Patent ID: 8474543
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for controlling and/or stopping the flow of petroleum and/or natural gas from an open well head on the sea floor in which the well head is in communication with a subterranean formation, said apparatus comprising: a flow control device comprising: (a) an elongated member which can be lowered at least partially into the open well head, said elongated member comprised of a plurality of sections of different diameters, including a lowermost end section having a diameter less than the inside diameter of a well head casing, and (b) one or more tapered sections in connection or formed integral with the elongated member, the tapered sections having a variable diameter, at least one of the tapered sections increasing in diameter to a diameter at least equal to the inside diameter of the well head casing, and (c) an end section in connection or formed integral with the tapered section, the end section having a diameter greater than or equal to the outside diameter of the well casing, wherein downward force exerted by the mass and/or external force exerted on the fluid control device is sufficiently great so as to overcome any upward force created by flowing fluids, such as petroleum and/or natural gas, and wherein the downward force results in the downward movement of the fluid control device into the well head casing resulting in closure of the well head, and wherein two or more of the plurality of sections and the elongated member are in threaded engagement with an adjacent section.