Casing Hanger Anti-Rotation Keyed Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rotation of casing hangers during cementing operations in wellhead assemblies can cause the tightening of threaded connections, making it difficult to disconnect torque-transmitting devices, such as landing joints, from the casing hangers, which can hinder the removal process and potentially damage set cement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating anti-rotation features like keys and keyways on the casing hangers that prevent rotation during disconnection, allowing for the secure engagement with landing shoulders to inhibit rotation and facilitate the removal of torque-transmitting devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rotation is applied to casing hangers during cementing operations, then cement quality is improved by reducing voids, but the threaded connection between casing hanger and landing joint tightens, making disconnection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into two independent functional parts: a threaded connection for torque transmission and an anti-rotation connection for preventing rotation. The landing joint includes both a threaded bore and a keyed interface, while the casing hanger has corresponding features. This segmentation allows the threaded connection to handle torque while the keyed interface prevents rotation, resolving the contradiction between achieving rotation for cement quality and preventing rotation for easy disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyed interface acts as an intermediary mechanism between the threaded connection and the rotation control. The key in the landing joint fits into a corresponding keyway in the casing hanger, creating a mechanical intermediary that prevents rotation independent of the threaded connection. This intermediary allows the threaded connection to be optimized for torque transmission while the keyway-key interface handles rotation prevention, enabling easy disconnection.
2Ease of operation
If anti-rotation features are added to prevent rotation during disconnection, then disconnection ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-rotation feature (keyed interface) is merged with the existing landing joint structure rather than being a separate add-on. The key and keyway are integrated into the landing joint and casing hanger design, combining the torque transmission function (threaded connection) and anti-rotation function (keyed interface) into a unified connection system. This merging approach provides easy disconnection through the keyed interface while minimizing the increase in device complexity by utilizing the existing structural components.
Data Source
AI summary
A casing hanger assembly is provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a casing hanger and a landing shoulder for receiving the casing hanger and supporting the casing hanger within a wellhead. The casing hanger and the landing shoulder have complementary features that cooperate to inhibit rotation of the casing hanger with respect to the landing shoulder. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.