Wellhead flange for interconnecting a threaded wellhead and a flanged blowout preventer
First Claim
1. A wellhead flange assembly for interconnecting a threaded end of an upwardly projecting screwed wellhead with a lower flange of a blowout preventer positioned above the screwed wellhead, the flange assembly comprising:
- a threaded adapter including a thin-walled portion having an outer surface and radially internal threads for threaded engagement with the threaded end of the upwardly projecting screwed wellhead, a flange support portion projecting radially outward from the thin-walled portion, and an upper stop portion projecting radially inward from the thin-walled portion for engagement with the screwed wellhead;
a wellhead flange including internal surface for engagement with the outer surface of the thin-walled portion, a plurality of bolt holes passing through the wellhead flange and arranged circumferentially about the wellhead flange, and an upper surface for engagement with the lower flange of the blowout preventer, the wellhead flange being supported on the flange support portion of the threaded adapter; and
a plurality of securing members for engaging the wellhead flange and threaded adapter for selectively connecting and disconnecting the wellhead flange and the threaded adapter.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wellhead flange assembly 12 is provided for interconnecting the threaded end of an upwardly projecting screwed wellhead 16 with a lower flange of the blowout preventer 24. The flange assembly comprises a threaded adapter 40 including a thin-walled portion 54, a flange support portion 56, and an upper stop portion 52. A wellhead flange 42 includes a plurality of bolt holes 44 and an upper surface 51 for engagement with the lower flange of the blowout preventer. A plurality of securing members 48 are provided for selectively connecting and disconnecting the wellhead flange 42 and the threaded adapter 40. An adapter-to-flange seal 60 is provided for sealing engagement between the threaded adapter 40 and the wellhead flange 42. According the method of the invention, the threaded adapter may be easily heated to facilitate removal from the screwed wellhead, or may be cut off the screwed wellhead without damaging the screwed wellhead, thereby permitting the reuse of the wellhead flange on a new well.
73 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A wellhead flange assembly for interconnecting a threaded end of an upwardly projecting screwed wellhead with a lower flange of a blowout preventer positioned above the screwed wellhead, the flange assembly comprising:
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a threaded adapter including a thin-walled portion having an outer surface and radially internal threads for threaded engagement with the threaded end of the upwardly projecting screwed wellhead, a flange support portion projecting radially outward from the thin-walled portion, and an upper stop portion projecting radially inward from the thin-walled portion for engagement with the screwed wellhead; a wellhead flange including internal surface for engagement with the outer surface of the thin-walled portion, a plurality of bolt holes passing through the wellhead flange and arranged circumferentially about the wellhead flange, and an upper surface for engagement with the lower flange of the blowout preventer, the wellhead flange being supported on the flange support portion of the threaded adapter; and a plurality of securing members for engaging the wellhead flange and threaded adapter for selectively connecting and disconnecting the wellhead flange and the threaded adapter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A wellhead flange assembly for interconnecting a threaded end of an upwardly projecting screwed wellhead with a lower flange of a blowout preventer positioned above the screwed wellhead, the flange assembly comprising:
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a threaded adapter including a thin-walled portion having an outer surface and radially internal threads for threaded engagement with the threaded end of the upwardly projecting screwed wellhead, and a lower flange support portion projecting radially outward from the thin-walled portion; a wellhead flange including internal surface for engagement with the outer surface of the thin-walled portion, a plurality of bolt holes passing through the wellhead flange and arranged circumferentially about the wellhead flange, and an upper surface for engagement with the lower flange of the blowout preventer, the wellhead flange being supported on the flange support portion of the threaded adapter; and a plurality of securing members for engaging the wellhead flange and threaded adapter for selectively connecting and disconnecting the wellhead flange and the threaded adapter. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification