Stuffing box isolation apparatus and methods of using

Abstract

A stuffing box isolation apparatus and method for use with a stuffing box at a wellhead. The stuffing apparatus includes an anchor component that secures the apparatus within the stuffing box, when inserted into an open bore of a stuffing box. The apparatus further includes a sealing element that is expandable to sealingly engage an inner surface of the stuffing box. The expansion of the sealing element effectively seals the open bore of the stuffing box, preventing release of wellbore fluids and/or back-flow of the produced fluids.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An isolation apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a central rod having at least an anchor component that secures the apparatus to a stuffing box; and   a sealing element coupled to the central rod concentrically to sealingly engage an inner surface of an open bore of the stuffing box;   wherein the isolation apparatus is for insertion into the open bore of a stuffing box at a well head and wherein the sealing element upon being axially compressed, expands radially to seal the open bore.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element comprises a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the central rod. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor component and the sealing element are disposed substantially longitudinally adjacent to one another on the central rod. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a rigid surface at one end of the sealing element, wherein the sealing element is axially compressed against the rigid surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising two rigid surfaces at either end of the sealing element, wherein the sealing element is longitudinally compressible between the two rigid surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a threaded nut on the central rod proximate to at least one of the rigid surfaces, wherein clockwise rotation of the threaded nut axially compresses the sealing element between the two rigid surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central rod has a threaded portion and the anchor component is disposed at an end of the threaded portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor component comprises radially expandable portions that engage an inner surface within the stuffing box. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is configured to sealingly engage a rubber packing element within the open bore of the stuffing box. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element comprises a material selected from natural rubber, synthetic rubber, fluoro-elastomer, thermoset elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, elastomeric copolymers, thermoplastic polymers, elastomeric terpolymers, elastomeric polymer blends, elastomeric alloys, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor component restricts substantial longitudinal movement of said apparatus within the stuffing box. 
     
     
         12 . A method of installing an isolation apparatus within an open bore of a stuffing box, the method comprising:
 providing an isolation apparatus comprising an anchor component and a sealing element;   inserting the isolation apparatus within the open bore of the stuffing box;   securing the isolation apparatus to the stuffing box with the anchor component; and   axially compressing the sealing element such that the sealing member expands radially and engages the open bore of the stuffing box.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a threaded member, wherein the anchor component and the sealing element are disposed substantially adjacent to one another thereon. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein axially compressing the sealing element comprises longitudinally compressing the sealing element against at least one rigid surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising providing a threaded nut on the threaded member and rotating the threaded nut in a clockwise rotation, thereby compressing the sealing element against the at least one rigid surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising compressing the sealing element against the at least one rigid surface, and thereby radially expanding the sealing element to sealingly engage a rubber packing element within the stuffing box bore. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein securing the isolation apparatus further comprises engaging a surface within the stuffing box with radially expanding portions of the anchor component. 
     
     
         18 . A stuffing box isolation apparatus comprising:
 a threaded rod;   an anchor component disposed at a lower end of the threaded rod that secures the tool to a stuffing box;   a sealing element disposed longitudinally along a portion of the threaded rod, the sealing element configured to engage an inner bore of the stuffing box; and   at least one rigid surface abutting the sealing element, wherein the sealing element comprises a material which when axially compressed against the at least one rigid surface, radially expands for the sealing element to seal the inner bore of the stuffing box.   
     
     
         19 . The isolation apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a threaded nut, wherein rotating the threaded nut in a clockwise direction longitudinally compresses the sealing element against the at least one rigid surface. 
     
     
         20 . The isolation apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the anchor component comprises radially expandable portions to secure the isolation apparatus to the stuffing box. 
     
     
         21 . The isolation apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the anchor component engages a surface within the stuffing box and restricts longitudinal movement of the isolation apparatus within the stuffing box.