Tubing saver rotator and method for using same

#Not Applicable

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to a tubing rotator assembly that sits inside a casing head for purposes of suspending and rotating the tubing string in an oil well.

#FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a tubing saver rotator.

#FIGS. 2-4 are front views of the tubing rotator saver of FIG. 1 without the standard equipment generally found on wellheads.

#FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

#FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a tubing saver rotator assembly 100 made in accordance with the present invention. Generally, the present invention is an apparatus for attachment in an existing casing head or a casing head modified to accept a bowl or ledge assembly. This apparatus having a surface, such as a bearing in which a tubing mandrel rests and allows one to rotate the tubing above the wellhead. It provides a low profile reducing the distance between the casing head and the pumping tee, which may eliminate the need for one to raise the pumping unit to fit on the rotator. In addition, the conventional seals above the bowl assembly have less chance of leaking fluids located between the casing and tubing due to the seals potentially installed in the present invention. In addition, if the conventional seals do start to leak, one can change the sealing elements without having to remove the tubing rotator assembly 100 or tubing string (not shown) from the well. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a pin end projecting upwardly from the mandrel or from the swivel joint. This allows a rig to pick up the mandrel and attach it to the pump tee above the wellhead and to the tubing string below the mandrel by simply screwing on two connections as will be further described. A conventional screwdriver or hex wrench will allow replacement of all the seals in the bowl and tubing mandrel assembly if replacement becomes necessary. If the fluids between the casing head and tubing string start to leak around the wellhead, sealing elements may be tightened to effect a good seal, or the seal elements may be replaced and tightened without removing the tubing rotator or tubing string with a rig. This provides ease and speed of repair by one person in lieu of a conventional rig job, which may help the environment and lower operating costs.

#Referring to FIG. 1, the tubing saver rotator assembly 100 includes a mandrel bowl 1 having a ledge support 1A, said mandrel bowl 1 positioned on an interior lip 17A within a casing head 17. A tubing mandrel 2 having an extending mandrel ledge 10 is rotatably mounted to the mandrel bowl 1. In the preferred embodiment, said mandrel ledge 10 of the tubing mandrel 2 is substantially perpendicular to the length of the tubing mandrel 2 however, it is understood that the mandrel ledge 10 may be disposed at other angles in relationship to the tubing mandrel 2 and achieve the objectives described herein.

#Said mandrel ledge 10 may be supported on the surface of the ledge support 1A of the mandrel bowl 1 or, as shown in the drawings, may be supported on a bearing 3, which bearing 3 rests on the ledge support 1A of the mandrel bowl 1. The mandrel ledge 10 and the ledge support 1A therefore captures the bearing 3 therebetween. The mandrel ledge 10 of the tubing mandrel 2 therefore engages and rotatably rides against the bearing 3. A bowl plate 4 is attached to the mandrel bowl 1 with bowl plate screws 5 selectively located around the bowl plate 4. A lower interior bowl seal 6, a bowl plate seal 7, and a mandrel plate seal 8 prevents fluid from contaminating said bearing 3.