetrating the floor of a body of water; hanger-head means connected to the upper end of said casing string near the floor of said body of water; riser means connected to said hanger-head means extending upwardly through said body of water to the surface of said body of water; pressure control means connected to the upper end of said riser means; tubing hanger means lowerable through said pressure control means and said riser means to a position within said hanger-head means to be supported thereby; at least one tubing string supported by said tubing hanger means and lowerable through said pressure control means and said riser means; and characterized in that first orientation means are provided near the base of said riser means cooperable with second orientation means on said tubing hanger means to automatically position said tubing hanger within said hanger-head means in a predetermined angular orientation relative thereto.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 158 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: a casing string penetrating the floor of a body of water; hanger-head means connected to the upper end of said casing string near the floor of said body of water; riser means connected to said hanger-head means extending upwardly through said body of water to the surface of said body of water; pressure control means connected to the upper end of said riser means; tubing hanger means lowerable through said pressure control means and said riser means to a position within said hanger-head means to be supported thereby; at least one tubing string supported by said tubing hanger means and lowerable through said pressure control means and said riser means; and characterized in that first orientation means are provided near the base of said riser means cooperable with second orientation means on said tubing hanger means to automatically position said tubing hanger within said hanger-head means in a predetermined angular orientation relative thereto.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 23 characterized in that said first orientation means comprises a helically generated upwardly facing surface.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 47 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 23 characterized in that said riser means anD said first orientation means are removable and reengageable with said hanger-head means to permit subsequent removal and replacement of said tubing hanger means in the same said predetermined angular orientation.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 34 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 23 characterized in that said tubing hanger means is provided with remotely actuatable latch means to lock said tubing hanger means to said hanger-head means.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 23 characterized in that said tubing string is cemented in said casing string.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 211 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed within said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing means and said hanger-head means; riser means connected to at least one of said hanger-head means extending upwardly therefrom to drilling means above the surface of said body of water; pressure control means connected to the upper end of at least one of said riser means; tubing hanger means lowerable through said pressure control means and said riser means to a supported position on the innermost of said hanger-head means; at least one tubing string connected to said tubing hanger means and lowerable therewith through said pressure control means and said riser means to said supported position; and characterized in that said tubing hanger means is provided with latch means engageable with said innermost hanger-head means on longitudinal movement of said tubing string relative to said tubing hanger means to lock said tubing hanger means to said innermost hanger-head means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 211 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed within said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing means and said hanger-head means; riser means connected to at least one of said hanger-head means extending upwardly therefrom to drilling means above the surface of said body of water; pressure control means connected to the upper end of at least one of said riser means; tubing hanger means lowerable through said pressure control means and said riser means to a supported position on the innermost of said hanger-head means; at least one tubing string connected to said tubing hanger means and lowerable therewith through said pressure control means and said riser means to said supported position; and characterized in that said tubing hanger means is provided with latch means engageable with said innermost hanger-head means on longitudinal movement of said tubing string relative to said tubing hanger means to lock said tubing hanger means to said innermost hanger-head means.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 50 words

Underwater completion apparatus as set forth in claim 28 characterized by first orientation means on said innermost hanger-head means and second orientation means on said tubing hanger means cooperable with each other to automatically orient said tubing hanger means in a predetermined angular position relative to said innermost hanger-head means.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 61 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 29 characterized in that said first orientation means comprises an upwardly facing helical surface terminating at a longitudinal slot means and said second orientation means comprises key means engageable with said helical surface and slidable thereon to rotate said tubing hanger means to allow said key means to engage said slot means.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 36 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 28 characterized in that said riser means to which said pressure control means is attached is removable from said hanger-head means by rotation of less than 360*.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 175 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: outer casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said outer casing means near said floor; riser means attached to said casing head means extending upwardly through said body of water to the surface of said body of water; pressure control means connected to the upper end of said riser means; inner casing means lowerable through said pressure control means and riser means and concentrically disposed within said outer casing means; hanger-head means lowerable through said pressure control means and riser means and connected to said inner casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said inner casing and said hanger-head means; and tubing hanger means lowerable through said pressure control means and riser means and supported on the innermost of said Hanger-head means, said tubing hanger means having a generally cylindrical exterior of a diameter less than the major internal diameter of said innermost hanger-head means.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 175 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: outer casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said outer casing means near said floor; riser means attached to said casing head means extending upwardly through said body of water to the surface of said body of water; pressure control means connected to the upper end of said riser means; inner casing means lowerable through said pressure control means and riser means and concentrically disposed within said outer casing means; hanger-head means lowerable through said pressure control means and riser means and connected to said inner casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said inner casing and said hanger-head means; and tubing hanger means lowerable through said pressure control means and riser means and supported on the innermost of said Hanger-head means, said tubing hanger means having a generally cylindrical exterior of a diameter less than the major internal diameter of said innermost hanger-head means.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 31 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 32 characterized by tubular Christmas tree adapter means lowerable to and engageable with one of said hanger-head means in fluidtight connection therewith.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 62 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 33 characterized in that said adapter means is provided with packoff means engageable with a cylindrical wall of the hanger-head means to which said adapter means is attached and engageable with at least one other radially displaced cylindrical wall to prevent fluid passage through said hanger-head means to which said adapter is attached.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 68 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 34 characterized in that said one other radially displaced cylindrical wall comprises a portion of tubing string nipple means extending upwardly from said tubing hanger means, and the base of said packoff means is provided with a frusto-conical guide surface surrounding a passage through said packoff means, the axis of said passage and said frusto-conical guide surface being coincident.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 71 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 33 characterized in that said adapter means and the said hanger-head means with which it is engageable are provided with connection means fully engageable on less than 360* rotation of said adapter means relative to said hanger-head means, said connection means being provided with locking means engageable with said adapter means and said hanger-head means to prevent disengagement of said connection means.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 190 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed with said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing means and said hanger-head means; tubing hanger means supported on the innermost of said hanger-head means the maximum diameter of said tubing hanger means being less than the internal diameter of at least one of said other casing means; at least one tubing string supported by said tubing hanger means; tubular Christmas tree adapter means connected to one of said hanger-head means above and independently of said tubing hanger means; a Christmas tree assembly connected above said adapter means, said Christmas tree assembly being provided with at least one flow bore; and nipple means being said tubing hanger means and said Christmas tree assembly providing fluidtight flow communication between said tubing string and said Christmas tree assembly flow bore.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 190 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed with said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing means and said hanger-head means; tubing hanger means supported on the innermost of said hanger-head means the maximum diameter of said tubing hanger means being less than the internal diameter of at least one of said other casing means; at least one tubing string supported by said tubing hanger means; tubular Christmas tree adapter means connected to one of said hanger-head means above and independently of said tubing hanger means; a Christmas tree assembly connected above said adapter means, said Christmas tree assembly being provided with at least one flow bore; and nipple means being said tubing hanger means and said Christmas tree assembly providing fluidtight flow communication between said tubing string and said Christmas tree assembly flow bore.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 31 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 37 characterized in that the maximum external diameter of said adapter means is less than the internal diameter of said conductor casing.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 50 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 37 characterized in that the said hanger-head means to which said adapter means is connected is one which surrounds said innermost hanger-head means leaving an annular space therebetween, packoff means being installed in said annular space to prevent fluid passage therethrough.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 49 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 39 characterized in that said hanger-head means to which said adapter means is connected and said innermost hanger-head are provided with orientation means for positioning said innermost hanger-head means in a predetermined position within said surrounding hanger-head means relative thereto.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 60 words

Underwater wellhead completion apparatus as seT forth in claim 37 characterized in that said adapter means is connected to said innermost hanger-head means and in that packoff means is installed within said innermost hanger-head means sealing against the interior of said innermost hanger-head means and the exterior of said nipple means to prevent fluid flow through said innermost hanger-head means.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 45 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 41 characterized in that said packoff means is rotatingly attached to said adapter means and provided with a downwardly facing frusto-conical guide surface, the axis of which is coincident with the axis of said nipple means.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 45 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 41 characterized in that said innermost hanger-head means and said tubing hanger means are provided with orientation means for positioning said tubing hanger means within said innermost hanger-head means in a predetermined angular orientation relative thereto.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 43 words

Underwater well completion apparatus as set forth in claim 41 characterized in that said tubing string is supported on said tubing hanger means by slip means, said nipple means comprising a portion of said tubing string extending upwardly from said tubing hanger means.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 184 words

A method of completing an underwater well comprising the steps of: locating drilling means at an underwater well site; installing conductor casing in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached thereto at a point near said floor, said riser extending upwardly to said drilling means; drilling holes for, suspending within said conductor casing and cementing in place other casing, each of said other casing being suspended by hanger means above which other risers, extending upwardly to said drilling means, are connected; attaching blowout pressure control equipment to the top of at least one of said other risers at said drilling means; drilling a hole for, suspending within said other casing and cementing in place an innermost casing having tubing support means; running a tubing hanger and at least one tubing string, through said control equipment and the riser to which it is attached, into said innermost casing; suspending said tubing hanger and tubing string in said innermost casing; latching said tubing hanger with said tubing support means; and removing said pressure control equipment and said other risers.

Claim 51

Independent Claim 184 words

A method of completing an underwater well comprising the steps of: locating drilling means at an underwater well site; installing conductor casing in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached thereto at a point near said floor, said riser extending upwardly to said drilling means; drilling holes for, suspending within said conductor casing and cementing in place other casing, each of said other casing being suspended by hanger means above which other risers, extending upwardly to said drilling means, are connected; attaching blowout pressure control equipment to the top of at least one of said other risers at said drilling means; drilling a hole for, suspending within said other casing and cementing in place an innermost casing having tubing support means; running a tubing hanger and at least one tubing string, through said control equipment and the riser to which it is attached, into said innermost casing; suspending said tubing hanger and tubing string in said innermost casing; latching said tubing hanger with said tubing support means; and removing said pressure control equipment and said other risers.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 149 words

Underwater completion apparatus comprising: a casing string penetrating the floor of a body of water; hanger-head means connected to the upper end of said casing string near the floor of said body of water; riser means connected to said hanger-head means extending upwardly through said body of water to the surface of said body of water; a blowout preventer connected to the upper end of said riser means; an inner casing string lowerable through said blowout preventer and said riser means; tubing hanger means lowerable through said blowout preventer and said riser means to a position within said inner casing; tubing head means lowerable through said blowout preventer and said riser means for suspension of said inner casing and for the support of said tubing hanger means; and at least one tubing string supported by said tubing hanger means and lowerable through said blowout preventer and said riser means.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 149 words

Underwater completion apparatus comprising: a casing string penetrating the floor of a body of water; hanger-head means connected to the upper end of said casing string near the floor of said body of water; riser means connected to said hanger-head means extending upwardly through said body of water to the surface of said body of water; a blowout preventer connected to the upper end of said riser means; an inner casing string lowerable through said blowout preventer and said riser means; tubing hanger means lowerable through said blowout preventer and said riser means to a position within said inner casing; tubing head means lowerable through said blowout preventer and said riser means for suspension of said inner casing and for the support of said tubing hanger means; and at least one tubing string supported by said tubing hanger means and lowerable through said blowout preventer and said riser means.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 179 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed within said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing means and said hanger-head means; riser means connected to at least one of said hanger-head Means extending upwardly therefrom to drilling means above the surface of said body of water; pressure control means connected to the upper end of at least one of said riser means; tubing hanger means lowerable through said pressure control means and said riser means to a supported position within the innermost of said hanger-head means; means secured to said tubing hanger means for aligning said tubing hanger means within said innermost hanger-head means; and means secured to said tubing hanger means for locking down said tubing hanger means within said innermost hanger-head means.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 179 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed within said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing means and said hanger-head means; riser means connected to at least one of said hanger-head Means extending upwardly therefrom to drilling means above the surface of said body of water; pressure control means connected to the upper end of at least one of said riser means; tubing hanger means lowerable through said pressure control means and said riser means to a supported position within the innermost of said hanger-head means; means secured to said tubing hanger means for aligning said tubing hanger means within said innermost hanger-head means; and means secured to said tubing hanger means for locking down said tubing hanger means within said innermost hanger-head means.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 143 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed within said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing and said hanger-head means; conductor riser means attached to said casing head means extending upwardly through said body of water to the surface of said body of water; tubing hanger means supported on the innermost of said hanger-head means; sealing means for sealing between said innermost hanger-head means and said tubing hanger means; and means secured to and engageable with said tubing hanger means for testing the integrity of said sealing means.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 143 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed within said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing and said hanger-head means; conductor riser means attached to said casing head means extending upwardly through said body of water to the surface of said body of water; tubing hanger means supported on the innermost of said hanger-head means; sealing means for sealing between said innermost hanger-head means and said tubing hanger means; and means secured to and engageable with said tubing hanger means for testing the integrity of said sealing means.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 157 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed with said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing means and said hanger-head means; tubing hanger means supported on the innermost of said hanger-head means; at least one tubing string supported by said tubing hanger means; tubular Christmas tree adapter means connected to one of said hanger-head means other than said innermost hanger-head means and independently of said tubing hanger means; and sealing means for sealing between said innermost hanger-head means and said one of said hanger-head means; and means engageable with said Christmas tree adapter means for testing the integrity of said sealing means.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 157 words

Underwater well completion apparatus comprising: conductor casing means penetrating the floor of a body of water; casing head means attached to said conductor casing means near said floor; other casing means concentrically disposed with said conductor casing means; hanger-head means connected to said other casing means, said hanger-head means being provided with support means engageable with other support means surrounding said hanger-head means to limit longitudinal movement of said other casing means and said hanger-head means; tubing hanger means supported on the innermost of said hanger-head means; at least one tubing string supported by said tubing hanger means; tubular Christmas tree adapter means connected to one of said hanger-head means other than said innermost hanger-head means and independently of said tubing hanger means; and sealing means for sealing between said innermost hanger-head means and said one of said hanger-head means; and means engageable with said Christmas tree adapter means for testing the integrity of said sealing means.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 170 words

An underwater well completion apparatus comprising: casing head means; hanger-head means; a tubing hanger for supporting at least one string of tubing; said casing head means having hanger suspension means to support said hanger-head means; said hanger-head means including casing suspension means for supporting a string of casing and tubing support means for supporting said tubing; said tubing hanger being supported by said tubing support means; said hanger-head means being adapted to be received within said casing head means; flow control means surmounting said hanger-head means and connected in fluid flow relationship with said tubing hanger; adapter means sealingly connecting said flow control means to said hanger-head means; seal means; said adapter means sealingly engaging said hanger-head means by packing said seal means between said hanger-head means and said casing head means; said seal means being connected to said adapter means by a retainer means; and said adapter means being attached to said retainer means by bearing means permitting said adapter means to rotate with said seal means remaining stationary.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 170 words

An underwater well completion apparatus comprising: casing head means; hanger-head means; a tubing hanger for supporting at least one string of tubing; said casing head means having hanger suspension means to support said hanger-head means; said hanger-head means including casing suspension means for supporting a string of casing and tubing support means for supporting said tubing; said tubing hanger being supported by said tubing support means; said hanger-head means being adapted to be received within said casing head means; flow control means surmounting said hanger-head means and connected in fluid flow relationship with said tubing hanger; adapter means sealingly connecting said flow control means to said hanger-head means; seal means; said adapter means sealingly engaging said hanger-head means by packing said seal means between said hanger-head means and said casing head means; said seal means being connected to said adapter means by a retainer means; and said adapter means being attached to said retainer means by bearing means permitting said adapter means to rotate with said seal means remaining stationary.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-04-01	1977-10-01	1978-04-02	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-04-01	1981-10-01	1982-04-02	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-04-01	1985-10-01	1986-04-02	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Underwater well completion method and apparatus

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