Patent ID: 6598673
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A wellhead assembly comprising:a wellhead housing having an axial bore with a minimum inner diameter portion; a support ring secured by threads to an enlarged portion of the bore of the wellhead housing below the minimum inner diameter portion, the support ring having a landing shoulder and a recessed upper portion extending above the landing shoulder; and a split ring with an inclined upward and inward facing load shoulder, the split ring being a resilient C-ring and movable between a storage position releasably secured to the recessed upper portion of the support ring to an operational position in contact with the landing shoulder; wherein the split ring has an inner diameter at least equal to the minimum inner diameter portion of the bore while in the storage position and an inner diameter less than the minimum inner diameter portion of the bore while in the operational position to support a casing hanger on the load shoulder.