Wellhead assembly quick install

Abstract

A wellhead assembly uses a plurality of pins to secure a casing head to a mandrel during installation. The mandrel is installed onto a casing string with the casing head is positioned on the mandrel so as to align a plurality of through-holes with a groove encircling the mandrel. The plurality of pins are inserted through the through-holes and into the groove of the mandrel, locking the casing head onto the mandrel so drilling can occur. Installation and tear down are faster and less labor intensive.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wellhead assembly, comprising:
 a casing head coupled to a casing string;   a mandrel inserted into the casing head; and   a plurality of load-bearing pins configured to secure the casing head onto the mandrel.   
     
     
         2 . The wellhead assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the casing head and the mandrel create a shear force on each of the plurality of load-bearing pins. 
     
     
         3 . The wellhead assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of load-bearing pins are inserted at a downward angle. 
     
     
         4 . The wellhead assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first load-bearing pin is inserted perpendicular to a fluid flow; and   a second load-bearing pin is inserted at a downward angle.   
     
     
         5 . The wellhead assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the load-bearing pins includes a notch to orient the load-bearing pins. 
     
     
         6 . The wellhead assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the casing head includes a plurality of through holes,   the mandrel includes a groove that aligns with the plurality of through holes, and   each of the load-bearing pins is inserted through a through hole into the groove.   
     
     
         7 . The wellhead assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the load-bearing pins are inserted into the groove to secure the mandrel once a production fluid is producing. 
     
     
         8 . A system, comprising:
 a casing string; and   a wellhead assembly, the wellhead assembly further comprising:
 a casing head coupled to the casing string; 
 a mandrel inserted into the casing head; and a plurality of load-bearing pins configured to secure the casing head onto the mandrel. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the casing head and the mandrel create a shear force on each of the plurality of load-bearing pins. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of load-bearing pins are inserted at a downward angle. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 a first load-bearing pin is inserted perpendicular to a fluid flow, and   a second load-bearing pin is inserted at a downward angle.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the load-bearing pins includes a notch to orient the load-bearing pins. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the casing head includes a plurality of through holes,   the mandrel includes a groove that aligns with the plurality of through holes, and   each of the load-bearing pins is inserted through a through hole into the groove.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the load-bearing pins are inserted into the groove to secure the mandrel once a production fluid is producing. 
     
     
         15 . A method of assembling a wellhead, comprising:
 coupling a casing head to a casing string;   inserting a mandrel into the casing head; and   securing the casing head onto the mandrel via a plurality of load-bearing pins.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the casing head and the mandrel create a shear force on each of the plurality of load-bearing pins. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of load-bearing pins are inserted at a downward angle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 a first load-bearing pin is inserted perpendicular to a fluid flow, and   a second load-bearing pin is inserted at a downward angle.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the casing head includes a plurality of through holes,   the mandrel includes a groove that aligns with the plurality of through holes, and   each of the load-bearing pins is inserted through a through hole into the groove.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the load-bearing pins are inserted into the groove to secure the mandrel once a production fluid is producing.