Blowout preventer adapter for hanger system

Abstract

An adapter clamp system for use with a housing of a wellhead includes a clamp assembly configured to apply radial compression to a housing of a wellhead. The adapter clamp system also includes an adapter configured to actuate the clamp assembly to apply the radial compression to the housing of the wellhead, wherein the adapter is configured to couple the housing of the wellhead to another structure stacked axially relative to the wellhead.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63 / 386,601, entitled “BLOWOUT PREVENTER ADAPTER FOR HANGER SYSTEM” and filed Dec. 8, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUND

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to an adapter, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a blowout preventer adapter.

[0004] Natural resources, such as oil and gas, are used as fuel to power vehicles, heat homes, and generate electricity. Once a desired natural resource is discovered below the surface of the earth, mineral extraction systems are often employed to access and extract the desired natural resource. The mineral extraction systems may be located onshore or offshore depending on the location of the desired natural resource. The mineral extraction systems generally include a wellhead through which the desired natural resource is extracted. The wellhead may include or be coupled to a wide variety of components, such as a tubing hanger that supports a tubing, a casing hanger that supports a casing, valves, fluid conduits, and the like.SUMMARY

[0005] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

[0006] In certain embodiments, an adapter clamp system for use with a housing of a wellhead includes a clamp assembly configured to apply radial compression to a housing of a wellhead. The adapter clamp system also includes an adapter configured to actuate the clamp assembly to apply the radial compression to the housing of the wellhead, wherein the adapter is configured to couple the housing of the wellhead to another structure stacked axially relative to the wellhead.

[0007] In certain embodiments, a system includes a housing of a wellhead, a hanger configured to be supported in the housing of the wellhead, and a clamp assembly configured to be positioned circumferentially about the housing of the wellhead. The system also includes an adapter configured to actuate the clamp assembly to apply radial compression to the housing of the wellhead to facilitate sealing between the hanger and the housing of the wellhead.

[0008] In certain embodiments, a method of operating an adapter clamp system includes lowering a hanger into a housing of a wellhead to axially align with a clamp assembly positioned circumferentially about the housing of the wellhead. The method also includes lowering an adapter to circumferentially surround the clamp assembly. The method further includes operating the adapter to actuate the clamp assembly to apply radial compression to the housing of the wellhead to facilitate sealing between the hanger and the housing of the wellhead.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mineral extraction system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a blowout preventer adapter that is configured to engage a clamp assembly positioned at a wellhead of the mineral extraction system of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the blowout preventer adapter engaged with the clamp assembly positioned at the wellhead of the mineral extraction system of FIG. 1; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of operating an adapter clamp system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0013] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present disclosure. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0014] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a blowout preventer (BOP) adapter that is configured to engage a clamp assembly of a hanger system that may be utilized within a wellhead. The hanger system may include a hanger, such as a tubing hanger that is configured to support a tubing (e.g., tubing string), and the tubing. The clamp assembly may include one or more clamps that drive one or more wedges radially inwardly toward a housing of the wellhead, which causes a radially inner surface of the housing of the wellhead to form a seal (e.g., annular seal) against a radially outer surface of the hanger.

[0015] The BOP adapter may include a sleeve with a retainer ring and a hydraulic assembly with a piston and a chamber. In operation, a fluid may be provided to the chamber to drive the sleeve with the retainer ring in a first axial direction (e.g., away from a well) and to drive the piston in a second axial direction (e.g., opposite the first axial direction; toward the well). The sleeve with the retainer ring engages a first clamp of the clamp assembly to thereby drive the first clamp of the clamp assembly in the first axial direction, and the piston engages a second clamp of the clamp assembly to thereby drive the second clamp of the clamp assembly in the second axial direction. In this way, the BOP adapter may drive the first clamp and the second clamp of the clamp assembly toward one another to drive the one or more wedges radially inwardly toward the housing of the wellhead, which, as noted herein, causes the radially inner surface of the housing of the wellhead to form the seal against the radially outer surface of the hanger. Accordingly, the BOP adapter may efficiently actuate the clamp assembly to support the hanger, while also providing an attachment interface to couple to a tree and / or a BOP (e.g., with one structure or device; without separate installations).

[0016] While the BOP adapter is described as providing the attachment interface to couple to the tree and / or to the BOP, as well as engaging with the clamp assembly that supports the tubing hanger 34 within the tubing spool 24, it should be appreciated that the features described herein may be utilized with any adapter in any suitable location. For example, the adapter may be configured to couple any of a variety of components together (e.g., axially stacked annular components), while also engaging with a clamp assembly that clamps any of a variety of components together (e.g., radially compressed toward one another).

[0017] With the foregoing in mind, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a mineral extraction system 10. The mineral extraction system 10 may be utilized to access and / or extract various natural resources (e.g., hydrocarbons, such as oil and / or natural gas) from the earth. As illustrated, the mineral extraction system 10 includes a wellhead 12 (e.g., annular wellhead) coupled to a mineral deposit 14 via a well 16. The well 16 may include a wellhead hub 18 (e.g., annular wellhead hub) and a wellbore 20. The wellhead hub 18 generally includes a large diameter hub disposed at an end of the wellbore 20 and is configured to connect the wellhead 12 to the wellbore 20. As will be appreciated, the wellbore 20 may contain elevated pressures. For example, the wellbore 20 may include pressures that exceed 10,000, 15,000, or even 20,000 pounds per square inch (psi). Accordingly, the mineral extraction system 10 may employ various mechanisms, such as seals, plugs, and valves, to control and regulate the well 16.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, the mineral extraction system 10 includes a tree 22, a tubing spool 24, a casing spool 26, and a blowout preventer (BOP) 38. The tree 22 generally includes a variety of flow paths (e.g., bores), valves, fittings, and controls for operating the well 16. Further, the tree 22 may provide fluid communication with the well 16. For example, the tree 22 includes a tree bore 28 that provides for completion and workover procedures, such as the insertion of tools into the well 16, the injection of various chemicals into the well 16, and so forth. Further, the natural resources extracted from the well 16 may be regulated and routed via the tree 22. For example, the tree 22 may be coupled to a flowline that is tied back to other components, such as a manifold.

[0019] As shown, the tubing spool 24 may provide a base for the tree 22 and includes a tubing spool bore 30 that connects (e.g., enables fluid communication between) the tree bore 28 and the well 16. As shown, the casing spool 26 may be positioned between the tubing spool 24 and the wellhead hub 18 and includes a casing spool bore 32 that connects (e.g., enables fluid communication between) the tree bore 28 and the well 16. Thus, the tubing spool bore 30 and the casing spool bore 32 may provide access to the wellbore 20 for various completion and workover procedures. The BOP 38 may consist of a variety of valves, fittings, and controls to block oil, gas, or other fluid from exiting the well 16 in the event of an unintentional release of pressure or an overpressure condition.

[0020] As shown, a tubing hanger 34 is positioned within the tubing spool 24. The tubing hanger 34 may be configured to support tubing (e.g., a tubing string) that is suspended in the wellbore 20 and / or to provide a path for control lines, hydraulic control fluid, chemical injections, and so forth. Additionally, as shown, a casing hanger 36 is positioned within the casing spool 26. The casing hanger 36 may be configured to support casing (e.g., a casing string) that is suspended in the wellbore 20. A tool 40 (e.g., hydraulic tool) may be utilized to lower the tubing hanger 34 into the tubing spool 24 and / or the casing hanger 36 into the casing spool 26.

[0021] As discussed in more detail herein, a BOP adapter may be provided at an upper end of the tubing spool 24 to couple to the tree 22 and / or the BOP 38. Further, the BOP adapter may be configured to engage and actuate a clamp assembly (e.g., a setting assembly) that compresses the tubing spool 24 to provide a seal (e.g., annular seal) between the tubing spool 24 and the tubing hanger 34. To facilitate discussion, the mineral extraction system 10, and the components therein, may be described with reference to an axial axis or direction 44, a radial axis or direction 46, and a circumferential axis or direction 48.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a blowout preventer (BOP) adapter 50 (e.g., annular BOP adapter) that is configured to engage a clamp assembly 52 (e.g., annular clamp assembly) positioned about a housing 54 of the wellhead 12 (e.g., the tubing spool 24 of FIG. 1). Together, the BOP adapter 50 and the clamp assembly 52 may be referred to as an adapter clamp system 55. The housing 54 of the wellhead 12 is configured to circumferentially surround and support a hanger 42, such as the tubing hanger 34 of FIG. 1. It should be appreciated that the hanger 42 may have any of a variety of shapes or configurations to fit within the housing 54 of the wellhead 12 and to support an annular structure 43 (e.g., that defines the tubing spool bore 30 of FIG. 1) within the housing 54 of the wellhead 12. In operation, a tool (e.g., the tool 40 of FIG. 1) may lower the hanger 42 into the housing 54 of the wellhead 12 until the hanger 42 reaches a landed position in which a surface (e.g., axially-facing surface and / or radially-extending surface) of the hanger 42 contacts a shoulder 45 (e.g., axially-facing surface and / or radially-extending surface) of the housing 54 of the wellhead 12.

[0023] The clamp assembly 52 may have any suitable form to compress the housing 54 toward the hanger 42 along the radial axis 46. As shown, the clamp assembly 52 includes a wedge structure 56, a first clamp 58 (e.g., lower clamp), a second clamp 60 (e.g., upper clamp), and one or more fasteners 62. The wedge structure 56 may be an annular wedge structure or a ring that has radially outer surfaces that taper from a center line or portion to outer edges or portions (e.g., a width along the radial axis 46 at the center line or portion is greater than respective widths along the radial axis 46 at the outer edges or portions). The first clamp 58 and the second clamp 60 may include two annular rings that are stacked along the axial axis 44 (e.g., stacked and spaced apart along the axial axis 44 at least in some configurations) and that receive the one or more fasteners 62. The one or more fasteners 62 may be spaced apart along the circumferential axis 48 and are configured to support to the first clamp 58 and the second clamp 60 as the first clamp 58 and the second clamp 60 slide along the wedge structure 56 (e.g., along tapered surfaces of the wedge structure 56) to drive the wedge structure 56 and the housing 54 to move along the radial axis 46 toward the hanger 42.

[0024] The BOP adapter 50 includes a body 68 (e.g., annular body) that includes or is coupled to a sleeve 70 (e.g., annular sleeve). For example, the body 68 may be slidingly coupled to the sleeve 70 via any suitable fastener. In some embodiments, the sleeve 70 may include multiple parts that are coupled together, such as a first sleeve portion 72 and a second sleeve portion 74 that are coupled together via a threaded interface, welds, and / or any other suitable fastener. As shown, the sleeve 70 (e.g., the first sleeve portion 72 of the sleeve 70) supports a retainer ring 76 (e.g., segmented ring, c-ring). The body 68 also supports retainer screws 78 (e.g., set screws), which may be spaced apart along the circumferential axis 48.

[0025] Additionally, the BOP adapter 50 includes a hydraulic assembly 80 with a piston 82 (e.g., annular piston) and a chamber 84 (e.g., annular chamber). The chamber 84 is a sealed space defined by the body 68, the sleeve 70 (e.g., the second sleeve portion 74 of the sleeve 70), and a surface of the piston 82. Further, to create the chamber 84 as the sealed space, multiple seals 86 (e.g., annular seals) provided between the body 68, the sleeve 70 (e.g., the second sleeve portion 74 of the sleeve 70), and the piston 82. As shown, a port 88 is provided to deliver a fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid) from a fluid source 64 to the chamber 84. The port 88 may be positioned to extend through the sleeve 70 (e.g., the second sleeve portion 74 of the sleeve 70) or at any other suitable location.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the BOP adapter 50 engaged with the clamp assembly 52 positioned about the housing 54 of the wellhead 12. In FIG. 3, to facilitate discussion, a first position 90 (e.g., seated position) of the BOP adapter 50 is shown on a first side (e.g., left side) of a center line 92 and a second position (e.g., actuated position) of the BOP adapter 50 is shown on a second side (e.g., right side) of the center line 92.

[0027] In operation, the BOP adapter 50 may be lowered onto the housing 54 of the wellhead 12. The BOP adapter 50 may be sized and configured to circumferentially surround the housing 54 of the wellhead 12, as well as the clamp assembly 52. The BOP adapter 50 may be lowered onto the housing 54 of the wellhead 12 until the BOP adapter 50 reaches the first position 90 in which a surface (e.g., axially-facing surface and / or radially-extending surface) of the BOP adapter 50 contacts a shoulder (e.g., axially-facing surface and / or radially-extending surface) of the housing 54 of the wellhead 12 and / or the clamp assembly 52. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the first position 90, a surface of the body 68 of the BOP adapter 50 contacts a shoulder 66 of the housing 54 of the wellhead 12, and the piston 82 of the BOP adapter 50 contacts the second clamp 60 of the clamp assembly 52.

[0028] Additionally, in the first position 90, the retainer ring 76 may be axially aligned with and engage (e.g., via a snap fit) a corresponding recess 96 (e.g., annular recess or groove) formed in the first clamp 58 of the clamp assembly 52. Additionally, in the first position 90, the retainer screws 78 may be axially aligned with and engage (e.g., via rotation to drive the retainer screws 78 radially inwardly) a corresponding recess 98 (e.g., annular recess or groove; openings spaced apart along the circumferential axis 48) formed in the housing 54 of the wellhead 12.

[0029] Once the BOP adapter 50 is in the first position 90, the fluid may be provided from the fluid source 64 to the chamber 84 via the port 88. The fluid may drive the sleeve 70 with the retainer ring 76 in a first axial direction 100 (e.g., away from a well; pull toward the body 68 of the BOP adapter 50) and may also drive the piston 82 in a second axial direction 102 (e.g., opposite the first axial direction 100; toward the well; push away from the body 68 of the BOP adapter 50). Because the sleeve 70 with the retainer ring 76 engages the first clamp 58 of the clamp assembly 52, the fluid also drives the first clamp 58 of the clamp assembly 52 in the first axial direction 100. Further, because the piston 82 engages the second clamp 60 of the clamp assembly 52, the fluid also drives the second clamp 60 of the clamp assembly 52 in the second axial direction 102. It should be appreciated that the sleeve 70 and the first clamp 58 move in the first axial direction 100 at a same time (e.g., simultaneously) that the piston 82 and the second clamp 60 move in the second axial direction 102.

[0030] In this way, the BOP adapter 50 may drive the first clamp 58 and the second clamp 60 of the clamp assembly 52 toward one another and to slide along the wedge structure 56, which in turn creates compressive forces radially inwardly toward the housing 54 of the wellhead 12. As a result, the radially inner surface of the housing 54 of the wellhead 12 may form the seal against the radially outer surface of the hanger 42. Further, once the first clamp 58 and the second clamp 60 move toward one another (e.g., contact one another; full actuation), one or more nuts 104 (e.g., threaded nut) may be rotated to move in the first axial direction 100 along the one or more fasteners 62 (e.g., via threads; to tighten) to abut the first clamp 58 (e.g., a bottom surface of the first clamp 58). Thus, the one or more nuts 104 support, hold, or maintain the compressive forces against the housing 54 of the wellhead 12 (e.g., even after / if the fluid is removed from the chamber 84). The one or more nuts 104 may be rotated manually by an operator or via some device (e.g., hydraulic tool). In some embodiments, the seal may block fluid flow across the seal, may be a metal-to-metal seal, and / or may be enhanced with textured surfaces or profiles on one or more of the surfaces that form the seal (e.g., create a friction fit or enhanced grip at the seal). Accordingly, the BOP adapter 50 may efficiently actuate the clamp assembly 52 to support the hanger 42, while also providing an attachment interface to couple to a tree and / or a BOP (e.g., shown in FIG. 1; with one structure or device; without separate installations).

[0031] It should be appreciated that variations are envisioned, such as the retainer ring 76 being positioned on the second clamp 60 of the clamp assembly 52 to engage the corresponding recess 96 on the sleeve 70 of the BOP adapter 50. Thus, it should be appreciated that the BOP adapter 50 may engage the second clamp 60 of the clamp assembly 52 via any suitable interface (e.g., key-slot interface in which a protrusion engages a recess). Additionally, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 54 includes the shoulder 45 to hold the hanger 42 until the clamp assembly 52 is actuated to compress the housing 54; however, these features may be omitted and / or not used to align the hanger 42 within the housing 54. In such cases, the hanger 42 may be aligned and / or properly positioned within the housing 54 (e.g., aligned with the clamp assembly 52 along the axial axis 44) via other techniques. For example, one or more sensors (e.g., digital sensors; acoustic sensors, optical sensors, contact sensors) may be positioned (e.g., within the housing 54) to detect a position of the hanger 42 within the housing 54. In such cases, the process to position and actuate the BOP adapter 50 may be initiated based on sensor signals (e.g., sensor data) from the one or more sensors that indicate that the hanger 42 is aligned and / or properly positioned within the housing 54 (e.g., aligned with the clamp assembly 52 along the axial axis 44).

[0032] In any case, an operator and / or a controller 110 (e.g., based on inputs, such as inputs by the operator and / or the sensor signals) may initiate certain operational aspects related to the adapter clamp system 55. As shown, the controller 110 includes a processor 112 and a memory 114. The processor 112 may be processing circuitry that includes one or more processors configured to execute software, such as software for processing signals (e.g., the inputs) and / or controlling components of the adapter clamp system 55 (e.g., controlling components to lower the hanger 42 and / or the BOP adapter 50; controlling a valve to control fluid flow from the fluid source 64 to the chamber 84; controlling a device to tighten the one or more nuts 104). The memory 114 may include one or more memory devices (e.g., a volatile memory, such as random access memory [RAM], and / or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory [ROM]) that may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory 114 may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor 112 to execute, such as instructions for processing the signals and / or controlling the components of the adapter clamp system 55. It should be appreciated that the controller 110 may include various other components, such as a communication device (e.g., wireless transceiver) that is capable of communicating data and / or other information to various other devices (e.g., a remote desktop computer or server, the Internet, a cloud system).

[0033] It should be appreciated that the controller 110 may be a dedicated and / or contained controller with processing circuitry that carries out the various techniques disclosed herein. However, the controller 110 may be part of and / or include a distributed controller (e.g., remote computing system and / or cloud computing system) with processing circuitry that carries out the various techniques disclosed herein. Thus, while certain operations are described as being performed by the controller 110 to facilitate discussion, it should be appreciated that the various techniques disclosed herein may be performed by any suitable device and / or distributed between any suitable combination of devices (e.g., the processor 112 of the controller 110, processing circuitry of the remote computing system, and / or processing circuitry of the cloud computing system, and optionally in combination with manual steps performed by the operator). Additionally, the controller 110 may include an output device, such as a display that is configured to display an indication of a current position of the hanger 42, a current position of the adapter clamp system 55, and / or other information.

[0034] For example, the controller 110 may receive the operator input (e.g., via physical or virtual keys, such as virtual keys presented on the display that operates as a touchscreen display) and / or other signals (e.g., the sensor signals) that indicates landing of the hanger 42 and corresponding alignment of the hanger 42 with the clamp assembly 52. Then, the controller 110 may actuate the BOP adapter 50, such as by opening the valve to enable the fluid flow from the fluid source 64 to the chamber 84.

[0035] In some cases, in response to completion of the actuation of the BOP adapter 50 (e.g., as indicated by the sensor signals; based on the fluid flow and / or timing), the controller 110 may then actuate the device to tighten the one or more nuts 104 to secure the clamp assembly 52. In certain embodiments, the controller 110 may provide an alert (e.g., via the display) to notify the operator that the actuation of the BOP adapter 50 is complete, and then the operator may tighten the one or more nuts 104 to secure the clamp assembly 52. In this way, the controller 110 may provide and / or facilitate fully or partially automated operation of the adapter clamp system 55. It should be appreciated that to complete steps described herein, the controller 110 may reference or utilize programmed settings for the adapter clamp system 55 (e.g., timing parameters, target positions, sequential steps). It should also be appreciated that any level of automation and / or involvement of the controller 110, along with any level of inputs and / or involvement of the operator, is envisioned.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 120 of operating an adapter clamp system, such as the adapter clamp system 55 of FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 4 provides an example of operational features described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in a format with blocks that represent steps to facilitate discussion. It should be appreciated that blocks of the method 120 may be performed by processing circuitry (e.g., the controller 110). It should be appreciated that blocks may be omitted, blocks may be added, and / or blocks may be carried out in any suitable order.

[0037] In block 122, the method 120 may begin with lowering a hanger into a housing of a wellhead. A tool may lower the hanger into the housing of the wellhead until the hanger reaches a landed position in which a surface of the hanger contacts and is supported on a shoulder of the housing of the wellhead. In this way, contact between the surface of the hanger and the shoulder of the housing of the wellhead blocks further lowering of the hanger into the housing of the wellhead. Further, the contact between the surface of the hanger and the shoulder of the housing of the wellhead axially aligns the hanger with a clamp assembly of the adapter clamp system.

[0038] In block 124, the method 120 may continue with positioning a BOP adapter about the clamp assembly. The BOP adapter may be lowered onto the housing of the wellhead until the BOP adapter reaches a first position in which a surface of the BOP adapter contacts and is supported on a shoulder of the housing of the wellhead and / or the clamp assembly. For example, in the first position, a surface of a body of the BOP adapter contacts and is supported on a shoulder of the housing of the wellhead. In this way, contact between the surface of the BOP adapter and the shoulder of the housing of the wellhead blocks further lowering of the BOP adapter relative to the housing of the wellhead. Further, the contact between the surface of the BOP adapter and the shoulder of the housing of the wellhead axially aligns the BOP adapter with the clamp assembly of the adapter clamp system.

[0039] In block 126, the method 120 may continue with inserting a retainer ring from the BOP adapter into a recess of the clamp assembly. For example, in the first position, the retainer ring may be axially aligned with and engage a corresponding recess formed in the clamp assembly. Additionally, in the first position, retainer screws may be axially aligned with and engage a corresponding recess formed in the housing of the wellhead.

[0040] In block 128, the method 120 may continue with applying a fluid to a chamber of the BOP adapter to adjust the BOP adapter. In particular, once the BOP adapter is in the first position, the fluid may be provided from a fluid source to the chamber via a port. The fluid may drive a sleeve of the BOP adapter in a first axial direction (e.g., away from a well and may also drive a piston of the BOP adapter in a second axial direction (e.g., opposite the first axial direction; toward the well). Because the sleeve engages the first clamp of the clamp assembly, the fluid also drives the first clamp of the clamp assembly in the first axial direction. Further, because the piston engages a second clamp of the clamp assembly, the fluid also drives the second clamp of the clamp assembly in the second axial direction. It should be appreciated that the sleeve and the first clamp move in the first axial direction at a same time (e.g., simultaneously) that the piston and the second clamp move in the second axial direction.

[0041] In this way, the BOP adapter may drive the first clamp and the second clamp of the clamp assembly toward one another and to slide along a wedge structure, which in turn creates compressive forces radially inwardly toward the housing of the wellhead. As a result, a radially inner surface of the housing of the wellhead may form the seal against a radially outer surface of the hanger.

[0042] In block 130, the method 120 may continue with securing the first clamp and the second clamp of the clamp assembly together, such as via tightening one or more nuts onto one or more fasteners that extend through the first clamp and the second clamp. Thus, the one or more nuts support, hold, or maintain the compressive forces against the housing of the wellhead (e.g., even after / if the fluid is removed from the chamber). The one or more nuts may be rotated manually by an operator or via some device (e.g., hydraulic tool). Accordingly, the BOP adapter may efficiently actuate the clamp assembly to support the hanger, while also providing an attachment interface to couple to a tree and / or a BOP.

[0043] While the disclosure may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims. For example, while the illustrated embodiments show a hanger and a housing of a wellhead, it should be understood that the systems and methods may be adapted to for use with any of a variety of other annular structures.

[0044] The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function]” or “step for [perform]ing [a function]. ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. An adapter clamp system for use with a housing of a wellhead, the adapter clamp system comprising:a clamp assembly configured to apply radial compression to the housing of the wellhead; andan adapter configured to actuate the clamp assembly to apply the radial compression to the housing of the wellhead, wherein the adapter is configured to couple the housing of the wellhead to another structure stacked axially relative to the wellhead.

2. The adapter clamp system of claim 1, wherein the clamp assembly comprises a first clamp, a second clamp, and a wedge structure.

3. The adapter clamp system of claim 2, wherein the housing of the wellhead is positioned radially inwardly of the wedge structure, and the first clamp and the second clamp are positioned radially outwardly of the wedge structure.

4. The adapter clamp system of claim 3, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to move axially toward one another to drive the wedge structure against the housing of the wellhead to apply the radial compression to the housing of the wellhead.

5. The adapter clamp system of claim 4, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to move axially toward one another along oppositely tapered surfaces of the wedge structure to drive the wedge structure against the housing of the wellhead to apply the radial compression to the housing of the wellhead.

6. The adapter clamp system of claim 1, wherein the clamp assembly is an annular clamp assembly that circumferentially surrounds the housing of the wellhead.

7. The adapter clamp system of claim 1, wherein the clamp assembly comprises:a first clamp;a second clamp; andone or more fasteners that extend axially through the first clamp and the second clamp.

8. The adapter clamp system of claim 7, wherein the clamp assembly comprises one or more nuts that are configured to rotate to move axially along the one or more fasteners to secure the first clamp and the second clamp to one another.

9. The adapter clamp system of claim 1, wherein the adapter is configured to circumferentially surround the clamp assembly.

10. The adapter clamp system of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises:a body;a sleeve coupled to the body;a retainer ring supported on the sleeve and configured to engage a second clamp of the clamp assembly;a piston configured to contact a first clamp of the clamp assembly; anda port configured to provide a fluid to a sealed chamber to drive the sleeve with the retainer ring in a first axial direction and to drive the piston in a second axial direction to actuate the clamp assembly.

11. A system, comprising:a housing of a wellhead;a hanger configured to be supported in the housing of the wellhead;a clamp assembly configured to be positioned circumferentially about the housing of the wellhead; andan adapter configured to actuate the clamp assembly to apply radial compression to the housing of the wellhead to facilitate sealing between the hanger and the housing of the wellhead.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the adapter is configured to couple the housing of the wellhead to another structure stacked axially relative to the wellhead.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the another structure comprises a blowout preventer.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the hanger is configured to be seated within the housing of the wellhead in axial alignment with the clamp assembly.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the clamp assembly comprises a first clamp, a second clamp, and a wedge structure, and wherein the adapter comprises:a body;a sleeve coupled to the body;a retainer ring supported on the sleeve and configured to engage the second clamp;a piston configured to contact the first clamp; anda port configured to provide a fluid to a sealed chamber to drive the sleeve with the retainer ring in a first axial direction and to drive the piston in a second axial direction to actuate the clamp assembly.

16. A method of operating an adapter clamp system, the method comprising:lowering a hanger into a housing of a wellhead to axially align with a clamp assembly positioned circumferentially about the housing of the wellhead;lowering an adapter to circumferentially surround the clamp assembly; andoperating the adapter to actuate the clamp assembly to apply radial compression to the housing of the wellhead to facilitate sealing between the hanger and the housing of the wellhead.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising coupling the adapter to another structure stacked axially relative to the wellhead.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein operating the adapter to actuate the clamp assembly comprises providing a fluid to a sealed chamber of the adapter to actuate the clamp assembly to apply the radial compression to the housing of the wellhead to facilitate the sealing between the hanger and the housing of the wellhead.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein operating the adapter to actuate the clamp assembly comprises driving a first clamp and a second clamp of the clamp assembly axially toward one another along oppositely tapered surfaces of a wedge structure to apply the radial compression to the housing of the wellhead to facilitate the sealing between the hanger and the housing of the wellhead.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising tightening one or more nuts about one or more fasteners that extend axially through the first clamp and the second clamp of the clamp assembly to maintain the radial compression to the housing of the wellhead to maintain the sealing between the hanger and the housing of the wellhead.

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