Abstract: The method of recovering petroleum from a subterranean reservoir a polyepoxide condensate of at least one of: (a) a polyalkylene oxide adduct of a fusible, water-insoluble organic aromatic hydrocarbon solvent-soluble synthetic resin, wherein said resin has from between about 4 to about 15 phenolic groups and is an alkyl or cycloaliphatic substituted phenol-aldehyde condensate and (b) a polyether polyol including polyether amino polyols, said polyepoxide condensate at about 25.degree. C.: (i) being less than about 1% by volume soluble in water and in isooctane; (ii) having a solubility parameter in the range of between about 6.9 and about 8.5; and (iii) spreading at the interface between distilled water and refined mineral oil to form a film having a thickness no greater than about 20 Angstroms at a film pressure of about 16 dynes per cm.

Abstract: A retrieving tool is provided for effecting the retrieval of a packer from a well and includes a locking member, such as a conventional locking collet having expandable fingers for sliding over a downwardly facing shoulder on a seal nipple secured to the top end of the packer. The locking collet is surrounded by a housing sleeve which has an upwardly facing surface therein normally positioned below the finger portions of the locking collet but being engageable therewith by upward movement applied to the housing by the pulling of the tubing string, hence retrieving the packer.

Abstract: An improved mounting and sealing assembly is provided for a rotating ball valve required to open under increased differential pressures and close against high flow rates. The valve assembly includes a trunnion-mounted ball and two pressure biased sealing assemblies. The primary seal constitutes an elastomeric seal element which is axially shiftable into engagement with the ball, and the secondary seal comprises a metallic element which is also axially shiftable relative to the ball. To open the valve, the seals are moved in sequence axially away from the ball and the hydraulic seal is fully broken before the ball is rotated. In closing, the ball is rotated to its closed position and the seals then moved axially in sequence into contact with the ball.

Abstract: A fluid compressor of the pitot type includes a high speed, high stress rotary casing. The casing is formed from a pair of tapered discs spaced apart and mounted for rotation about an axis. The discs form the end walls of the casing. A side wall is connected between the opposed peripheral portions of the discs to enclose the casing and a stationary pitot tube. The side wall is formed from a pair of concentric rings connected by a plurality of beams. In one embodiment, the beams are C-shaped with an upper leg attached to the outer ring and a lower leg attached to the inner ring, the longitudinal axis of the beams being parallel to the axis of rotation. In an alternate embodiment, the rings are formed from the upper and lower legs of a plurality of I-shaped beams, the longitudinal axis of the beams being parallel to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising polyepoxide condensates of resinous polyalkylene oxide adducts and polyether polyols for the breaking of petroleum emulsions, and the like, the micellar solution comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of said polyepoxide condensate; (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: The invention provides 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 well tool, such as a packer apparatus, is adaptable for insertion on a conduit within a subterranean well having casing therein. The well tool comprises a cylindrical mandrel which is communicable to the conduit. Slip means are carried exteriorly around the mandrel and are movable into expanded position for anchoring the apparatus to the casing whereby subsequent longitudinal movement of the apparatus in at least one direction is prevented. Seal means are circumferentially extending exteriorly around the mandrel and are urgable into sealing relation with the casing to prevent fluid communication thereacross, the seal means comprising at least one section of transversely compressible seamless, knitted elements generally defined by a continuous series of interlocking ductile metal-containing loop members.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising polyepoxide condensates of resinous polyalkylene oxide adducts and polyether polyols comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of said polyepoxide condensate; (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 and apparatus as provided for periodically supplying a quantity of fluid containing a corrosion inhibitor or other treating fluid to both the internal and external surfaces of downhole components of a subterranean well. The corrosion inhibitor is introduced in the fluid that normally fills the annulus defined between the well casing and the production string. This fluid is periodically subjected to a cyclic pressure and the cyclic pressure is employed to operate valving apparatus disposed in the vicinity of the packer to periodically inject a quantity of the annulus fluid containing the corrosion inhibitor into a bypass passage extending through the packer and, hence, into the production fluid, which the carries the corrosion inhibitor to internally disposed downhole components in the well bore.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of an acylated 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: An actuator for a rotary valve preferably embodying a diaphragm motor operated by pressure fluid. A driving sleeve is reciprocated linearly by the diaphragm motor and within said sleeve is a rotatable shaft, which is axially aligned with the diaphragm motor and driven by a ball screw. A driven sleeve is fixed to said shaft and receives the stem of the valve. All parts are in linear alignment. Means are provided for limiting the extent of the linear movement of the parts.

Abstract: A dual thrust bearing arrangement is provided for a shaft subject to axial thrust which accomplishes, under all conditions, an exact division of the total thrust on the shaft into two equal components which are respectively applied to the thrust bearings.

Abstract: An improved design of a rotary pump is provided having a rotary pumping chamber with stationary axially disposed fluid inlet and outlet passages communicating therewith. To increase the rotational speed and the flow capacity, the axial inlet passage is enlarged in diameter to approach the diameter of the rotary pumping chamber. To impart the required rotational velocity to the fluid entering the chamber, vanes are provided in the rotating chamber immediately adjacent the axial annular inlet passage. The fluid pickup and discharge unit is defined by a hollow stationary member disposed in the rotary pumping chamber and having in one embodiment, a plurality of peripherally spaced inlet openings transversely positioned to receive the high rotating velocity fluid therein, and in another modification, a substantially continuous annular inlet opening in a radial plane.

Abstract: Latching means are provided for use in a test valve assembly and preferably comprise a first rocker section carryable with an upper conduit portion. A second rocker section is carryable with a second conduit portion. Lock means have a recess contoured for securement over the rocker sections and are manipulatable over the first and second rocker sections to locked and unlocked positions. Shiftable means are carried across the locked means to a first position whereby the lock means are engaged over the rocker sections and the conduit portions are secured together. The shiftable means are moved to a second position whereby the lock means are disengaged from the second rocker section and the conduit portions are in disengaged position. Second lock means also are provided for additional securement.

Abstract: A pump catcher apparatus is provided for supporting within a subterranean well a portion of a tubular conduit and a pump depending from the conduit. The apparatus comprises a control mandrel and a main body extending from the control body. Slip elements are provided on the main body for anchoring the pump catcher to the well conduit and are selectively shiftable to anchoring engagement with the casing by axial manipulation of the tubular conduit. A telescoping connection is provided between the control mandrel and the tubular conduit so that limited longitudinal movement of the tubular conduit will be permitted without disturbing the anchored engagement of the slip elements. Shearable members are provided between the control mandrel and the main body for selectively securing the main body to the mandrel and are severable by a predetermined force.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent for the breaking of petroleum emulsions, and the like, comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of an acylated 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: The method of recovering petroleum from a subterranean reservoir an acylated polyether polyol, the polyether polyol thereof being derived from the reaction of an alkylene oxide and a member selected from polyols, amines, polyamines and amino alcohols containing from about 2 to about 10 active hydrogens, said acylated polyether polyol being the reaction product of said polyether polyol and a member selected from the class consisting of mono- and polybasic carboxylic acids, acid anhydrides, and iso-, diiso-, and polyisocyanates, said acylated polyether polyol at about 25.degree. C.: (a) being less than about 1% by volume soluble in water and in isooctane; (b) having a solubility parameter in the range of between about 6.9 and about 8.5; and (c) spreading at the interface between distilled water and refined mineral oil to form a film having a thickness no greater than about 20 Angstroms at a spreading pressure of about 16 dynes per cm.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in an apparatus which is adaptable to be run within a subterranean well for the setting and locking of a locking module within the profile of a complimentary landing nipple carried on a conduit within the subterranean well. The improvement comprises a longitudinally extending probe means carried by the apparatus at one end. First receiving means are exteriorly defined on said probe means for selective receipt of a lock control member of a lock control means and for shifting of the lock control member to one of two positions. Second receiving means are provided on a locking module for selective receipt of the lock control means. Means on the apparatus are provided for shifting the lock control member to the other of the two positions while the lock control means is maintained in the receiving means. Use of the apparatus assures proper engagement of the locking module within the landing nipple profile prior to retrieval of the apparatus from within the well.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing deposits from material such as drill pipe by subjecting such material to extremely high temperatures in a flame fired furnace. Heated air passing over the material carries with it the volatized deposits and is recirculated within the furnace. As the deposit laden air is recirculated to the burner, the deposits are burned in the flame, thus substantially eliminating the exhaust of contaminants into the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved slip assembly is provided for grasping the interior wall of a well conduit to secure a tool against longitudinal movement. Interengaging means, such as upper and lower slip rings surround the tool and have T-shaped ears projecting from the opposed lower and upper ends of the upper and lower slip rings, respectively. Each ear cooperates with a T-shaped slot formed in a wider end of a wedge-shaped slip element to retain a plurality of such slip elements in side-by-side relationship about the periphery of the tool. At least one of the slip elements has wickers or teeth formed on the outwardly facing surface thereof. Movement of a setting means forces the upper slip elements in a direction with respect to the lower slip elements such that the slip elements are forced outwardly until the wickers engage the interior wall of the well conduit to secure the tool on the well conduit. When all of the slip elements are provided with wickers the slip assembly will provide 360.degree.