Rod Suspension System for Integrated Wellhead

Abstract

An artificial lift system for a well having a wellhead reciprocates a rod string with an uphole pump unit at the wellhead to operate a downhole pump unit in the well and lift fluid in the well. A rod segment coupled to the rod string at the wellhead has first opposing surfaces facing in first opposing directions. Opposing catchers are movable laterally relative to the rod segment at the wellhead. Each of the catchers has a face with second opposing surfaces facing in second opposing directions opposite to the first opposing directions. The catchers moved in a first condition have the second opposing surfaces disengaged from the first opposing surfaces of the rod segment, but the catchers moved in a second condition have the second opposing surfaces engaged with the segment's first opposing surfaces to hold the rod string in place.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use at a wellhead of a well having a downhole unit operated with a rod string extending downhole from an uphole unit at the wellhead, the apparatus comprising:
 a rod segment coupling to the rod string and having first opposing surfaces facing in first opposing directions, the rod segment movable in relation to the wellhead; and   opposing catchers movable laterally at the wellhead relative to the rod segment,   the opposing catchers each having a face with second opposing surfaces facing in second opposing directions opposite to the first opposing directions,   the opposing catchers moved in a first condition at the wellhead having the second opposing surfaces of the faces disengaged from the first opposing surfaces of the rod segment,   the opposing catchers moved in a second condition at the wellhead having the second opposing surfaces of the faces engaged with the first opposing surfaces of the rod segment.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first opposing surfaces comprise first inward surfaces facing inward toward one another and forming a plurality of troughs defined circumferentially about the rod segment. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second opposing surfaces comprise second outward surfaces facing outward away from one another and forming a plurality of teeth projecting from the face for mating in the troughs of the rod segment. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first opposing surfaces comprise first outer portions of a concavity defined circumferentially about the rod segment. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second opposing surfaces comprise second outer portions of a convexity extending from the face and positionable adjacent the concavity of the rod segment. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rod segment comprises a first end coupleable to a first section of the rod string and comprises a second end coupleable to a second section of the rod string. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupling to at least one of the opposing catchers and operable to move the at least one opposing catcher between the first and second conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator comprises an arm coupling to the at least one opposing catcher and movable laterally relative to the rod segment. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one opposing catcher defines a slot, and wherein the arm comprises a key coupling with the slot. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second opposing surfaces of the face engaged with the first opposing surfaces of the rod segment restrain movement of the rod segment longitudinally in opposing directions. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing catchers in the second condition restrain movement of the rod segment laterally. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a component disposed at the wellhead, the component having a throughbore for passage of the rod segment and having first cross-openings for the opposing catchers communicating with the throughbore. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the rod segment comprises a polished section. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the component comprises opposing rams movable laterally in second cross-openings of the component relative to the rod segment, the opposing rams movable between sealed and unsealed conditions with the polished section of the rod segment. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the component comprises at least one flange disposed at one end thereof and coupleable with a portion of the wellhead. 
     
     
         16 . An artificial lift system for a well having a wellhead, the system comprising:
 a rod string;   an uphole unit at the wellhead operable to move the rod string in the well;   a downhole unit in the well operable to lift fluid in the well in response to the movement of the rod string; and   a rod segment coupled to the rod string at the wellhead and having first opposing surfaces facing in first opposing directions; and   opposing catchers movable laterally relative to the rod segment at the wellhead,   the opposing catchers each having a face with second opposing surfaces facing in second opposing directions opposite to the first opposing directions,   the opposing catchers moved in a first condition at the wellhead having the second opposing surfaces of the faces disengaged from the first opposing surfaces of the rod segment,   the opposing catchers moved in a second condition at the wellhead having the second opposing surfaces of the faces engaged with the first opposing surfaces of the rod segment.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , comprising a component disposed at the wellhead, the component having a throughbore for passage of the rod segment and having first cross-openings communicating with the throughbore for the opposing catchers. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the rod segment comprises a polished section; and wherein the component comprises rams movable laterally in a second cross-openings relative to the rod segment, the rams movable between sealed and unsealed conditions with the polished section of the rod segment. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the uphole unit at the wellhead is operable to reciprocate the rod string longitudinally in the well; and wherein the downhole unit in the well is operable to lift fluid in the well in response to the reciprocation of the rod string. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the downhole unit comprises a reciprocating rod pump disposed in the well; and wherein the uphole unit comprises a pump jack or a hydraulic jack. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the uphole unit at the wellhead is operable to rotate the rod string in the well; and wherein the downhole unit in the well is operable to lift fluid in the well in response to the rotation of the rod string. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the downhole unit comprises a progressive cavity pump having a stator with a rotor rotatable therein by the rotation of the rod string; and wherein the uphole unit comprises a rotary drive imparting the rotation to the rod string. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for use at a wellhead having a downhole unit operated with a rod string extending downhole from an uphole unit at the wellhead, the apparatus comprising:
 a rod segment coupling to the rod string and having a downward-facing profile, the rod segment movable longitudinally relative to the wellhead; and   opposing catchers movable laterally in the wellhead relative to the rod segment, the catchers each having a forked support with an upward-facing profile, the catchers moved in a first condition having the upward-facing profiles disengaged from the downward-facing profile of the rod segment, the catchers moved in a second condition having the upward-facing profiles supporting with the downward-facing profile of the rod segment.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the forked support of a first of the opposing catchers when in the second condition fits under at least a portion of the forked support of a second of the opposing catchers. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for use at a wellhead having a downhole unit operated with a rod string extending downhole from an uphole unit at the wellhead, the apparatus comprising:
 a rod segment coupling to the rod string and having a first downward-facing profile and first upward-facing profile, the rod segment movable longitudinally relative to the wellhead; and   opposing catchers movable laterally in the wellhead relative to the rod segment, a first of the opposing catchers having a first forked support with a second upward-facing profile, a second of the opposing catchers having a second forked support with a second downward-facing profile, the opposing catchers moved in a first condition having the second profiles disengaged from the first profiles of the rod segment, the opposing catchers moved in a second condition having the second profiles engaged with the first profiles of the rod segment.