Multi-bowl wellhead assembly and method of completing a well

Abstract

AA wellbore system includes a hub and an annular locking member. The hub can be adapted to couple to a wellhead. The annular locking member can couple to an external diameter of a blowout preventer assembly. The annular locking member can include a plurality of locking elements configured to couple the annular locking member to the hub. Further a method of completing a well includes lowering a wellhead onto a base at an upper end of the well. A hub with internal threads and an external circumferential stepped recess is securedThe method can include securing the hub to external threads of the wellhead. AThe method further includes landing a blowout preventer assembly with an annular locking member having a plurality of locking elements is landed on the hub, and the locking elements are engagedand engaging the annular locking member with the recess of the hub. The well is drilledThe method further includes drilling through the blowout preventer assembly to a greater depth thenand removing the blowout preventer assembly and the hub are removed. A threaded flange with a plurality of bolt holes spaced around the flange is secured to the external threads of the wellhead andFurther, a wellhead member is bolted to the bolt holes of the threaded flange.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of completing a well, comprising:
 (a) extending a conductor pipe into the well and connecting a riser to an upper end of the conductor pipe with a riser connector, the riser connector sealingly engaging an outer diameter of the conductor pipe and then lowering a wellhead onto a base at an upper end of the well, the wellhead having external threads on an outer diameter, the riser connector comprising a slip and an energizing member configured to engage the slip to grip the outer diameter of the conductor pipe;   (b) providing a hub with internal threads and an external circumferential stepped recess, and securing the hub to the external threads of the wellhead;   (c) providing a blowout preventer assembly with an annular locking member having a plurality of locking elements, landing the blowout preventer assembly on the hub, and engaging the locking elements with the recess;   (d) drilling the well through the blowout preventer assembly and restraining at least one hanger within the wellhead with a restraining assembly entirely internal to the wellhead; then   (e) removing the blowout preventer assembly and the hub and securing a threaded flange to the external threads of the wellhead, the threaded flange having a plurality of bolt holes spaced around the flange; and   (f) bolting a wellhead member to the bolt holes of the threaded flange.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a landing ring and before lowering the wellhead onto the base, the method further comprises securing the landing ring to the upper end of the well. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein before lowering the wellhead onto the base, the method further comprises providing a running tool with internal threads and securing the running tool to the external threads of the wellhead and wherein lowering the wellhead onto the base comprises lowering the wellhead with the running tool. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (a) further comprises lowering the wellhead through a riser. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the wellhead has an upper rim and the blowout preventer assembly has a blow out preventer and a quick connector spool located between the blowout preventer and the annular locking member, and wherein landing the blowout preventer assembly on the hub comprises landing the quick connector spool on the upper rim of the wellhead. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the blowout preventer assembly has a blow out preventer and a quick connector spool located between the blowout preventer and the annular locking member and step (c) further comprises connecting the blowout preventer to the quick connectconnector spool with bolts before landing the blowout preventer assembly on the hub. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the blowout preventer assembly has a blow out preventer and a quick connector spool located between the blowout preventer and the annular locking member and step (c) further comprises bolting the blow out preventer to the quick connectconnector spool and connecting the spool to the annular locking member before landing the blow out preventer assembly on the hub. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (d) further comprises:
 running an intermediate casing string through the blowout preventer assembly and into the wellhead, and if an upper end of the intermediate casing string protrudes above the wellhead when the casing string can no longer be lowered into the well:
 disengaging the locking elements from the recess and removing the blowout preventer assembly; 
 cutting the upper end of the intermediate casing string within the wellhead; and 
 returning the blowout preventer assembly to the hub and engaging the locking elements with the recess. 
   
     
     
         9 . A method of completing a well, comprising:
 (a) extending a conductor pipe into the well and connecting a riser to an upper end of the conductor pipe with a riser connector, the riser connector sealingly engaging an outer diameter of the conductor pipe and then providing a wellhead with a bore, a rim, and external threads on an outer diameter portion of the wellhead joining the rim, the riser connector comprising a slip and an energizing member configured to engage the slip to grip the outer diameter of the conductor pipe;   (b) securing an upper end of a surface casing string to the wellhead, securing a running tool to the external threads, lowering the wellhead onto a base at an upper end of the well, then cementing the surface casing string;   (c) providing a hub with internal threads and an external circumferential stepped recess, removing the running tool, and securing the hub to the external threads;   (d) providing a blowout preventer, a connector spool, and an annular locking member having a plurality of locking elements, bolting the blowout preventer to the connector spool wherein the connector spool is secured to the annular locking member to define a blowout preventer assembly and landing the blowout preventer assembly on the hub and moving the locking elements inward into engagement with the recess;   (e) drilling the well through the blowout preventer assembly and cementing at least one inner casing string in the well, the at least one inner casing string extending from a hanger within the wellhead, the hanger restrained within the wellhead with a restraining assembly entirely internal to the wellhead; then   (f) removing the blowout preventer assembly and the hub and securing a threaded flange having bolt holes to the external threads; and   (g) bolting a tubing head to the bolt holes of the threaded flange.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein step (b) further comprises running the wellhead with the running tool through a riser. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (c) further comprises removing the riser before connecting the hub to the wellhead. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the blowout preventer assembly of step (d) further comprises a connector spool is bolted between the blowout preventer and to the annular locking member. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein step (b) further comprises opening a view port in the riser connector and visually confirming that the wellhead has properly landed on the base. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein before step (a), the method further comprises extending a conductor pipe into the well and connecting a riser to an upper end of the conductor pipe with a riser connector, drilling through the riser, then removing the riser from the upper end of the well, wherein the riser connector sealingly engages an outer diameter of the conductor pipe. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the locking elements comprise threaded members and moving the locking elements inward into engagement with the recess comprises rotating the threaded members with a tool. 
     
     
         16 . A method of completing a well, comprising:
 (a) connecting a riser to an upper end of a conductor pipe extending into the well with a riser connector, the riser connector sealingly engaging an outer diameter of the conductor pipe, the riser connector comprising a slip and an energizing member configured to engage the slip to grip the outer diameter of the conductor pipe;   (b) providing a wellhead with a support ring at its lower end and lowering the wellhead through the riser, the wellhead having external threads on an outer diameter;   (c) landing the support ring of the wellhead on a landing ring located at an upper end of the conductor pipe;   (d) removing the riser;   (e) providing a hub with internal threads and an external circumferential stepped recess, and securing the hub to the external threads of the wellhead;   (e f) providing a blowout preventer, a connector spool, and an annular locking member having a plurality of locking elements, bolting the blowout preventer to one end of the connector spool and connecting the annular locking member to an opposite end of the connector spool, defining a blowout preventer assembly, then landing the blowout preventer assembly on the hub, and engaging the locking elements with the recess;   (f g) drilling the well through the blowout preventer assembly and restraining at least one hanger within the wellhead with a restraining assembly entirely internal to the wellhead; then   (e h) removing the blowout preventer assembly and the hub and securing a threaded flange having bolt holes to the external threads of the wellhead; and   (f i) bolting a wellhead member to the bolt holes of the threaded flange.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein step (c) further comprises opening a view port in the riser connector and visually confirming that the support ring has properly landed on the landing ring. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein step (b) further comprises providing a running tool with internal threads and securing the running tool to the external threads of the wellhead and wherein lowering the wellhead through the riser comprises lowering the wellhead with the running tool. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein step (b) further comprises providing a running tool with internal threads and securing the running tool to the external threads of the wellhead and step (d) further comprises removing the running tool. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein step (fg) further comprises:
 running an intermediate casing string through the blowout preventer assembly and into the wellhead, and if an upper end of the intermediate casing string protrudes above the wellhead when the casing string can no longer be lowered into the well:
 disengaging the locking elements from the recess and removing the blowout preventer assembly; 
 cutting the upper end of the intermediate casing string within the wellhead; 
 installing a slips hanger in the wellhead; and 
 returning the blowout preventer assembly to the hub and engaging the locking elements with the recess. 
   
     
     
         21 . A method of completing a well, comprising:
 (a) extending a conductor pipe into the well and connecting a riser to an upper end of the conductor pipe with a riser connector wherein the riser connector sealingly engages an outer diameter of the conductor pipe, drilling through the riser and then providing a wellhead with a bore, a rim, and external threads on an outer diameter portion of the wellhead joining the rim, the riser connector comprising a slip and an energizing member configured to engage the slip to grip the outer diameter of the conductor pipe;   (b) securing an upper end of a surface casing string to the wellhead, securing a running tool to the external threads, lowering the wellhead onto a base at an upper end of the well, then cementing the surface casing string and removing the riser from the upper end of the well;   (c) providing a hub with internal threads and an external circumferential stepped recess, removing the running tool, and securing the hub to the external threads;   (d) providing a blowout preventer, a connector spool, and an annular locking member having a plurality of locking elements, bolting the blowout preventer to the connector spool wherein the connector spool is secured to the annular locking member to define a blowout preventer assembly and landing the blowout preventer assembly on the hub and moving the locking elements inward into engagement with the recess;   (e) drilling the well through the blowout preventer assembly and cementing at least one inner casing string in the well, the at least one inner casing string extending from a hanger within the wellhead, the hanger restrained within the wellhead with a restraining assembly entirely internal to the wellhead; then   (f) removing the blowout preventer assembly and the hub and securing a threaded flange having bolt holes to the external threads; and   (g) bolting a tubing head to the bolt holes of the threaded flange.   
     
     
       22. A system for coupling components to a wellhead coupled to a casing extending into a downhole formation, the casing being arranged within a conductor pipe that extends into the downhole formation, the system comprising:
 a top end of the wellhead comprising external threads;   a removable hub extending radially outward from the wellhead and configured to selectively engage the external threads on the top end of the wellhead, said removable hub comprising:
 an external downward facing sloped surface and adjacent axial surface, both surfaces combining to form a recess; 
 an annular locking member comprising a plurality of locking elements configured to move radially inward to engage the external downward facing sloped surface of the recess, wherein each of the plurality of locking elements comprises a pin and a wedge-shaped engaging element, the wedge-shaped engaging element configured to mate to the recess, and the pin is threaded and rotatable relative to the wedge-shaped engaging element, and the wedge-shaped engaging element is configured to move inward and enter the recess when the pin is rotated; and 
   a flange configured to selectively engage the external threads on the top end of the wellhead.    
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 22 , further comprising a spool, the annular locking member being coupled to the spool.  
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of locking elements do not rotate when driven radially inward.  
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 22 , wherein the flange is adapted to threadingly couple to a top end of the wellhead.  
     
     
       26. The system of  claim 22 , wherein the annular locking member has a first inner diameter larger than a diameter of the hub and the plurality of locking elements move to a second inner diameter of the annular locking member that is less than the first inner diameter when the plurality of locking elements engage the recess.  
     
     
       27. The system of  claim 22 , wherein the wellhead is a multi-bowl wellhead, the multi-bowl wellhead adapted to receive an intermediate casing string positioned radially inward from the conductor pipe.  
     
     
       28. A method for performing operations at a well site including a wellbore, a conductor pipe arranged in a downhole formation, and a casing extending through the conductor pipe to a surface location with a connector, the connector sealingly engaged to an outer diameter of the conductor pipe, the riser connector comprising a slip and an energizing member configured to grip the slip to engage the outer diameter of the conductor pipe, the method comprising:
 connecting a riser to an upper end of the conductor pipe with a riser connector, the riser connector sealingly engaging an outer diameter of the conductor pipe;   coupling a hub to a wellhead coupled to the casing; the hub having internal threads that engage external threads of the wellhead;   landing a blowout preventer assembly on the wellhead;   engaging the hub with an annular locking member of the blowout preventer assembly; the annular locking member including a plurality of locking elements configured to move radially inward to contact the hub; wherein a bottom surface of the blowout preventer assembly directly contacts a rim of the wellhead after the annular locking member engages the hub;   removing the hub from the wellhead; and   coupling a flange to the wellhead; the flange having internal threads that engage the external threads of the wellhead.    
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 drilling a well through the blowout preventer assembly and restraining at least one hanger within the wellhead with a restraining assembly entirely internal to the wellhead.    
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of locking elements do not rotate when moved radially inward to contact the hub.  
     
     
       31. A system for conducting operations at a well site, the system comprising:
 a flange having internal threads that engage the external threads of the wellhead;   a hub having internal threads configured to mate with external threads of a multi-bowl wellhead such that, upon engagement of the internal threads with the external threads, the hub is threadingly coupled to the multi-bowl wellhead, the hub further comprising a recess formed along an outer profile of the hub;   a blowout preventer assembly comprising a blowout preventer, an annular locking member, and a quick connector spool; and   the annular locking member configured with respect to the blowout preventer such that upon engaging the blowout preventer assembly with the hub, the annular locking member extends axially lower than the blowout preventer, the annular locking member including a plurality of locking elements configured to move radially inward to engage the recess, thereby coupling the annular locking member to the hub, and wherein a mating face of the blowout preventer assembly contacts the multi-bowl wellhead when the annular locking member is coupled to the hub, wherein each of the plurality of locking elements comprises a pin and a wedge-shaped engaging element, the wedge-shaped engaging element configured to mate to the recess, and the pin is threaded and rotatable relative to the wedge-shaped engaging element, and the wedge-shaped engaging element is configured to move inward and enter the recess when the pin is rotated.    
     
     
       32. The wellbore system of  claim 31 , wherein a casing string is configured to be installed into the multi-bowl wellhead through a bore of the blowout preventer.  
     
     
       33. The system of  claim 31 , wherein the plurality of locking elements do not rotate when driven radially inward.  
     
     
       34. The system of  claim 22 , wherein a top of the hub is axially lower than a rim of the wellhead.  
     
     
       35. The system of  claim 22 , wherein the annular locking member defines an internal thread.  
     
     
       36. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the energizing member is threaded.  
     
     
       37. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising sliding the energizing member of the riser connector over the conductor pipe.