Patent ID: 8297366

Claim:
A system for supporting tubing in a borehole, comprising: a wellhead having a cylindrical vertical bore extending therethrough defined by a wall having a wall surface, an enlarged first circumferential groove formed in the wall, a second circumferential groove formed in the wall and extending generally upwardly or downwardly from the first circumferential groove, a portion of the wall being disposed in a spaced relationship with respect to the second circumferential groove, and at least one opening formed in the portion of the wall surface, the opening being in communication with the second circumferential groove in the wall; a tubing hanger disposed in the vertical bore of the wellhead and adapted to support a length of tubing; and an annular load shoulder received within the first circumferential groove, the annular load shoulder having an inner surface adapted to support the tubing hanger within the vertical bore of the wellhead, the annular load shoulder being formed from at least three arc-shaped shoulder segments adapted to be received within the first circumferential groove, at least one of the arc-shaped shoulder segments having an engagement member extending generally upwardly or downwardly from the arc-shaped shoulder segment and configured to pass through the at least one opening in the portion of the wall surface of the wellhead to be received within the second circumferential groove, whereby by rotating the annular load shoulder such that the engagement member is out of alignment with the at least one opening, the annular load shoulder may be installed and secured within the wellhead.