CA2743825A1

CA2743825A1 - Oil catch pan

Info

Publication number: CA2743825A1
Application number: CA2743825A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Stan Clarkson
Original assignee: Universe Machine Corp
Current assignee: FEIGEL INVESTMENTS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-25
Filing date: 2011-06-21
Publication date: 2012-02-25

Abstract

An oil catch pan, or in combination with a tubular member of a wellhead, is provided in several sections. Each section abuts to an adjacent section, so that together they form an annular pan. Each section forms a fluid-containing basin defined by a bottom, an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall and end sidewalls. End sidewalls of adjacent sections form abutments. The interior sidewalls of the annular pan form a passageway for passage of the tubular member.
The pan can be supported upon a flange. The interior walls of the pan can be press fit onto a flange. One or more couplers link adjacent sections, arranged at their abutments, to form the annular pan.

Description

OIL CATCH PAN

2

3 FIELD OF THE INVENTION

4 Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for catching waste fluids leaking from a wellhead. More particularly, embodiments 6 of the present invention relate to multiple, independent, fluid-containing basins that 7 encircle a tubular member of the wellhead for forming an annular oil catch pan.

The use of an oil catch pan which is bolted to an oil well flange to 11 catch waste fluids leaking from an oil well apparatus has been known for a long 12 time. However, the process of moving sections of an oil well apparatus to bolt an oil 13 catch pan to an oil well flange requires a significant quantity of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

16 An oil catch pan can be designed to allow for efficient installation by 17 using an annular oil catch pan comprising two or more sections so that these 18 sections can be supported on an oil well flange without moving any part of the oil 19 well apparatus.

In an embodiment, the oil catch pan is supported by being shaped 21 about the flange for press fitting thereto. An interior sidewall of each of the plurality 22 of sections slopes downwardly and outwardly for shaping the pan to fit the flange.

23 In an embodiment, the oil catch pan can be fully supported on a flange 1 of the wellhead. Support on the flange can include support upon an array of studs 2 and nuts extending through the flange. In this embodiment, the interior sidewall 3 need not extend radially inwardly to adapt to the shape of the flange.

4 In a broad aspect of the invention, an oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well having an oil well flange, comprises a plurality of sections of an 6 annular pan. The plurality of sections are connected together to form the annular 7 pan. Each section of the plurality of sections comprising a basin defined by a 8 bottom, an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall and respective end sidewalls. The 9 interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of sections slopes downwardly and outwardly and is press fit onto the oil well flange. Couplers link respective adjacent 11 sections of the plurality of sections to hold the oil catch pan press fit onto the oil well 12 flange.

13 In another broad aspect, an oil catch pan, comprises a plurality of 14 sections of an annular pan, the plurality of sections being connected together to form the annular pan. Each section of the plurality of sections comprises a basin 16 defined by a bottom, an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall and respective end 17 sidewalls. The interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of sections slopes 18 downwardly and outwardly for press fitting onto an oil well flange.
Couplers connect 19 respective adjacent sections of the plurality of sections to hold the oil catch pan press fit onto the oil well flange. The interior sidewall of each section of the plurality 21 of sections extends inwardly to form a cover portion for sitting above the oil well 22 flange. The respective cover portions of respective sections of the plurality of 1 sections together define an opening for receiving an oil well tubular member. Edges 2 of the cover portions of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections overlap.

3 In another broad aspect, an annular pan and wellhead system for 4 catching fluids leaking from a wellhead comprises two or more sections for forming the annular pan. The annular pan encircles a tubular member of the wellhead.
Each 6 of the two or more sections forms a fluid-containing basin for catching the leaking 7 fluids. Each of the two or more sections has a bottom, an interior sidewall, an 8 exterior sidewall and end sidewalls. One or more couplers are positioned along an 9 outer surface of the exterior sidewall of each of the two of more sections.
The end sidewalls, of one of the two or more sections, abut the end sidewalls of an adjacent 11 section, of the two or more sections, for forming an abutment. The interior sidewalls 12 form a passageway for passage of the tubular member therethrough. The one or 13 more couplers detachably secure the two or more sections together to form the 14 annular pan.

In another broad aspect, a method of catching waste fluids leaking 16 from a wellhead having a tubular member comprises providing two or more sections 17 of an annular pan, each section having a bottom, an exterior sidewall, an interior 18 sidewall and end sidewalls for forming a fluid-containing basin. The two or more 19 sections are assembled for forming the annular pan encircling the tubular member of the wellhead. The two or more sections are detachably assembled to one another 21 and the annular pan is supported on the wellhead.

22 In another embodiment an oil catch pan, comprises a plurality of 23 sections of an annular pan, the plurality of sections being connected together to 1 form the annular pan. Each section of the plurality of sections comprises a 2 fluid-containing basin defined by a bottom, an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall 3 and respective end sidewalls. The interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of 4 sections is press fit onto an oil well flange. One or more couplers connect the respective adjacent sections of the plurality of sections. The interior sidewall of each 6 section of the plurality of sections extends radially inwardly to form a cover portion.
7 The respective cover portions of respective sections of the plurality of sections 8 together define a passageway for receiving an oil well tubular member. Edges of the 9 cover portions of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections overlap.

Further, a truncated cone can be fit about the tubular member of the 11 wellhead above the oil catch pan. A lower peripheral lip of the truncated cone has a 12 radial dimension sized to be greater than that of the passageway for directing 13 leaking fluids, received by the truncated cone, into the annular pan.

14 Further summary is found in the claims and detailed description that follows.

2 Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in 3 which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in 4 which:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an oil catch pan and an oil well 6 tubular member;

7 Figure 2 shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of a section 8 of an oil catch pan, an oil well tubular member and an oil well flange;

9 Figure 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of an oil catch pan and an oil well tubular member;

11 Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a channel 12 member where the channel member is a U-shaped clip;

13 Figure 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of the edges of 14 adjacent cover portions of the oil catch pan, where the edges overlap;

Figure 6 is a side perspective view of the section in accordance to Fig.
16 2 illustrating an exterior sidewall, an interior sidewall and two end sidewalls and 17 couplers having a pin and eyelet arrangement;

18 Figure 7A is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the 19 present invention, illustrating a wellhead having a tubular member and a flange intermediate along the tubular member, the flange supporting an annular pan 21 thereon and a truncated cone secured to the tubular member above the annular pan 22 for directing waste fluids into the annular pan;

5 1 Figure 7B is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment in 2 accordance to Fig. 7A, illustrating the annular pan having a bottom profiled to fit 3 about the flange;

4 Figure 8 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating a circular annular pan for being supported on a flange of a

6 wellhead comprising two sections, each section having an interior sidewall abutting

7 an interior sidewall of the other of the two sections for forming an abutment;

8 Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional perspective view of one of the two

9 sections in accordance to Fig. 8;

Figure 10A is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention, 11 illustrating two semi-circular sections detachably coupled together for forming a 12 circular annular pan, each of the two sections having two drainage outlets;

13 Figure 10B is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention 14 illustrating three sections detachably coupled together for forming a circular annular pan, each of the three sections having a drainage outlet;

16 Figure 10C is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention 17 illustrating four rectilinear sections detachably couple together for forming a 18 polygonal annular pan, each of the four sections having a drainage outlet;

19 Figure 11 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating six sections having linear interior sidewalls, the six sections detachably 21 coupled together for forming an annular pan having a passageway for passage of a 22 tubular member therethrough, and an annular space formed between the tubular 23 member and the interior sidewalls of the annular pan;

1 Figure 12A is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the 2 present invention illustrating an abutment cover cantilevered and extending away 3 from an abutment formed by abutting end sidewalls of adjacent sections of an 4 annular pan; and Figure 12B is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the 6 present invention illustrating a U-shaped abutment cover for covering an abutment.

9 Referring to Fig. 1, an embodiment of an oil catch pan 14 comprising two sections 10 and 20 can be press fit onto an oil well flange (not visible in Fig. 1 11 but see Fig. 2), the oil well flange being attached to an oil well tubular member 36 in 12 conventional fashion. Each section 10 and 20 of the oil catch pan 14 defines a 13 fluid-containing basin having a bottom 24, an interior sidewall 26 sloping 14 downwardly and outwardly, an exterior sidewall 28, and end sidewalls 30 and 46.
The interior sidewalls 26 of each section 10 and 20 extend radially inwardly to form 16 an annular cover 12 made up of cover portions 18 and 34. The respective cover 17 portions 18 and 34 of the two sections 10 and 20 define an opening for receiving oil 18 well tubular member 36. The edges of each cover portion 18, 34 have a section of 19 a collar 58. The collars of each cover portion 18 and 34 form an annular collar 58 around the oil well tubular member 36. Various sizes of collar 58 may be used 21 depending on the size of the tubular member 36. One or more couplers 16 (Fig. 1) 22 and 48 (Fig. 3) on each side of the annular pan links sections 10 and 20 to hold the 23 oil catch pan 14 press fit onto the oil well flange. Each section 10 and 20 of the oil 1 catch pan can have one or more drainage outlets 22. The one or more couplers 2 and 48 may be of any suitable form that applies tension to hold the sections of the 3 annular pans together, as for example a cord, strap and buckle, or nut and bolt.

4 Fig. 2 shows the oil catch pan of Fig. 1 press fit onto an oil well flange, in this case the upper one of oil well flanges 38 and 40. The oil well flanges 38, 40 6 are intermediate along the oil well tubular member 36. The sections of the oil catch 7 pan 14 can be made of metal, as for example when used in hot oil applications, a 8 notable example being production from steam assisted gravity drainage 9 applications, but other materials may be used depending on the application.

Referring to Fig. 3, a top view of an oil catch pan 14 shows two 11 sections 10 and 20 of an embodiment of an oil catch pan 14 press fit onto an oil well 12 flange (not visible in Fig. 3 but see Fig. 2). The edges of the cover portions 18 and 13 34 overlap at areas 60. Couplers 16 and 48 link sections 10 and 20 to hold the oil 14 catch pan press fit onto the oil well flange. Friction between the flanges 38, 40 and the interior side walls of the catch pan sections holds the oil catch pan 14 on the oil 16 well. Each section 20 and 10 of the oil catch pan can have one or more drainage 17 outlets 22 and 56. In one embodiment, and as shown, the one or more drainage 18 outlets 22, 56 can be on the bottom 24, while in another embodiment (not shown) 19 the one or more drainage outlets 22, 56 can be on the exterior sidewall 28 adjacent the bottom 24.

21 Referring to Fig. 4, a channel member covers the abutment 32 of the 22 respective end sidewalls 42 and 44 of sections 10 and 20 of the oil catch pan 14.
23 As shown, an embodiment of the channel member can be a U-shaped clip 50 which 1 covers the abutment 32 of the end sidewalls 30 and 46 of adjacent sections of the 2 oil catch pan 14, and prevents fluid from escaping the oil catch pan 14 that falls onto 3 the abutment 32. The clip 50 may be held on the oil catch pan by friction with the 4 end sidewalls 30 and 46 of the respective sections 10 and 20. While the end sidewalls 30, 46 of the respective sections 10 and 20 of the annular pan can abut 6 each other in the sense of contacting each other, they may be separated along all 7 or a portion of their height and width, particularly with a channel member 8 covering and connecting the end sidewalls of the respective sections 10 and 9 together. The channel member 50 may be shaped to fit the trough formed by a section across the sections 10, 20 of the annular pan, as for example by tapering 11 downwardly.

12 Referring to Fig. 5, a section through overlapping cover portions 18 13 and 34 of the oil catch pan of Figs. 1-3 shows tapered edges 52 and 54 of adjacent 14 cover portions 18 and 34 overlapping in the areas denoted as 60 in Fig. 3.
Preferably, the overlapping portions contact each other to help prevent fluid from 16 passing between the cover portions and through to the oil well components below or 17 onto the ground. The overlapping areas 60 may extend the full radial width of the 18 cover portions 18 and 34, reaching outwardly to meet the channel members 50.

19 A series of stacked pans having the design of the catch pan shown in Figs. 1-5 may be placed on an oil well tubular member 36, spaced apart, with oil 21 from one pan flowing through to another pan below. Each such pan may be press 22 fit onto an oil well flange. The bottom pan may simply be two rectangular pans or 23 the like sitting on the ground.

1 In an embodiment, the sections 10,20 can be nested and stacked on 2 top of one another for storage and transport.

3 With reference to Figs. 6 through 11, further embodiments of the oil 4 catch pan 14 comprise two or more fluid-containing basins formed in two or more sections. Each section 10,20 is arranged adjacent an adjacent section 20,10 for 6 forming the oil catch pan 14 encircling the tubular member 36 and forming a 7 passageway for passage of the tubular member. The tubular member 36 is typically 8 part of a wellhead incorporating a variety of components including flanges 40, 9 blowout preventers (BOPs) and other fluid connections.

In an embodiment, one or more couplers 16 can be disposed on an 11 outer surface of the exterior sidewall 28 adjacent the abutment 32. For two sections 12 10,20, as shown in Fig. 3 and 8, two couplers 16, 48 can be provided which may be 13 the same form of coupler or different couplers. While a single coupler 16, such as a 14 band, may extend about the exterior sidewall 28 of all of the two or more sections

10,20, couplers can also be provided for each abutment 32. In coupler 16 embodiments disclosed herein, the term "outer surface" generally relates to a 17 portion of the exterior sidewall 28 which is not within the fluid-containing basin.
18 Accordingly, couplers 16, disposed on an outer surface 28 are not affected by the 19 collection of fluid, including heavy oil which is difficult to handle when cold.

In one embodiment, each coupler 16 or coupler 48 can comprise a pin 21 60 and eyelet 70 arrangement at each abutment 32. At least one eyelet 70 22 connected to one section 10 can extend radially outwardly from the exterior sidewall 23 28, adjacent the abutment 32, to cooperatively align with at least one eyelet 1 extending radially outwardly from the exterior sidewall 28 of the adjacent section 20.
2 At least one of the eyelets 70 on one of the sections 10, 20 also extends 3 circumferentially to overlap the at least one eyelet 70 on the other section 20,10, 4 permitting passage of the pin 60 therethrough.

In an embodiment wherein the pin 60 and eyelet 70 arrangement has 6 one eyelet 70 on each section 10,20, adjacent each abutment 32, the one eyelet 70 7 on each section 10,20 can be positioned adjacent a top of the exterior wall 28.

8 In an embodiment as shown in Fig. 6, each pin 60 and eyelet 70 9 arrangement comprises a set of eyelets 70. Each set of eyelets 70 is formed of two or more eyelets 70, each of which extends radially outwardly from the exterior

11 sidewall 28. Further, the two or more eyelets 70 of at least one of the sets of eyelets

12 70 at each abutment 32 extends circumferentially for overlapping the two or more

13 eyelets of the adjacent set of eyelets. The pin 60 passes through all of the aligned

14 eyelets 70 at each abutment 32 for detachably securing the abutted sections 10,20 together. Removal of the pins 60 from the aligned eyelets 70 permits the sections 16 10,20 to be separated. Removal of the pin 60 from one of the aligned sets of 17 eyelets 70 at one abutment 32 permits the sections 10,20 to be separated, and 18 pivoted or hinged about the other pin 60 and aligned sets of eyelets 70 at the other 19 abutment 32.

As shown a first eyelet 70 of the two or more eyelets 70 of each set is 21 positioned adjacent a top of the exterior wall 28 and a second eyelet 70 of the two 22 or more eyelets 70 is aligned therebelow.

1 With reference to Fig. 7A, an embodiment of the oil catch pan 14 can 2 be fully supported on the upper flange 40. Support on the flange 40 can include 3 support upon an array of studs and nuts extending through the flange 40. In this 4 embodiment, the interior sidewall 26, therefore, need not extend radially inwardly to adapt to a shape of the flange as in earlier embodiments. Instead, the interior 6 sidewall 26 can extend axially upwards from the bottom 24 and need not extend 7 radially inwardly to form the annular cover 12. In an embodiment, and as shown, 8 the interior sidewalls 26 can be substantially vertical. The oil catch pan 14 can 9 extend radially beyond the upper flange 40.

As shown in Fig. 7B, in another embodiment, the bottom 24 of each of 11 the two or more sections 10,20 can extend radially beyond the upper flange 40 and 12 the bottom 24 can be profiled to fit about the upper flange 40.

13 With reference to Figs. 8 and 9, the oil catch pan 14 is an annular pan, 14 formed by coupling two or more adjacent sections 10,20 to encircle the oil well tubular member 36. When the two sections 10,20 are detachably coupled together, 16 the interior sidewalls 26,26 of each of the two or more sections 10,20 cooperatively 17 form an opening or passageway 90 for passage of the oil well tubular 36 18 therethrough. The passageway 90 is sized to about that of the oil well tubular 19 member 36.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, each of the two or more sections 10,20 can 21 be of a variety of shapes which form the annular pan 14 for intercepting leaks. The 22 annular pan 14 need not be symmetrical. Leaks may originate from about the 23 tubular member 36 or from fluid piping and connections of the wellhead adjacent the 1 tubular member 36 with the shape of the pan 14 adjusted accordingly. As 2 discussed above, two or more sections 10,20 can be detachably coupled to one 3 another by abutting the end sidewalls 30,46 of one of the two or more sections 4 10,20 with the end sidewalls 46,30 of another adjacent section of the two or more sections 20,10 for forming the abutment 32 therebetween.

6 In an embodiment, the interior sidewalls 26,26 can be substantially 7 linear for forming a substantially linear abutment 32 between the two or more 8 sections 10,20. The substantially linear abutment 32 is one form of continuous 9 engagement between the end sidewalls 30,46 for substantially preventing any waste fluids from draining or leaking therethrough.

11 As with previous embodiments, one or more couplers 16 are disposed 12 on an outside surface of the exterior sidewall 28 and adjacent the abutments 32.
13 The one or more couplers 16 can be of any suitable form that applies tension to 14 hold the two or more sections 10,20 together. For example, a cord, strap, strap and buckle, bolts and nuts or screws. As shown in Figs. 6, and 7A to 10C, the one or 16 more couplers 16 can comprise a pin 60 and eyelet 70 arrangement as previously 17 discussed.

18 With reference to Figs. 10A to 10C, the oil catch pan 14 can be 19 formed with two or more sections 10,20 can have the same shape, being substantially identical, for reducing the costs associated with manufacturing.
The 21 exterior sidewalls 28 can be arcuate for forming a circular annular pan (Figs. 10A
22 and 1 OB) or can be linear for forming a polygonal pan (Fig. 1 OC).

1 A further advantage of having sections10,20 that are substantially the 2 same shape, and having a draft, is that the sections 10,20 can be nested for 3 stacking one on top of another for compact storage and/or transport. To permit 4 nesting, couplers 16 are positioned adjacent a top of the external wall 28 of each section 10,20.

6 Referring back to Figs. 8 and 9, in an embodiment, the interior 7 sidewalls 26 of each of the two or more sections 10,20 can be arcuate for 8 cooperatively forming a passageway 90 which is substantially circular.

9 With reference to Fig. 11, in either embodiment, where the passageway 90 is circular or polygonal, a gap or annular space 95 may be formed 11 between the interior sidewalls 26,26 of the passageway 90 and the oil well tubular 12 member 36. In such cases, it is possible that some of the waste fluids from the 13 wellhead could flow down the oil well tubular member 36 and flow through the 14 annular space 95, bypassing the oil catch pan 14. Accordingly, and as shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, diverting means 130 are connected to the oil well tubular member 16 36, above the oil catch pan 14, for diverting or directing the waste fluids from 17 adjacent the tubular member 36, radially outwardly and away from the annular 18 space 95, for collection by the oil catch pan 14.

19 One such means is a truncated cone 130 having a truncated, narrow, upper opening 140, fit to the oil well tubular member 36, and a wide base, or lower 21 peripheral lip 150 having a radial dimension sized sufficiently to be greater than that 22 of the passageway 90. The truncated cone 130 is fit to the tubular member 23 above the annular pan 14 and the lower peripheral lip 150 extends radially 1 outwardly sufficiently to direct waste fluids flowing down the tubular member 36, and 2 received by the truncated cone 130, away from the annular space 95 and into the 3 annular pan 14. In Fig. 11, the lower peripheral lip 150 of cone 130 is shown in 4 dotted lines for illustrating the drip line within the annular pan 14.

With reference to Figs. 12A and 12B, the abutment 32 between 6 adjacent sections 10,20 can be covered by an abutment cover 160 for minimizing 7 waste fluids from entering or escaping between the abutting end sidewalls 30,46. In 8 an embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12A, the abutment cover 160 can be a 9 cantilevered extension that extends from one end sidewall 30, 46 over the abutting end sidewalls 30,46 along the length of the abutment 32.

11 In an embodiment, and as shown in Fig. 12B, the abutment cover 160 12 can be a U-shaped clip positioned over the abutting end sidewalls 30,46 for 13 covering substantially the entire length of the abutment 32.

14 Herein, each one of the individual features described may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be 16 construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.

17 The oil catch pan may be made of more than two sections, but two is 18 preferred for simplicity. The oil catch pans are described as annular but this 19 limitation may be met by an oil catch pan that is angular or polygonal or out of round in some other fashion. However, a generally round pan is preferred for ease of 21 manufacture. An objective is that the oil catch pan extends around the oil well so 22 that dripping oil is caught by the pan to prevent the oil falling onto other components 23 of the oil well.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:

1. An oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well, the oil well having an oil well flange, the oil catch pan comprising:

a plurality of sections of an annular pan;

the plurality of sections being connected together to form the annular pan;

each section of the plurality of sections comprising a basin defined by a bottom, an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall and respective end sidewalls;

the interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of sections sloping downwardly and outwardly and being press fit onto the oil well flange; and couplers linking respective adjacent sections of the plurality of sections to hold the oil catch pan press fit onto the oil well flange.

2. The oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well, of claim 1 in which the interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of sections extends inwardly to form a cover portion which sits above the oil well flange, the respective cover portions of respective sections of the plurality of sections together defining an opening for receiving an oil well tubular member.

3. The oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well, of claim 2, in which edges of the cover portions of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections overlap.

4. The oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well, of claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising channel members, each channel member covering and connecting end sidewalls of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections.

5. The oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well, of claim 4 in which the channel member is a U-shaped clip.

6. The oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well, of any one of claims 1-5 in which each section of the plurality of sections has a drainage outlet.

7. The oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well, of any one of claims 1-6 in which each section of the plurality of sections is made of metal.

8. The oil catch pan, in combination with an oil well, of any one of claims 1-7 in which respective end sidewalls of adjacent sections contact each other.

9. An oil catch pan, comprising:

a plurality of sections of an annular pan;

the plurality of sections being connected together to form the annular pan;

each section of the plurality of sections comprising a basin defined by a bottom, an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall and respective end sidewalls;

the interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of sections sloping downwardly and outwardly for being press fit onto an oil well flange;

couplers for connecting respective adjacent sections of the plurality of sections to hold the oil catch pan press fit onto the oil well flange; and the interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of sections extending inwardly to form a cover portion for sitting above the oil well flange, the respective cover portions of respective sections of the plurality of sections together defining an opening for receiving an oil well tubular member and edges of the cover portions of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections overlapping.

10. The oil catch pan of claim 9 further comprising channel members, each channel member covering and connecting end sidewalls of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections.

11. The oil catch pan of claim 10 in which the channel member is a U-shaped clip.

12. The oil catch pan of claim 9, 10 or 11 in which each section of the plurality of sections has a drainage outlet.

13. The oil catch pan of anyone of claims 9-12 in which each section of the plurality of sections is made of metal.

14. The oil catch pan of any one of claims 9-13 in which respective end sidewalls of adjacent sections contact each other when connected around an oil well.

15. An annular pan and wellhead system for catching fluids leaking from a wellhead, the system comprising:

two or more sections for forming the annular pan encircling a tubular member of the wellhead, each of the two or more sections forming a fluid-containing basin for catching the leaking fluids, each of the two or more sections having a bottom, an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall and end sidewalls; and one or more couplers along an outer surface of the exterior sidewall of each of the two of more sections wherein the end sidewalls, of one of the two or more sections, abut the end sidewalls of an adjacent section of the two or more sections, for forming an abutment and the interior sidewalls form a passageway for passage of the tubular member therethrough; and wherein the one or more couplers detachably secure the two or more sections together to form the annular pan.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the end sidewalls are substantially linear and the abutment is a substantially linear abutment between the adjacent sections.

17. The system of claim 15 or 16, wherein the interior sidewall is arcuate and the passageway is substantially circular.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the wellhead further comprises a flange intermediate along the tubular member;

the passageway is sized to about that of the flange; and each interior sidewall further comprises a cover portion extending radially inwardly from a top of the interior sidewall which, when arranged to encircle the tubular member, forming the passageway.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the bottom of one or more of the two of more sections is supported upon the flange.

20. The system of any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the passageway is sized to about that of the tubular member.

21. The system of any one of claims 15 to 19, further comprising a truncated cone having a upper opening and a lower peripheral lip, wherein the upper opening is sized to about that of the tubular member;

the lower peripheral lip is sized greater than that of the passageway, wherein the truncated cone is fit to the tubular member above the annular pan for directing waste fluids flowing down the tubular member and received by the truncated cone, into the annular pan.

22. The system of any one of claims 15 to 21 further comprising an abutment cover extending along the abutment for preventing waste fluids from escaping between the abutting end sidewalls.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the abutment cover is a U-shaped clip.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the abutment cover is cantilevered from one of the end sidewalls and extends along a length of the abutment.

25. The system of any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein the bottom of each of the two or more sections further comprises at least one drainage outlet.

26. The system of any one of claims 15 to 25 wherein the two or more sections are substantially identical.

27. A method of catching waste fluids leaking from a wellhead having a tubular member comprising:

providing two or more sections of an annular pan, each section having a bottom, an exterior sidewall, an interior sidewall and end sidewalls for forming a fluid-containing basin;

assembling the two or more sections for forming the annular pan encircling the tubular member of the wellhead;

detachably coupling the two or more sections to one another; and supporting the annular pan on the wellhead.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein supporting the annular pan on the wellhead further comprises securing the annular pan about the tubular of the wellhead.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein supporting the annular pan on the wellhead further comprises supporting the annular pan on a flange of the wellhead.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein supporting the annular pan on a flange further comprises press fitting the annular pan onto the flange.

31. The method of claims 27 to 30 further comprising directing leaking waste fluids flowing down the wellhead into the annular pan.

32. An oil catch pan, comprising:

a plurality of sections of an annular pan;

the plurality of sections being connected together to form the annular pan;

each section of the plurality of sections comprising a fluid-containing basin defined by a bottom, an interior sidewall, an exterior sidewall and respective end sidewalls;

the interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of sections being press fit onto an oil well flange;

one or more couplers for connecting respective adjacent sections of the plurality of sections; and the interior sidewall of each section of the plurality of sections extending radially inwardly to form a cover portion, the respective cover portions of respective sections of the plurality of sections together defining a passageway for receiving an oil well tubular member and edges of the cover portions of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections overlapping.

33. The oil catch pan of claim 32 further comprising abutment covers, each abutment cover covering and connecting end sidewalls of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections.

34. The oil catch pan of claim 33 wherein the abutment cover further comprises a U-shaped clip.

35. The oil catch pan of claim 32, 33, or 34, wherein each section of the plurality of sections further comprises at least one drainage outlet.

36. The oil catch pan of anyone of claims 32 to 35 wherein each section of the plurality of sections is made of metal.

37. The oil catch pan of any one of claims 32 to 36 wherein respective end sidewalls of adjacent sections abut one another when detachably coupled around an oil well.