Abstract: A hydraulic well jar accelerator used in a fishing string in conjunction with a well jar. The well jar accelerator includes inner and outer cylindrical assemblies movable longitudinally relative to each other and having an annular space between the cylindrical assemblies. An annular seal and an expansion sleeve disposed between the cylindrical assemblies are longitudinally spaced relative one another to form an annular liquid chamber in the annular space. The annular liquid chamber confines a hydraulic operating fluid. The volume of the annular liquid chamber can be adjusted by spring-loading the expansion sleeve without relative longitudinal movement of the inner and outer assemblies. The annular liquid chamber is operatively segregated into a main liquid chamber and an expansion liquid chamber. An annular seal body and an annular piston are disposed between the cylindrical assemblies in the annular liquid chamber. The seal body is attached to one of the cylindrical assemblies and has a first end surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displacing the lower end of a torque track used to support a top drive drilling unit. The top drive drilling unit is suspended from the lower end of the torque track and then displaced in a first direction away from the location of the drill string. Sequentially, or concurrently, the lower end of the torque track and top drive unit are displaced in a second direction substantially normal to the first direction, resulting in the full displacement of the top drive unit and the lower end of the torque track sufficiently to enable the removal of multiple sections of drill pipe without interference by the torque track or the top drive drilling unit.

Abstract: A torque break-out system for a top drive drilling unit in a drilling rig. The torque break-out system includes a splined sub which is connected to a tubular member of the top drive drilling unit. A collar is positioned circumferentially around the splined sub. The collar has a plurality of interrupted splines in reciprocal relationship to interrupted splines on the splined sub. The collar is positioned by a pivot member having a pair of arms rotatably connected to the collar and a lift cylinder connected to the pivot member. The lift cylinder positions the pivot member between a first position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are not in substantial horizontal alignment and a second position in which the interrupted splines of the splined sub and the collar are in substantial horizontal alignment. The system includes a back-up wrench assembly having a vertical opening through which the drill string is received.

Abstract: An improved top drive torque track system and method of installation. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongated segments having male and female ends and a mechanism for drawing up and securing adjacent members together. The installation process includes suspending adjacent segments from the top drive unit and threadably engaging the sections using a securing system which sequentially mates adjacent elongated housings until a torque track system the length of the mast is assembled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses, in one aspect, for detecting and indicating loads and/or forces on tubular strings, e.g. tubing, injected into or withdrawn out of a well by an injector apparatus, the apparatus having, in one embodiment, a single piston acting on a single boot with a chamber therein having a fluid the compression of which in response to a load or a change in load is sensed to indicate the load on the apparatus; the indicator in one embodiment having a spring to add to the weight of the injector apparatus to provide a positive pre-load so that negative loads can be determined by a change in positive pressure without requiring negative pressure; and a pressure chamber device for use with such apparatuses and in such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circle thread form for threadably engaging the wellhead valve assembly and the riser tensioner to the riser top joint of a marine riser of a floating tension leg platform or similar drilling or production platform. The male thread form is located on the cylindrically shaped riser pipe, wherein the male thread form comprises a series of annular substantially circularly shaped convex protrusions that are substantially equally spaced from one another and extend outwardly from a predetermined pitch line, and between and abutting each of the protrusions a series of annular and substantially circularly shaped concave grooves that extend inwardly from said pitch line.

Abstract: A fail-safe mechanism for closing the rams in a conventional blowout preventer. The mechanism includes a ram shaft having an enlarged outer end that is exposed to well pressure which exerts a constant closing force. The closing force is opposed by a hydraulic fluid chamber which is evacuated in the event of fire, etc. A floating plug within the ram shaft helps prevent leaks of well fluid from the blowout preventer.

Abstract: A load cell apparatus especially suitable for detecting and indicating loads on tubing injected into or withdrawn out of a well with an injector apparatus. The load cell apparatus is located longitudinally directly below the injector apparatus to avoid angling of the tubing as it is run into, or pulled out of, a well. Two gauges are provided to independently indicate positive and negative loads on the tubing and to facilitate determining whether the pipe has hit an obstruction in a well. A fluid chamber is provided to support the weight of the tubing head, facilitating accurate load cell readings.

Abstract: A load cell apparatus especially suitable for detecting and indicating loads on tubing injected into or withdrawn out of a well with an injector apparatus. The load cell apparatus is located longitudinally directly below the injector apparatus to avoid angling of the tubing as it is run into, or pulled out of, a well. Two gauges are provided to independently indicate positive and negative loads on the tubing and to facilitate determining whether the pipe has hit an obstruction in a well.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated slip assembly having a slip pivotally connected at its sides by parallel links to the side surfaces of a slip block with slip engaging surfaces which allow the slip to be engaged and disengaged from tubing or pipe and operated within a reduced area. An alternative embodiment utilizes a floating die to allow the parallel links to disengage the slip from the pipe in a compact configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for engaging a tubular member with a tension type spear in which the spear is locked to the tubular member so that it is not released when compressive or other non-tension loads are applied to it. The present invention locks the spear to the tubular member through abutment of a transfer assembly connected to the spear supporting mandrel after the spear has been set within the tubular member. The abutment of the transfer assembly and the tubular member lock the spear within the tubular member under tension so that compressive or other non-tension loads on the supporting pipe string will not affect the grip of the spear.

Abstract: A casing scraper which provides substantially 360.degree. of contact between the interior diameter of casing. The cutter blades of the casing scraper are of a segmented tubular shape to provide a substantially 360.degree. contact area. The segmented cutter blades are biased radially outwardly by springs oriented in an alignment housing between the supporting mandrel and the cutter blades.

Abstract: A blow-out preventer for attachment with a tubular member of a well for containing well pressures within the well as needed, having a body adapted to receive a ram body mounted therein for movement between an open and closed position. The preventer further includes an actuator body member mounted with the body adjacent the ram bore and having urging means therewith for urging the ram body between such open and closed positions and alignment means with the actuator body member and the ram body for ensuring proper alignment and positioning of the ram body with respect to the ram bore and the axial bore of the tubular member. The actuator body member has fastening means that fits into connecting means in the preventer body. The two bodies are secured by securing means installed in said connection means and engaging said fastening means.

Abstract: A new and improved inner seal and support rod assembly for a blowout preventer including an inner seal assembly for improved sealing and configured to promote ease of maintenance and removal thereof in cooperation with substantially horizontally disposed, vertically aligned support rods of the blowout preventer.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly adapted to be used with a drill string dampening intermittent shocks and vibrational forces encountered with a drill string, the shock absorber assembly including a mandrel, a tubular body reciprocally mounted with respect to the mandrel, and a dampening device including an annular chamber adapted to be filled with a compressible fluid and a flexible wall with the mandrel adjacent the annular chamber for permitting flexure of the mandrel as needed for dampening.

Abstract: A new and improved inner seal assembly adapted to be mounted with the ram of a blowout preventer which includes a central sealing member and a seal insert, with the central sealing member being formed having at least one securing member receptacle capable of receiving a securing member formed with the seal insert, with the seal insert being removably mounted with the central sealing member by yieldable cooperation between the seal insert and the central sealing member.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly for absorbing shocks encountered by a drill string wherein the shock absorber assembly is for use with a drill string having a working fluid therein and includes a body member affixed to the drill string, a mandrel mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement with respect to the body member and a fluid dampening member floated within the central bore of the body member in engagement with the body member and the mandrel for absorbing shocks transmitted between the body member and the mandrel.

Abstract: A new and improved seal for an overshot and method for doing same wherein the seal includes a seal ring body mounted with the overshot, the seal ring body having a first and second sealing lip formed therewith and extending inwardly into the bore of the overshot, with the first sealing lip for initially engaging the tubular member to reduce fluid flow therebetween and the second sealing lip, spaced above the first sealing lip, for establishing a fluid-tight relation between the second sealing lip and the tubular member for preventing fluid flow therebetween.

Abstract: A well bowl has an opening extending through the bowl, at least a portion of which is formed in the shape of a pyramidal frustum. A plurality of slips are movable along the pyramidal surfaces and together define an inner opening, the slip surfaces which define the inner opening being adapted to engage and hold the outer surface of a length of drill pipe when the slips are moved toward the smaller end of the bowl opening. The slips are disengaged from the drill pipe when they are moved away from the smaller end of the bowl opening and have outer surfaces shaped to engage at least a portion of the surfaces which define the bowl opening when the slips move between their engaging and disengaging positions. The slips are guided along the surfaces which define the bowl for maintaining the slip surfaces which engage the pipe oriented in their pipe engaging positions when they move along the bowl surfaces.

Abstract: A shock absorber assembly for absorbing shocks encountered by a drill string having a working fluid flowing therethrough wherein the shock absorber assembly includes a housing affixed to the drill string, a mandrel mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement with respect to the housing, and a fluid dampening member replaceably sandwiched between the mandrel and housing for absorbing shocks transmitted between the mandrel and the housing during drilling operations.