VR Plug Lubricator

Abstract

A tool for installing and/or extracting a VR plug in a wellhead within a cellar or other cramped space. The tool includes a lubricator having an internal rod, a tubular housing, an elbow or angled joint, and a flexible cable having a connector to grip and release the VR plug. The lubricator drives the cable through the housing and valves to the position where the VR plug will be installed/extracted. Rotating the internal rod of the lubricator threads or unthreads the VR plug to or from the wellhead, respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for installing a VR plug in and/or extracting a VR plug from a wellhead, comprising:
 a lubricator comprising an axially movable tool rod, said lubricator being operative to hold pressure equal to that of said wellhead during the installation and/or extraction of said VR plug;   an elongate tubular housing having a first end and a second end, said first end of said housing being connected to said lubricator;   an elbow joint having a first end and a second end;   said first end of said elbow joint being connected to said second end of said housing, said second end of said elbow joint being releasably connectable to a valve on said wellhead;   a flexible cable running through said housing and said elbow joint, said cable having a first end operatively connected to said tool rod and a second end having an adapter releasably connectable to said VR plug;   whereby when said second end of said elbow joint is connected to said valve on said wellhead and when said valve is in the open position, said tool rod can be driven downwardly which in turn drives said wire through said housing, said elbow joint, and said valve such that said adapter is positioned at a point wherein said adapter can either release said VR plug to be installed, or connect to said VR plug to be extracted.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein rotation of said tool rod rotates said cable such that rotation of said tool rod and cable in a first direction threads the VR plug into the wellhead and rotation of said tool rod and cable in a second direction unthreads said VR plug from the wellhead. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said axially movable tool rod is connected to a piston, said piston being hydraulically or pneumatically driven to move said tool rod. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of centralizers disposed on said flexible cable. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said housing and said elbow joint are monolithically formed.