Patent ID: 7647973
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for pressure testing a subsea wellhead assembly having a tubular member with a bore and at least one port extending from the bore to the exterior of the tubular member, the method comprising: (a) placing a wear bushing within the bore of the tubular member and providing upper and lower seals between the wear bushing and a sidewall of the bore above and below the port, the wear bushing being free of any passages extending through its sidewall at any point between the upper and lower seals, thereby defining a wear bushing annulus on an exterior of the wear bushing that is sealed from an interior of the wear bushing; (b) providing a tool having an upper supporting member, a stem extending downward from the supporting member, and a reacting member on the stem and spaced below the supporting member, the reacting member being of larger outer diameter than an outer diameter of the stem; (c) inserting the stem and the reacting member into the wear bushing, landing the upper supporting member in the tubular member, supporting the weight of the stem and reacting member with the supporting member, and engaging an inner diameter of the wear bushing with the reacting member; then (d) applying fluid pressure to the port, which increases fluid pressure within the wear bushing annulus and creates a differential pressure across the sidewall of the wear bushing that tends to deflect the wear bushing inward, the deflection being resisted by the reacting member.