Abstract: A retrievable plug for sealing a jacket leg of an offshore platform or similar cylindrical member. The plug comprises a plug body and upper and lower plug body retaining means which restrain the plug body from movement within the jacket leg or similar cylindrical member.

Abstract: Cementing plug container having improved fluid inlets thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing a conduit along a plane generally transverse to the axis of the conduit which includes two confined explosive charges aligned axially with the conduit and terminating at opposed proximal convexly shaped ends facing each other across a space disposed in such transverse plane. A liner formed of high density ductile material having radially increasing thickness is attached to each of the proximal ends of the charges and detonation devices are disposed at the distal ends of the charges for originating simultaneous detonation of the charges. Methods of severing conduits using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: By this invention there is provided a method for dissolving cobalt (II) and cobalt (III) compounds by contacting said compounds with an aqueous acidic solution comprising a compound containing a radical selected from the group consisting of cyano, cyanato, thiocyanato, ferricyano and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A pulsed neutron well logging system using a sealed off neutron generator tube is provided with a neutron output control system. The control system monitors the target beam current and compares a function of this current with a reference voltage level to develop a control signal. The control signal is used in a series regulator to control the replenisher current of the neutron generator tube.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations whereby the loss of formation adsorbable additives from the treating compositions is reduced or prevented by including in such compositions certain methyl ether, sulfate ester or amine compounds.

Abstract: The extended length isolation packer of the present invention comprises upper and lower tubular body assemblies which are interconnected by a middle body. The upper tubular body assembly has an upper packer assembly and a closing positioner attached to its outer surface. The lower tubular body assembly has a lower packer assembly attached to its outer surface. An upper inner mandrel is concentrically disposed within said upper tubular body assembly and has a port disposed therein for communicating an inner cavity of said upper inner mandrel with the annular cavity between the isolation packer and an oil well casing. A lower inner mandrel is concentrically disposed within said lower tubular body assembly and communicates with said upper inner mandrel through said middle body. A fluid bypass is provided through annular cavities between the inner mandrels and the tubular body assemblies.

Abstract: A removable plug for the J-tube of an offshore platform or marine structure comprising a plug housing, plug body releasably retained with the plug housing, and shear type threaded fastening means retaining the plug body within the plug housing. The plug body may comprise a buoyant plug body to assist in the retrieval of the plug body after the removal thereof from the plug housing.

Abstract: A bypass valve for use with an oil well testing string is disclosed which includes a spring loaded check valve which is normally in the closed position. If pressure in the interior of the test string is higher than the pressure in the well annulus, the check valve means opens until the interior pressure is equalized with the well annulus pressure. When the interior string pressure is reduced to that pressure present in the well annulus, the check valve means returns to the closed condition. The check valve means contains frangible shear means which shear when the well annulus pressure exceeds the interior string pressure by a predetermined amount. The check valve means then moves to the locked closed condition. The bypass valve disclosed is intended for use in a testing string for an oil well, and is to be placed in the testing string below a normally closed tester valve and above a seal assembly for insertion into sealing engagement with a preset production type packer.

Abstract: This invention relates to packer element design for use in high temperature well bores. Packing material of asbestos fibers impregnated with a thermoplastic and interwoven with Inconel wire is employed in a center packer ring of triangular cross-section disposed between two facing series of frusto-conically shaped packer rings, which are backed by expandable metal packer shoes.

Abstract: Sleeve valve for a tank having an opening therein.

Abstract: An access valve for communicating a wire line pressure sensing probe with a subsurface formation of a well to conduct continuously monitored shut in pressure tests on said subsurface formation. The access valve includes a tubular body having a cylindrical inner surface. A first passage communicates the subsurface formation with the cylindrical inner surface of the tubular body. A sliding valve sleeve has a cylindrical outer surface slidably received in said cylindrical inner surface of said tubular body, and has a valve sleeve port disposed through a side wall thereof communicating said cylindrical outer surface of said sliding valve sleeve with a cylindrical inner surface of said sliding valve sleeve. The sliding valve sleeve is slidable between a closed position wherein the valve sleeve port is in fluid isolation from the first passage, and an open position wherein the valve sleeve port is in fluid communication with the first passage.

Abstract: A soft chuck jaw comprising a hardened jaw body having a wedge locking means thereon and an insert of soft expendable material retained therein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing deposits containing iron sulfide from surfaces with minimal hydrogen sulfide evolution. A composition comprised of a basic aqueous solution of a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of citric acid, oxalic acid, alkylene polyamine polyacetic acids and mixtures of such chelating agents having a pH in the range of from about 8 to about 10 is brought into contact with the deposits for a period of time sufficient for the deposits to be dissolved therein.

Abstract: A system for inflating packers installed in offshore platforms and grouting the annuli between the piles and either the jacket legs and/or pile sleeves utilizing a separate inflation line system for the packers and a separate grouting line system for grouting the annuli.

Abstract: A method of gravel packing multiple zones with a single trip of the operating string into a well without inducing fluid movement across zones, and without disturbing the zone being packed in reverse circulation. Apparatus is disclosed to perform the method, comprising a screen liner assembly surrounding a concentric operating string. Mechanical force on the operating string is used to change all tool modes of the apparatus. The operating string is accurately positioned with respect to the screen liner assembly at every zone level and zones may be easily relocated if necessary. Zones may be packed in any order, and a zone may be repacked, if necessary, during the same trip into the well.

Abstract: An apparatus for the simultaneous placement of a plurality of objects on a substantially horizontal surface is disclosed, said apparatus comprising a platform to position the objects, release mechanisms to releasably attach the objects to the platform and a system for simultaneous release of the objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for attaching shaped charge units into a well perforating gun. The shaped charge unit has an ear shaped extension having a cavity for receiving a wire in the perforating assembly. A second extension is positioned on the perforating charge unit having a threaded hole for containing a screw which may be advanced into tight engagement with the wire in the cavity of the first extension. This arrangement allows perforating units to be quickly added or taken out of a perforating gun assembly by adjustment of the screws through the threaded assemblies of the perforating charges.

Abstract: A method of gravel packing multiple zones with a single trip of the operating string into a well without inducing fluid movement across zones, and without disturbing the zone being packed in reverse circulation. Apparatus is disclosed to perform the method, comprising a screen liner assembly surrounding a concentric operating string. Mechanical force on the operating string is used to change all tool modes of the apparatus. The operating string is accurately positioned with respect to the screen liner assembly at every zone level and zones may be easily relocated if necessary. Zones may be packed in any order, and a zone may be repacked, if necessary, during the same trip into the well.