초록 ▼

A blowout preventer (BOP) protector is adapted to support a tubing string in a well bore so that the tubing string is directly accessible during a well treatment to stimulate production. The BOP protector includes a mandrel having an annular sealing body bonded to its bottom end for sealing engageme

A blowout preventer (BOP) protector is adapted to support a tubing string in a well bore so that the tubing string is directly accessible during a well treatment to stimulate production. The BOP protector includes a mandrel having an annular sealing body bonded to its bottom end for sealing engagement with a bit guide that protects a top of a casing of a well to be stimulated. The mandrel is connected at its top end to a fracturing head, including a central passage and radial passages in fluid communication with the central passage. The mandrel is locked in a fixed position by a lockdown mechanism that prevents upward movement induced by fluid pressures in the wellbore and downward movement induced by the weight of a tubing string supported at a top of the fracturing head by a tubing adapter. The advantages are that the BOP protector permits access to the tubing string during well treatment and enables an operator to move the tubing string up and down or run coil tubing into or out of the wellbore without removing the tool. This reduces operation costs, saves time and enables many new procedures that were previously impossible or impractical.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for protecting a blowout preventer from exposure to fluid pressures, abrasives and corrosive fluids used in a well treatment to stimulate production and for supporting a tubing string in a wellbore so that the tubing string is accessible during the well treatment, the apparatus inclu

1. An apparatus for protecting a blowout preventer from exposure to fluid pressures, abrasives and corrosive fluids used in a well treatment to stimulate production and for supporting a tubing string in a wellbore so that the tubing string is accessible during the well treatment, the apparatus including a mandrel adapted to be inserted down through the blowout preventer to an operative position, the mandrel having a mandrel top end and a mandrel bottom end, the mandrel bottom end including an annular sealing body for sealing engagement with a bit guide at a top of a casing of the well when the mandrel is in the operative position, and, a base member adapted for connection to a wellhead, the base member including fluid seals through which the mandrel is reciprocally movable, comprising:a fracturing head including a central passage in fluid communication with the mandrel and at least one radial passage in fluid communication with the central passage; a tubing adapter mounted to a top end of the fracturing head, the tubing adapter supporting the tubing string while permitting fluid communication with the tubing string; and a lock mechanism for locking the apparatus in a fixed position to inhibit upward movement of the mandrel induced by fluid pressures in the wellbore and downward movement of the mandrel induced by a weight of the tubing string supported by the tubing adapter.