Abstract: A testing apparatus for use in an oil well includes an improved power mandrel and power mandrel restraining portion. The power mandrel is disposed in a cylindrical housing having an open bore therethrough and a power port and a circulating port through the walls thereof. The power mandrel includes an annular piston for moving the power mandrel in the first direction in response to fluid pressure exterior of the cylindrical housing communicated to the annular piston through the power port. A plurality of shear pins are disposed in a carrying structure arranged for forced transmitting engagement with a radially extending surface of the power mandrel upon movement of the power mandrel in said first direction. The carrying structure includes inner and outer concentric sleeves through which the shear pins are disposed, with the inner sleeve being arranged for engagement with said radially extending surface of the power mandrel.

Abstract: A centralizer having spring ends with inwardly projecting radial lugs for non-weld attachment to an end collar of the centralizer and deformable tab means on each lip of the end collars which are deformed into engagement with a surface of a recess in each end of each spring.

Abstract: A transportable frame includes a plurality of liquid material storage tanks and dry material storage bins mounted thereon. There are smaller liquid material storage tanks and larger liquid material storage tanks. The metering system for the larger liquid material storage tanks has a flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The metering system for the smaller liquid material storage tanks has a second flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The low end of the second range is lower than the low end of the first range, and the high end of the second range is between the low and high ends of the first range. There are also larger and smaller dry material storage bins with similarly sized metering systems for the dry material storage bins. The dry material storage bins are partially supported from the transportable frame by load cells which are mounted on extendable hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A fracturing fluid composition consisting essentially of a viscous aqueous solution having a high concentration of cations, an anionic or nonionic viscosifier imparting a high viscosity to the composition, and an anionic, polymeric fluid loss material which is substantially insoluble in the aqueous solution, and is soluble in fresh water substantially free of the cations in the fracturing fluid.In the method of fracturing using the fracturing fluid compositions of the invention, the composition is injected into the fracture via the well bore to enlarge and/or extend the fracture. Completion of fracturing is followed by injection of fresh water into the fracture from the well bore to dissolve the anionic, polymeric fluid loss material, and displace the fracturing fluid composition into the formation upon continuation of a water flood operation.

Abstract: A pulsed neutron well logging system using a sealed off neutron generator tube is provided with a programmable digital neutron output control system. The control system monitors the target beam current and compares a function of this current with a preprogrammed control function to develop a control signal for the neutron generator. The control signal is used in a series regulator to control the average replenisher current of the neutron generator tube. The programmable digital control system of the invention also provides digital control signals as a function of time to provide ion source voltages. This arrangement may be utilized to control neutron pulses durations and repetition rates or to produce other modulated wave forms for intensity modulating the output of the neutron generator as a function of time.

Abstract: An improved diffuser for a wellhead isolation tool which employs a combination of angles in its bore. This improvement reduces the incidence of erosion caused by the flow of fluids through the diffuser, in both the well production tubing adjacent the end of the diffuser and in the diffuser itself.

Abstract: A plug comprising an easily releasable plug body having either a compression set type packer member, cup type sealing member or inflatable packer member, having locking dogs thereon, having sleeve type releasor abutting the locking dogs, having pressure equalization plugger abutting the sleeve type releasor and a plug body housing.

Abstract: A jig is provided for assembly of a knockdown centralizer of the type having upper and lower collars interconnected by a plurality of spring members, said collars including a plurality of arcuate collar portions with pockets therein for receiving ends of said spring members. A first support structure of the jig supports a first arcuate collar portion assembly which includes upper and lower first arcuate collar portions with first and second spring members connected therebetween. A second support structure of the jig supports a second arcuate collar portion assembly so that a radially inward projecting channel of one of the collar portion assemblies overlaps with a radially outward projecting channel of the other of the collar portion assemblies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the nondestructive testing of cement slurry samples as a function of time are disclosed. A sample placed in a temperature and pressure controlled autoclave is coupled to transducer means under computer control. Ultrasonic energy is propagated through the sample and the transit time is measured. A predetermined relationship relating transit time to compressive strength is employed and enables the determination of compressive strength. The measurements are repetitively performed on up to eight samples simultaneously and the time history of the development of compressive strength is recorded.

Abstract: An inflatable packer assembly includes a cylindrical mandrel with a cylindrical valve body concentrically disposed about the mandrel. The valve body includes an inlet communicating with an interior of the mandrel and an outlet for directing fluid to an inflatable element of the packer assembly. First and second axial bores, containing first and second pistons, respectively, are disposed in said valve body and communicate with an end surface thereof. The first bore also communicates with said inlet. A first port connects the first and second bores. A second port connects the second bore and the outlet. The first piston is held in a first position blocking said first port until a pressure differential across the first piston reaches a first level at which the first piston is released and is moved to a second position allowing fluid communication between the inlet and the first port.

Abstract: An improved bypass valve for use with an oil well testing string is disclosed which includes a check valve means for allowing fluid flow from the interior of the test string to the well annulus when the interior pressure exceeds the well annulus pressure. The bypass valve further includes a blocking means which blocks interior communication with the check valve means when the well annulus pressure exceeds the string interior pressure. A delay means is included which delays the action of the blocking means for a predetermined length of time. The improved bypass valve 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. The time delay allows the seal assembly to be removed from the packer after the packer location is determined without activating the blocking means to move to its locked closed position.

Abstract: An improved centralizer includes upper and lower collars with a plurality of spring members attached at upper and lower ends to said collars. Each of said collars includes a first and second arcuate collar portion. A first peripheral end portion of said first collar portion includes a radially outward projecting channel. A second peripheral end portion of said second arcuate collar portion includes a radially inward projecting channel which overlaps with said outward projecting channel to define an axially extending hole which receives a latch pin. A novel connection between the collars and spring members is also provided. The collars include a continuous integrally formed peripherally extending bar spaced radially outward from a radially outer surface of the collars, upper and lower peripheral slots adjacent upper and lower edges of the bar and an upper compression bearing surface.

Abstract: A retriever tool includes a central mandrel with a collet sleeve slidably disposed about the mandrel. The collet sleeve includes a plurality of upwardly extending spring fingers, each of the spring fingers having an upper portion including an upward facing catcher shoulder for catching a bridge plug or similar device to be retrieved from a well. Located above the catcher shoulder of the upper portion of the spring finger is an arcuate substantially constant diameter outer surface. Located above the arcuate substantially constant diameter outer surface is an upward facing tapered outer guide surface for guiding the constant diameter outer surface from below into engagement with an inner surface of the bridge plug to be retrieved. Provision is made for releasing the retriever tool from the bridge plug in the event that the bridge plug becomes hung up in the well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a setting tool having a tubular sleeve assembly. An upper mandrel is disposed within said sleeve assembly and interconnected therewith by a rotational screw jack means. A lower mandrel is connected to the upper mandrel by a load transfer device for governing a maximum downward force which can be applied to the lower mandrel when the setting tool is set down on a packer. The load transfer means includes a casing connected to the upper mandrel, said casing having a support surface for engagement with an upper end of a packer mandrel. Resilient spring means is provided between the casing and the lower mandrel, and is constructed so that when said support surface is in engagement with said packer mandrel, a downward force applied to said lower mandrel must be transmitted through said resilient spring means.

Abstract: The inflatable bladder means of the inflatable packer of the present invention includes an integral support means for bridging an annular space between the packer and a well casing, to increase the ability of the inflatable packer to withstand differential pressures within said annular space. The integral support means includes a plurality of reinforcing layers with each of said layers having a first end securely fastened to an annular anchor shoe means and a free second terminating between the anchor shoe means and a sliding shoe means. The integral support means further includes a second plurality of reinforcing layers which are radially alternated with the reinforcing layers of the first plurality. Each of the reinforcing layers of the second plurality includes a first free end terminating adjacent the anchor shoe means and a second free end terminating between the anchor shoe means and the sliding shoe means.

Abstract: Fluids for drilling, completing or servicing wells are treated for the removal or inactivation of hydrogen sulfide contamination by the addition of at least one organic zinc chelate.

Abstract: An insertion type cementing baffle comprising a baffle housing and insertion type cementing baffle member.

Abstract: A reusable plug for sealing the conductor pipe of offshore platforms comprising a cylindrical housing, central body member and pressure equalization means.

Abstract: An improved adjustable relief valve is provided having a valve body with a valve body inlet and outlet disposed therein. A reciprocating plunger is disposed in said valve body, and is movable between a first closed position isolating said valve body inlet and outlet, and a second open position communicating said valve body inlet and outlet. A pilot valve means is operatively associated with said plunger to control the flow of fluid from said valve body inlet to said plunger. Both said plunger and said pilot valve means have adjustable spring means for urging them toward their respective closed positions. An auxiliary means is provided for opening said relief valve without varying the adjustments of said spring means, so that said relief valve may be purged with a cleansing fluid.

Abstract: Methods and systems employing acoustic techniques are disclosed for determining the level of fluid in a container. Flexural mode acoustic waves are set up in the walls of the container. The change in travel time of flexural mode acoustic waves are measured and calibrated in terms of the level of fluid in the container. Systems for continuously monitoring fluid level or indicating when fluid level reaches a predetermined horizontal level are disclosed.