Sealing adapter for well tubing head

Abstract

A tubing head adapter which operates to provide a supplemental sealing barrier for a tubing head while maintaining access to the interior of the tubing head. The adapter includes an annular body adapted to be secured in fixed relation to the tubing head and a dummy hanger adapted to be matedly inserted into the annular body. The dummy hanger includes an annular sleeve insert and a removable axial plug disposed within the annular sleeve insert. A plurality of extendable and retractable locking pins secure the dummy hanger in place.

1 . An adapter for disposition in sealing relation to a tubing head operatively connected to a hydrocarbon well, the adapter comprising:
 an annular body adapted to be secured in fixed relation to the tubing head, the annular body including an axial channel, a first set of radial locking pin channels extending radially away from the axial channel and at least a second set of radial locking pin channels extending radially away from the axial channel, the second set of radial locking pin channels being axially spaced from the first set of radial locking pin channels;   a dummy hanger adapted to be matedly inserted into the axial channel, the dummy hanger including an annular sleeve insert having a central bore and a removable axial plug disposed within the central bore of the annular sleeve insert, the annular sleeve insert including a plurality of pin receiving channels extending radially through the annular sleeve insert for aligned relation with the first set of radial locking pin channels;   a first set of extendable and retractable locking pins disposed within the first set of radial locking pin channels, the first set of extendable and retractable locking pins including distal ends adapted to project through the pin receiving channels in the annular sleeve insert to engage the axial plug;   a second set of extendable and retractable locking pins disposed within the second set of radial locking pin channels, the second set of extendable and retractable locking pins including distal ends adapted to engage the annular sleeve insert;   a first compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the annular sleeve insert;   at least a second compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the annular sleeve insert in axially spaced relation from the first compressible seal;   at least a third compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the axial plug; and   at least a fourth compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the axial plug in axially spaced relation from the third compressible seal.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , further including a testing port in fluid communication with the axial channel at a position below the first set of radial locking pin channels. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , further including a testing port in fluid communication with the axial channel at a position between the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , further including a testing port in fluid communication with the axial channel at a position above the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , further including a first testing port in fluid communication with the axial channel at a position below the first set of radial locking pin channels, a second testing port at a position between the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels and a third testing port at a position above the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the annular sleeve insert includes a reduced diameter neck adapted to engage distal ends of the second set of extendable and retractable locking pins. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the third compressible seal is normally disposed at an elevation between the first compressible seal and the second compressible seal and the fourth compressible seal is normally disposed at an elevation below the first compressible seal and the second compressible seal. 
     
     
         8 . The adapter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the annular sleeve insert includes a first positioning notch disposed at a lower edge and the axial plug includes a second positioning notch disposed at a lower edge, and wherein a first extendable and retractable locator pin is disposed within a first radial locator channel, the first extendable and retractable locator pin including a distal end adapted to project into the axial channel to engage the first positioning notch at the annular sleeve insert, and wherein a second extendable and retractable locator pin is disposed within a second radial locator channel, the second extendable and retractable locator pin including a distal end adapted to project across the annular sleeve insert to engage the second positioning notch at the axial plug. 
     
     
         9 . The adapter as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the first extendable and retractable locator pin is disposed at substantially the same elevation as the second extendable and retractable locator pin. 
     
     
         10 . An adapter for disposition in sealing relation to a tubing head operatively connected to a hydrocarbon well, the adapter comprising:
 an annular body adapted to be secured in fixed relation to the tubing head, the annular body including an axial channel, a first set of radial locking pin channels extending radially away from the axial channel and at least a second set of radial locking pin channels extending radially away from the axial channel, the second set of radial locking pin channels being axially spaced apart from the first set of radial locking pin channels, a first radial locator channel extending radially away from the axial channel, and at least a second radial locator channel extending radially away from the axial channel, the first radial locator channel and the second radial locator channel each being disposed at axial positions below the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels;   a dummy hanger adapted to be matedly inserted into the axial channel in substantially coaxial relation to the annular body, the dummy hanger including an annular sleeve insert having a central bore and a removable axial plug disposed within the central bore of the annular sleeve insert in substantially coaxial relation with the annular sleeve insert, the annular sleeve insert including a first positioning notch disposed at a lower edge and a plurality of pin receiving channels extending radially through the annular sleeve insert for aligned relation with the first set of radial locking pin channels, and a radial positioning channel extending radially through the annular sleeve insert to the central bore for aligned relation with the second radial locator channel, the axial plug including a second positioning notch disposed at a lower edge;   a first extendable and retractable locator pin disposed within the first radial locator channel, the first extendable and retractable locator pin including a distal end adapted to project into the axial channel to engage the first positioning notch at the annular sleeve insert;   a second extendable and retractable locator pin disposed within the second radial locator channel, the second extendable and retractable locator pin including a distal end adapted to project across the annular sleeve insert to engage the second positioning notch at the axial plug,   a first set of extendable and retractable locking pins disposed within the first set of radial locking pin channels, the first set of extendable and retractable locking pins including distal ends adapted to project through the pin receiving channels in the annular sleeve insert to engage the axial plug;   a second set of extendable and retractable locking pins disposed within the second set of radial locking pin channels, the second set of extendable and retractable locking pins including distal ends adapted to engage the annular sleeve insert;   a first compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the annular sleeve insert;   at least a second compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the annular sleeve insert in axially spaced relation from the first compressible seal;   at least a third compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the axial plug; and   at least a fourth compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the axial plug in axially spaced relation from the third compressible seal, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth compressible seals are disposed axially between the first set of extendable and retractable locking pins and the second set of extendable and retractable locking pins.   
     
     
         11 . The adapter as recited in  claim 10 , further including a testing port in fluid communication with the axial channel at a position below the first set of radial locking pin channels. 
     
     
         12 . The adapter as recited in  claim 10 , further including a testing port in fluid communication with the axial channel at a position between the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels. 
     
     
         13 . The adapter as recited in  claim 10 , further including a testing port in fluid communication with the axial channel at a position above the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels. 
     
     
         14 . The adapter as recited in  claim 10 , further including a first testing port in fluid communication with the axial channel at a position below the first set of radial locking pin channels, a second testing port at a position between the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels and a third testing port at a position above the first set of radial locking pin channels and the second set of radial locking pin channels. 
     
     
         15 . The adapter as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the annular sleeve insert includes a reduced diameter neck adapted to engage distal ends of the second set of extendable and retractable locking pins. 
     
     
         16 . The adapter as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the third compressible seal is normally disposed at an elevation between the first compressible seal and the second compressible seal and the fourth compressible seal is normally disposed at an elevation below the first compressible seal and the second compressible seal. 
     
     
         17 . The adapter as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the first extendable and retractable locator pin is disposed at substantially the same elevation as the second extendable and retractable locator pin. 
     
     
         18 . A method of applying a secondary seal across a tubing head operatively connected to a hydrocarbon well, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an annular body including an axial channel, a first set of radial locking pin channels extending radially away from the axial channel and at least a second set of radial locking pin channels extending radially away from the axial channel, the second set of radial locking pin channels being axially spaced from the first set of radial locking pin channels;   securing the annular body in fixed relation to the tubing head;   providing an annular sleeve insert having a central bore and including a plurality of pin receiving channels extending radially through the annular sleeve insert for aligned relation with the first set of radial locking pin channels;   providing a first compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the annular sleeve insert and at least a second compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the annular sleeve insert in axially spaced relation from the first compressible seal;   inserting the annular sleeve insert with the first compressible seal and at least second compressible seal into the axial channel of the annular body;   providing an axial plug having an outer diameter substantially matching the inner diameter of the annular sleeve insert;   inserting the axial plug into the central bore of the annular sleeve insert;   extending a set of locking pins disposed within the second set of radial locking pin channels such that distal ends of the locking pins engage the annular sleeve insert; and   extending another set of locking pins disposed within the first set of radial locking pin channels such that distal ends of the locking pins project through the pin receiving channels in the annular sleeve insert and engage the axial plug.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the annular sleeve insert includes a first positioning notch disposed at a lower edge and the axial plug includes a second positioning notch disposed at a lower edge, and wherein a first extendable and retractable locator pin is extended into the axial channel to engage the first positioning notch at the annular sleeve insert such that the rotational position and height of the annular sleeve insert is fixed, and wherein a second extendable and retractable locator pin is extended across the annular sleeve insert to engage the second positioning notch at the axial plug such that the rotational position and height of the axial plug is fixed. 
     
     
         20 . A tubing head including a sealing portion, the sealing portion comprising:
 an annular body formed in the upper portion of the tubing head, the annular body including an axial channel, a first set of radial locking pin channels extending radially away from the axial channel and at least a second set of radial locking pin channels extending radially away from the axial channel, the second set of radial locking pin channels being axially spaced from the first set of radial locking pin channels;   a dummy hanger adapted to be matedly inserted into the axial channel, the dummy hanger including an annular sleeve insert having a central bore and a removable axial plug disposed within the central bore of the annular sleeve insert, the annular sleeve insert including a plurality of pin receiving channels extending radially through the annular sleeve insert for aligned relation with the first set of radial locking pin channels;   a first set of extendable and retractable locking pins disposed within the first set of radial locking pin channels, the first set of extendable and retractable locking pins including distal ends adapted to project through the pin receiving channels in the annular sleeve insert to engage the axial plug;   a second set of extendable and retractable locking pins disposed within the second set of radial locking pin channels, the second set of extendable and retractable locking pins including distal ends adapted to engage the annular sleeve insert;   a first compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the annular sleeve insert;   at least a second compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the annular sleeve insert in axially spaced relation from the first compressible seal;   at least a third compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the axial plug; and   at least a fourth compressible seal disposed circumferentially about the axial plug in axially spaced relation from the third compressible seal.