US4938289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface wellhead
Assignee: Cameron International Corp
•
Filing: 1988-11-21
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Granted: 1990-07-03
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Expires: 2008-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A casing installation system usable with tubular casing having an upper end portion and a lower portion, for anchoring the upper end portion of the casing on an outer casing string secured to a wellhead having a housing, the wellhead housing being positioned at a fixed position over a well, said casing extending upwardly to the wellhead from a location in the well at which location the lower portion of the casing is landed, the upper end of the casing being terminated by a generally annular casing hanger secured to the casing, said outer casing string having an upwardly-facing shoulder, the system also having a locking ring located on the casing hanger and movable thereon in a direction towards the lower end portion of the casing, the locking ring having means for preventing its movement on the casing in a direction away from the lower end portion of the casing in response to a force exerted on the locking ring in said direction away from the lower end of the casing, the locking ring having a downwardly-facing shoulder engageable with the upwardly-facing shoulder on the outer casing string.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard H. Van Bilderbeek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:17
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/04; E21B33/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of installing tubular casing, the casing having a main axis and having a lower portion which has a locating member for engagement with a first fixture, and an upper portion which has an engagement member for engaging a support member on a second fixture in fixed spatial relationship to the first fixture, the engagement member and the support member being relatively movable in a direction axially of the casing, the method comprising setting the distance between the locating member and the engagement member greater than the distance between the first fixture and the support member, engaging the locating member with the first fixture, and bringing the engagement member and the support member into engagement thereby to lock the casing between the first fixture and the support member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of installing tubular casing, the casing having a main axis and having a lower portion which has a locating member for engagement with a first fixture, and an upper portion which has an engagement member for engaging a support member on a second fixture in fixed spatial relationship to the first fixture, the engagement member and the support member being relatively movable in a direction axially of the casing, the method comprising setting the distance between the locating member and the engagement member greater than the distance between the first fixture and the support member, engaging the locating member with the first fixture, and bringing the engagement member and the support member into engagement thereby to lock the casing between the first fixture and the support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement member is annular and is movable on the casing in a direction axially of the casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the engagement member is in screw-threaded engagement with the casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member is movable on the second fixture in a direction axially of the casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support member is in screw-threaded engagement with the second fixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support member is movable on the second fixture under the influence of fluid pressure, and the support member is brought into engagement with the engagement member by injecting pressurised fluid into a chamber a portion of a wall of which is formed by the support member, the fluid pressure causing expansion of the chamber by upward movement of the support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement member comprises a downwardly-facing shoulder on the casing and the support member comprises a corresponding upwardlyfacing shoulder on the second fixture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing is placed under tension by applying a force in an upward direction prior to bringing the engagement member and the support member into engagement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement member and the support member are brought into engagement while a blow-out preventer is located above them on the second fixture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
153 words
Casing installation apparatus comprising a tubular casing having a main axis and having an upper portion and a lower portion, the casing extending upwardly from a first location at which the lower portion of the casing has a locating member in engagement with a first fixture to a second location at which a second fixture is in fixed spatial relationship to the first fixture, an engagement member on the casing at its said upper portion and a support member on the second fixture, the engagement member and the support member being relatively movable in a direction axially of the casing between a first position in which with the locating member in engagement with the first fixture the engagement member is spaced upwardly of the support member and a second position in which with the locating member retained in engagement with the first fixture the engagement member and the support member are mutually engaged.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
Casing installation apparatus comprising a tubular casing having a main axis and having an upper portion and a lower portion, the casing extending upwardly from a first location at which the lower portion of the casing has a locating member in engagement with a first fixture to a second location at which a second fixture is in fixed spatial relationship to the first fixture, an engagement member on the casing at its said upper portion and a support member on the second fixture, the engagement member and the support member being relatively movable in a direction axially of the casing between a first position in which with the locating member in engagement with the first fixture the engagement member is spaced upwardly of the support member and a second position in which with the locating member retained in engagement with the first fixture the engagement member and the support member are mutually engaged.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Casing installation apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the engagement member is annular and is movable on the casing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Casing installation apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the engagement member is in screw-threaded engagement with the casing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Casing installation apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support member is movable on the second fixture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
Casing installation apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the support member is in screw-threaded engagement with the second fixture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Casing installation apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the support member forms a downward-facing part of a wall of a chamber which has an inlet for pressurised fluid, and a lock member is provided for maintaining the engagement member and the support member in mutual engagement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
Casing installation apparatus as claimed in claim 10, including means for tensioning the casing prior to engagement between the engagement member and the support member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
135 words
A casing installation system usable with tubular casing which has a main axis and upper and lower portions, for anchoring the upper portion on an outer casing string secured to a wellhead having a housing, the wellhead housing being at a fixed position over a well, the casing extending upwardly from a location in the well at which the lower portion of the casing engages the outer casing string, said outer casing string having an upwardly-facing shoulder and the upper portion of the casing having a corresponding downwardly-facing shoulder, said shoulders being relatively movable axially of the casing between a first position in which the downwardly-facing shoulder is spaced upwardly of the upwardly-facing shoulder and a second position in which said shoulders are in mutual engagement; and means for maintaining said shoulders in mutual engagement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
135 words
A casing installation system usable with tubular casing which has a main axis and upper and lower portions, for anchoring the upper portion on an outer casing string secured to a wellhead having a housing, the wellhead housing being at a fixed position over a well, the casing extending upwardly from a location in the well at which the lower portion of the casing engages the outer casing string, said outer casing string having an upwardly-facing shoulder and the upper portion of the casing having a corresponding downwardly-facing shoulder, said shoulders being relatively movable axially of the casing between a first position in which the downwardly-facing shoulder is spaced upwardly of the upwardly-facing shoulder and a second position in which said shoulders are in mutual engagement; and means for maintaining said shoulders in mutual engagement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A casing installation system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the downwardly-facing shoulder is movable on the casing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A casing installation system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the downwardly-facing shoulder is provided on an annular member which is in screw-threaded engagement with the casing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A casing installation as claimed in claim 17, wherein the upwardly-facing shoulder is movable relative to the outer casing string.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A casing installation system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the upwardly-facing shoulder is provided on a casing head of the outer casing string.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A casing installation system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the upwardly-facing shoulder is provided on an annular member which is in screw-threaded engagement with the outer casing string.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A casing installation as claimed in claim 20, wherein the upwardly-facing shoulder is provided on an annular member which forms a downwardly-facing part of a sealed chamber having an inlet for pressurised fluid.
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) | 1993-07-02 | 1994-01-01 | 1994-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-02 | 1998-01-01 | 1998-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-02 | 2002-01-01 | 2002-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |