A tool for removing a flange left over from a runaway well
By designing a removal assembly for the fixed slip seat, slips, and lifting ring, the problem of difficult removal of residual flanges after a runaway blowout in an oil and gas well was solved, achieving safe and efficient flange removal and reducing operational risks.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA NAT PETROLEUM CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, after a blowout of an oil or gas well, the remaining flanges and connecting bolts are stuck together due to high temperature burning, making them difficult to remove. Furthermore, the traditional pin prying method poses safety risks and operational difficulties.
Design a removal assembly that includes a fixed slip seat, fixed slips, a locking nut, and a lifting ring. The assembly connects the multi-lobed fixed slips to the bolt holes of the residual flange, and combines a D-ring and a lifting sling to achieve safe and reliable flange removal.
It improves the efficiency of removing residual flanges, ensures operational safety, avoids the risk of flanges flying out and injuring people or equipment, and adapts to the operational needs of different gap sizes.
Smart Images

Figure CN224295768U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of emergency rescue equipment for runaway oil and gas well blowouts, specifically to a tool for removing residual flanges at the wellhead of a runaway well. Background Technology
[0002] When an oil or gas well blows out and catches fire, it is usually accompanied by derrick collapse and wellhead burns. Emergency rescue operations often require clearing obstacles around the wellhead, cutting the wellhead, and resetting it to restore control of the blowout-out well. After cutting the wellhead, residual wellhead flanges may remain on the wellhead. Due to the high temperature, the residual flanges and connecting bolts may stick together, making removal difficult.
[0003] Currently, the common method is to manufacture pointed pins for connection with engineering machinery, and then use these pins to pry open and remove the remaining flanges and connecting bolts. However, this method carries the risk of flanges flying out and injuring people or damaging equipment, and it is difficult to operate when the flange clearance is small.
[0004] In response to this situation, there is an urgent need to design a safer and more reliable tool for removing uncontrolled wellhead flange residue, so as to solve the problem of difficult wellhead flange removal process. Utility Model Content
[0005] This utility model aims to solve the problem in the prior art that after an oil and gas well blowout and fire, the residual flange and connecting bolts become stuck together after emergency rescue, making them difficult to remove. It proposes a tool for removing residual flanges from runaway wellheads.
[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:
[0007] A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads includes a removal assembly. The removal assembly includes a fixed slip seat, fixed slips, a locking nut, and a lifting ring. The fixed slip seat is installed on a fixed slip base and fixed by a spring ring. The upper part of the fixed slip seat has external threads, and the lower part has a conical structure. The fixed slips have an internal conical and external tooth structure and a multi-lobed structure. The external tooth part has an annular groove. The lower part of the lifting ring has internal threads. The locking nut is installed on the outer periphery of the fixed slip seat and above the fixed slips. The lifting ring is connected to the fixed slip seat through the internal threads and is positioned above the locking nut.
[0008] Furthermore, the annular groove comprises two channels.
[0009] Furthermore, the upper part of the lifting ring is a D-shaped ring structure, and the internal thread axis of the lifting ring coincides with the center line plane of the D-shaped ring.
[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a lifting sling that passes through a D-ring at the top of the lifting ring.
[0011] Furthermore, it includes two sets of removal components, which are installed in the bolt holes of the remaining flange.
[0012] Furthermore, the two sets of dismantling components are symmetrically installed in the bolt holes of the remaining flange.
[0013] Furthermore, the fixing clip includes 3 to 5 clip segments.
[0014] Furthermore, the fixed latch includes four latch segments.
[0015] Furthermore, the distance between adjacent clips is S, and when S is at its minimum, the fixing clip can be inserted into the bolt hole of the residual flange.
[0016] Furthermore, each card segment has the same specifications.
[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0018] I. This utility model proposes a novel tool for removing residual flanges from runaway wellheads. The tool connects to the bolt holes of the residual flange for easy installation. Furthermore, the tool and the residual flange are connected using tapered slips, a structure that ensures a more secure connection. Using this tool can improve the efficiency of removing residual flanges from wellheads and enhance the safety of the process.
[0019] Second, in this utility model, the annular groove is preferably designed as two grooves, which makes the connection tighter and the sealing effect better.
[0020] III. In this utility model, the upper part of the lifting ring is a D-shaped ring structure. The internal thread axis of the lifting ring coincides with the center line plane of the D-shaped ring. The internal thread of the lifting ring can be used for detachable connection with the fixed slip seat and cooperate with the locking nut. After the fixed slip moves to the large end of the tapered part of the fixed slip seat, the fixed slip expands and is clamped and fixed in the flange bolt hole of the residual flange, so that the fixed slip seat is clamped and fixed on the residual flange.
[0021] Fourth, this utility model also includes a lifting sling, which passes through the D-shaped ring at the top of the lifting ring, facilitating safe operation over long distances and preventing residual flanges from flying out and injuring people or equipment when using a pin to pry them open. It also solves the problem of difficult operation when the residual flange gap is small.
[0022] Fifth, in this utility model, two sets of dismantling components are symmetrically installed in the bolt holes of the residual flange to ensure that the residual flange is subjected to balanced force during operation and to avoid the situation of debris flying.
[0023] VI. In this utility model, a superior multi-lobed fixing slip structure is proposed. The fixing slip includes 3 to 5 lobes, preferably 4 lobes. The distance between adjacent lobes is S. When S is the minimum, the fixing slip can be inserted into the screw hole of the residual flange. Moreover, each lobe has the same specification, so that the fixing slip and the fixing slip seat are more firmly connected and fixed. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a tool used for removing residual flanges from uncontrolled wellheads.
[0025] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of a fixed clamp mounted on a fixed clamp seat.
[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Enlarged view of part A.
[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another implementation of a tool for removing residual flanges from runaway wellheads.
[0028] Figure 5 This is a top view of a multi-lobed fixed clamp (four lobes).
[0029] Among them, 100, dismantling components; 1, fixed slip seat; 2, fixed slip; 3, locking nut; 4, lifting ring; 5, lifting sling; 6, spring ring; 7, residual flange; 8, wellhead bottom flange; 9, ring groove; 2.1, clip; 4.1, D-type ring. Detailed Implementation
[0030] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0031] Example 1
[0032] A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads, relating to the technical field of emergency rescue equipment for runaway oil and gas well blowouts, includes a removal component 100, as referenced. Figure 1 , 2 3, 5, The dismantling assembly 100 includes a fixed clamp seat 1, a fixed clamp 2, a locking nut 3, and a lifting ring 4. The fixed clamp seat 1 is installed on the fixed clamp seat 1 and fixed by a spring ring 6. The upper part of the fixed clamp seat 1 is provided with external threads; the lower part is a conical structure. The fixed clamp 2 is an internal conical external tooth structure and a multi-lobed structure. The external tooth part is provided with an annular groove 9. The lower part of the lifting ring 4 is provided with internal threads. The locking nut 3 is installed on the outer periphery of the fixed clamp seat 1 and is located above the fixed clamp 2. The lifting ring 4 is connected to the fixed clamp seat 1 through internal threads and is located above the locking nut 3.
[0033] When in use, connect the tool to the lower end of the ignition tube. This not only makes the removal of residual flange 7 safer and more reliable, but also effectively improves the efficiency of the removal of residual flange 7.
[0034] Example 2
[0035] This embodiment is a further optimization of embodiment 1, the difference being that the annular groove 9 includes two grooves, as shown in the reference. Figure 2 , 3 The annular groove 9 is used to place the spring ring 6.
[0036] Example 3
[0037] Compared with Examples 1 and 2, the difference in this embodiment is that the upper part of the lifting ring 4 is a D-shaped ring 4.1 structure, as shown in the reference. Figure 1 The internal thread axis of the lifting ring 4 coincides with the center line plane of the D-type ring 4.1.
[0038] Example 4
[0039] Compared with embodiments 1-3, this embodiment also includes a lifting sling 5, which passes through the D-shaped ring 4.1 on the upper part of the lifting ring 4. (Refer to...) Figure 1 .
[0040] Example 5
[0041] Compared with embodiments 1-4, this embodiment differs in that it includes two sets of removal components 100, which are installed in the bolt holes of the residual flange 7. (Refer to...) Figure 4 .
[0042] Example 6
[0043] The difference between this embodiment and embodiments 1-5 is that, in reference... Figure 4 Two sets of dismantling components 100 are symmetrically installed in the bolt holes of the remaining flange 7.
[0044] Example 7
[0045] Compared with embodiments 1-6, the difference in this embodiment is that the fixed latch 2 includes 3-5 latch segments 2.1. Preferably, each latch segment 2.1 has the same specifications, as shown in the reference. Figure 5 , Figure 5 The diagram shows the structure of the fixed latch 2, which includes four latches 2.1.
[0046] Example 8
[0047] Compared with embodiments 1-7, the difference in this embodiment is that the distance between adjacent clips 2.1 is S. When S is at its minimum, the fixing clip 2 can be inserted into the screw hole of the residual flange 7. (Refer to...) Figure 1 , 5 .
[0048] Example 9
[0049] A tool for removing residual flange 7 at a runaway wellhead, relating to the technical field of emergency rescue equipment for runaway oil and gas well blowouts, see reference. Figures 2-5 It includes two sets of removal components 100, which are symmetrically installed in the bolt holes of the residual flange 7.
[0050] refer to Figure 1 The dismantling assembly 100 includes a fixed clamp seat 1, a fixed clamp 2, a locking nut 3, and a lifting ring 4. The fixed clamp seat 1 is installed on the fixed clamp seat 2 and fixed by a spring ring 6. The fixed clamp seat 1 has external threads on its upper part and a conical structure on its lower part. (Reference) Figure 2 , 5 The fixed slip 2 has an inner conical outer tooth structure and a multi-lobed structure; the outer tooth part is provided with two annular grooves 9, the lower part of the lifting ring 4 is provided with an internal thread, the locking nut 3 is installed on the outer periphery of the fixed slip seat 1 and is located above the fixed slip 2, the lifting ring 4 is connected to the fixed slip seat 1 through the internal thread, and the lifting ring 4 is located above the locking nut 3.
[0051] In this embodiment, the upper part of the lifting ring 4 is a D-type ring 4.1 structure, and the internal thread axis of the lifting ring 4 coincides with the center line plane of the D-type ring 4.1.
[0052] In this embodiment, a lifting sling 5 is also included, which passes through the D-shaped ring 4.1 on the upper part of the lifting ring 4.
[0053] In this embodiment, two sets of removal components 100 are included, and the two sets of removal components 100 are installed in the screw holes of the residual flange 7.
[0054] In this embodiment, the fixed latch 2 includes four latch flaps 2.1, as referenced. Figure 5 The distance between adjacent clips 2.1 is S. When S is at its minimum, the fixing clip 2 can be inserted into the bolt hole of the residual flange 7. Each clip 2.1 has the same specifications.
[0055] In use, a locking nut 3 is installed on the upper part of the fixed slip seat 1. Pushing the fixed slip 2 causes it to move towards the larger tapered end of the fixed slip seat 1, expanding it and clamping it into the flange bolt hole of the residual flange 7. The fixed slip seat 1 is then clamped and fixed onto the residual flange 7. The lower internal threads of the two lifting rings 4 are connected to the upper threads of the fixed slip seat 1. Two sets of lifting slings 5 pass through the upper D-rings 4.1 of the lifting rings 4. During operation, the lifting slings 5 are pulled upwards to disengage the residual flange 7 from the wellhead bottom flange 8, allowing the residual flange 7 to be removed.
[0056] This dismantling tool can effectively improve the efficiency of handling uncontrolled fires at the wellhead of oil and gas wells and effectively protect the personal safety of operators.
Claims
1. A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads, characterized in that: The assembly includes a dismantling component (100), which includes a fixed clamp seat (1), a fixed clamp (2), a locking nut (3), and a lifting ring (4). The fixed clamp seat (1) is installed on the fixed clamp seat (1) and fixed by a spring ring (6). The upper part of the fixed clamp seat (1) is provided with an external thread; the lower part is a conical structure. The fixed clamp (2) is an internal conical external tooth structure and a multi-lobed structure. The external tooth part is provided with an annular groove (9). The lower part of the lifting ring (4) is provided with an internal thread. The locking nut (3) is installed on the outer periphery of the fixed clamp seat (1) and is above the fixed clamp (2). The lifting ring (4) is connected to the fixed clamp seat (1) through the internal thread and is positioned above the locking nut (3).
2. The tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular groove (9) comprises two grooves.
3. The tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper part of the lifting ring (4) is a D-type ring (4.1) structure, and the internal thread axis of the lifting ring (4) coincides with the center line plane of the D-type ring (4.1).
4. A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a lifting sling (5), which passes through the D-ring (4.1) above the lifting ring (4).
5. A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes two sets of removal components (100), which are installed in the bolt holes of the residual flange (7).
6. A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 5, characterized in that: Two sets of removal components (100) are symmetrically installed in the screw holes of the residual flange (7).
7. A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed latch (2) includes 3 to 5 latches (2.1).
8. A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 7, characterized in that: The fixed latch (2) includes 4 latches (2.1).
9. A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 7, characterized in that: The distance between adjacent clips (2.1) is S. When S is at its minimum, the fixing clip (2) can be inserted into the screw hole of the residual flange (7).
10. A tool for removing residual flanges at runaway wellheads according to claim 7, characterized in that: Each card segment (2.1) has the same specifications.