Wellhead connector and method of using same
AssigneeNational Oilwell Varco, L.P.
InventorsChristopher Dale Johnson, James William Weir, Dean Allen Bennett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The techniques herein relate to a blowout preventer a wellhead of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The blowout preventer includes a housing having a bore therethrough, a segment carrier positionable in the housing, and a piston. The segment carrier includes a carrier ring for receiving the mandrel and a plurality of segments pivotally movable radially thereabout. The piston is operatively connectable to the plurality of segments and actuatable for moving the plurality of segments between a disengaged and an engaged position about the mandrel.
Claims24
A wellhead connector for a wellhead of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the wellhead connector comprising:
- a housing having a bore therethrough;
- a mandrel operatively connectable to the housing and the wellhead, the mandrel having a bore therethrough in fluid communication with the bore of the housing and the wellhead;
- a segment carrier positionable in the housing, the segment carrier comprising a carrier ring operatively connectable to the mandrel and a plurality of segments pivotally connectable to the carrier ring and movable radially thereabout;
- a plurality of linkages, each of the plurality of linkages having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally connectable to the plurality of segments;
- and
- a piston pivotally connectable to the second end of the plurality of linkages, the piston actuatable to move the plurality of segments via the plurality of linkages between a disengaged and an engaged position about the mandrel whereby the wellhead is selectively sealed.
A wellhead system for a wellhead of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the wellhead system comprising:
- a wellhead connector, comprising:
- a housing having a bore therethrough;
- a mandrel operatively connectable to the housing and the wellhead, the mandrel having a bore therethrough in fluid communication with the bore of the housing and the wellhead;
- a segment carrier positionable in the housing, the segment carrier comprising a carrier ring operatively connectable to the mandrel and a plurality of segments connectable to the carrier ring and pivotally movable radially thereabout;
- a plurality of linkages, each of the plurality of linkages having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally connectable to the plurality of segments;
- and
- a piston pivotally connectable to the second end of the plurality of linkages, the plurality of linkages actuatable to move the plurality of segments via the plurality of linkages between a disengaged and an engaged position about the mandrel whereby the wellhead is selectively sealed;
- and
- an actuator to actuate the piston.
A method for sealing a wellhead of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
- providing a wellhead connector, the wellhead connector comprising:
- a housing having a bore therethrough;
- a mandrel having a bore therethrough in fluid communication with the bore of the housing and the wellhead;
- a segment carrier positionable in the housing, the segment carrier comprising a carrier ring operatively connectable to the mandrel and a plurality of segments connectable to the carrier ring and pivotally movable radially thereabout;
- a plurality of linkages, each of the plurality of linkages having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally connectable to the plurality of segments;
- and
- a piston pivotally connectable to the second end of the plurality of linkages;
- operatively connecting the mandrel to the housing and the wellhead;
- and
- actuating the piston to selectively move the plurality of segments via the plurality of linkages between a dis-engaged position and an engaged position about the mandrel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.