Tubing Head Installation

The installation of a tubing head begins with a comprehensive pre-installation inspection process. Before any hoisting operations commence, technicians must carefully examine its lower flange specifications and sealing surfaces to confirm proper compatibility with the casing head. This initial inspection includes a thorough assessment of all sealing components and surfaces for potential damage, with any identified defects requiring immediate corrective action.
Surface preparation represents a critical phase in the installation process. The sealing surface of the casing hanger or casing must be thoroughly cleaned and properly lubricated with grease. Any surface imperfections, such as burrs, require careful removal through precision grinding. In cases where the sealing surface involves casing, technicians must create and polish an appropriate chamfer to ensure optimal sealing performance.
Following surface preparation, the installation process moves to the critical sealing phase. The annular space between the casing hanger (or casing) and casing cross must be completely filled with EM08 sealing compound. Once this is accomplished, a clean, undamaged seal ring is carefully positioned on the casing head. The tubing head can then be hoisted into position above the casing head, with particular attention paid to maintaining proper orientation during the lifting process. The connection is secured through the symmetrical installation of bolts and nuts.
The installation procedure then progresses to the crucial pressure testing of the casing hanger BT seal. This testing phase requires a systematic approach to sealant injection and pressure verification. The process begins with the removal of pressure caps and plugs from opposing grease fittings, positioned 180 degrees apart. A grease gun, loaded with 7903 sealant, connects to the grease fitting thread for sealant injection. The technician continues injection until sealant emerges from the opposite port, at which point the removed plug is replaced, and injection continues until reaching a pressure of 15-30 MPa. This careful process of sealant injection is repeated for the second BT seal ring and the additional grease fitting.
The final phase involves comprehensive pressure testing of both the external BT seal and the annular space. For the external BT seal test, technicians connect a pressure test pump after removing the pressure cap and plug from the test valve. The test pressure applied equals either the flange's rated working pressure or 80% of the casing collapse strength, whichever value is lower. This pressure must be maintained for a full ten minutes with zero leakage to meet acceptance criteria.
The concluding test focuses on the annular space formed by the hanger external seal, tubing head body, casing head body, and BX seal ring. This test follows the same pressure parameters as the BT seal test, requiring either the flange's rated working pressure or 80% of the casing collapse strength, maintained for ten minutes. The installation is considered successful only when all pressure tests demonstrate complete seal integrity with no observable leakage throughout the specified duration. This comprehensive testing regime ensures the tubing head installation meets all operational safety and performance requirements.
Vigor will provide you with a reliable solution, Please contact us at info@vigorpetroleum.com.