Slip spool and method of using same
AssigneeH W C E S International
InventorL. Murray Dallas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A slip spool for selectively supporting a tubing string suspended in a wellbore can be mounted to a wellhead. The slip spool has an axial passage that is aligned with the wellbore, and at least two radial passages extending through a side wall of the slip spool and communicating with the axial passage. At least two slip assemblies are slidably received within the respective radial passages. Actuators move the respective slip assemblies between a retracted position in which the slip jaws clear the axial passage of the slip spool, and an extended position in which wedge-shaped slip jaws of the respective slip assemblies are inserted into an annulus between the axial passage of the slip spool to grip the tubing string.
Claims17
An apparatus for selectively supporting a tubing string suspended in a wellbore comprising:
- a spool adapted to be mounted to a wellhead, the spool having an axial passage to be aligned with the wellbore for permitting the tubing string to extend therethrough, and at least two radial passages extending through a sidewall of the spool and communicating with the axial passage, each of the radial passages extending inwardly and downwardly at a first angle relative to a central axis of the axial passage;
- a slip assembly slidably received within each of the respective radial passages, each slip assembly including a slip jaw pivotally mounted to and slidable together with a slip jaw anchor;
- and
- means for moving the respective slip assemblies between an extended position in which the slip jaws are inserted into an annulus between the tubing string and the sidewall for gripping the tubing string, and a retracted position in which the slip jaws clear the axial passage of the spool.
A method for selectively supporting a tubing string suspended in a wellbore during a well maintenance procedure, comprising steps of:
- mounting a slip spool to a wellhead, the slip spool including an axial passage aligned with the wellbore and at least two radial passages extending through a sidewall of the slip spool and communicating with the axial passage, each of the radial passages extending inwardly and downwardly at a first angle relative to a central axis of the axial passage, a slip assembly slidably supported within each of the respective radial passages, each slip assembly including a slip jaw pivotally mounted to a slip anchor;
- and means for moving the respective slip assemblies between an extended position in which the slip jaws are inserted into an annulus between the tubing string and the sidewall, and a retracted position in which the slip jaws clear the axial passage of the slip spool;
- connecting a pressure contol means to a top of the slip spool for containing well pressure in the axial passage, while permitting any one of a tubular, a downhole tool and a wellhead component to be inserted through the axial passage into the live well;
- and
- moving the respective slip assemblies between the extended and retracted positions as required to support the tubing string during the well maintenance procedure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.