Abstract: A screen device is provided for use in a subterranean well and is carriable within the well on a tubular conduit. The screen has an elongated outer housing with a plurality of flow passageways extending through the housing. An inner perforable cylindrical mandrel with upper and lower ends has at least one of the ends securable with a conduit member of the tubular conduit. The mandrel longitudinally extends through the interior of the housing and is secured against movement relative to the housing. A central passageway in the mandrel communicates with the tubular conduit for transmission of fluid. Prior to perforation of the mandrel, the screen device prevents fluid flow between the flow passageways and the central passageway of the mandrel. Subsequent to perforation of the mandrel, the screen device permits transmission of fluid between the flow passageways, the central passageway and the tubular conduit.

Abstract: No-blow tool for braking rapid upward movement of a pulling tool and the device being retrieved caused by sudden upward fluid flow. The no-blow tool is assembled as part of a wire line tool assembly below jars and above the pulling tool. The no-blow tool includes three telescoping members, the lowest of which is secured to the pulling tool. Rapid upward movement of the pulling tool and the lowest telescoping member relative to the intermediate telescoping member cams serated slips radially outwardly to grip a well conduit, thereby braking the upward movement. A shearable connection between the upper and intermediate telescoping members permits jarring forces to be transmitted downwardly through the tool, without interference from the slip system.

Abstract: A formation protection valve is normally held in an open position relative to an annular elastomeric valve seat by an inserted wash pipe during performance of a gravel packing operation in a subterranean well. Upon removal of the wash pipe, a valve head swings downwardly to a sealing position on an annular elastomeric valve seat. A valve seat support structure is mounted below the annular valve seat to provide support of the inner periphery of the annular valve seat against downward fluid pressure forces exerted on the valve head. The elastomeric valve seat is shearable by a subsequently inserted tubing string, which also effects the displacement of the valve seat support structure to a radially outwardly disposed position wherein it no longer interferes with the passage of the tubing string therethrough.

Abstract: A hanger and valve assembly which can be employed as a safety valve assembly to close both the production tubing and the tubing-casing annulus in a subterranean well is disclosed. The assembly includes a hydraulically activated, mechanically locked hanger which has slip anchoring members engaging the casing or, exterior conduit for preventing movement in both longitudinal directions. The hanger also has annular packing elements to seal the tubing-casing annulus. An annulus safety valve member employing a longitudinally recessed resilient seal member can be mounted in a landing nipple mounted in the hanger. By recessing the seal it is protected from the turbulent flow through the valve. A second shuttle located in the landing nipple is employed in conjunction with the first annulus safety valve to permit flow in one direction while metering flow in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A concentric insulating tubular conduit string, including a separation joint comprising first and second couplings with concentric tubular sleeve members extending therebetween, is disclosed. An insulating conduit incorporating this integral separation joint could be employed for the delivery of a heated fluid, such as steam, through the conduit to the producing formation therebelow. The inner and outer tubular sleeves of the separation joint may be prestressed in tension and compression between axially spaced coupling members used to join the separation joint to the tubular conduit. One sleeve which may be prestressed in tension threadably engages both the upper and lower coupling members. The other sleeve which may be prestressed in compression threadably engages only one of the coupling members and abuts the other coupling member to carry compressive loads.

Abstract: A destructible core is formed from a frangible plastic shell filled with inert ballast. The core is used for forming complex cavities in the production of cast resin parts.

Abstract: A packer for a subterranean well has slip elements and elastomeric seal elements which are respectively radially expandable into engagement with a well conduit wherein the packer is mounted in surrounding relationship to an inner sleeve which is rigidly interconnectable to a second conduit. An intermediate sleeve is mounted in axially slidable, concentric relationship to the inner sleeve and cooperates with an outer sleeve to define an annular fluid pressure chamber. A upper piston and a lower piston are mounted in the annular pressure chamber and are driven in opposite directions by application of fluid pressure to such chamber. Compressive forces are thus transmitted to the elastomeric sealing elements and a slip mechanism. The packer also incorporates a hydraulic reservoir which is normally filled with casing fluid and has a constricted orifice connected to the casing annulus.

Abstract: A valve is provided for use in a subterranean well. Rotary manipulation of a fluid transmission conduit results in rotation of a ball valve to selectively open and close the fluid conduit. Rotary manipulation of the fluid conduit is imparted to the ball valve by means of a lever assembly which transfers sufficient force for activation of the valve permitting the valve to be used in the presence of significant pressure differentials. Seals are provided on opposite sides of the ball valve to prevent communication of either fluid or pressure from either above or below the ball valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a two position flow valve disposed in a subterranean well, for example a safety valve located near the bottom of a subterranean well, through the application of cyclic pressure applied to fluid confined in the annulus between conduits, such as well casing and a production string. Valving apparatus is provided adjacent to the flow valve to be controlled which derives a pressure signal from the cyclic pressure of the fluid annulus which is effective to maintain the valve in one of its two positions so long as the cyclic pressure exists, but permits the valve to shift to its other position upon termination or significant reduction of the cyclic pressure. In this manner, reliable operation of a flow valve, such as a safety valve, may be achieved without the necessity of running any auxiliary hydraulic control lines to such valve.

Abstract: A cylindrical housing is adapted to receive and discharge fluid in a subterranean well. In a preferred form, a plate is positioned in the cylinder separating it into first and second chambers. Filter adapter receiving means are disposed across the plate, with a filter adapter securable therein, the adapter having a passageway extending to the chambers. The adapter has a cylindrical housing having an enlarged cartridge positioning portion. A grooveway is defined on the adapter extending exteriorly therearound for securing one end of a cartridge filter. A cartridge filter is positionable on the adapter and provides a seal having an interiorly facing circumferentially extending lip for contact with the exterior of the cylindrical housing when the filter is located on the adapter, for sealingly securing the filter to the adapter.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a valve for an annulus defined between a tubular work string or other conduit and a surrounding annular portion of an operative element disposed on production string, such as a safety valve. The annulus valve comprises an annular valve body, which may comprise an elastomeric mass, which is urged by resilient means into sealing engagement with the exterior of the tubular work string and is shiftable out of such sealing engagement, such as by an annular piston which is responsive to control fluid pressure. The same control fluid pressure may be utilized to operate the safety valve to its open position.

Abstract: A seal assembly employing a thermoplastic sealing element, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, for maintaining sealing integrity between inner and outer concentric tubular members is disclosed. Axial extrusion of the sealing element through a constricted passage into a cavity adjacent the surface of one of the tubular members is allowed when the sealing element expands due to increased heat or pressure. Axial contraction through this same passage serves to maintain sealing integrity in the vicinity of this passage. The performance of the contracting sealant is improved during a cooling cycle by utilizing a cylindrical seal ring member having a thermal expansion coefficient less than that of the outer tubular member so that the constricted passage formed between the seal ring and the outer tubular member narrows during cooling. This seal assembly is adapted for use in an expansion joint employed in an oil or gas subterranean well.

Abstract: A ball valve assembly is provided for elimination of the tearing of the annular elastomeric seal which normally engages the periphery of such ball valve due to the movement of the valve with excessive loading imposed on the elastomeric seal. A spring pressed element engages the portion of the ball opposite the position of the annular elastomeric seal and exerts a substantially constant loading force on the ball and hence on the elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for effecting the automatic closing of the bore of a subterranean well conduit upon the withdrawal of a tubular work string or production string from the conduit and the reopening of such bore upon the reinsertion of a tubular string. A biased shiftable valving element is held in an open position by an actuator sleeve which is operatively connected to an inserted tubular string so as to move with such string only a limited distance during either the insertion or the withdrawal movement thereof and permits the valving element to close when the inserted tubular string is withdrawn to prevent fluid remaining in the well from draining into the formation.

Abstract: A subterranean well valve assembly includes a valve mounted within an annular housing which is actuated by an annular plunger co-axially mounted within the housing. The plunger is longitudinally shiftable to open the valve, in response to a fluid pressure signal. Within the housing, releasable latches are provided for engaging an annular groove, thereby temporarily locking the plunger in its lower position. The valve assembly also includes a permanent lock open mechanism comprising an annular locking mandrel, including a latch element. Longitudinal movement of the mandrel locks the mandrel in place, thereby interfering with subsequent retraction of the plunger from locked position.

Abstract: A seal assembly for downhole use in a subterranean well comprises inner and outer concentric annular sealing elements adapted to seal between an inner mandrel and an outer housing. The sealing elements are mounted in concentric annular recesses defined in relatively axially movable seal carrier members. In a preferred form, a spring loaded mechanism is provided to bias the seal carriers axially towards each other, thereby exerting an axially compressive force on the sealing elements between them. The compressive force is sufficient to expand the sealing elements against the sealing surfaces of the mandrel and outer housing, whereby non-elastomeric sealing elements, or seal elements which have become effectively non-elastomeric, can be utilized. Releasable latches are provided for attachment of the seal assembly to the associated housing.

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, outwadly 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: A no-go apparatus for positioning a tool within a landing nipple in a tubing string in a subterranean well includes a mandrel axially movable within the tubing string having selectively radially expandable latches for engaging a specially shaped annular groove formed on the inside cylindrical surface of the landing nipple, thereby preventing downward movement of the latches and mandrel past the groove. The latches are configured to prevent their engagement by any groove or projections in the tubing string other than the correspondingly shaped groove.

Abstract: A ball valve assembly is provided having an internally projecting pin on the actuating sleeve element for the ball valve which engages a recessed shoulder in the periphery of the valve to prevent accidental displacement of the ball valve from its fully open position.

Abstract: A self-energizing seal system employing plastically deformable nonelastomeric elements to establish sealing integrity between concentric, relatively movable tubular conduits is disclosed. The primary sealing element comprises a chevron-shaped thermoplastic virgin polytetrafluoroethylene member. A plurality of back-to-back primary sealing elements are employed, thus creating a relatively frictionless interface along which radial expansion of the chevron-shaped members can occur. Annular back up members of polyphenylene sulfide and glass-filled polytetrafluoroethylene are used to inhibit axial extrusion of the chevron-shaped sealing members during radial expansion thus promoting sealing integrity.