Abstract: Insert type floating equipment valves for use in the cementing of casing in oil and gas wells and the like which may be retained in the casing therein through the use of slips or set screws or anchors and uses either cup type or compression type sealing members.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal annular seal for use in downhole tools which may include annular elastomeric backup seals. In each embodiment, a sealing member has a pair of annular frusto-conical lips adapted for sealing engagement with a cylindrical sealing surface on a member of a downhole tool. The sealing member may be a separate component or an integral part of another member of the downhole tool. A seal energizing member may be used.

Abstract: A capacitive differential pressure sensor comprises two end pieces and a central diaphragm all of the same type of electrically non-conductive material, such as quartz. As the central diaphragm moves relative to the end pieces in response to pressures applied through the end pieces, capacitance changes are sensed through one pair of facing electrodes on one end piece and the diaphragm and another pair of facing electrodes on the other end piece and the diaphragm. A method of measuring differential pressures at an oil or gas well with such a sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A differential pressure operated valve for use as a circulating and/or deflation valve in a well bore. The valve comprises a housing defining first and second bores therethrough and a passage providing communication between the interior and exterior of the housing. A valve sleeve is slidably disposed in the housing and has a first outer surface slidably disposed in the first bore and a second outer surface slidably disposed in the second bore. A valve port is defined in the valve sleeve providing communication between a central opening thereof and the passage in the housing when the valve sleeve is in an open position. When the valve sleeve is closed, the valve port and passage are isolated from one another. The first and second outer surfaces of the valve sleeve define a differential area, and the valve is closed by fluid flow creating a differential pressure acting across this area. A spring biases the valve toward the open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hatch apparatus comprising: (a) a non-metallic base having a base flange which is connectable to a container flange by bolting and (b) a non-metallic lid which is threadedly connectable to the non-metallic base. The inventive hatch apparatus can also include a pressure relief device associatable with the non-metallic lid. In one embodiment, the non-metallic lid comprises a single lid member. In a second embodiment, the non-metallic lid comprises two lid members. The inventive hatch apparatus is highly corrosion resistant and convenient to use.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for measuring downhole flowing and shut-in pressures to determine the condition of the reservoir and the potential of the well as a stimulation candidate. The tool string of the present invention is a novel combination of existing equipment that allows an electronic pressure gauge and shut-in tool to be run into the hole with coiled tubing. The present invention, in most cases, solves the potential problem of having to shut in or kill a flowing well prior to and after performing pressure testing, preventing lost production or potential well damage due to the killing operation. In addition, the present invention provides accuracy over current coiled tubing systems by reducing the effects of wellbore storage on pressure build-up testing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cementing tool for cementing multiple stages within a well. The assembly includes a housing assembly which defines one or more cementing ports. A first sleeve assembly is retained within the housing and is movable from a first position, where the sleeve covers the port, and thereby precludes fluid flow therethrough, to a second position wherein the sleeve opens the cementing port. The apparatus also includes a second sleeve assembly which is movable from a first position away from the cementing port to a second position wherein the sleeve assembly covers the port. The first sleeve is cooperatively configured with the housing assembly to provide engaging surfaces which resist rotation of the first sleeve relative to the housing. Additionally, the first sleeve and the second sleeve assembly are configured to limit relative rotation when the two pieces are longitudinally adjacent one another.

Abstract: An automatic level control system and method provide continuous proportional control of an inlet valve when the level of material in a storage container is between low and high limits. The system includes a main feedback loop and a nested feedback loop to insure proper control of the inlet valve through which material is added to the storage container. The main feedback loop provides a control signal indicating the desired setting of the inlet valve, and the nested feedback loop provides a control signal indicating the actual position of the inlet valve so that the two control signals can be compared for use in accurately moving the inlet valve to the desired position. The main feedback loop includes a computer into which different density values can be input for accurately determining the amount of material in the container as indicated by a weight sensor.

Abstract: A method of operating a sand screw comprises: sensing speed of a sand screw delivering sand; determining a corrected delivery rate of sand, including converting the sensed speed of the sand screw into the corrected delivery rate of sand in response to predetermined sand screw delivery rate conversion data; and controlling the speed of the sand screw in response to the corrected delivery rate of sand. The sand screw delivery rate conversion data is based on first and second order polynomials defining the relationship between conventionally determined indicated sand screw delivery rates (i.e., using sand screw speed and a selected calibration factor) and actual delivery rates based on measured sand output.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve having an adjustable opening pressure and using expendable components therein for use in pumping highly abrasive fluids therethrough.

Abstract: A short stroke casing valve with positioning and jetting tools therefor. The casing valve has a sliding sleeve within a housing. The housing defines a housing communication port therethrough, and a seal is disposed on longitudinally opposite sides of the housing communication port. The sleeve has a selective latch profile therein adapted for engagement by the positioning tool. The positioning tool has outwardly biased positioner blocks which automatically engage the sliding sleeve. The positioner blocks have a selective latch profile thereon which is adapted for engagement with the latch profile in the sliding sleeve. This latch profile in the positioner tool prevents undesirable engagement of the positioner blocks with any other portion of the casing string except the latch profile in the casing valve. In one embodiment, a non-rotational jetting tool includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced jetting orifices therein.

Abstract: A valve system for use with a tube jetting apparatus used for cleaning the interior surfaces of tubes such as those in heat exchangers. The apparatus includes a piston housing having a piston assembly slidably disposed therein. The pressure relief assembly also includes a differential pressure relief valve which is connected to the piston housing to relieve pressure therein as the piston moves within the housing.

Abstract: An improved cup type packer cementing shoe comprising a single pump-out seat and all elastomeric sealing cups.

Abstract: A stage cementer and inflation packer apparatus. The apparatus comprises a mandrel with an external closing sleeve and an operating sleeve interlocked therewith. Below the operating sleeve is an opening sleeve. The opening sleeve is mechanically acutated by a pump-down plug in a plug-operated embodiment or by a differential pressure acting on the opening sleeve in a hydraulically operated embodiment, to actuate the opening sleeve to allow inflation of the packer element. A back check valve prevents the packer from deflating. After the packer is inflated, additional pressure is applied which ruptures a rupture disc to open a port to the well annulus above the set packer element. Cementing may be carried out through this port, and after the cementing operating, a plug engages the operating sleeve to move the operating sleeve in the external closure sleeve, thereby closing the cementing port.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving downhole devices is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a retrieving device that can be run on non-conventional workstrings such as coiled tubing, wireline, or electric line. The apparatus comprises a power mandrel, an inner sleeve mandrel slidably disposed within the power mandrel, and an overshot means. Means are provided to translate longitudinal movement of the power mandrel into rotational movement of the inner mandrel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which permit stage cementing within a well bore by means of a well tool which includes a cementer having cementing ports which may be responsively opened and closed by means of a knife gate valve. The knife gate valve is disposed within the housing between outer and inner cylindrical walls and being slidable therein between an open position, wherein the cementing port is open and fluid may be communicated therethrough, and a closed position, wherein the cementing port is closed thus blocking fluid communication through said port. The knife gate valve is further operationally associated with a driver assembly and trigger device adapted to receive a trigger signal and actuate the driver assembly in response thereto. In alternate exemplary embodiments, the trigger signal may comprise an acoustical, magnetic, electromagnetic wave, electrical or other suitable signal which is received by the trigger device.

Abstract: No swivel head with manifold assembly having remote control valves and plug release plungers. The assembly comprises a body connectable to a tool string, and a cementing manifold connectable to the cement source. The cementing manifold has remotely controllable cement control valves incorporated therein. The manifold is rotatably mounted on the body to provide continuous fluid communication between the manifold and body even when the body is rotating with respect to the manifold. The rotatable mounting is provided by a swivel connection comprising a mandrel extending from the body and a sleeve connected to the manifold. The swivel connection also provides continuous communication between a pressure line, extending from the sleeve to a pressure supply, and another pressure line, extending from the mandrel to a dart or ball releasing mechanism. This allows the releasing mechanism to be actuated even when the body is rotating with respect to the manifold and when the entire apparatus is being reciprocated.

Abstract: Methods of draw-down and build-up testing on existing production wells are disclosed. The testing may be accomplished without removing the production tubing string from the well. The production of the well is shut down and then a coiled tubing test string is run down into the production tubing string. The coiled tubing test string includes a coiled tubing string, a tester valve carried by the coiled tubing string, and a test packer carried by the coiled tubing string. The test packer is set within one of the casing bore and the production tubing bore above perforations which communicate the casing bore with a subsurface formation. Draw-down and build-up testing of the subsurface formation can then be accomplished by opening and closing the tester valve to selectively flow well fluid up through the coiled tubing string or shut in the coiled tubing string.

Abstract: An improved cementing tool, and more particularly an improved stage packer collar, having a tubular housing with an inner passage defined longitudinally therethrough and having a radially outer surface. The housing also has a cementing port and a longitudinal slot, both of which are disposed through a wall thereof. An outer closure sleeve is slidably received about the outer surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between an open position wherein the cementing port is not covered by the closure sleeve and a closed position wherein the cementing port is closed by the closure sleeve. An inner operating sleeve is slidably received in the inner passage of the housing and slidable between a first and second position relative to the housing.

Abstract: A casing packer apparatus includes a mandrel having a mandrel exterior, a longitudinal mandrel bore defined therethrough, and a power port defined in the mandrel communicating the mandrel bore with the mandrel exterior. A packer element is concentrically received about the mandrel. An annular piston is concentrically received about the mandrel and has an annular differential pressure area defined thereon and communicated with the mandrel bore through the power port. The annular piston and packer element are operably associated so that the packer element is set by sliding motion of the piston in response to increased fluid pressure in the mandrel bore. Either a compression set packer element or an inflatable packer element may be utilized.