Abstract: A pressure activated bendable tool assembly having a longitudinal centerline, the tool assembly comprising an adapter sub for connection to an end of a tubular member having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and a plurality of bend elements positioned in a serial relationship also having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough, the bore being in fluid communication with the bore of the adapter sub and each adjacent bending element. The bend elements are axially retained by a plurality of retainer sleeves. The retainer sleeves limit the amount the bend elements may be longitudinally displaced from each other about a preselected side of the retainer sleeve element. A head-sub forms a distal end of the tool assembly opposite of the adapter sub.

Abstract: A lift sub for removing jointed tubulars from a wellbore and for inserting jointed tubulars is provided. A coiled tubing injector having opposed gripper chains engages the lift sub and may be actuated to raise or lower the lift sub. The lift sub has a connecting means at the lower end thereof for connecting the lift sub to a jointed tubular. The coiled tubing injector can be actuated to raise or lower the jointed tubular so as to remove the jointed tubular from the wellbore or to insert it therein.

Abstract: A packer apparatus for sealing between a tubing string and a casing in a wellbore is disclosed. The packer apparatus includes a seal assembly disposed about a packer mandrel. Upper and lower seal wedges are disposed about the packer mandrel above and below the seal assembly and may be inserted between the seal assembly and the packer mandrel to radially expand the seal assembly into engagement with the casing. The seal assembly includes an expandable elastomeric seal element having anti-extrusion bridge elements disposed in recesses at the upper and lower ends thereof. The anti-extrusion elements form an almost complete circle and thus are arcuately shaped having first and second ends with a gap therebetween.

Abstract: A method controlling development of an oil or gas reservoir uses a neural network and genetic algorithm program to define a neural network topology and the optimal inputs for that topology. The topology is defined from identified and selected (1) parameters associated with the formation or formations in which actual wells are drilled in the reservoir and (2) parameters associated with the drilling, completion and stimulation of those wells and (3) parameters associated with the oil or gas production from the wells. Subsequent drilling, completion and stimulation of the reservoir is determined and applied based on hypothetical alternatives input to the topology and resulting outputs.

Abstract: A slip element installable about a downhole tool apparatus for use in anchoring a downhole tool in a wellbore. The slip element has at least one slip button made of a metallic-ceramic composite material comprising an effective percentage by weight of a preselected titanium compound. The composite makes the slip button resistant to chipping upon setting but has favorable drillability characteristics upon drilling the downhole tool from a wellbore. The slip element may include at least one slip element made of a non-metallic material such as a laminated nonmetallic composite material. Preferably at least one slip button is made of a metallic-ceramic composite material comprising less than about 75 percent by weight of titanium carbide having a density ranging between about 5 to 7 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the slip button is cylindrically shaped and is installed in at least one slip element at a preselected angle and extends outwardly at a preselected distance from a face of the slip element.

Abstract: A method for isolating subterranean formations or zones intersected by a single wellbore is provided. The method comprises perforating a zone intersected by the wellbore and pumping a sealing means into the wellbore to seal against the side of the casing above and below the perforations to prevent communication from the zone into the wellbore after the casing has been perforated. The method further comprises fracturing the zone through the perforations prior to sealing and thus isolating the zone. Other zones thereabove are likewise perforated, fractured, sealed and thus isolated by pumping sealing means into the wellbore to seal the casing adjacent the perforations to prevent communication from the affected zones into the wellbore.

Abstract: A gripper block for use in grippingly engaging coil tubing, pipe, rod, cable, or like objects having various outside dimensions for ultimately applying a longitudinal load thereto. The subject gripper block has an attachment point preferably at or near the center of the block body to enable attachment to at least one endless chain of an injector apparatus. The gripper block further has a pair of gripper surfaces formed thereon, these gripper surfaces are generally planar and tilted away from each other so as to diverge away from the tubing to be gripped at approximately 90 degrees. The gripper surfaces thus preferably provide a V-shaped engagement configuration which is quite effective in gripping objects of differing outside dimensions with no or minimal scarring of such objects.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for injecting coiled tubing downhole includes a connector member disposed on the end of the coiled tubing and supporting a downhole tool. A packer member is releasably connected to the connector member. The packer member includes a pack-off element and slips for releasably engaging the outer pipe string through which the coiled tubing is being injected. Seals are provided on the packer member for engaging the outer circumferential surface of the coiled tubing. A fluid passageway extends through the connector member for communicating the packer member with the coiled tubing. Fluid pressure is applied through the flow bore of the coiled tubing. The fluid pressure is applied through the fluid passageway to actuate an actuator member in the packer member to set the pack-off element and slips. Thus, upon actuating the packer member, the annulus formed by the coiled tubing and outer pipe string is closed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus particularly suitable for tools having a center mandrel, a plurality of slip segments disposed in an initial position around the mandrel and requiring a retaining means for holding the slip segments in an initial position prior to setting the tool downhole. The subject retaining system is characterized by at least one frangible retaining band extending at least partially around the slips and at least one elastic O-ring extending at least partially around the slips. Preferably the retaining band is non-metallic and both the retaining band and the elastic O-ring reside in a common groove formed in the outer face of each slip. The groove further preferably has an L-shape due to an under cut in the groove to form a lip extending over the retaining band. Hardened inserts may be molded into the slips. The inserts may be metallic, such as hardened steel, or non-metallic, such as a ceramic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool and methods of placing a treatment fluid in a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore by way of selected perforations extending from casing cemented in the well bore into the formation. The fluid placement tool includes a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough, at least one resilient self expandable cup type packer attached thereto and a valve disposed in the fluid flow passageway which closes the passageway when a closing plug is dropped into the tool. The placement tool is capable of releasing the cup type packer whereby it provides a seal between the tool and the casing when a first predetermined fluid pressure is applied to the tool after a closing plug is dropped therein and opening the fluid flow passageway whereby the treatment fluid is discharged from the tool below the packer when the fluid pressure is increased to a second predetermined fluid pressure. Methods of using the tool are also provided.

Abstract: A tubing injector apparatus for guiding coiled tubing and inserting the tubing into a well. The apparatus includes a tubing guide portion which has a curvilinear first frame and a curvilinear second frame spaced from the first frame. An elongated first guide track is attached to the first frame, and a second guide track is attached to the second frame. The guide tracks are adapted for sliding engagement by the tubing as the tubing is moved through the injector apparatus. The guide strips are preferably made of a self-lubricating material so that the tubing moves easily.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding and directing tubing into a coiled tubing injector apparatus is disclosed. The tubing guide will direct the tubing into the coiled tubing injector apparatus for insertion or removal into the wellbore therebelow. The natural, or residual radius of the tubing is utilized to direct the tubing into the coiled tubing injector apparatus, so that minimal bending is applied to the tubing.

Abstract: An improved coiled tubing pulling tool and methods of using the pulling tool for pulling a well tool from a well bore, relocating a well tool in the well bore and performing other similar operations.

Abstract: To test coiled tubing, at least one test is performed on a coiled tubing that has been used, such as in an oil or gas well. Performing such test includes obtaining a specific output data event (e.g., a nondestructive evaluation test readout) for the used coiled tubing. The specific output data event is compared with a predetermined sequence of output data events (e.g., a collection of data defining a "lifeline" for the coiled tubing) for determining where the sequence and the specific output data event correspond. A coiled tubing status indication is generated in response to where the specific output data event corresponds with the sequence as a measure of a point in the useful life of the used coiled tubing.

Abstract: Methods of fracturing subterranean formations are provided. The methods basically comprise positioning a hydrajetting tool having at least one fluid jet forming nozzle in the well bore adjacent the formation to be fractured and jetting fluid through the nozzle against the formation at a pressure sufficient to form a fracture in the formation.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for injecting coiled tubing downhole includes a connector member disposed on the end of the coiled tubing and supporting a downhole tool. A packer member is releasably connected to the connector member. The packer member includes a pack-off element and slips for releasably engaging the outer pipe string through which the coiled tubing is being injected. Seals are provided on the packer member for engaging the outer circumferential surface of the coiled tubing. A fluid passageway extends through the connector member for communicating the packer member with the coiled tubing. Fluid pressure is applied through the flow bore of the coiled tubing. The fluid pressure is applied through the fluid passageway to actuate an actuator member in the packer member to set the pack-off element and slips. Thus, upon actuating the packer member, the annulus formed by the coiled tubing and outer pipe string is closed.

Abstract: An intrinsically safe data network, such as one defining a system for acquiring and transferring data from inside a hazardous zone at an oil or gas well to outside the hazardous zone, includes a fixed number of at least one data signal conductor and a fixed number of at least one intrinsic safety barrier forming part of the overall network that allows for the use of more transducers than there are intrinsic safety barrier(s).

Abstract: The apparatus and method for injecting coiled tubing downhole includes a connector member disposed on the end of the coiled tubing and supporting a downhole tool. The connector member includes a dual check valve in the fluid passageway which allows fluid passage to actuate the packer member and closes the fluid passage after the connector member is disconnected from the packer member. The connector member may also include a valve member which allows circulation down the flow bore of the coiled tubing. The packer member includes a valve for the passage of well fluids between the packer member and coiled tubing.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus and method for limiting the extrusion of packer element seals of packers and bridge plugs which utilize segmented packer retaining shoes when such tools are of larger diameters, or when used at elevated differential pressures or elevated temperatures. Preferably the segmented packer shoes incorporate a plurality of gap-bridging disks to limit if not eliminate unwanted extrusion of the packer elements upon setting of the tool. By making the packer element shoes and disks of non-metallic material, the subject invention increases the ability to drill or mill downhole tools out of a well bore in less time than it would take with using conventional or non-conventional drilling or milling techniques or equipment while providing enhanced high temperature and high pressure performance, especially in larger nominal outside diameter downhole tools.

Abstract: An improved commingling chamber for the distribution and pressure equalization of a thermodynamic working fluid used in a recirculating liquid type heat transfer processing system. The improved commingling chamber includes a volumetric chamber generally defined by a vessel wall, a top portion of the chamber, a lower portion of the chamber having a side wall. The lower portion terminates into a base preferably having an outlet port located therein. At least one inlet port and outlet port are located in the vessel wall. A conduit having a first end attached to at least one inlet port and being of sufficient length and configuration to vector incoming fluid toward the base outlet port, and a flow through region between a terminating end of the conduit means is provided to form a flow path between fluid exiting the conduit and the volumetric chamber. Alternative embodiments for accommodating multiple inlet ports and outlet ports are disclosed.