01 Well Head Components

Quartz School for Well Site Supervisors
Module 5
Well Heads & BOPE
Section 1
Well Head Components
1/46 Quartz School. Module 5: WH & Well Control Equipment / Section 1: Well Head Components
Contents
Wellhead definition
Wellhead Components
Flanges, ring gasket and outlets
Casing head housing
Casing head spool
Casing hanger
Primary and secondary seals
Tubing head spool
Wellhead Specification as per API 6A
Wellhead Running procedure
Wellheads for special application
Wellheads
Objectives
Be familiar with Wellhead components
Be able to select an appropriate type of Wellhead system

for a standard land / jack-up operation
Be familiar with API Specification 6A
Be aware of a some of the issues with installation and use

of surface wellheads
Well Head Components
Flow Control
Equipment ( 3/4/5 ) Xmas Tree
Tubing Suspension C Section
Equipment ( 2 )
B Section
Casing Suspension A Section
Equipment ( 1 )
Well Head - Definition
The wellhead is the surface foundation on which the well is built

up during the drilling operations and is the base for the x-mas tree
for production operations.
Functions of wellhead:
Withstand tensile loads of suspended tubular
Provide a pressure sealing capability

ISOLATE the well from the external environment
ISOLATE between casings and downhole formations
MAINTAIN PRESSURE during well control operations, well testing or shut
in periods.
Those functionalities must be achieved during the life of the

well (Drilling, Production, Workover, Suspension and Abandonment)
The Christmas Tree, XT
It comprises a series of valves, a choke and connections. It

provides a means of controlling the effluents, ensuring the
safety of the facilities and given measurement tools and
instruments access to the well.
Main components of surface installation
Xmas Tree
Tubing Head Spool

Wellhead
Casing Head Spool
Casing Head Housing

Flanged Connection API Classification
A protruding rim with holes to accept bolts and having a sealing mechanism
used to join pressure containing equipment.
There are two types of API flanges:
API 6B - 2,000, 3000, 5,000 psi (up to 11)

API 6BX - 5,000 (from 13 5/8) to 20,000 psi
What does a 3-1/16 , 10 000 Working pressure of 10000 psi and 3 1/16 bore
flange means?
Ring Gaskets
Ring gaskets are made of a softer material than the flange body; therefore, they deform
after being placed and tightened with the flange bolts. This results in a better seal.
FLANGES RING GASKETS

Type R (oval or octagon shape)
TYPE 6B
Type RX
(octagon asymmetrical shape)
Type BX
TYPE 6BX
(square cross section with tapered edges)
Notes: BX and RX rings are pressure energized, meaning that pressure, in

case of leaking, helps to improve the sealing.
RX rings from sizes 82 through 91have pressure equalizing hole.
10/46
Ring gasket shall not be reused.
Quartz School. Module 5: WH & Well Control Equipment / Section 1: Well Head Components
Flanges and Ring Gaskets
type R & RX type BX
Standoff
No Standoff
Standard Sizes of API Flanges
What are the common flange sizes used in wellhead equipment ?
inches millimeters
1 13/16 46
2 1/16 52
2 9/16 65
3 1/16 or 3 1/8 78 or 79
4 1/16 103
5 1/8 130
7 1/16 179
9 228
11 279
13 5/8 346
16 425
18 476
20 527
21 540
26 680
30 762
Notes:
When converting to millimeters they are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
For flanges, the nominal flange size is equal to the bore size of the flange, but for
wellhead sections the bore size is slightly smaller.
Bore sizes for wellheads can be found in Table 10.34 of API Spec 6A.
Casing head Housing
It is the lowest part of the wellhead assembly and
almost always connected to surface casing. It support
subsequent drilling wellhead and completion string.
Its main functions are:
Provides for attachment to surface casing string

Supports BOP during drilling operation
Provides for suspending and packing of the next
casing string
Provides outlets for annular access
Provides for testing BOP while drilling
Types of Casing Head Housing (CHH)
Although safer, threaded CHH requires to have
the uppermost casing thread at precise depth.
Threaded If the surface casing has to be set off depth (fill
on bottom, stuck casing), slip-on CHH has to
used.
The welding must be tested

Slip on through Test port located
between the two welding.
Not that the plug needs to be
removed before the welding.
They can be installed faster than a slip-on
weld type. They can be re-installed or
Slip lock
removed. This allows to use it as a temporary
tool while drilling the intermediate hole.
Casing Head Housing - Description
Top connection flanged (standard)
Ring groove
Side outlets threaded

Landing area for or studded
Casing Hanger
Test port
Slip-on weld or threaded

bottom connection
CHH - Type of Outlets
Threaded outlet* Studded flange
*Usually low pressure and cost

Flanged Clamp hub
Base Plate
The load acting on the the Casing Head Housing might be high (in case of deep well for
instance). In this case a base plate is used to distribute the load and to increase the
stability of the wellhead.
The base plate sets at the bottom of the cellar.
Casing hanger
The objectives of the casing hangers are to:
Suspends intermediate or production casing string
Centers the casing string in the head (or spool)
Seals off the casing annulus (It is the primary seal )
There are many types of hangers. Two major types of casing hangers : slip type hanger
(wraparound casing slips) and mandrel type hanger. Wraparound casing can be
set without removing BOP under certain conditions.
18/46 Wraparound casing hanger Mandrel casing hanger

Slip type hanger (examples)
Wrap around casing slips with sealing capability
provided by casing load
Dual slips distribute casing load to reduce casing

deflection at high loads.
Use to obtain seal independent of the casing load (when

no casing load available to energize the seal). Elastomer
seal are mechanically activated by cap screws
Casing hanger has an independent slip and seal

assembly. The seal is installed when the casing cut off.
Casing head Spool
It has a top bowl to accommodate the next casing hanger. It
has a bottom bowl with a pack-off seal (or bushing) and a
flange for mounting it up on the top of the casing head
housing or previous casing head spool. Multiple casings
spools can be stacked to hang intermediate or production
casing strings.

Seals off (packs off) previous string
Provides for suspending and packing of the next casing string
Provides support for well control equipment (BOP Stack)
Provides for testing BOP while drilling
Casing Head Spools - Description
Landing area for
Casing Hanger
The top flange has a different size
and rating than the bottom flange.
The bottom flange is compatible with the
previous casing head or casing spool flange.
Side outlets can be threaded/ studded / flanged

(threaded not common).
Pack Off (or Secondary Seal) is designed

to fit around OD of current casing.
The bottom flange includes a test port (with a

non-return valve) allowing to test between
Test port
the ring gasket, primary and secondary seal.
Some CHS seal includes a port that allows injection of sealant in

order to energize or re-energize the secondary seal (this feature is
not include in this picture).
Primary and Secondary Seal
Secondary Seals
Therefore, there are two separate
barriers which prevent pressure
from communicating with the
environment outside the wellhead Primary Seals
and up with the subsequent
annulus.
This figure illustrates packoff type secondary

seals. Some of these secondary seals
require plastic injection to re-energize or
energize them.
Spacer Spool & Adapter Spool
The DSA (Double Studded Adapter) or
the adapter spool. They are usually
used to adapt between different flange
end connections that would otherwise
not connect. Usually the two sides are
different in size and/or pressure rating.
Spacer Spool or also called Mud Cross.

It is a unit of equipment used with
Blowout Preventer to space pieces of
equipment apart and provide outlets to
attach lines extending to Choke and
Kill Manifolds.
Tubing head Spool
It is the top spool on a surface wellhead assembly. It is
installed after the last casing string to provide shoulder to
support the tubing string and a seal bore for the tubing
hanger or production . When the well is completed, the tree
is installed on top of the tubing head.
Seals off (packs off) the production casing

Provides for suspending and packing of the completion string
Provides support for well controlequipment (BOP Stack)
Tubing Head Spool (THS) - Description
The top flange has a different size and rating than the
bottom flange. A tubing hanger lock down bolts system
is included.
Side outlets can be threaded/ studded / flanged
(threaded not common).
The top bowl provides support for the tubing hanger.
The bottom flange is compatible with the previous casing
spool flange.
Pack Off is designed to fit around OD of the
production casing.
The bottom flange includes a test port (with a non-
return valve) allowing to test between the ring gasket,
TEST PORT
primary and secondary seal.
Some THS seal includes a port that allows injection of
sealant in order to energize or re-energize the secondary
seal (this feature is not include in this picture).
Tubing Hangers
There are many type of the tubing hanger. Most of the

tubing hanger are mandrel type.
The top thread allows the connection when setting or

removing the completion string.
The bottom thread allow the connection with the

completion string.
Most of them have a primary and secondary seals.
The internal body is threaded to accommodate a back pressure

valve (BPV).
The BPV allows to shut-in the well when removing or BPV
installing the BOPs / X-Mas tree.
Wear Bushing
Run and set into top bowl to protect
wellhead from wear during drilling
operation.
Lock screws tightened to contact
wear bushing can be used if casing
head has this feature.
Most wellhead from major
manufacturers incorporate the wear
bushing lock assembly into the body
of the spool using a J slot system. When wear bushing is not used
It needs to be remove before running

the next casing string.
Combination running tool
27/46 Wear bushing Wear bushing running tool

Wellhead Standards: API 6A
Covers Wellhead and Xmas Tree equipment
Mainly manufacture and specification.
Does not really cover, application, installation or operational aspects.
Guidelines on selection of equipment and quality assurance ( Product
Specification Levels PSL).
Temperature and Pressure Ratings

Materials
Standard & H2S / CO2 Conditions (NACE standard)
Requirements for welding on wellhead equipment

Quality control, marking of equipment, storing and shipping.
Details specific requirements for the different components.
Pressure Ratings of Equipment
Equipment shall be designed to operate in only the following maximum rated
working pressure:
Psi Mpa
2000 13.8
3000 20.7
5000 34.5
10,000 69.0
15,000 103.5
20,000 138.0
Note: The MPa readings are rounded off to preserve the same ratio of
pressure ratings.
Temperature Rating
Table 4.2 of API Spec. 6A illustrates the temperature ratings classification for
wellhead components.
Note: Temperatures listed in table refer to surface temperatures and not BHST.
Minimum temperature is the lowest ambient temperature.
Maximum temperature is the highest temperature of the fluid.
Room temperature: Any temperature between 40 deg F and 10 deg F)
Material Specifications
The material specification is dependent on the concentration of H2S and CO2 in
the produced fluid.
NACE standard MR0175 is only concerned with metallic material requirements

to prevent sulfide stress cracking and not with resistance to corrosion.
Materials Definitions
Carbon steel:
An alloy of carbon and iron containing a maximum of 2% carbon, 1.67% manganese,
and residual quantities of other elements.
Low alloy steel

Steel containing less than 5% total allowing elements, but more than specified for
carbon steel. Although not generally considered a low alloy steel, steels with less
than 11% chromium shall be included in this category.
Corrosion resistant Alloys (CRA)

Non-ferrous alloys, where any one or the sum of the specified amount of the following
alloy element exceeds 50%: titanium, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum.
Stainless Steel:
Steel containing chromium (more than 11%) to render the steel corrosion resistant.
Other elements may be added to secure special proprieties.
Corrosion from API 6A
Product Specification Level (PSL)
The PSL indicates the service conditions for which the wellhead may be used. API
has defined four PSLs for wellhead equipment (PSL1-4). The four PSL designations
define different levels of technical requirements.
It defines also specification for quality control of equipment.

The more critical the application (pressure, fluid composition and close proximity)
of the wellhead the higher the PSL level is.
A higher PSL level requires a greater level of testing and the traceability of the
materials.
Appendix A of the specification has a flow chart which helps define the PSL level
required.
API Spec 6A flow chart to determine PSL level.
CHH, CHS & THS Identification API 6A
Each casing head is identified by :
1. nominal size (nominal top flange). 5. Type of material.
2. Outlets size and type 6. Temperature rating designation.
3. Bottom connection for CHH 7. PSL level.
4. pressure rating (working pressure).
21 1/4" x 2000 psi

13 5/8 " x 5M psi Top - 21 1/4 " x 2M psi Bottom 11" x 5M psi Top - 13 5/8 " x 5M psi Btm
Two x 2 1/8 threaded side outlets
Two x 2 5M psi Flanged side outlets Two x 2 1/8 5Mpsi Studded Side outlets
Slip on Weld Material: AA Temperature: T
Material: AA Temperature: S Material:AA
Temperature: S PSL 1 PSL 1
PSL 1
Information needed to order a Casing Hanger
Casing hangers are ordered together with the wellhead

sections since not all hangers are suitable for all sections.
The following details of the application should be

discussed in the planning phase with the supplier to obtain
the proper hanger:
Casing size, weight and grade.

Casing setting depth.
Expected tension of the top joint.
Surface temperature.
Composition of fluids to which it will be exposed.
Well Head for Special Applications
1. Compact spool systems

2. Subsea wellheads
3. Splitter wellheads where conductor slots are limited
4. Dual Completions
5. Proximity Well Heads
Compact Wellheads
Advantages (Vs conventional Wellhead):

The BOP Stack can be left in place until the installation of Xmas
tree.
It saves rig time.
Reduction of flanged connections.
Disadvantages (Vs conventional wellhead):
Cost
Support service is required
Require contingency equipment
Subsea Wellheads
Build on single unit. Concept of compact

wellheads was derived from subsea
wellheads.
Each casing string is landed on top of the
previous one.
Splitter Wellheads
Dual tubing hanger
Well Head - Exercises
Find the following for a 21 x 2000 psi CHH:
a) Type of flange.
b) Ring gasket type and number.
c) Size, length and number of studs required for the flange.
Find how many combinations of flanges could you have for a 13 5/8 x
5000 psi by 21 x 2000 psi CHS:
a) Type of flanges.
b) Ring gasket types and number.
c) Sizes, lengths and number of studs required for the flanges.
Group Exercise 1
Discussion Groups
1) Design a basic wellhead and Tree for the following development well.
5 Production Tubing
Conductor 30 X 2 jts
J55 94# Big Omega Surface - 20 1500 ft. Expected LOT = 14.5 ppg
The formation between 1500 and 5000 ft is a plastic clay. The mud weight for
this section will start at 9.0 ppg and will be increased progressively to 10.5
ppg.
P110 72# BTC Intermediate 13 3/8 5000 ft Expected LOT = 17.5 ppg
The formation between 5000 and 9000 ft is a highly compacted shale with
sand stringers between 7000 and 8000 ft. These stringers could contain
pockets of gas. The mud weight for this section will start at 14.0 ppg and will
be increased progressively to 15.5 ppg.
C95 58.4# New Vam Production Casing 9 5/8 9000 ft.
7 Liner 8500 - 10,000 ft. ABC Productive Sands from 9300 to 1000 ft. Estimated formation pressure = 7500
C95 psi. H2S content = 0 ppm. BHT = 180oF.
44/46 38# New Vam
Group Exercise 2
Discussion Groups
1) Design a basic wellhead and Tree for the following development well.
3 Production Tubing
Conductor 20 X 2 jts
K55 68# BTC Surface 13 3/8 1500 ft. Expected LOT = 14.5 ppg
The formation between 1500 and 5000 ft is a plastic clay. The mud weight for
this section will start at 9.0 ppg and will be increased progressively to 10.5
ppg.
P110 47 # BTC Intermediate 9 5/8 5000 ft Expected LOT = 17.5 ppg

The formation between 5000 and 9000 ft is a highly compacted shale with
sand stringers between 7000 and 8000 ft. These stringers could contain
pockets of gas. The mud weight for this section will start at 14.0 ppg and will
be increased progressively to 15.5 ppg.
C95 35# New Vam Production Casing 7 9000 ft.
4 1/2 Liner 8500 - 10,000 ABC Productive Sands from 9300 to 1000 ft. Estimated formation pressure = 7500
ft. P110 15.1# New Vam psi. H2S content = 0 ppm. BHT = 180oF.
End of Wellhead
Now You should be able to :
Describe the functions of a Wellhead
Describe a casing head housing
Describe a casing head spool
Describe a tubing spool and hanger
Describe the seals in a wellhead system
Design a basic wellhead system

01 Well Head Components

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01 Well Head Components

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Quartz School for Well Site Supervisors

Be able to select an appropriate type of Wellhead system

Be familiar with API Specification 6A

Be aware of a some of the issues with installation and use

Tubing Suspension C Section

Casing Suspension A Section

The wellhead is the surface foundation on which the well is built

Provide a pressure sealing capability

Those functionalities must be achieved during the life of the

It comprises a series of valves, a choke and connections. It

Tubing Head Spool

Casing Head Housing

There are two types of API flanges:

API 6B - 2,000, 3000, 5,000 psi (up to 11)

FLANGES RING GASKETS

Notes: BX and RX rings are pressure energized, meaning that pressure, in

type R & RX type BX

Provides for attachment to surface casing string

The welding must be tested

Side outlets threaded

Slip-on weld or threaded

Threaded outlet* Studded flange

*Usually low pressure and cost

The base plate sets at the bottom of the cellar.

18/46 Wraparound casing hanger Mandrel casing hanger

Dual slips distribute casing load to reduce casing

Use to obtain seal independent of the casing load (when

Casing hanger has an independent slip and seal

Its main functions are:

Side outlets can be threaded/ studded / flanged

Pack Off (or Secondary Seal) is designed

The bottom flange includes a test port (with a

Some CHS seal includes a port that allows injection of sealant in

This figure illustrates packoff type secondary

Spacer Spool or also called Mud Cross.

Its main functions are:

Seals off (packs off) the production casing

There are many type of the tubing hanger. Most of the

The top thread allows the connection when setting or

The bottom thread allow the connection with the

Most of them have a primary and secondary seals.

The internal body is threaded to accommodate a back pressure

It needs to be remove before running

Combination running tool

27/46 Wear bushing Wear bushing running tool

Temperature and Pressure Ratings

Requirements for welding on wellhead equipment

NACE standard MR0175 is only concerned with metallic material requirements

Low alloy steel

Corrosion resistant Alloys (CRA)

It defines also specification for quality control of equipment.

21 1/4" x 2000 psi

Casing hangers are ordered together with the wellhead

The following details of the application should be

Casing size, weight and grade.

1. Compact spool systems

Advantages (Vs conventional Wellhead):

Disadvantages (Vs conventional wellhead):

Build on single unit. Concept of compact

Find the following for a 21 x 2000 psi CHH:

P110 47 # BTC Intermediate 9 5/8 5000 ft Expected LOT = 17.5 ppg

Describe a casing head housing

Describe a casing head spool

Describe a tubing spool and hanger