Patent Publication Number: US-11376718-B2

Title: Packing screw removal tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a method and apparatus for repairing equipment that supplies pressurized fluids. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and devices for accessing seals on reciprocating devices for pumping fluids into a wellbore. 
     BACKGROUND 
     High-pressure pumps having reciprocating elements such as plungers or pistons are commonly employed in oil and gas production fields for operations such as drilling and well-servicing. For instance, one or more reciprocating pumps may be employed to pump fluids into a wellbore in conjunction with activities including fracturing, acidizing, remediation, cementing, and other stimulation or servicing activities. Due to the harsh conditions associated with such activities, seals and other pump components are susceptible to wear and may be replaced during servicing and maintenance of the pump. Access to the seals and other pump components is made by removing a packing screw from the fluid end. One or more seals may be replaced on location. Seals may be replaced during a scheduled maintenance at a servicing location. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
         FIG. 1  is cut-away illustration of a pump power end of a pump, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a cut-away illustration of an exemplary reciprocating pump comprising a cross-bore pump fluid end, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a cut-away illustration of a pump comprising a packing assembly of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the packing screw removal tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the packing screw removal tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure 
         FIG. 6  is a cut-away illustration of a pump comprising a packing assembly of this disclosure, with a packing screw removal tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a pump fluid end with a packing screw removal tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the packing screw removal tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood at the outset that although an illustrative implementation of one or more embodiments is provided below, the disclosed systems and/or methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary designs and implementations illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 
     Oilfield pumps typically operate outside in adverse weather conditions pumping a variety of fluids at high pressures and high flow rates to perform oilfield and/or well-servicing operations. Oilfield pumps may encounter wide environmental temperature swings from the heat of the day to the cold of the night and from weather conditions from day to day. Oilfield pumps provide a wide variety of service operations at the well site. Such operations may include, but are not limited to, drilling operations, fracturing operations, perforating operations, fluid loss operations, primary cementing operations, secondary or remedial cementing operations, or any combination of operations thereof. 
     Typically a high-pressure oilfield pump utilizes a plunger design to pressurize the fluid. These pumps may operate with multiple plungers to achieve the desired flow rate at high pressure. A typical high-pressure oilfield pump may utilize 3, 4, 5, or more plungers to produce a steady flow of high pressure fluid to a wellbore. These pumps may pump a wide variety of servicing fluids into the wellbore. Non-limiting examples of suitable wellbore servicing fluid include a fracturing fluid (e.g., a particle-laden fluid, as described herein), a perforating fluid, a cementitious fluid, a sealant, a remedial fluid, a drilling fluid (e.g., mud), a spacer fluid, a gelation fluid, a polymeric fluid, an aqueous fluid, an oleaginous fluid, an emulsion, various other wellbore servicing fluid. 
     The plunger type pumps typically are constructed with a power end providing axial force to a fluid end. The fluid end utilizes a plunger to draw in fluid through a suction valve then pressurizes the fluid inside a pump chamber until the discharge valve opens to expel the fluid. A packing assembly comprised of a packing screw, a packing carrier, and packing provides a pressure seal for the reciprocating plunger. 
     The seals around the plunger on high-pressure oilfield pumps may erode and begin to leak fluid past the plunger. The combination of the erosive nature of the fluids, operating temperature of the pumps, the environmental temperature of the wellsite may erode the isolating ability of the packing until the packing begins to leak fluid, sand, and debris onto the packing carrier and packing screw. These pumps may be serviced at the wellsite to replace the packing and return the pump to operation servicing the well. However, the packing screw may become difficult to remove due to the fluid, sand, and debris encountered. In some cases, a welder may be called to the location to thermally loosen the packing screw by heating, then quenching the packing screw. In extreme cases, a welder may need to cut the packing screw out of the fluid end, running the risk that the pump may be irreparably damaged. 
     Disclosed herein is a packing screw removal tool for removal and installation of a packing assembly from a high-pressure oilfield pump. The packing assembly comprises a packing screw, packing carrier, and a packing. The packing screw removal tool engages the packing screw at multiple locations along the outside diameter to apply torque provided by a wrench to the packing screw threads. The applied torque may loosen the screw for removal and tighten the screw during installation. 
     Upon positioning the packing screw removal tool proximate the packing screw, adapter pins radially align with corresponding locations along the outside diameter of the packing screw. The adapter pins are installed radially from the packing screw removal tool into the packing screw and secured in place. The adapter pins may engage the packing screw in three or more locations. The radial engagement locations may be distributed about the circumference of the packing screw to help apply torque evenly to the packing screw. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the adapter pins radially align with corresponding locations along the inside diameter of the packing screw. The adapter pins are installed radially from the packing screw removal tool into the packing screw and secured in place. The adapter pins may engage the packing screw in three or more locations. The radial engagement locations may be distributed about the circumference of the packing screw to help apply torque evenly to the packing screw. 
     The packing screw removal tool fits into a confined space located between the pump power end and pump fluid end. The confined working space may also be measured by the distance between multiple packing screws on a multiple plunger pump. The packing screw removal tool may have a reduced profile to fit between the power end and the fluid end of the pump. The packing screw removal tool may also have a reduced width and an elongated profile that allows multiple adapter pins to be installed on opposite sides of the packing screw. The reduced width also allows the packing screw removal tool to rotate a partial turn before butting against an adjacent packing screw. The packing screw removal tool may be removed, rotated, and installed for additional partial turns. 
     In an embodiment, the packing screw removal tool has a large wrench engagement feature on the side opposite the packing screw for a large wrench and a smaller wrench engagement feature for a smaller wrench. The large wrench engagement feature may be used with a powered wrench assembly such as an electrical power wrench or a hydraulically powered wrench. The smaller wrench engagement feature may be used with a manual wrench. The powered wrench may be utilized to apply a greater amount of torque, for example, 4000 ft-lb compared to a manual wrench. 
     Disclosed herein is a method of maintaining a high-pressure pump at a wellsite to return the pump to an operating condition servicing the well. The pumping crew discontinues pumping operations, isolates the pump from the high-pressure manifold, and disconnects the pump from the high-pressure manifold. The high-pressure pump may be moved to a safe location at the wellsite or returned to a servicing location. The packing screw removal tool may be attached to the packing screw on the backside of the pump. Torque may be applied to the large wrench location on the packing screw removal tool to turn the packing screw a partial turn. The packing screw removal tool may be removed and installed for additional partial turns. The pack screw and packing are removed from the fluid end. A new set of packing is installed with the packing screw. The packing screw removal tool may be used to apply torque to install the packing screw. The packing screw removal tool may then be removed from the packing screw. The high-pressure pump returns to the wellsite, is connected to the high-pressure manifold, and commences pumping operations. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1  a cutaway illustration of an exemplary pump  10  of this disclosure, showing an exemplary pump power end  12 , integrated via integration section  11  with a pump fluid end  22 , wherein the pump power end  12  is operable to reciprocate the reciprocating element  18  within a reciprocating element bore  24  of the pump fluid end  22 . Briefly, for example, the pump power end  12  may include a rotatable crankshaft  16  to power a crank arm/connecting rod  20  attached to a pushrod  30  that is coupled by mechanical linkages  4  to at least one reciprocating element  18  (e.g., a plunger or piston). Additionally, an engine (e.g., a diesel engine), motor, or other suitable power sources may be operatively connected to the crankshaft  16  (e.g., through transmission and driveshaft) and operable to actuate rotation thereof. In operation, rotation of the crankshaft  16  induces translational movement of the crank arm/connecting rod  20 , thereby causing the pushrod  30 , mechanical linkage  4 , and reciprocating element  18  to extend and retract along a flow path, which may generally be defined by a central axis  17  within a reciprocating element bore  24  (sometimes referred to herein for brevity as a “reciprocating element bore  24 ” or simply a “bore  24 ”, although not wishing to be limited to a particular reciprocating element  18 ). Pump  10  of  FIG. 1  is typically mounted on a movable structure such as a semi-tractor trailer or skid, and the moveable structure may contain additional components, such as a motor or engine (e.g., a diesel engine), that provides power (e.g., mechanical motion) to the pump power end  12  (e.g., a crankcase comprising a crankshaft  16  and related connecting rods  20 ). 
     Of course, numerous other components associated with the pump power end  12  of the pump  10  may be similarly employed, and therefore, fall within the purview of the present disclosure. Furthermore, since the construction and operation of components associated with pumps of the sort depicted in  FIG. 1  are well known and understood, discussion of the pump  10  will herein be limited to the extent necessary for enabling a proper understanding of the disclosed embodiments. 
     The pump fluid end  22  is integrated with the pump power end  12  via the integration section  11 , such that pump power end  12  is operable to reciprocate the reciprocating element  18  within a reciprocating element bore  24  ( FIGS. 1-2 ) of the pump fluid end  22 . The reciprocating element bore  24  is at least partially defined by a cylinder wall  26 . As described further hereinbelow with reference to  FIG. 2 , pump fluid end  22  can be a cross-bore pump fluid end  22  or, alternatively, an in-line or “concentric” bore pump fluid end. As utilized herein, cross-bore pump fluid ends can comprise “T-bore” pump fluid ends, “X-bore” (e.g., cross-shaped bore) pump fluid ends, or “Y-bore” pump fluid ends. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a cross-bore pump fluid end  22  is illustrated engaged with a reciprocating element  18 . The pump  10  includes at least one fluid inlet  38  for receiving fluid from a fluid source, e.g., a suction line, suction header, storage or mix tank, blender, discharge from a boost pump such as a centrifugal pump, etc. The pump  10  also includes at least one discharge outlet  54  for discharging fluid to a discharge source, e.g., a flowmeter, pressure monitoring and control system, distribution header, discharge line, wellhead, discharge manifold pipe, and the like. 
     One or more seals  29  (e.g., “o-ring” seals, packing seals, or the like), also referred to herein as ‘primary’ reciprocating element packing  29  may be arranged around the reciprocating element  18  to provide sealing between the outer walls of the reciprocating element  18  and the cylinder walls  26  defining at least a portion of the reciprocating element bore  24 . Packing  29  can be any suitable packing known to those of skill in the art and with the help of this disclosure. The packing  29  may comprise an elastomeric material, a plurality of rings of elastomeric material, may comprise one, two, three, four, or more of rings of elastomeric material. Skilled artisans will recognize that the seals may comprise any suitable type of seals, and the selection of seals may depend on various factors, e.g. fluid, temperature, pressure, etc. 
     A pump  10  of this disclosure may have limited access to packing  29  in  FIG. 2  due to the location within the integration section  11 . The integration section  11  can be positioned in a space between the pump fluid end  22  and the pump power end  12 , and can be safeguarded (e.g., from personnel) via a cover  15 . Locations described as front S 1 , back S 2 , top S 3 , and bottom S 4  can be relative to a surface (e.g., a trailer bed, the ground, a platform, etc.) upon which the pump  10  is located, a bottom S 4  of the pump fluid end being proximal the surface (e.g., trailer bed) upon which the pump  10  is located. Generally, due to the size and positioning of pump  10 , the front S 1  and top S 3  of the pump fluid end  22  are more easily accessible than a back S 2  or bottom S 4  thereof. In a similar manner, a front of pump  10  is distal the pump power end  12 , and the back of the pump  10  is distal the pump fluid end  22 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cut-away illustration of a packing assembly  90  of this disclosure in pump fluid end  22 . Packing assembly  90  comprises a packing screw  92 , a packing carrier  91 , and a packing  29 . Packing screw  92 , packing carrier  91 , and packing  29  are cylindrical and have a width measured an axial distance along a central axis that is less than the distance between the pump power end  12  and the pump fluid end  22  to allow for removal. The packing screw  92  has radial locations  94  evenly distributed about the circumference of the outer surface  96 . The radial locations  94  may be drilled holes, broached square or hex shapes, castellation, or other similar features. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a packing screw removal tool  100  for removal or installation of a packing screw is described. The packing screw removal tool  100  comprises main body  102 , dogs  104 , locking pins  106 , the central engagement feature  108 , the secondary engagement feature  110 , and apertures  112 . The main body  102  may be made from plate-like material typically having two substantially parallel faces/sides: a packing screw engaging side  114  (facing the packing screw when in use) and a lever engaging side  116  (facing away from the packing screw when in use). 
     The packing screw engagement side  114  of the main body  102  has dogs  104  projecting outwards and spaced apart to allow engagement with the packing screw  92 . The dogs  104  may be formed in place (machined from a single piece of material, extruded, or sintered) with the main body  102  or may be attached to the main body  102  by welding, brazing, or fasteners such as screws or bolts. The dogs  104  retain locking pins  106  in place. The locking pins  106  may be installed from the outside surface of the dogs  104  to engage radial locations  94  along the outer surface  96  of the packing screw  92 . The locking pins  106  may be screws, bolts, pins, latches, or any other type of fastener known to the arts. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the locking pins  106  may be installed from the inside surface of the dogs  104  to engage radial locations  94  along the inner surface of the packing screw  92 . 
     In an embodiment, the lever engaging side  116  of the main body  102  has a central engagement feature  108  and secondary engagement feature  110  projecting outwards. In some contexts, the engagement feature may be referred to as a torque transfer engagement post. The central engagement feature  108  may engage a manual tool or an electrically or hydraulically powered mechanical assembly (powered wrench) for the application of torque. The central engagement feature  108  may engage a manual tool, for example, a hand wrench (not shown) for the application of torque. The central engagement feature  108  may be a hex nut with six equally spaced parallel sides for engagement with a standard-sized (ANSI or metric) wrench. The central engagement feature  108  projection length would typically establish full engagement with the manual wrench or the powered wench. The lever engaging side  116  of the main body  102  has a secondary engagement feature  110  projecting outwards from the central engagement feature  108 . The secondary engagement feature  110  is typically smaller in size to engage a smaller standard-sized (ANSI or metric) wrench. The secondary engagement feature  110  allows for smaller wrench use when moderate torque is desired to rotate the packing screw. Even though the central engagement feature  108  and secondary engagement feature  110  are described as a hex nut the central engagement feature  108  and secondary nut could be made to any similar fastener shape: square, pentagon, hex, double-square, double-hex, Torx, external Torx, Pentalobe, or other similar shapes. 
     An alternate embodiment for the secondary engagement feature  110  may be an inward projection of an engagement shape such as a hex socket projected into the central engagement feature  108 . The hex socket shape of the secondary engagement feature  110  would then engage a hex key, Allen key, or Allen wrench. A hex key is typically manufactured with tight tolerances to fit tightly into the corresponding socket shape. Even though the secondary engagement feature  110  inward projection is described as a hex socket, the inward projection could be made to any similar socket shape: square, pentagon, hex, double-square, double-hex, Torx, external Torx, pentalobe, or other socket shapes. 
     The shape of the packing screw removal tool  100 , in an embodiment, is further discussed with reference to  FIG. 5  with a top view showing distance D 1  between two dogs  104  spaced about 180 degrees apart. The distance D 1  between dogs  104  allows for a slip fit or a fit with an allowance for movement, between the outside diameter of the packing screw defined by the outer surface  96  in  FIG. 3  and the dogs  104 . The packing screw removal tool  100  has four locking pins  106  with locking pin  106 A and locking pin  106 B radially spaced apart by about 60 degrees around the central axis perpendicular to the flat side of the main body  102 . Locking pin  106 C is located about 120 degrees from locking pin  106 D about the perpendicular axis. Locking pin  106 D is located about 60 degrees from locking pin  106 C, and the first locking pin  106 A is located about 120 degrees from locking pin  106 D. The distance D 2  is measured across the long side of the packing screw removal tool  100  and defines the length of the tool spanning the outside diameter of the packing screw  92 . The distance D 3  defines the width of the short side  120  of the packing screw removal tool  100  between the locking pins rotated about 60 degrees apart. 
     In an embodiment, the angle between the locking pins  106 A and  106 B on the short side of the packing screw removal tool  100  may be about 60 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 45 degrees, or about 30 degrees and function as described. The locking pins  106  align with the radial locations  94  on the packing screw  92 . The angle between the locking pins  106 A and  106 B on the short side of the packing screw removal tool  100  could be any acute angle and function as described. 
     The packing screw removal tool  100  transmits the torque applied to the central engagement feature  108  or alternatively the secondary engagement feature  110  through the main body  102  to the dog  104 , to the locking pins  106 , and into the packing screw radial locations  94 . The packing screw removal tool  100  distributes the applied torque to the number of locking pins  106  installed in the packing screw radial locations  94  on the packing screw  92 . The angular location of the locking pins  106  aligns with the angular location of the packing screw radial locations  94  along the outside diameter of the packing screw  92 . Alternatively, the angular location of the locking pins  106  aligns with the angular location of the packing screw radial locations  94  along the inside diameter of the packing screw  92 . The aligned dogs and packing screw radial locations may be spaced 70 degrees or less apart on the short side of the tool with the distance D 3 . The packing screw removal tool  100  may have 2 or more dogs  104  and locking pins  106  on the short side of the tool that aligns with packing screw radial locations  94 . The packing screw removal tool  100  may have the same number of dogs  104  and locking pins  106  on opposite short sides of the main body  102 . The packing screw removal tool  100  may have a different number of dogs  104  and locking pins  106  on opposite short sides of the main body  102 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , a packing assembly  90  is installed in the reciprocating element bore  24  of the fluid end body  8 . The packing assembly  90  is comprised of packing screw  92 , primary packing  29 , and packing carrier  91  installed in packing sleeve  3  inside the reciprocating element bore  24 . A high level of torque may need to be applied to remove the packing screw  92  to access the primary packing  29 . A packing screw removal tool  100  is installed on the packing screw  92  in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 6  by aligning the locking pins  106  to the packing screw radial locations  94  and radially installing the locking pins  106  into the packing screw  92 . Torque may be applied to the central engagement feature  108  or the secondary engagement feature  110  to transfer torque through the locking pins  106  installed into the packing screw  92  to unthread the packing screw  92  from the fluid end body  8 . A packing screw removal tool  100  may be used on a multiple plunger pump with 3 or more plungers, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The packing screw removal tool  100  is placed on packing screw  92 B that is located between packing screws  92 A and  92 C on pump fluid end  22 . The packing screw removal tool  100  may rotate a partial turn of angular distance μl when torque is applied to central engagement feature  108  or secondary engagement feature  110 . The angular distance μl may be defined as the distance the centerline of the packing screw removal tool  100  rotates about the central engagement feature  108 . The angular distance is constrained by the width of the packing screw removal tool  100  defined by distance D 3  and the proximity of packing screw  92 A,  92 B, and  92 C. The locking pins  106  may be disengaged from the packing screw  92 B and the packing screw removal tool  100  may be rotated and reinstalled a second time for another partial rotation defined as angular distance μl. Although the packing screw removal tool  100  is shown installed on the outside of the packing screw  92 , it is understood that the packing screw removal tool  100  could be installed on the inside of the packing screw  92 . 
     An alternate embodiment of a packing screw removal tool  200  shown in  FIG. 8  has three dogs  104 A-C and locking pins  106 A-C, on the short side  120  and two dogs  104 D-E and locking pins  106 D-E on the opposite short side  122 . The three dogs  104 A-C and locking pins  106 A-C on the short side  120  may align with sequential corresponding packing screw radial location  94  on the packing screw  92 . For example, if the packing screw  92  has 36 radial locations  94  spaced 10 degrees apart, three dogs  104 A-C and locking pins  106 A-C may be spaced 10 degrees apart; dog  104 B is rotated 10 degrees from dog  104 A and dog  104 C is rotated 10 degrees from  104 B. Likewise, if the packing screw  92  has 24 radial locations  94  spaced 15 degrees apart, three dogs  104 A-C and locking pins  106 A-C may be spaced apart 15 degrees; dog  104 B is rotated 15 degrees from dog  104 A and dog  104 C is rotated 15 degrees from  104 B. The two dogs D-E and locking pins D-E on the opposite short side  122  may align with corresponding packing screw radial locations  94  on the packing screw  92  that are spaced a multiple of the angular location. For example, if the packing screw  92  has 36 radial locations  94  spaced 10 degrees apart, two dogs  104 D-E and locking pins  106 D-E may be spaced 20 degrees, 30 degrees, or some other multiple of 10 degrees apart. Likewise, if the packing screw  92  has 24 radial locations  94  spaced 15 degrees apart, the two dogs  104 D-E and locking pins  106 D-E may be spaced 15 degrees, 30 degrees, or some other multiple of 15 degrees apart. One or more of the three dogs  104  A-C on the short side  120  may be spaced a multiple of the angular location without deviating from the scope of the embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the locking pins  106  A-E could be installed from the inside of the dogs  104  A-E attach to the inside of the packing screw  92 . 
     A pump  10  may begin losing pressure pumping ability, and fluid may begin leaking from packing  29  due to extended pumping service, erosive nature of the fluid, fluid composition, environmental condition, or a combination of factors. The fluid may begin to leak from the pump chamber  28 , through the packing  29 , past the packing carrier  91 , and out around the packing screw  92 . Any fluid leak will reduce the ability of the pump to pressurize the fluid and reduce the flow rate. In addition, the leaking fluid may pose an environmental hazard that requires clean up. 
     The pumping crew may desire to repair the leaking packing at the wellsite to return the pump  10  to servicing the well. The pumping crew would cease pumping operations and isolate the pump from a high-pressure line or a high-pressure manifold connected to the wellhead. The pump  10  would then be disconnected from the supply line and high-pressure line and moved a safe distance away. 
     The pumping crew may prepare the pump  10  for removal of the packing screw  92  by disconnecting various components, cleaning spills, or removing parts. The pumping crew may remove the mechanical linkage  4  and the reciprocating element  18  from the pump  10  for access to the packing assembly  90 . 
     A packing assembly  90  can be removed from pump fluid end  22  by applying torque with the packing screw removal tool  100  to unscrew the packing screw  92 . The packing screw removal tool  100  is aligned with the radial locations  94  along the packing screw  92 , and the locking pins  106  are radially engaged with the radial locations  94 . Torque is applied to the central engagement feature  108  or the secondary engagement feature  110  to unthread the packing screw  92  a partial turn defined by A 1  in the limited space between packing screws. The packing screw removal tool may be decoupled from the packing screw  92  by disengaging the locking pins  106  from the radial locations. The packing screw removal tool  100  may then be aligned a second time for a second partial turn. The packing screw removal tool  100  may be engaged for multiple partial turns until the packing screw  92  unthreads from the pump fluid end body  8 . That is, the packing screw  92  can be decoupled from the pump fluid end body  8  (e.g., by dethreading the threads on the portion  92 T of the outside diameter of packing screw  92  that is threaded from the corresponding threads on the portion  24 S of the inside diameter of the reciprocating element bore  24  and/or packing sleeve  95  that is threaded), removing packing screw  92  from reciprocating element bore  24 , via the back S 2  of pump fluid end  22 , removing packing carrier  91  from reciprocating element bore  24  via the back S 2  of pump fluid end  22 , and removing packing  29  from reciprocating element bore  24  via the back S 2  of pump fluid end  22 . The pumping crew may then complete the servicing of the pump  10  on location by replacing one or more eroded parts such as the packing  29 , the packing carrier  91 , and the packing screw  92 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , a method  300  is described. In an embodiment, the method  300  comprises a method of removing a packing screw with a packing screw removal tool. At block  202 , the method  300  comprises bringing a packing screw removal tool  100  to the location of a reciprocating pump. The location of the pump  10  may be a wellsite or a service location. The packing screw removal tool  100  may be brought with the pump to a wellsite or transported to the wellsite on a separate trip. The packing screw removal tool  100  may be located at a servicing location or brought to the servicing location. 
     At block  204 , the method  300  comprises coupling a packing screw removal tool to an outside circumference of a packing screw installed in the reciprocating pump. The packing screw removal tool  100  is aligned with the radial locations  94  along the packing screw  92 , and the locking pins  106  are radially engaged with the radial locations  94 . Alternately, the packing screw removal tool may be coupled to the inside of a packing screw and the locking pins  106  radially engage with the radial locations  94 . 
     At block  206 , the method  300  comprises engaging the packing screw removal tool with a wrench. A manual wrench or powered wrench may engage the central engagement feature  108 . A manual wrench or a powered wrench may engage the secondary engagement feature  110 . In an alternate embodiment, a hex key or an Allen wrench may engage the secondary engagement feature  110 . 
     At block  208 , the method  300  comprises applying torque by the wrench to the packing screw removal tool. Torque is applied with either a powered wrench or a manual wrench to the central engagement feature  108  or the secondary engagement feature  110 . 
     At block  210 , the method  300  comprises turning the packing screw. The packing screw is rotated by the torque applied to the engagement feature on the packing screw removal tool  100 . 
     At block  212 , the method  300  comprises after turning the packing screw, decoupling the packing screw removal tool from the outside circumference of the packing screw. In an embodiment, the four locking pins  106  are radially disengaged from the packing screw radial locations  94 . Alternatively, the packing screw removal tool may be decoupled form the inside circumference of the packing screw. 
     At block  214 , the method  300  comprises after decoupling the packing screw removal tool, rotating the packing screw removal tool about an axis of the packing screw. The packing screw removal tool  100  is rotated about the center axis of the packing screw  92  to realign the dogs  104  with the packing screw radial locations  94 . 
     At block  216 , the method  300  comprises after rotating the packing screw removal tool, re-coupling the packing screw removal tool to the outside circumference of the packing screw. The packing screw removal tool  100  is aligned with the radial locations  94  along the packing screw  92 , and the locking pins  106  are radially engaged with the radial locations  94 . 
     A packing assembly of this disclosure can be assembled in a pump fluid end  22  by inserting the packing  29  into reciprocating element bore  24  (or a sleeve inserted therein) from back S 2  of pump fluid end  22 , packing carrier  91  can be inserted into reciprocating element bore  24  from back S 2  of pump fluid end  22 , and packing screw  92  can be inserted into reciprocating element bore  24  from back S 2  of pump fluid end  22 . Once packing screw  92  is inserted, it can be coupled with pump fluid end body  8  (e.g., via threading the threads on the portion  92 C of the outside diameter of packing screw  92  that is threaded with corresponding threads on the portion  24 A of the inside diameter of the reciprocating element bore  24  and/or packing sleeve  95  that is threaded). Initially, the threading of the threads may require little or no torque until the packing screw  92  encounters packing carrier  91  or, in some cases, the fluid end body  8 . The packing screw removal tool  100  is aligned with the radial locations  94  along the packing screw  92 , and the locking pins  106  are radially engaged with the radial locations  94 . Torque is applied to the central engagement feature  108  or the secondary engagement feature  110  to apply torque to retain the packing screw  92  to the fluid end body  8 . Once coupled, packing screw  92  retains packing carrier  91  and packing  29  within reciprocating element bore  24  (and/or within a packing sleeve  95  therein). 
     As noted hereinabove, the packing screw removal tool  100  may be utilized on a packing screw  92  found on a multi-cylinder pump comprising multiple cylindrical reciprocating element bores  24  and corresponding components. In embodiments, the pump  10  is a Triplex pump in which the pump fluid end  22  comprises three reciprocating assemblies, each reciprocating assembly comprising a suction valve assembly  56 , a discharge valve assembly  72 , a pump chamber  28 , a fluid inlet  38 , a discharge outlet  54 , and a reciprocating element bore  24  within which a corresponding reciprocating element  18  reciprocates during operation of the pump  10  via connection therewith to a (e.g., common) pump power end  12 . In embodiments, the pump  10  is a Quintuplex pump in which the pump fluid end  22  comprises five reciprocating assemblies. In a non-limiting example, the pump  10  may be a Q-10™ Quintuplex Pump or an HT-400™ Triplex Pump, produced by Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate various benefits that may be realized by the present disclosure. For instance, the utilization of a packing screw removal tool  100 , as described herein, can facilitate removal and replacement of components of packing assembly  90  within pump fluid end  22 . Due to utilization of a packing assembly  90  as described herein, wherein the removal of the packing screw  92  from the pump fluid end  22  to remove and replace packing  29 , packing carrier  91  without damaging the pump fluid end  22 . In embodiments, utilization of a set of locking pins  106  to engage with radial locations  94  on the packing screw distributes torque along the packing screw  92 . The locking pins  106  align and releasably engage with the packing screw radial locations  94 . In embodiments, two locking pins  106  may be located at 60 degrees on the short side of the packing screw removal tool  100 , and two locking pins  106  may be located 180 degrees from the first set. 
     A power wrench may apply torque to the central engagement feature  108  to transmit torque through the main body  102  to the dog  104  to the locking pins  106  and into the packing screw radial locations  94  to unthread the packing screw  92  form the fluid end body  8 . A manual wrench may apply torque to a secondary engagement feature  110  to transmit torque through the main body  102  to the dog  104  to the locking pins  106  and into the packing screw radial locations  94  to unthread the packing screw  92  form the fluid end body  8 . The torque applied to the packing screw removal tool  100  may rotate the packing screw  92  a partial turn. The packing screw removal tool  100  may be disengaged from the packing screw  92  and reengaged for multiple partial turns to unthread the packing screw  92  from the fluid end body  8 . Accordingly, utilization of the packing screw removal tool  100  of this disclosure on a packing screw  92  in a pump fluid end  22  of a pump  10  can avoid damage from cutting out a packing screw  92  and can provide for a reduction in pump fluid end  22  maintenance time by at least 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50% relative to removing a packing screw  92  from a pump fluid end  22  without utilizing a packing screw removal tool  100 . A reduction in pump fluid end  22  maintenance and/or assembly time reduces exposure of workers performing the maintenance (and thus potentially enhances safety) and also reduces non-productive time on location. 
     ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE 
     The following are non-limiting, specific embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     A first embodiment, which is a packing screw removal tool, comprising a tool body; a plurality of packing screw engagement dogs coupled to the tool body, wherein the engagement dogs are asymmetrically disposed about an axis of rotation of the packing screw removal tool, and a torque transfer engagement post coupled to the tool body. 
     A second embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the first embodiment, wherein the torque transfer engagement post defines a first engagement feature dimensioned to be engaged by a first wrench size. 
     A third embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the second embodiment, wherein the first engagement feature is a triangular column, a square column, a pentagonal column, a hexagonal column, or an octagonal column. 
     A fourth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the second embodiment, wherein the torque transfer engagement post further defines a second engagement feature dimensioned to be engaged by a second wrench size, where the second wrench size is smaller than the first wrench size. 
     A fifth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the fourth embodiment, wherein the second wrench size is recessed into the first engagement feature. 
     A sixth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of one of the first, the second, the third, or the fourth embodiment, wherein the packing screw removal tool comprises four packing screw engagement dogs. 
     A seventh embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the first embodiment, wherein the tool body has a plate shape, a first packing screw engagement dog and a second packing screw engagement dog are located within 60 degrees on a minor axis of the tool body on a short side of the packing screw removal tool  100 . 
     An eighth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the seventh embodiment, wherein a third packing screw engagement dog and a fourth packing screw engagement dog are located within 60 degrees on a minor axis of the tool body on the opposite short side of the packing screw removal tool  100 . 
     A ninth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the seventh embodiment, wherein three packing screw engagement dogs are located within 60 degrees on the opposite short side of the tool body of the packing screw removal tool  100 . 
     A tenth embodiment, which is a method of removing a packing screw of a reciprocating pump, comprising bringing a packing screw removal tool to the location of a reciprocating pump, coupling the packing screw removal tool to an outside circumference of a packing screw installed in the reciprocating pump, engaging the packing screw removal tool with a wrench, applying torque by the wrench to the packing screw removal tool, turning the packing screw, after turning the packing screw, decoupling the packing screw removal tool from the outside circumference of the packing screw, after decoupling the packing screw removal tool, rotating the packing screw removal tool about an axis of the packing screw, and after rotating the packing screw removal tool, re-coupling the packing screw removal tool to the outside circumference of the packing screw. 
     An eleventh embodiment, which is the method of the tenth embodiment, wherein the wrench is a powered wrench. 
     A twelfth embodiment, which is the method of the tenth embodiment, wherein the packing screw removal tool comprises a tool body, a plurality of packing screw engagement dogs coupled to the tool body, wherein the engagement dogs are asymmetrically disposed about an axis of rotation of the packing screw removal tool, and a torque transfer engagement post coupled to the tool body. 
     A thirteenth embodiment, which is the method of the twelfth embodiment, wherein engaging the packing screw removal tool with the wrench comprises engaging a working feature of the wrench with a first engagement feature of the torque transfer engagement post. 
     A fourteenth embodiment, which is the method of the thirteenth embodiment, further comprising engaging the packing screw removal tool with a second wrench by engaging a working feature of the second wrench with a second engagement feature of the torque transfer engagement post, and applying torque by the second wrench to the packing screw removal tool. 
     A fifteenth embodiment, which is a packing screw removal tool, comprising a tool body having a plate shape that is longer in a first axis of a surface of the tool body than in a second axis of the surface, where the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, a plurality of packing screw engagement dogs coupled to the tool body, wherein the engagement dogs are distributed about an axis of rotation of the packing screw removal tool and wherein the engagement dogs retain attaching hardware operable to engage in circumferential holes in an outside diameter of a packing screw, and a torque transfer engagement post coupled to the tool body, wherein the post defines a first engagement feature dimensioned to be engaged by a first wrench size and defines a second engagement feature dimensioned to be engaged by a second wrench size. 
     A sixteenth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the fifteenth embodiment, wherein the second engagement feature is recessed into the first engagement feature. 
     A seventeenth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the fifteenth embodiment, wherein the engagement dogs are aligned with the packing screw to be releasably coupled to the packing screw. 
     An eighteenth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the fifteenth embodiment, wherein first engagement feature is a triangular column, a square column, a pentagonal column, a hexagonal column, or an octagonal column. 
     A nineteenth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the fifteenth embodiment, wherein the tool body shape allows partial rotation of the packing screw. 
     A twentieth embodiment, which is the packing screw removal tool of the fifteenth embodiment, wherein a first packing screw engagement dog is located about 60 degrees counterclockwise from a minor axis of the tool body, a second packing screw engagement dog is located about 120 degrees counterclockwise from the minor axis of the tool body, a third packing screw engagement dog is located about 240 degrees counterclockwise from the minor axis of the tool body, and the third packing screw engagement dog is located about 300 degrees counterclockwise from the minor axis of the tool body. 
     While embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of this disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, Rl, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=Rl+k*(Ru−Rl), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc. 
     Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The discussion of a reference herein is not an admission that it is prior art, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural, or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.