Stabilizing structure for wellhead equipment

Abstract

A stabilizer for a wellhead is disclosed, comprising: a ground engaging support structure having lateral dimensions suitable for laterally stabilizing a wellhead; wellhead stabilizer elements disposed within the ground engaging support structure, the wellhead stabilizer elements having wellhead abutting faces spaced to laterally cage a wellhead to restrict lateral movement of the wellhead while permitting the wellhead to move in a vertical direction. A method of stabilizing a wellhead is also disclosed, the method comprising: assembling a ground engaging support structure around a wellhead, the ground engaging support structure having lateral dimensions suitable for laterally stabilizing the wellhead; and laterally spacing wellhead abutting faces at least partially around a circumference of the wellhead to laterally cage the wellhead to restrict lateral movement of the wellhead while permitting the wellhead to move in a vertical direction, the wellhead stabilizer elements being disposed within the ground engaging support structure.

1 . A stabilizer for a wellhead, comprising:
 a ground engaging support structure having lateral dimensions suitable for laterally stabilizing a wellhead; and   wellhead stabilizer elements disposed within the ground engaging support structure, the wellhead stabilizer elements having wellhead abutting faces spaced to laterally cage a wellhead to restrict lateral movement of the wellhead while permitting the wellhead to move in a vertical direction.   
   
   
       2 . The stabilizer of  claim 1 , in which the wellhead abutting faces are laterally adjustable in separation to fit different wellhead circumferences. 
   
   
       3 . The stabilizer of  claim 1  in which the wellhead abutting faces are shaped to at least partially surround a circumference of the wellhead. 
   
   
       4 . A method of stabilizing a wellhead, the method comprising:
 assembling a ground engaging support structure around a wellhead, the ground engaging support structure having lateral dimensions suitable for laterally stabilizing the wellhead; and   laterally spacing wellhead abutting faces at least partially around a circumference of the wellhead to laterally cage the wellhead to restrict lateral movement of the wellhead while permitting the wellhead to move in a vertical direction, the wellhead stabilizer elements being disposed within the ground engaging support structure.   
   
   
       5 . A stabilizer for a wellhead, comprising:
 a ground engaging support structure having lateral dimensions suitable for laterally stabilizing a wellhead; and   wellhead stabilizer elements disposed within the ground engaging support structure, the wellhead stabilizer elements having wellhead abutting faces spaced to laterally cage a wellhead to restrict lateral movement of the wellhead, the wellhead abutting faces being laterally adjustable in separation.   
   
   
       6 . The stabilizer of  claim 5 , in which at least one wellhead abutting face is faced with a gripping surface. 
   
   
       7 . A method of stabilizing a wellhead, the method comprising:
 assembling a ground engaging support structure around a wellhead, the ground engaging support structure having lateral dimensions suitable for laterally stabilizing the wellhead, the ground engaging support structure having laterally adjustable wellhead stabilizer elements disposed within the ground engaging support structure; and   laterally adjusting the wellhead abutting faces to be spaced at least partially around a circumference of the wellhead to laterally cage the wellhead to restrict lateral movement of the wellhead.   
   
   
       8 . The stabilizer of  claim 2  in which the wellhead abutting faces are shaped to at least partially surround a circumference of the wellhead.