John G Fowler

US Patent:

44164726, Nov 22, 1983

Filed:

Dec 22, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/219323

Inventors:

John H. Fowler - Houston TX
David L. Gruller - Houston TX

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

F16L 3500

US Classification:

285 3

Abstract:

The holddown and packoff apparatus is disposed on the shoulder of a hanger suspending casing in a well. The shoulder engages a seat in the bore of a wellhead. An expansible metal ring is slideably disposed on the hanger shoulder for engagement with an annular groove in the wellhead. A stop ring is insertable behind the expansible ring to expand and positively hold the expansible ring into holddown engagement in the wellhead groove. An independent sealing assembly is disposed on the stop ring and has one seal for the outer surface of the hanger and another seal for the inner surface of the wellhead. The seals operate in series whereby the sealing engagement of one does not hinder the sealing engagement of the other.

US Patent:

39715760, Jul 27, 1976

Filed:

Aug 13, 1973

Appl. No.:

5/387667

Inventors:

David P. Herd - Houston TX
John H. Fowler - Pittsburgh PA

Assignee:

McEvoy Oilfield Equipment Co. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16L 3724

US Classification:

285 87

Abstract:

Extended casing method and apparatus for completing an underwater well whereby complete and continuous pressure control is maintained at the surface drilling platform. A conductor casing is installed in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached near the floor. Other casing is installed and supported at the water floor by hanger heads and having other risers extending upwardly therefrom. Pressure control equipment is installed at the upper end of one of the risers. An innermost casing having a tubing hanger-head attached is lowered through the pressure control equipment and installed. An orientation sleeve is aligned with the tubing hanger-head to properly orient the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and tubing is then passed through the pressure control equipment and the innermost riser, to which the pressure control equipment is attached, and is lowered to engage the orientation sleeve for proper alignment with the innermost hanger-head and remotely latched thereto. All seals are then pressure tested.

US Patent:

44075308, Oct 4, 1983

Filed:

Dec 22, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/219253

Inventors:

John H. Fowler - Houston TX

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

E21B 3304

US Classification:

285140

Abstract:

A sealing assembly is releasably disposed on a hanger suspending a string of casing or tubing into a well. A shoulder on the hanger engages a seat in the bore of the wellhead and has passages therethrough for connecting the annular spaces above and below the seat. The seal assembly is lowered into the upper annular space around the hanger to close the annulus. The assembly includes a first tubular body threadingly connectable to the hanger, an outer load ring, an inner load ring, an inner packing ring disposed between the outer load ring and inner load ring, an inner retainer ring, and an outer packing ring disposed between the inner load ring and retainer ring. The inner packing ring singly engages the hanger and the outer packing ring singly engages the head. Such sealing occurs in series. The entire sealing force is applied through the outer diameter and inner diameter seal elements with the lower seal being loaded first.

US Patent:

44887400, Dec 18, 1984

Filed:

Feb 19, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/350374

Inventors:

Benton F. Baugh - Houston TX
Herman O. Henderson - Houston TX
John H. Fowler - Spring TX
Arthur Ahlstone - Ventura CA

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

F16L 1500

US Classification:

285 84

Abstract:

A breech block hanger support member for a subsea wellhead assembly for wells having a working pressure up to approximately 15,000 psi. The assembly includes a wellhead, the support member, a packoff for sealing the support member, and one or more other casing hangers supported by the support member. The support member is connected to the wellhead for itself suspending casing, for supporting at least one other casing hanger and casing, and for containing the working pressure. Breech block teeth are provided on the wellhead and support member to permit the support member to be stabbed into the wellhead and rotated less than 360. degree. for completing the connection therebetween. The teeth include groupings of spaced-apart no-lead teeth having slots therebetween. The slots provide a flow way for passing well fluids. The support member further includes an upper annular flange for arresting its downward movement within the wellhead.

US Patent:

43503462, Sep 21, 1982

Filed:

Mar 27, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/248507

Inventors:

John H. Fowler - Houston TX

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

F16J 1512

US Classification:

277 26

Abstract:

A fire-resistant seal for maintaining sealing contact between the sealing surfaces within a packing box under high temperature differentials between the inner and the outer members of such packing box, comprising one or more graphite-component seal rings for engaging the sealing surfaces of the inner and outer members, metal seal rings above and below the graphite-component seals for preventing extrusion of the graphite-component seal rings as well as for establishing metal-to-metal sealing contact between said metal rings and the sealing surfaces of the inner and outer members, and load maintaining means in the form of a metal crushable follower of cylindrical shape, having recessed grooves along its outer and inner perimeters, the gap between said grooves being permanently narrowed to approximately half-closure after applying a predetermined make-up load greater than the rated working pressure, which enables said crushable follower to maintain such compressive load on said graphite-component seals over a predetermined load range.

US Patent:

45400130, Sep 10, 1985

Filed:

Oct 13, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/541451

Inventors:

Richard G. Furley - Stroud, GB2
John H. Fowler - Spring TX

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

F16K 1738

US Classification:

137 75

Abstract:

A fire responsive stem retention apparatus for a non-rising stem valve including an outer hollow sleeve secured to the top of the valve bonnet around the valve stem. An inner cap is received in the outer hollow sleeve and closely fitted therewithin, and houses upper and lower stem bearings therein. The inner cap has a shoulder which provides an upper support for the upper stem bearing. Under normal environmental conditions, the inner cap is sweated to the outer sleeve with a thin layer of fusible material. The upper bearing and stem are prevented from moving upward by the shoulder on the inner cap, and an annular shoulder on the stem is prevented from engaging a backseat in the bonnet. Under fire conditions, the thin layer of fusible material melts rapidly, freeing the inner cap from the outer sleeve and permitting the stem to rise until the annular shoulder on the stem engages the backseat in the bonnet. A screw in the inner cap rides in a slot in the outer sleeve, preventing removal of the inner cap from the sleeve.

US Patent:

40530230, Oct 11, 1977

Filed:

Aug 22, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/499467

Inventors:

David P. Herd - Houston TX
John H. Fowler - Pittsburgh PA

Assignee:

McEvoy Oilfield Equipment Co. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 33035

US Classification:

175 7

Abstract:

Extended casing method and apparatus for completing an underwater well whereby complete and continuous pressure control is maintained at the surface drilling platform. A conductor casing is installed in the floor of a body of water with a casing head and riser attached near the floor. Other casing is installed and supported at the water floor by hanger heads and having other risers extending upwardly therefrom. Pressure control equipment is installed at the upper end of one of the risers. An innermost casing having a tubing hanger-head attached is lowered through the pressure control equipment and installed. An orientation sleeve is aligned with the tubing hanger-head to properly orient the tubing hanger. The tubing hanger and tubing is then passed through the pressure control equipment and the innermost riser, to which the pressure control equipment is attached, and is lowered to engage the orientation sleeve for proper alignment with the innermost hanger-head and remotely latched thereto. All seals are then pressure tested.

US Patent:

45400539, Sep 10, 1985

Filed:

Dec 6, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/546531

Inventors:

Benton F. Baugh - Houston TX
Herman O. Henderson - Houston TX
John H. Fowler - Spring TX

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

E21B 43013

US Classification:

166348

Abstract:

Method for completing an underwater well includes locating drilling apparatus at the well site, and installing conductor casing in the floor of the body of water with a wellhead, blowout preventer stack, and riser attached thereto at a point near the floor, with the riser extending upwardly to the drilling means. A drill string and standard 171/2 inch drill bit is then run through the wellhead and conductor casing, and a hole is drilled for suspending 16 inch casing within the wellhead and conductor casing. A hanger-support member having a casing string attached thereto is lowered into the well until it lands in the wellhead, and it is then rotated less than 360. degree. to connect it within the wellhead. The hanger-support member is then latched within the wellhead. A hole is then drilled for suspending another casing within the wellhead, and a casing hanger with casing string is run through the riser and into the wellhead, and the casing hanger is landed on the hanger-support member.