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Crude Oil Wellhead Access Platforms and Metal Stairs

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ErectaStep Wellhead Access Solutions:

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Oil Wellhead Safety Solutions

Safe Access to valves, No Matter The Spot

SafeRack’s elevated work platforms create a safe, comfortable way to access service valves at any level. The OSHA compliant components that makeup every ErectaStep stair system meets the most recent regulations. The individual components used to design each stair system are modular. The modular capability allows components to be bolted together in any configuration; therefore, a system can reach any height or length that is needed.

ErectaStep's metal stair components

Wellhead access platform — ErectaStep Wellhead Work Platform w/ Metal Handrail and Metal Stair

What is a Oil Wellhead?

Simply put, a wellhead is a system of spools, valves, and assorted adapters that used to provide pressure control of a production well. Its primary purpose is to provide a suspension point and pressure seals for the casing strings that run from the bottom of the hole sections to the surface pressure control equipment.

Wellheads are welded onto the first string of casing, which has been cemented in place during drilling operations, to form an integral structure of the well. A wellhead can be recovered from abandoned wells and then refurbished to use again.

When the well is operating, surface pressure is controlled by a blowout preventer (BOP), which is usually part of the Christmas tree, which is found on top of the wellhead. If surface pressure is not correctly controlled, a well blowout will occur.

The safety of employees is paramount in the oil fields. SafeRack offers equipment and solutions that both increase worker safety and increase efficiency, starting at the wellhead.

Elements of a Crude Oil Wellhead

A wellhead is a component at the surface of an oil or gas well that provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment.

The primary purpose of a wellhead is to provide the suspension point and pressure seals for the casing strings that run from the bottom of the hole sections to the surface pressure control equipment.

While drilling the oil well, surface pressure control is provided by a blowout preventer (BOP). If the pressure is not contained during drilling operations by the column of drilling fluid, casings, wellhead, and BOP, a well blowout could occur.

When the well has been drilled, it is completed to provide an interface with the reservoir rock and a tubular conduit for the well fluids. The surface pressure control is provided by a Christmas tree, which is installed on top of the wellhead, with isolation valves and choke equipment to control the flow of well fluids during production.

Wellheads are typically welded onto the first string of casing, which has been cemented in place during drilling operations, to form an integral structure of the well. In exploration wells that are later abandoned, the wellhead may be recovered for refurbishment and re-use.

Offshore, where a wellhead is located on the production platform it is called a surface wellhead, and if located beneath the water then it is referred to as a subsea wellhead or mudline wellhead.

Lower master valve – The lower master valve will normally be manually operated, while the upper master valve is often hydraulically actuated, allowing it to be used as a means of remotely shutting in the well in the event of an emergency.
Tubing-head adapter
Tubing hanger
Tubing head
Production tubing
Casing bowl or spool
Casing hanger
Port for casing valve