Abstract: A conduit gripping tool such as a packer or hanger is provided for use in subterranean wells, together with a running tool and a method for installing the gripping tool in the well. Threaded means are mounted on the running tool for axial movement. The hand of such threads is in the opposite direction to the hand of the threaded connections of the work string supporting the running tool. The running tool additionally incorporates dogs which are engagable with slots provided in the gripping tool. A slip mechanism is retained against radial expansion during run-in. The dogs carried by the running tool are aligned with the slots in the hanger body for release so that torque in the same direction as the hand of the threaded connections of the work string is transmitted directly to the body of the hanger. Subsequently, an axially downward force applied by the work string will effect the setting of the slips and the concurrent disengagement of the dogs of the running tool from the body portion of the hanger.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in injecting treatment solutions through the annulus between two concentric conduits, such as tubing and casing, and then circulating it upwards with produced hydrocarbons. The apparatus comprises an integral valve and seal, including a mandrel, a packoff valve and a casing bore receptacle. The mandrel is incorporated in the tubing, and the casing bore receptacle is incorporated in the casing. The packoff member is releasably carriable on the mandrel and comprises an integral check valve and a radially expandable latch which is cammed outward by the relatively movable mandrel. The annular packoff member has seals on the interior and exterior surfaces for providing sealing integrity between the mandrel and the casing bore receptacle. The integral check valve permits fluids injected from above to flow radially across the packoff member between longitudinally annular flow paths defined by the packoff member and the casing, and by the packoff member and the mandrel.

Abstract: A fluid actuated pilot assembly employing a cantilevered spring member which is mounted to apply a force to a sensing piston in opposition to the force applied by the sensed fluid pressure. Upon the occurrence of the pressure of the fluid being sensed exceeding the force of the cantilevered spring member, the sensing piston is moved to initiate a control function.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a well from at least one productive zone penetrated by the well bore in which casing is set below the top of the well. Tubing hanger means support at least one production tubing string extending downwardly in the well bore and communicating with a production zone. Anchor means on the tubing hanger means are actuatable into anchoring engagement with the casing. The tubing hanger means receives at least one upper production tubing string section typically carrying safety valve means thereon extending to the top of the well and sealingly engageable with the tubing hanger means before, during and after the anchoring engagement of the tubing hanger means with the casing, whereby the upper production tubing string section is respectively communicable with the downwardly extending production tubing string when the tubing hanger is set.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuator is moved in one direction by fluid pressure and returned in the other direction by a compressed spring. With the method and apparatus embodied in the disclosure, a plurality of additional energy storage storing devices are compressed by only the initial movement of the actuator in response to the application of fluid pressure thereto. Such energy is applied to the energy storage devices by an annular cam surface provided on the actuator shaft. During the return movement of the actuator, the stored energy is returned in the form of an additional axial force applied to the actuator shaft just prior to its return to its original position. When such actuator is applied to a valve, the additional force imparted to the shaft by the energy storing devices may be designed to cause the severing of a wire line trapped in the opening of the valve at the instant that closing of the valve is required.

Abstract: A sealing assembly comprising a casing bore receptacle, an annular packoff member, and a tubing carried mandrel for use in establishing sealing integrity between a fluid transmission conduit or tubing and an outer conduit or casing, is disclosed. The casing bore receptacle is incorporable in the casing and the annular packoff member is initially carriable on the mandrel. Seals on the interior and exterior of the packoff member establish a seal with the mandrel and the casing. Upon abutting engagement of the packoff member and the casing bore receptacle, a collet on the packoff member is released from the mandrel and cammed radially outward into engagement with the casing bore receptacle to anchor the packoff member to the casing bore receptacle. The mandrel can then move relative to the packoff member and the casing without destroying the seal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying pressure to a fluid seal positioned between a reservoir of a first fluid, such as lubricating fluid, and a source of a second fluid under pressure, such as a drilling fluid in a downhole drilling apparatus. A piston is positioned in a cavity which is in fluid communication with the first fluid reservoir. The piston sealably and slidably engages the side walls of the cavity. A spring moves the piston in a direction to increase the pressure of the first fluid to a value which exceeds the pressure value of a second fluid. Thus, the second fluid is prevented from passing through the fluid seal and contaminating the first fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making threaded joints, such as pipe joints, within a range of predetermined applied torque and turns values. A pipe or a pipe and a coupling are threaded onto the end of a pipe string. The applied torque is monitored and, when a reference torque value is exceeded, the number of turns are counted. When either the actual torque or the actual turns exceeds a predetermined minimum value for that parameter and the value of the other parameter exceeds a predetermined minimum value, but is less than a predetermined maximum value, a good joint is indicated and the make-up is stopped. A bad joint is predicted and make-up is stopped when the value of the actual torque divided by the actual turns falls outside a range of values defined by the slopes of a pair of boundary lines and predetermined minimum torque and minimum turn values.

Abstract: An anchoring mechanism for a well packer includes plural bidirectional one piece slip members which are radially extendable into gripping engagement with a well conduit. The slip members are engaged by wedge surfaces on cooperating upper and lower slip cones. Only the lower slip cone is fitted with grooves which are adapted to receive laterally projecting tongues on the slip members for retaining the slip members in assembly with the remainder of the anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinally extending brackets having laterally projecting ears which are engageable with inclined slots cut in opposite longitudinal sides of the slip members. The bracket members are connected to the upper slip cone for movement therewith by shear screws.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for setting the temporary lock-open mechanism incorporated in a safety valve employed in the subterranean well, the apparatus including an annular mandrel having an external, axially movable, radially expandable collet operated by an axially movable prong concentrically arranged within the mandrel housing.The temporary lock-open mechanism of the valve includes latch fingers which are adapted to engage the end of a plunger which opens the valve, a spring biased lock-open sleeve and release keys for holding the sleeve in a passive position.The valve is temporarily locked in an open position by introducing control line pressure into the valve for opening it and moving its lock-open mechanism to a position where the expandable collet of the apparatus can release keys that restrain the lock-open sleeve.

Abstract: Particulate matter is deposited on an inclined vibrating screen. A spray of wash solution is directed onto the cuttings. As the cuttings move down the incline, the vibration agitates the wash solution and hydrocarbon contaminants from the cuttings. The solution is recovered below the screen. Washed cuttings are deposited onto a second inclined vibrating screen unit, where the procedure may be repeated. Recovered washing solution is cleaned and recirculated.

Abstract: An actuator is provided which is respondable to control fluid pressure for moving an operative means of a valve between open and closed positions. Valve means are movable between open and closed positions and communicate between the accumulator means and the fluid passage means to permit fluid control pressure charging of the accumulator chamber when the valve is in the open position and for preventing discharge of fluid pressure within the accumulator chamber when the valve is in the closed position. The valve is responsive to pressure differential between the accumulator chamber and the fluid passage means.

Abstract: An extrusion resistant expansible element for use as a sealing element or packer in a subterranean well bore. The expansible element comprises an inner elastomeric sleeve to which fluid pressure is internally applied to produce the expansion forces. The internal sleeve is surrounded by an annular array of elongated reinforcing slats formed of a relatively rigid, yet deformable material such as metal or a plastic filled with reinforcing material such as fiber glass. The medial portion of the reinforcing slats is surrounded by an outer elastomeric sleeve which effects the primary seal with the well bore when the internal elastomeric sleeve is expanded through the application of fluid pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided in which the apparatus is insertable along a pressure transmission conduit extending from a source point to a pressure responsive device, such as a safety valve in a subterranean well. The apparatus has a fluid passageway through a housing with inlet and outlet means for communicating the passageway to the transmission conduit. A frictionless ball valve head and seat means are disposed in the housing and across the passageway for selectively isolating pressure communication between members of the transmission conduit. Means, such as a plunger, are provided for shifting the ball valve head off of its seat, with piston means being carried by the plunger and including a piston head which is responsive to differential pressure for urging the plunger in a first direction to move the ball valve to its seat upon increase of pressure in the conduit above a predetermined value.

Abstract: A conduit is provided for transmitting both electrical power and pressured hydraulic fluid from the surface to a point in a subterranean well. The conduit comprises an outer housing formed of steel or other high tensile strength material and one or more insulated wires of copper or similar low tensile strength, highly conductive metal which are run through the outer housing. Supports are provided between the external surfaces of the insulated wires and the internal wall of the housing to frictionally anchor the insulated wires to the housing. The supports also define fluid passages therethrough so that pressured fluid may be transmitted through the bore of the housing. So that the wires are gravitationally stabilized within the outer housing, the average density of the supports and the pressured fluid is approximately equal to the average density of the insulated wires.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for holding and selectively mechanically releasing at least one plug device utilized in cementing a subterranean well, preferably a subsea well. The apparatus is securable and carryable on a manipulatable conduit, such as a drill string, communicating with the well. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing control head means positioned within the housing, shiftable in response to manipulation of the conduit from closed position, whereby the plug device is prevented from passing through the control head means, to open position, whereby the plug device is permitted to pass through the control head means. Means are provided for transferring at least one of longitudinal and rotational manipulation of the conduit to the control head means to selectively shift the control head means between closed and open positions. Subsequent to shifting of the control head means to open position, the plug device may be pumped through the control head means.

Abstract: A packer assembly and its method of use are provided, the packer assembly being carried on a first conduit for use in wells exposed to corrosive injection fluids, the well being encased by a second conduit having a locking recess defined therein, such as by having first and second conduit members, the conduit members being interengaged by coupling whereby the locking recess is defined by the coupling element and between the conduit members. The assembly comprises a body member communicating to the first conduit and having a slotted configuration thereon. An inwardly flexible, outwardly urged collet assembly is exterior of the body, with control means on the collet assembly being carryable within the slotted configuration. Means on said body define a pocket for selective receipt of the collet assembly for locking the collet assembly relative to the locking recess.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of breaking petroleum emulsions, by utilization of a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of a polyether polyol; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: A method of recovering petroleum from a subterranean reservoir preferably comprising the steps of: (1) introducing through an injection well a predeterminable amount of a polyether polyol having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: A is an alkylene oxide group, --C.sub.i H.sub.2i O--;O is oxygen;i is a positive integer from 2 to about 10, inclusive;j is a positive integer no greater than about 100;k is a positive integer no greater than about 100;N is nitrogen;R.sup.1 is one of hydrogen, a monovalent hydrocarbon group containing less than about C.sub.11, or [A.sub.L H];L is a positive integer no greater than about 100;R is a hydrocarbon moiety of a polyol, a primary or secondary amine, a primary or secondary polyamine, a primary or secondary amino alcohol, or hydrogen; andm+n is no greater than about 4 when R is other than hydrogen and one of m and n is zero and the other is unity when R is hydrogen,said polyether polyol at about 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A test tool is provided for testing the production capabilities of a preselected formation subsequent to the drilling of a subterranean well. The test tool is part of a testing string which incorporates a packer which may be releasably engaged in the casing string at a depth immediately above a region where formation testing is desired. The test tool includes a rotary ball valve which is normally maintained in a closed position during the insertion of the tool into the well. After setting of the packer, the ball valve is opened by increasing the fluid pressure existing in the annulus between the casing and the testing string. Such annulus pressure is applied to a first reservoir of trapped fluid which may contain water, and supplies fluid at annulus pressure to one side of a valve operating piston to shift the operating piston to actuate the rotary ball valve to its open position and compress a piston return spring.