US4480843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymeric annular snubbing apparatus
Assignee: Regal International Inc
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Filing: 1983-10-12
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Granted: 1984-11-06
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Expires: 2003-10-12
Abstract
Abstract For use in hydraulic workover operations for oil and gas wells, a snubbing element is provided that is made entirely of polymeric material such as polyurethane. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the strength and rigidity supplied to the snubbing element in the prior art metallic support ring is now provided by molding that portion of the polymeric annular snubbing element from a polymeric material having a higher density and hardness than that of the polymeric sealing member. The polymeric annular snubbing element thus comprises a high density polymeric support member and a relatively lower density polymeric sealing member.
Inventors
- 👤 Virgil E. Springer
- 👤 John J. Garner, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/32; F16J15/3284; E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/924; Y10S277/935; Y10S277/944
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
An annular polymeric snubbing element comprising an annular polymeric sealing member adapted to contain a pressurized fluid within the annular space between a string of production tubing and the casing in a well bore, said sealing member further comprising a centrally disposed axial bore further comprising an elastomeric material adapted to provide frictional engagement between said sealing member and said production tubing, and a circumferentially disposed, outward facing elastomeric sealing web adapted to provide pressure containing sealing engagement against the interior wall of said casing; and an annular polymeric support member adapted for use in maintaining said snubbing element in a desired positional alignment with respect to said well bore, said annular polymeric support member comprising a centrally disposed axial bore having a diameter at least as great as that of said polymeric sealing member; said annular polymeric support member comprising a polymeric material having a hardness greater than that of said annular polymeric sealing member; said annular polymeric sealing member and said annular polymeric support member being interconnected in such manner that one end of said annular polymeric sealing member is substantially coextensive with the adjacent end of said annular polymeric support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
An annular polymeric snubbing element comprising an annular polymeric sealing member adapted to contain a pressurized fluid within the annular space between a string of production tubing and the casing in a well bore, said sealing member further comprising a centrally disposed axial bore further comprising an elastomeric material adapted to provide frictional engagement between said sealing member and said production tubing, and a circumferentially disposed, outward facing elastomeric sealing web adapted to provide pressure containing sealing engagement against the interior wall of said casing; and an annular polymeric support member adapted for use in maintaining said snubbing element in a desired positional alignment with respect to said well bore, said annular polymeric support member comprising a centrally disposed axial bore having a diameter at least as great as that of said polymeric sealing member; said annular polymeric support member comprising a polymeric material having a hardness greater than that of said annular polymeric sealing member; said annular polymeric sealing member and said annular polymeric support member being interconnected in such manner that one end of said annular polymeric sealing member is substantially coextensive with the adjacent end of said annular polymeric support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The snubbing element of claim 1 wherein said annular polymeric sealing member and said annular polymeric support member are chemically bound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The snubbing element of claim 1 wherein said annular polymeric sealing member comprises an elastomeric polymeric material having a durometer ranging from about 80 to about 90 Shore A.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The snubbing element of claim 1 wherein said polymeric support member comprises a polymeric material having a durometer range of about 50 to about 60 Shore D.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The snubbing element of claim 1 wherein said annular polymeric sealing member comprises polyurethane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The snubbing element of claim 1 wherein said annular polymeric support member comprises polyurethane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The snubbing element of claim 1 wherein said annular polymeric sealing member and said annular polymeric support member cooperate to contain pressurized fluid within the annular space between the production tubing and the casing in a well bore at pressures ranging up to about 3,200 psi.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A snubbing element adapted to contain a pressurized fluid within the annular space between the production tubing in the surrounding well bore of an oil or gas well, the improvement comprising the use of an annular polymeric sealing member in cooperation with an annular polymeric support member, said annular polymeric support member comprising a polymeric material having a hardness that is relatively greater than that of said polymeric sealing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
A snubbing element adapted to contain a pressurized fluid within the annular space between the production tubing in the surrounding well bore of an oil or gas well, the improvement comprising the use of an annular polymeric sealing member in cooperation with an annular polymeric support member, said annular polymeric support member comprising a polymeric material having a hardness that is relatively greater than that of said polymeric sealing member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The snubbing element of claim 8 wherein said annular polymeric sealing member comprises polyurethane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The snubbing element of claim 8 wherein said annular polymeric support member comprises polyurethane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The snubbing element of claim 9 wherein said annular polymeric sealing member comprises polyurethane in a durometer ranging from about 80 to about 90 Shore A.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The snubbing element of claim 10 wherein said annular polymeric support member has a durometer ranging from about 50 to about 60 Shore D.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A pipe wiper adapted for use in wiping fluids from the exterior surface of tubing that is removed from a subterranean well, said pipe wiper comprising an annular polymeric sealing member and an annular polymeric support member, said sealing member and said support member being interconnected in coaxial alignment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A pipe wiper adapted for use in wiping fluids from the exterior surface of tubing that is removed from a subterranean well, said pipe wiper comprising an annular polymeric sealing member and an annular polymeric support member, said sealing member and said support member being interconnected in coaxial alignment.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for making an annular polymeric snubbing element for use in maintaining pressurized fluids within an annular space between the well bore and a string of tubing disposed inside the well bore, said method comprising the steps of: a. molding an annular polymeric support member; and b. thereafter molding an annular polymeric sealing member so as to provide an interconnection between said support member and said sealing member, said sealing member comprising a polymeric material having a hardness that is less than that of said support member.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for making an annular polymeric snubbing element for use in maintaining pressurized fluids within an annular space between the well bore and a string of tubing disposed inside the well bore, said method comprising the steps of: a. molding an annular polymeric support member; and b. thereafter molding an annular polymeric sealing member so as to provide an interconnection between said support member and said sealing member, said sealing member comprising a polymeric material having a hardness that is less than that of said support member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said annular polymeric support member is molded from a polymeric material having a hardness ranging from about 50 to about 60 Shore D.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said annular polymeric sealing member is molded from a polymeric material having a hardness ranging from about 80 to about 90 Shore A.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said annular polymeric support member is molded from polyurethane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said annular polymeric sealing member is molded from polyurethane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-11-06 | 1988-05-07 | 1988-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-06 | 1992-05-07 | 1992-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-06 | 1996-05-07 | 1996-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |