US2794505A - Pipe hanging apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 4, 1957 H. ALLEN PIPE HANGING APPARATUS v 4 Shee ts-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4. 1955 IN VEN TOR.

A TTO/FA/E y;

- June 4, 1957 ALLEN 2,794,505

PIPE HANGING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 4, l955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A I r23 Q Z3 J3 J5 4:? I

Jun 4, 1957 H. ALLEN 2,794,505

PIPE HANGING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 4, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Herb er 2 A//e/7 INVENTOR.

United States Patent PIPE HANGING APPARATUS Herbert Allen, Houston, Tex., assignor to Cameron Iron Works, Inc., Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application November 1955, Serial No. 545,079

31 Claims. (Cl. 16686) This invention relates broadly to apparatus for hanging tubing from a well head; and, more particularly, to improved apparatus of this type for use in the completion and production of multiple zone wells.

Multiple zone wells are produced through either concentrically arranged or side-by-side parallel tubing strings. In the latter instance, each string extends within the well to a level for communication with a particular zone, and the several zones are separated from one another by packers about the strings. In the completion and production of single zone wells, it is customary to hang a single string from a tubing head which forms a part of the well head equipment. Apparatus for this purpose conventionally includes a hanger removably supportable from the tubing head in a manner to seal between the tubing string suspended therefrom and the tubing head and to permit the string to be raised and lowered within the well.

Such apparatus enables the completion process to be performed without the loss of pressure within the well. That is, a blowout preventer or the like may be disposed above the head to permit the string to be run therethrough. Upon running of the string and landing of the hanger in the head, the hanger may be tied down and a back pressure valve inserted within the string. This permits the blowout preventer to be removed and replaced by suitable well equipment including flow line connections. Upon removal of the back pressure valve, the well may then be washed into production. Of course, the string may be removed from the well by a reversal of this process, which includes replacement of the well head equipment with the blowout preventer.

Patent No. 2,335,355 to Penick et al. discloses completion and production equipment which includes a pair of individual hangers supported from a single tubing head of a two zone Well in a manner to permit a tubing string suspended from one of such hangers to be handled separately from a side-by-side parallel string suspended from the other of said hangers. It is a general object of this invention to provide improvements in this type of apparatus.

A more specific object is to provide apparatus of this type which enables completion of a multiple zone Well without loss of pressure within such well.

Another object is to provide hanger apparatus of this type having a minimum cross-sectional area which in turn enables the use of a tubing head and casing of minimum diameter.

Yet another object is to provide apparatus of this type wherein the separate strings are adapted to be supported in sealed relation with respect to one another and with the tubing head.

A further object is to provide hangers for separately suspending a plurality of tubing strings within a well which are so constructed as to enable each hanger to be inserted or removed from the well with the string suspended therefrom.

Still another object is to provide a plurality of hangers each adapted to suspend a tubing string and being supr, 2,794,505 Patented June 4, 1957 portable from a tubing head in a manner to provide a full opening through such tubing head when all are removed from supported position, and being arranged relative to one another to permit insertion or removal of at least one independently of the remainder.

A still further object is to provide apparatus which includes hangers for separately suspending a plurality of tubing strings within a well and a tubing head from which said hangers may be supported in a manner to permit insertion or removal of any one of such hangers without prior removal of the remainder.

Yet another object is to provide apparatus which includes a plurality of separate hangers supportable in sideby-side abutment with one another from a tubing head and means which may be activated from the exterior of such head for sealing between adjacent hangers as well as between the hangers and head.

Yet a further object is to provide apparatus which includes a plurality of hangers, both of which may receive a back pressure valve and at least one of which may be locked down in supported position within a tubing head independently of the other and while a member is disposed over such head.

A still further object is to provide, in combination with a tubing head having a flange, a plurality of hangers for separately suspending tubing strings from such head, which hangers, when supported from the head, are individually sealable with a member to be placed thereover to prevent commingling of the pressures within the strings.

Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon a consideration of the written specification, the attached claims and the annexed drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters are used throughout to designate like parts:

Pig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a tubing head and a pair of hangers separately supported therefrom in accordance with the present invention, with one of said hangers shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the hangers of Fig. 1 re moved from the head;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 taken substantially along broken line 33 of said figure;

Fig. 4 is another cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. l, but taken substantially along broken line 44 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred form of tubing head and hangers, such hangers being shown in supported position as in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a sealing means disposed about a tubular part of the hangers of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the hangers of Fig. 5 and removed from the head; and V Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 5, taken substantially along broken line 8--8 of such figure.

The well head equipment of the present invention includes a tubing head and a plurality of separate tubing hangers, each of which is provided with means for suspending a tubing string therefrom within a well in side-byside relation to a string suspended from the other hangers. The hangers are supportable from the tubing head in sealed relation with respect to one another as well as with the tubing head such that loss of pressure within the well may be prevented at all times during the completion process.

The individual hangers are supportable in side-by-side abutment with one another so as to extend entirely across the opening through the tubing head, whereby the diameter of the tubing head, and consequently the well casing, may be kept at a minimum and a full passage is provided 3 through the tubing head opening simply upon removal of all of the hangers.

The means for suspending a tubing string from each hanger comprises a part adapted to form a rigid or fixed connection with such string, and, more particularly, a

threaded part on such hanger within a tubular opening therethrough. Not only does this type of connection enable each hanger to be handled with the string suspended therefrom, but also it prevents the collapse of the string which might otherwise occur with a slip type connection.

The means for supporting the hangers from the tubing head is so constructed as to maintain each hanger in its supported position regardless of the removal of an adjacent hanger. Furthermore, adjacent hangers are so constructed and arranged relative to each other that any one of them may be inserted within or removed from the tubing head separately of and without prior removal of the other.

The hangers and tubing head are provided with cooperating parts which enable the hangers to be sealed with respect to one another-as well as to the tubing head when supported therefrom and with completion equipment disposed over the head. These parts include a groove about each hanger adapted to receive a sealing means and disposable in the supported positions of the hangers opposite a groove in an adjacent hanger, said grooves being communicable with a passage in the head through which an exterior pressure medium may be forced for activating or.

forming such sealing means. Along this same line, each of the hangers is provided with means for supporting a back pressure valve therein, and at least one of such hangers may be locked in supported position from the tubing head while such equipment is above the tubing head. For this purpose, the hanger may be provided with openings for receiving holddown bolts movable within the tubing head and operable from the exterior thereof.

Each hanger also includes a tubular part on its end opposite that from which the tubing string is suspended, which part is upstanding from the tubing head flange when supported in such head, and is provided with a surface thereabout for sealing with a member to be placed over and connected to the flange. In this manner, the strings above the hanger are sealed relative to one another and the hangers themselves are sealable both above and below the seal which is conventionally made up between the head and member thereabove.

From the foregoing, and more especially in view of the detailed description to follow, it is obvious that this apparatus enables the completion of a dual zone well without loss of pressure and in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with single zone completion. That is, with a blowout preventer or like equipment disposed over the tubing head, a first string may be lowered through the preventer anda packer separating the production zones within the well. The hanger to which the string is fixedly connected is thus lowerable with the string through the preventer to its supported position in the tubing head, in which position it may then be locked from the exterior of the head. With the first hanger maintained in its supported position, a second string may be lowered through the preventer and a packer attached to the first string for sealing with the well above the upper ,of the zones, and the hanger for such string supported and locked in side-by-side abutment with said first hanger.

Back pressure valves are then insertable through the preventer into supported position with the hangers, and the sealing means activated from the exterior of the head to seal between adjacent hangers and the head and hangers. At this time, the preventer may be removed and a valve or suitable flange member may be placed over and con nected to the tubing head, whereby additional well head equipment such as flow lines may be attached thereto.

These members are adapted to seal with surfaces about the tubular portion of each hanger to provide a seal about the hangers above the connection of the head and member as well as to prevent commingling of pressures within the strings suspending by each hanger above such connection. Upon removal of the back pressure valves from within the hangers, both zones of the well may be washed Of course, upon reversal of the above procedure, either of the hangers and strings may be removed separately of the other.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, there is shown in each of Figs. 1 and 5 an embodiment of the present invention Which forms a part of well head equipment for use in the completion and production of a dual zone well, as described above. Therefore, for purposes of illustration, there are shown two tubing strings 10 and 11 which are suspended by means of such apparatus within the well casing (not shown) which extends downwardly from the tubing hanger 12 in a manner well known in the art. It should be understood, however, that this dual zone installation is merely exemplary and that the concepts of the present invention are applicable as well to other multiple zone installations. In fact, the term tubing strings is used in its broad sense and does not necessarily limit the members 10 and 11 to production tubing. In other words, although the apparatus of the present invention is especially well suited for suspending separate tubing strings to different production zones Within a well, it is contemplated that such apparatus may be useful for separately suspending two or more strings of pipe within a well for other purposes. A broad usage of the head 12 is also contemplated, as such member may, for example, be a casing head. For purposes of simplicity, however, the apparatus of this invention will be described particularly in connection with its preferred usage in the dual zone installation shown in the drawings and mentioned above.

Referring first to the embodiment shown in Figs. I to 4, inclusive, it can be seen that the tubing head 12 is provided with a cylindrical opening 13 therethrough and a flange 14 at its upper end. As well known in the art, a member 15 such as a valve or the like of the character shown in the Penick et al. Patent No. 2,335,355 is adapted to be placed over and connected to the flange 14 by means of bolts 16. As is also customary in the art, each of the tubing head and member 15 is provided with oppositely disposed grooves 17 and 18, respectively, which are adapted to receive therebetween a ring-type sealing element 19, the details of which do not form a part of the present invention. With such sealing element 19 disposed withinthe grooves as shown, tightening of the bolts 16 will establish a seal between the head 12 and member 15 about the opening 13.

The tubing strings 10 and 11 are suspended from hangers 20, which in this case are identical and thus interchangeably usable. Each hanger is in turn individually supportable from the tubing head within the opening 13 therethrough in side-by-side abutment with the other. As best shown in Fig. 4, the hanger 20 is sector-shaped in transverse cross section'and provided with an outer surface curved to .fit opening 13 and an inner surface abuttable with a similar surface of the other hanger in the supported positions thereof. As a result, when both hangers are in supported position, the bore of the tubing head is closed (as shown in Fig. 4), and, when both are removed therefrom, the'bore is full opening. A tubular opening 21 through each hanger is adapted to register with the opening through the tubing string when the latter is suspended from the hanger. For this purpose, the lower end of hanger 20 is threaded at 22 within opening 21 for fixed or rigid connection to the upper threaded end of said tubing string. 7 Further, the upper end of each hanger maybe similarly threaded for connection with a with inwardly projecting and upwardly facing shoulders 24 within the Opening 13 therethrough which extend partially about the circumference of such opening at oppositely spaced locations. Each of the hangers 20 is provided with an oppositely facing shoulder 25 entirely about its outer surface for landing upon the tubing head shoulders 24. Thus, each shoulder 25 on the hangers 20 is supported upon one-half of each of spaced shouldersv 24 on the tubing head to prevent further downward movement of the hanger within opening 13. There are also small shoulders 24a which extend between the shoulders 24 about the opening 13, as indicated in Fig. 1. The small shoulders may result from the milling of the opening in the tubing head and thus, in effect, form a continuation of the upper portion of the shoulders 24 which support hanger shoulders 25. Thus, it will be understood that these small shoulders are not essential to the support of the hangers and may be eliminated entirely.

Beneath the shoulders 25, each of the hangers 26 is provided with another shoulder or raised portion 26 extending partially about the outer surface of each hanger for a length adapted to fit between opposite ends of tubing head shoulders 24, as shown in Fig. 4. Thus, substantially vertical surfaces 27 on each shoulder 26 are adapted to abut with oppositely disposed surfaces 28 upon opposite sides of tubing head shoulder 24. With these surfaces 27 and 28 extending radially of the axis of opening 13 through the tubing head, it will be understood that this shoulder 26 serves to maintain each hanger 20 in its supported position against movement about the axis of such opening upon removal of the other hanger. Furthermore, these shoulders provide a means for guiding the hangers 20 into their supported positions Within the tubing head and, for this latter purpose, the lower ends of shoulders 26 are beveled as at 29 and 30. Also, the inner abutting surfaces of each of the hangers is beveled at 31 to facilitate insertion thereof into its supported position when the other hanger is already supported within the tubing head.

It will be understood also that the shoulders 24 and 28 on the tubing head bore cooperate with shoulders 25 and 27 on the tubing hanger to independently support each hanger against movement longitudinally downwardly and laterally out of the position it occupies when disposed within the bore in side-by-side relation to the other hanger.

Any plane tangent to the inner abutting surface of each hanger is adapted to be disposed parallel to the axis of opening 13 when each hanger is supported within the tubing head such that either of the hangers may be removed and inserted separately and without prior removal of the other hanger. In this respect, it will be appreciated that the term abutting is not used in its strictest sense to denote a necessarily contiguous relation of one inner surface to another, but rather to define such surfaces as being next to and unseparated from one another, thereby conserving space in accordance with one of the novel aspects of the present invention.

As previously mentioned, when supported within the tubing head 12, the hangers 20 are adapted to be sealed with respect to one another as well as to the opening through the tubing head such that fluid flow through such opening is confined to passage through the tubing strings and 11. This sealing means comprises a groove formed about each hanger and passages in the tubing head 12 communicating such grooves with the exterior of the head in the landed position of the hangers. As best shown in the exploded view of Fig. 2, this groove includes a portion 32 which extends about the outer surface of each hanger above shoulder for connection with a groove 33 extending across the inner flat surface of each such hanger, these latter grooves in each hanger being disposable opposite one another, as shown, in the supported positions of the hangers. The passages in the 75 tubing head are shown at 34 in Fig. 3 and, as can be seen in connection with Fig. 1, these pass-ages communicate with grooves 32 and 33 in the hangers through vertically extending slots 35 in each hanger. For a reason which will be apparent, the passages 34 are disposed within the flange 14 of tubing head 12.

These grooves are adapted to receive a packing to form a sealing means for establishing the fluid-tight barrier across the tubing head opening in the manner previously mentioned. Such sealing means preferably comprises a plastic or flowable type packing such as results from the mechanical combination of fine asbestos fibers with relatively insoluble greases or waxes and which may be inserted under pressure through passages 34, slots 35, and into grooves 32 and 33. Thus, for purposes of supporting both hangers within the tubing head, this packing may be considered a permanent sealing means. On the other hand, from the standpoint of permitting removal of one or both of such hangers, this plastic-type packing may be considered a temporary sealing means.

In any case, the means for inserting such sealing means under pressure comprises an insert 36 threaded into the outer end of passage 34 and sealed with respect thereto by O-ring 37, as shown in Fig. 3. This insert 36 is provided with a central opening 38 therethrough which communicates through a restricted passage 39 with the inner end of passage 34 and is threaded internally to receive a longitudinally movable pressure applying member in the form of bolt 40. Restrictedpassage 39 is adapted to be closed by a ball 41 which is normally urged to a closed'position by spring 42, but which is adapted to be opened upon the exertion of pressure thereagainst by means of plastic material ahead of bolt 49. Ball 41 is guided within a spider 43 against which spring 42 is engaged such that, upon opening of passage 39 by the movement of ball 41 away from such passage, the plastic packing material may be forced beyond such passage 39 and into the slot 35 and grooves 32 and 33. Thus, in a manner well knovm in the art, a desired amount of such plastic material may be placed within the opening 39 of insert 36 and forced past ball 41 into the grooves in the manner above described.

As shown in connection with the hanger for tubing string 10, the opening 21 through each hanger is provided along an intermediate portion thereof with acmetype threads- 44 to which a back pressure valve 45 may be connected, as shown in phantom lines. Such valve may be lowered through the well head equipment and string 23 into engagement with the threads 44, and is provided with a suitable sealing element 46 for sealing with opening 21 upon making up of the threaded connection so that fluid flow upwardly through the tubing string 10 is prevented. The valve 45 may correspond substantially to that shown on page 1109 of vol. 1 of the 1952-63 edition of the Composite Catalog of Oil Field and Pipeline Equipment.

For the purpose of preventing the hangers from being raised from their supported positions within the tubing head 12, and especially with back pressure valves 45 disposed therein, each such hanger is provided with a pair of spaced apart openings 47 above grooves 32 and 33 and into which may be inserted the inner end of holddown bolts 48 carried within the flange 14 of the tubing head. This location of such openings does not interfere with the sealing means previously described and is a further space saving factor.

As shown in Fig. 3, each of the bolts 48 is received within an opening 49 through the tubing head flange for selective movement of its inner end into and out-of the openings 47. For this purpose, each bolt is provided with a threaded part 50 for cooperation with a taped portion 51 within the opening 49 The outer end of bolt 48 is provided with a part 52 for actuation by'a suitable tool to impart rotary movement thereto, and

. shown in Fig. 5, is not shown in Fig. 7.

the intermediate portion of the bolt 48 is sealably slidable within a gland 53 held against a shoulder 54 within opening 49. by a nut 55.

' As can be'seen from Figs. 1 and 2, each of the hangers 20 is provided with a tubular portion 56 surrounding the opening 21 therethrough at the upper end of such hanger This tubular portion is so positioned and of such length that it is upstanding from flange '14 of the tubing head 12 with the hangers supported therein. In this manner, each such tubular portion 56 may be provided with a sealing surface 57 thereabout in position to be engaged by a similar surface upon member 15 when such member is disposed over and connected to -the tubing head flange. This then forms a seal about the hangers both above and below the sealing element 19. In addition, 'a resilient compression gasket 58 having openings therethrough to accommodate the tubular portions 56 may be compressed between member 15 and the tubing head 12 for providing another seal about such tubular portions of the hangers.

The preferred embodiment of this invention shown in Pigs. to 8, inclusive, is quite similar both in construction and function to the above-described embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4. In particular, it comprises a tubing head 59 having a cylindrical opening 60 therethrough and a flange 61 to which a valve member 62 or the like (similar to valve 15) is connected by means of bolts 63. As can be seen from Fig. 5, tubing head 59 and member 62 are provided with oppositely disposed annular grooves 64 and 64a to receive a ring-type sealing element 65ifor sealing between such head and member upon making up of the bolts 63.

Similarly to the hangers 20 of the embodiment of 'Figs. l to 4, separate hangers 66 are each provided with a tubular opening 67 therethrough and threaded parts at opposite ends of said opening for connection with depending tubing strings and 11 and strings 23 which extend upwardly from the hangers into the member thereabove. Also, each of the hangers 66 is provided with buttress-type threads 63 along an intermediate portion of its opening for supporting a back pressure valve 69, as shown in phantom, which is adapted to seal with the opening 67 as at 6% upon making up of the threads.

7 .The similarity of the shape of each of the hangers 66 to that of the hangers will be appreciated from the eXploded view ofFig. 7, wherein each hanger is shown as having an outer surface which is curved to fit vthe opening 60 through the tubing head and an inner surface which is fiat and adapted to abut with that of :the other hanger in the supported positions thereof. Thus', as in the case of the first described embodiment of the invention, the bore through the tubing head is closed (see Fig. 8) when both hangers 66 are supported therein and fully opened when both are removed therefrom. For purposes of clarity, the slightly reduced diameter portion of the lower part of each curved surface, as in addition, the hangers 66 are provided with grooves 70 about their outer curved surfaces which connect with grooves '71 along their abutting flat surfaces, the latter grooves of each hanger being disposable opposite one another in the supported positions thereof. Still further, each hanger is provided with vertically disposed slots 72 which communicate the aforementioned grooves with passages (not shown) in the flange 61 of the tubing head through which a pressure medium may be passed for activating a ring type sealing element 73 received in the grooves of each hanger. This sealing element may be composed ?of rubber orother suitable resilient material which .is subjected to pressure for activating the same within the confines of the grooves by means of a plastic type 'packing material such as was used to constitute the entire sealing means within the grooves of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to .4. It will he understood, therefore, that the apparatus described in connection with Fig. 3 niay be duplicated in this particular embodimentfor the purpose of supplying such a pressure medium to the sealingelement 73 and, for that purpose, such disclosure is not repeated herein. V

Noting still further similarities between this embodiment and the earlier described embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, the hangers 66 are provided with openings 74 about their outer surfaces above the grooves 72 for receiving holddown bolts (not shown) of the type previously described in connection with Fig. 3. Furthermore, each hanger 66 includes a tubular portion 75 about the upper end of its opening 67, which portion is adapted to extend upwardly from the flange 61 of the tubing head 59 when the hanger 66 is supported from such head. However, in this preferred embodiment, the sealing surface 76 surrounding tubular portion 75 comprises a resilient type sealing ring 77 which'is shown in some detail in Fig. 6 as retained within an annular groove 78 of the portion 75 by retaining rings 79. As in the .case of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, the member 62 is suitably recessed to provide portions for engagement with the sealing surface 76 of tubular portion '75 when the valve member 62 and tubing head 59 are connected to one another and either or both sides of the ring are subjected to pressure. Still further, a resilient type gasket 86 (Fig/7) may be compressed between such member and head, as shown in Fig. 5.

The means for supporting the hangers 66 from the tubing head 59 comprises pins 81 projecting inwardly of the opening 69 through the tubing head at oppositely disposed portions thereof and slots 82 formed on opposite sides of each of the hangers at the intersection of their outer curved and inner flat surfaces. Thus, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, the slots 82 are adapted to fit over the pins 81 such that the upper end of the slot forms a shoulder for resting upon a shoulder on the upper surface of pins 81 to prevent further downward movement of the hangers within the opening through the tubing head, and the oppositely facing surfaces upon the sides of slots 82 and pins 81 serve to prevent movement of the hangers within the tubing head opening about the axis of such opening.

As in the case of the previously described embodiment, shoulders on the pins 81 on the tubing head and shoulders on the slots 82 in the tubing hangers cooperate to independently support each of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly and laterally out of the position it occupies when disposed within the bore in sideby-side relation to the other hanger.

More particularly, the lower ends of the slots 82 in each hanger are tapered as at 83 along beveled surfaces 84 to provide a means for guiding the hangers into supported position overthe projecting pins 81. To further facilitate such guiding of the hangers into position the inner flat surfaces are beveled along their lower edge as at 85, while the outer curved surfaces of each hanger are beveled as at. 86.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one Well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. e

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. Well head equipment, comprising a tubing head havinga bore therethrough, a plurality of tubing hangers disposable in side by side relation within such bore, each hanger having an opening therethrough and means for suspending a tubing string from an end thereof, one surface of each hanger being curved to fit said tubing head bore and another surface being contoured for abutment with a surface of an adjacent hanger when so disposed within the head, and cooperable means on the tubing head within its bore and the curved surface of each hanger for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein and for independently supporting each hanger against movement laterally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger being of such size so as to at least substantially close said bore when all are supported therein and provide a space therein at least substantially as large as said bore when all are removed therefrom.

2. Well head equipment of the character defined in claim 1, wherein any plane tangent to the contoured abutting surfaces of each hanger when supported within the tubing head is parallel to the axis of the tubing head bore such that each hanger may be removed separately of the remainder.

3. Well head equipment of the character defined in claim 2, wherein each hanger is provided with a groove thereabout for receiving sealing means therein, the portion of the groove in the abutting surface of each hanger being disposable oposite that of an adjacent hanger in the supported position thereof.

4. In well head equipment comprising a tubing head having a bore therethrough and a plurality of tubing hangers disposable in side by side supported relation within the bore, wherein each hanger comprises a body having an opening therethrough and means for suspending a tubing string from an end thereof, the improvement which comprises an outer surface on one side of each hanger body contoured to fit the tubing head bore and an inner surface on another side thereof contoured to abut with a similar surface of an adjacent body when so disposed, any plane tmgent to said inner surfaces when the hangers are supported in the tubing head bore being parallel to the axis of the tubing head bore to permit insertion within or removal from the tubing head of any one of said bodies separately of the remainder, and cooperable shoulder means on the tubing head within the bore and the outer surface of each hanger body for independently supporting each such body against movement laterally as well as longitudinally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, whereby each body may be maintained in its suported position upon insertion or removal of the remainder, each hanger body being of such size as to at least substantially close said bore when all are supported therein and provide a space therein at least substantially as large as said bore when all are removed therefrom.

5. In well head equipment of the character defined in claim 4, wherein said cooperable shoulder means comprises a substantially vertical slot formed in each hanger body at the intersections of its inner and outer surfaces, and pins within the bore through the head over which said slots may be passed.

6. In well head equipment of the character defined in claim 4, wherein said cooperable shoulder means on each hanger body includes a shoulder on a peripheral land which extends entirely around the outer surface of each hanger body.

7. In Well head equipment comprising a tubing head having a bore therethrough and a plurality of tubing hangers supportable from the head in side by side relation within the tubing, wherein each hanger comprises a body having an opening therethrough and means for suspending a tubing string from an end thereof, the improvement which comprises an outer surface on one side of each hanger body being contoured to fit the tubing head bore and an inner surface on another side thereof being con toured to abut with a similar surface of an adjacent body in the suportped positions thereof, any plane tangent to said inner surfaces being parallel to the axis of the tubing head bore when hangers are supported therein to permit removal from the tubing head of any one of said bodies separately of the remainder, interconnected grooves in the outer and inner surface of each hanger body for receiving a sealing means, the grooves on the inner surfaces being disposable opposite one another in the supported positions of the bodies, and a passage in the tubing head connecting the exterior thereof with the opening therethrough and communicating with the grooves in the hanger bodies in the supported positions thereof to permit said sealing means to be pressurized from a source exteriorly of the head. 7

8. A tubing hanger, comprising a body having an opening therethrough, means on the body within said opening for suspending a tubing string from one end thereof, said body having a curved surface on one side thereof and any plane tangent to the surface on another side thereof being parallel to the axis of the opening, first shoulder means on the :curved surface for supporting the body against movement longitudinally of the opening therethrough, and additional shoulder means on said curved surface and spaced thereabout for preventing movement of said body about the axis of said opening.

9. A tubing hanger of the character defined in claim 8, including a groove extending entirely around said surfaces of said hanger for receiving sealing means therein.

10. A tubing hanger of the character defined in claim 8, including tubular means surrounding the opening through the body at the end thereof opposite that from which the tubing is suspended, and a sealing surface about the periphery of said tubular means.

11. Well head equipment, comprising a tubing head having a bore therethrough, a plurality of tubing hangers each having a longitudinal opening therethrough and being disposable in side-by-side relation within the bore through the tubing head for suspending tubing within the well, and means for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein and for independently supporting at least one of said hangers, against movement laterally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger being substantially sector-shaped in transverse cross-section and of such size as to at least substantially close said bore when all are supported therein and provide a space therein at least substantially as large as said bore when all are removed therefrom.

12. Well head equipment of the character defined in claim 11, including means for sealing between adjacent hangers as well as between each hanger and the bore through the tubing head when said hangers are so supported therein.

13. Well head equipment of the character defined in claim 11, including cooperable means on said tubing head and said hangers for holding each hanger in supported position within the bore through'the tubing and against upwardly directed pressures within the well.

14. Well head equipment, comprising a tubing head having a bore therethrough, a plurality of tubing hangers each having a longitudinal opening therethrough and being disposable in side-by-side relation within the bore through the tubing head for suspending tubing within the well, and means for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein and for independently supporting at least one of said hangers against movement laterally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger having a surface contoured for abutment with the bore through the tubing head when supported therein 7 v and being of such size as to at least substantially close said bore when all are supported therein and provide a 11 'space therein at least substantially as large as when all are removed therefrom.

15. Well head equipment of the character defined in claim 14, including means for sealing between'adjacent hangers as Well as between said surface on each hanger and the bore through the tubing head when said hangers are so supported therein.

16. Wellhead equipment of the character defined in claim 15, wherein said sealing means includes a groove about said surface of each hanger for receiving sealing material. 7

17. Well head equipment of the character defined in claim' 14, wherein said supporting means comprises cooperable shoulder means on said hanger and said tubing head within the bore therethrough, said shoulder means including spaced apart vertically disposed components to prevent rotation of each hanger with respect to the axis of the bore through the tubing head.

18. Well head equipment, comprising a tubing head having a bore therethrough, a plurality of tubing hangers each having a longitudinal opening therethrough and being disposable in side-by-side relation within the bore through the tubing head for suspending tubing within the well, and means for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein :and for independently supporting at least one of said hangers against movement laterally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger having a surface contured for abutment with a surface of an adjacent hanger when supported Within the bore through the tubing head and being of such size as to at least substantially .close said bore when all are supported therein and provide a space therein at least substantially as large as said bore when all are removed therefrom.

19. Well head equipment of the character defined in claim 18, wherein any plane tangent to said surfaces is parallel to the axis of the tubing head bore when said hangers are supported therein.

20. Well head equipment of the character defined in claim 18, including means for sealing between each hanger and the bore through said tubing head as well as between adjacent hangers when said hangers are supported within said bore said bore, said sealing means including a groove in said surface of at least one of said surfaces of adjacent hangers for receiving a sealing material.

21. For use in suspending tubing from the bore through a tubing head, a hanger disposable in upright position within the bore, said hanger having a longitudinal opening therethrough and being substantially sector-shaped in transverse cross-section, means on said hanger for suspending a tubing string from one end thereof, and shoulder means on the hanger for abutment with complementary shoulder means within the bore of the tubing head when the hanger is so disposed to support it against movement longitudinally downwardly within said bore and to prevent movement of said hanger laterally out of its supported position within the bore as well as about the axis of said bore.

22. As in claim 21, including a groove extending about the curved side of the hanger for receiving a sealing material therein.

23. As in claim 21, including a groove extending across the side of the hanger opposite the curved side thereof for receiving a sealing material therein.

24. As in claim 21, including a groove extending entirely around said hanger for receiving a sealing material therein. 7

25. As in claim 21, including means on the hanger within the opening therethrough for supporting a back pressure valve therein, and an opening on the curved side of the hanger. for receiving a part on the tubing head to hold the hanger down against upwardly directed presing disposable in side-byaside relation within thelbore through the tubing head for suspending tubing within the well, and means for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein and for independently supporting each of said hangers against movement laterally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger being substantially sector-shaped in transverse cross-section and of such size as to at least substantially close said bore when all are supported therein and provide a space therein at least substantially as large as said bore when all are removed therefrom.

27. Well head equipment, comprising a tubing hea having a bore therethrough, a plurality of tubing hangers each having a longitudinal opening therethrough and being disposable in s-ide-by-side relation within the bore through the tubing head for suspending tubing within the well, and means for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein and for independently supporting each of said hangers against movement laterally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger having a surface contoured for abutment with the bore through the tubing head when supported therein and being of such size as to at least substantially close saidv bore when all are supported therein and provide a space therein at least substantially as large as said bore when all are removed therefrom.

28. Well head equipment, comprising a tubing head having a bore therethrough, a plurality of tubing hangers each having l8. longitudinal opening therethrough and beind disposable in side-by-side relation within the bore through the {tubing head for suspending tubing Within the Well, and means for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein and for independently supporting each of said hangers against movement laterally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger having a surface contoured for abutment with a surface of an adjacent hanger when supported within the bore through the tubing head and being of such size as to at least substantially close said bore when all are supported therein and provide a space therein :at least substantially as large as said bore when :all are removed therefrom.

29. Well head equipment, comprising a tubing head having a bore therethrough, a plurality of tubing hangers each having a longitudinal opening there'through and being disposable in s'ide-by-side relation within the bore through the tubing head for suspending tubing within the Well, and means for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein and for independently supporting at least one of said hangers against movement laterally as well as rotationally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger being substantially sector-shaped in transverse cross-section and of such size as to at least substantially close said bore when all are sup ing at least one of said hangers against movement later- :ally as well as rotationally out of the position it occupies when so disposed, each hanger having a surface contoured for. abutment with thebore through the tubing headwhen supported therein and being of such size'as to at least substantially close said bore when'all lare supported therein and provide a space therein at least substantially as large as said bore when all are removed therefrom.

31. Well head equipment, comprising a tubing head having a bore therethrough, a plurality of tubing hangers each having a longitudinal opening therethrough and being disposable in sideby-side relation within the bore through the tubing head for suspending tubing within the well, and means for supporting all of said hangers against movement longitudinally downwardly within the bore when so disposed therein and for independently supporting at least one of said hangers against movement laterally as Well as rotationally out of the position it 0ccupies when so disposed, each hanger having a surface contoured for abutment with a surface of an adjacent hanger when supported within the bore through the tubing head and being of such size as to at least substantially close said bore when all are supported therein and provide a space therein at least substantially as large as said bore when all are removed therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,627 Penick et a1 Nov. 19, 1940 2,233,077 Gillespie et a1 Feb. 25, 1941 2,241,333 Smith May 6, 1941 2,335,355 Penick et a1. Nov. 30, 1943 2,390,393 Rubly Dec, 4, 1945 2,485,497 Lemley et al Oct. 18, 1949 2,550,027 Thompson Apr. 24, 1951 2,708,975 Schaefer May 24, 1955

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