Abstract: An improved power fluid driven turbo pump is provided for pumping oil wells of the type having, from time-to-time, significant quantities of gas included in the oil so that wide variations in the density of the medium to be pumped may be expected to be encountered. Two separate pumping units driven by the same power fluid are employed, one of which is designed to efficiently compress and pump gas, and the other is designed to efficiently pump normal density fluids. Since the pumps are disposed in series, the combined efficiency of the pumps is substantially unchanged due to changes in density of the fluid to be pumped and remains at a uniformly high level.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated by-pass valve and relief valve are positioned between a source of fluid under pressure and the hollow interior of a rotor in a fluid pressure actuated downhole drilling motor. The valve includes a hollow mandrel with an inlet opening at one end and an outlet opening at the other end connected to the rotor interior and slidably received in a movable sleeve. Fluid pressure at a first predetermined value moves the mandrel into the sleeve to block the inlet opening such that the fluid by-passes the valve and flows between the stator and the rotor to rotate a bit. Fluid pressure at a higher second predetermined value moves the sleeve relative to the mandrel to expose the inlet opening and relieve the fluid pressure on the rotor and the stator. The movement of the sleeve exposes a greater surface area thereof to the fluid pressure such that a spring moves the sleeve back to block the inlet opening only at an intermediate third predetermined fluid pressure value.

Abstract: A well casing scraping apparatus includes a generally cylindrical mandrel connected to a power driven rotatable work string or conduit. At least one peripheral ramp surface is formed on the mandrel and an annular scraping means is formed by the assembly of a plurality of externally toothed arcuate segments around the ramp surface portion of the tool support, with each segment having an internal arcuate ramp surface conforming to the adjacent portion of the mandrel ramp surface. Retaining sleeves are provided for the tool segments which not only retain the segments against radial outward movement but confine the segments axially to engagement with a particular portion of the ramp surfaces, whereby the effective working diameter of the segmented scraping means may be effectively controlled by changing the axial position of the retaining sleeves.

Abstract: A seal receptacle assembly is provided for affixation on a well conduit. The seal receptacle assembly can be provided to permit telescopic contraction and expansion of the well conduit in response to heating, cooling, or pressurization of the well conduit. The seal receptacle assembly includes an inner body sleeve having a lower end connected to the well tool or a conduit member, and an annular sealing element positioned over an outer cylindrical static sealing surface formed on the inner body sleeve. An outer housing having one end connected to the well conduit telescopes over the upper portion of the inner body sleeve. The housing has an inner cylindrical dynamic sealing surface for sealingly and slidably engaging the sealing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for pumping and conditioning a drilling fluid normally utilized in the drilling, completion or workover of a subterranean oil or gas well. The apparatus includes a rotor housing encasing a rotatably supported rotor assembly and means for driving the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly is divided into first and second chambers. The first chamber has a radial acceleration passage, connected between an inlet for the drilling fluid and a peripheral portion of the chamber, and means for collecting a first component of the drilling fluid, the drill chips, which are the heaviest, and are forced to the periphery of the first chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous drilling fluid composition, a filtration control agent for utilization in said aqueous drilling fluid, and a method of forming a filter cake on the wall of a well for the reduction of filtrate from said drilling fluid, which are effective at high temperatures and pressures, by utilization of a terpolymer of: (1) a monovalent alkali metal salt of acrylic acid; (2) an hydroxy alkyl acrylate; and (3) acrylamide.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for effecting the setting of a whipstock in a desired angularly oriented position in a well conduit solely by the use of a wire line but can be set on tubing or drill pipe, if desired. A packer is provided which can be expanded into sealed engagement with the casing at a desired location. The packer is provided with a key element, either a key or a key slot, and orienting elements by which a conventional well bore survey can provide an accurate indication of the angular alignment of the anchor key element. A whipstock anchor is provided incorporating a socket portion in which the whipstock may be rigidly secured and a shaft portion which is insertable within the bore of the packer and has a key element cooperating with the keyway, or key, provided in the packer. After setting of the packer in the well conduit, a survey is made to provide an accurate indication of the angular position of the packer keyway or key.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which is connectable on a tubing string extendible into a subterranean well. The apparatus is selectively separatable whereby the tubing string may be parted. The apparatus comprises first means selectively retrievable from the apparatus for carrying across the apparatus a first weight load defined through the tubing string below the apparatus. Second weight load carrying means are provided for carrying across the apparatus a second weight load defined through the tubing string below the apparatus, the second weight load being less than the first weight load. The second means are activatable to separate the apparatus and the tubing string when the second weight load is exceeded.

Abstract: A well bore packer which is run into a well casing on a tubing has actuator means responsive to applied fluid pressure to set anchor slips and to force a packing into engagement with the casing. The setting force is locked into the packing by a pressure balanced piston element having locking engagement with an inner body mandrel by a shear ring. A releasing tool is insertable within the bore of the body mandrel and incorporates an atmospheric pressure chamber. An operating mandrel for the releasing tool is shiftable through an increase in tubing pressure to establish communication between one side of the locking piston of the packer and the atmospheric chamber of the releasing tool, thus permitting the locking piston to shear the locking ring and free the setting forces operating on the packing elements of the packer.

Abstract: A circulation and drying system is provided for the lubricating oil of a submersible motor of the type employed in pumping oil wells. The lubricating system provides a forced, closed system circulation of the lubricating oil for a submersible motor, including an expandable chamber at the bottom portion of the motor for collection of water therein and provision of a hygroscopic material in the circulating path of the motor oil to dry the oil before it passes into contact with the bearing and/or electrical parts of the motor.

Abstract: A thermal recovery system for a subterranean well includes an electric heater located immediate the bottom of the well which cyclically receives electric power generated at the well surface. A pump directs a stream of pressurized fluid, such as water, through a conduit to a solenoid valve located at the bottom of the well. The solenoid valve senses electric power application relative to the heater and directs the stream of pressurized water to one of two fluid circuits. When electric power is supplied to the heater, the solenoid valve directs the fluid stream into the heater. The heater thermally stimulates the well and is cooled by the water which is heated and exhausted to thermally stimulate the well. When electric power is not supplied to the heater, the solenoid valve directs the pressurized water to a turbine for driving a production pump. In an alternate embodiment, both the heater and the production pump are operated continuously and the fluid stream is divided between the turbine and the heater.

Abstract: A continuous process is provided for producing substantially homogeneous, non-tacky solid terpolymers of acrylamide, an alkali metal salt of acrylic acid and a hydroxyalkyl acrylate, and copolymers, optionally cross-linked, of a (meth)acrylamidoalkylsulfonic acid or alkali metal salt thereof and (meth)acrylamide or N-alkyl(meth)acrylamide, by rapidly heating a single phase high solids aqueous solution of the monomers to polymerization initiation temperature immediately prior to depositing a uniform layer of the solution and, at the same time, a solution of a polymerization initiator, onto a moving surface, the surface and the reaction mixture only being heated if necessary to keep the temperature of the polymerizing mixing from dropping substantially below the polymerization initiation temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to agitating means for preventing the accumulation of particulate matter at the contaminate outlet orifices in a pump and centrifugal separator apparatus. The pump-separator apparatus includes a rotatable casing forming a chamber for centrifugally separating the oil, water and contaminant matter in an oil well production fluid. The clean oil is collected by a stationary pitot tube in the chamber, the clean water is drawn off at an outlet port near the outer periphery of the chamber, and the dirty water and contaminants are discharged through outlet orifices formed in the outer wall of the casing. The agitating means includes rotating jet ports for directing streams of pressurized fluid tangentially along the inner surface of the casing to agitate accumulations of separated solid contaminant matter thereby preventing the clogging of the outlet orifices.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump is provided for generating a relatively high pressure fluid discharge. The pump includes a stationary, enclosed rotor housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A rotor assembly is rotatably supported in the rotor housing. The rotor assembly includes a chamber having a radial passage formed in one end thereof for fluid communication between the fluid inlet and a peripheral portion of the chamber. A drive shaft is rotatably supported in the rotor assembly and has a discharge tube formed therein with one end in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A pair of hollow, radially extending pickup arms are attached to the drive shaft. Each pickup arm has an inlet positioned proximate the peripheral portion of the chamber and an outlet in fluid communication with the other end of the discharge tube.

Abstract: This invention relates to a selectively telescopable joint carryable in a tubular conduit having upper and lower conduit members which are extendable within a subterranean oil or gas well. The apparatus comprises an outer cylindrical housing with an inner cylindrical body carried therein. One of the housing and the body is connectable to the upper member while the other of the housing and the body is connectable to the lower member. Seal means are carried on one of the housing and the body and are slidable along the other of same to prevent fluid communication during telescopic motion. Engagement profiles are defined on each of the housing and the body. A bridging member is extendable within the joint and between the housing and the body. Engaging means, such as a collet, are carried on the bridging member and are extendably and selectively secured within the profiles whereby the housing and the body are in relative locked position.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved jet pump having a Venturi chamber defined by a coating of a ceramic or alloy material that is highly resistant to both stress and erosion. The coating is applied by the chemical vapor technique upon a heated substrate of graphite. The graphite is then removed to conform in configuration to that of the coating and reduce the graphite substrate to a thickness of less than 0.010 inches. A mass of low melting, high elastic modulus material is then cast around the graphite substrate with the coating adhered thereto to define an exterior cylindrical configuration. The cylindrical mass is then encased by heat shrinking within a jacket of steel or other similar low modulus, high tensile strength material so as to produce a significant compressive force in the coating.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated by-pass and relief valve are utilized in a fluid pressure actuated downhole drilling apparatus. The valve is normally closed such that fluid under pressure is directed between a rotor and a stator to rotate a drill bit. When the fluid pressure reaches a predetermined value, the valve is actuated to direct the flow to the hollow interior of the rotor to protect the rotor and the stator from damage due to excessive torque loading. The relief valve is of the sleeve type which can become stuck in the open position due to contaminents in the fluid. In the open position, the pressure drop across the valve will be insufficient to close the valve and the drill bit will not be rotated. A screen is positioned between the outlet of the valve and the interior of the rotor. The screen is then plugged by dropping pieces of plugging material, such as small chips of rubber, down the drill pipe to collect in the screen.

Abstract: A coupling device for attachment of a sonic doppler flowmeter to pipes or conduits is shown and described. In this coupling, a temperature compensated liquid wedge is used to couple the transducer to the wall of the pipe or conduit, and means are shown and described for eliminating bubbles from the liquid wedge region.

Abstract: A hollow casing defining a fluid chamber is rotated relative to a stationary pitot tube mounted within the casing. The pitot tube is supported by a stationary hollow discharge tube whose bore defines the fluid outlet passage for the pump. An annular fluid inlet passage is provided surrounding one end of the discharge tube. Cylindrical portions on the discharge tube provide hardened bearing surfaces for cooperation with hardened sleeve bearings carried by the axially opposed end walls of the rotating casing. Radial flanges on such hardened bearing members provide thrust bearing capability if required. The bearings are exposed to the fluid being pumped and lubricated by such fluid.

Abstract: A control fluid valve assembly is provided which is respondable to a pressure monitored fluid. The assembly preferably comprises first and second valve seats within a housing. A spool element is shuttleable within the housing near the valve seat by either manual or mechanical manipulation to first and second positions and is responsive to pressure variation within the monitored fluid to shuttle it to a second position. Balls are contained in first and second valve head groups and are carryable by the spool element, the balls being selectively sealingly engagable onto and wipable off of the valve seat means to control fluid flow of the control fluid within the assembly in response to the pressure monitored fluid. A plurality of seals are defined between the housing and the spool means to prevent fluid communication therebetween and to define flow passageways across the spool.