The present invention relates to a tubing rotator
assembly for attachment to an existing casing head for purposes of suspending and rotating a tubing string in an
oil well. In the preferred embodiment, the tubing
assembly includes a rotation surface, such as a bearing, in which a tubing mandrel rests and allows one to rotate the tubing manually above the
wellhead. It provides a low profile reducing the distance between the casing head and the pumping tee, which may eliminate the need for one to raise the pumping unit to fit on the rotator. In addition, the conventional seals above the rotation surface have less chance of leaking fluids located between the casing and tubing due to the seals potentially installed in the present invention. In addition, if the conventional seals do start to leak, then one can change the packing rubber without having to remove the pump tee, tubing rotator
assembly or tubing string (thus, not requiring a rig to change the sealing elements). The tubing assembly includes a mandrel bowl that rests inside the casing head. The mandrel bowl has an interior ledge in which the bearing may be placed on top of the ledge. A tubing mandrel is partially contained within the interior of the mandrel bowl with one end exiting the bottom of the bowl and attached to the tubing string in the well, and the opposite end of the tubing mandrel exiting the top of the bowl. The tubing mandrel has a ledge which is rotatably mounted to the mandrel bowl. Said ledge of the tubing mandrel is supported on the bearing, which bearing rests on the interior ledge of the mandrel bowl. The ledge of the tubing mandrel therefore engages and rotatably rides against the bearing. This arrangement allows the tubing to rotate by rotating the tubing mandrel resting on the bearing located inside the mandrel bowl.