Abstract: A hanger assembly used to support tubing, such as a siphon string, and other tools beneath the surface of a wellbore within casing or production tubing. The assembly includes a setting mechanism having first and second sleeves responsive to increased pressure for moving relative to one another for activating a slip assembly and sealing element. The setting mechanism is connected to reeled tubing by a quick disconnect device defining a passage for permitting fluid flow from the surface of the wellbore to the setting mechanism to provide hydraulic activation. The disconnect device is responsive to increased pressure within the passage for disconnecting the reeled tubing from the setting mechanism.

Abstract: Using a specially designed push-on coupling structure the facing end portions of two tubular well completion structures, such as a length of coil tubing and a tubular coupling member, are fixedly and sealing connected to one another simply by pushing one of the end portions into the other end portions. The coupling structure includes an O-ring seal member carried by one of the end portions for creating a fluid tight seal between the telescoped end portions; a radial projection carried by one of the end portions and receivable in a side wall slot in the other end portion for preventing appreciable relative rotation between the telescoped end portions; and an axially split locking ring member coaxially threaded onto one of the end portions and having a gripping thread section disposed thereon and operative to engage the other end portion in a manner permitting the two end portions to be initially telescoped with one another but precluding their subsequent axial separation.

Abstract: A travel joint and latching assembly is connected below a gravel pack service tool to set an isolation assembly while performing backwashing and gravel pack operations, in a single trip. The travel joint is protected against inadvertent expansion by a positive mechanical lock assembly which isolates and decouples mechanical loading forces which may arise during the setting of the packer and during gravel pack operations. Inadvertent set of the hydraulic packer during backwashing operations is prevented by a hydraulic setting tool which includes a shear sleeve and an expandable C-ring drop ball seat.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting apparatus has an isolation sleeve which covers setting ports and prevents entry of hydraulic setting fluid into a pressure settable tool such as an inflatable packer or a hydraulic packer. The mandrel of the setting tool is mechanically coupled to the mandrel of the pressure settable completion tool by a guide tube which provides an enlarged counterbore chamber. The guide tube is intersected by radial setting ports which permit entry of the pressurized fluid for pressurizing a hydraulic pressure chamber in the completion tool. A shiftable isolation sleeve opens and closes the setting ports. A radially outwardly biased split C-ring is engaged against the bore of the isolation sleeve. Longitudinal travel of the split C-ring is limited by a shear collar which is releasably pinned to the isolation sleeve.

Abstract: A zonal isolation washpipe system for isolating a production zone which intersects a wellbore from communication with the surface comprises a seal assembly adapted for sealing engagement within the bore of a well packer disposed about the external circumference of one end of a tubular washpipe, a releasable connector system on the other end of the washpipe which provides means for retrieval of the washpipe from the well bore is placed in sealing engagement by a releasable telescoping expansion joint which is resistant to undesired or premature extension.When it is desired to place the isolated zone on production, a tubing perforator, such as a jet perforator which is commonly known in the art is lowered into the bore of the wash pipe to a location adjacent previously formed perforations in the casing and the wash pipe is perforated.A method for gravel packing a well using the described tools is also presented.

Abstract: An earth well completion apparatus and method wherein a work string equipped for jet washing downhole filtration devices, such as well screens and for back washing said downhole filtration devices and containing multiple ball catcher subs which utilize the same drop ball to prevent the inadvertent operation of hydraulically powered tools as well as to permanently valve closed a portion of said work string is concentrically disposed in a production string and run in said well simultaneously. Said ball catcher sub which prevents the inadvertent actuation of said hydraulically operated tools is contained within the main fluid bore of said work string and has an expellable inner collar with an outwardly biased catcher ring which, when expelled, shears hollow shearable means thereby actuating said tool.

Abstract: A two-way retrievable packer plug is installed in the production bore of a flow conductor by straight insertion, and is retrieved by a one trip straight pull operation. The plug assembly includes a core mandrel which is enclosed within a tubular latch mandrel on which an annular seal assembly is mounted for sealing engagement against the production bore of a flow conductor. A latch key is yieldably biased by a coil spring for interlocking engagement with a latch retainer lug carried on a landing receptacle attached to the flow conductor. The latch key is moveable from a radially extended position in which it is engageable against the latch retainer lug so that the latch key is blocked against axial displacement relative to the landing receptacle as the plug mandrel is inserted into or withdrawn out of the flow conductor.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, improved sealing is provided by a seal element prop surface which is radially offset with respect to the seal element support surface of the packer body mandrel. At least one seal element is supported on the elevated prop surface and is subjected to a radial squeeze in the set configuration, even though the lowermost outside seal element may be subject to longitudinal separation. The split level seal element support arrangement provides an annular pocket into which the seal elements can be retracted upon release and retrieval of the packer, thereby providing clearance for unobstructed retrieval. Upon release of the packer, a retainer collar is shifted away from a metal backup shoe, thereby providing an annular pocket into which the metal backup shoe is deflected, so that it does not obstruct the drift clearance as the packer is retrieved.

Abstract: An earth well completion apparatus and method wherein a work string equipped for jet washing downhole filtration devices, such as well screens and for back washing said downhole filtration devices and containing multiple ball catcher subs which utilize the same drop ball to prevent the inadvertent operation of hydraulically powered tools as well as to permanently valve closed a portion of said work string is concentrically disposed in a production string and run in said well simultaneously. Said ball catcher sub which prevents the inadvertent actuation of said hydraulically operated tools is contained within the main fluid bore of said work string and has an expellable inner collar with an outwardly biased catcher ring which, when expelled, shears hollow shearable means thereby actuating said tool.

Abstract: A single bore packer is modified by a dual flow seal unit for gas lift completion. This permits the operator to inject lift gas into the upper casing annulus at the well head, bypass the hanger packer and conduct the lift gas into the suspended production tubing below the fluid level. The dual flow seal assembly is sealed internally against the packer mandrel, with the lift gas being conducted through a bypass flow passage between the seal mandrel and the packer mandrel, and being discharged into the lower casing annulus through a discharge port formed through the packer mandrel below the packer seal element package. The hang weight load of the production tubing is decoupled with respect to the packer seal elements by a set of internal ratchet slips which transfers the hang weight load from the packer mandrel onto the anchor slips and well casing at a location below the seal element package.

Abstract: A retrievable packer includes a selectively releasable anti-rotation coupling lug for preventing premature setting of the packer. The lower wedge and packer mandrel are coupled together by the anti-rotation lug during running and setting operations. The anti-rotation lug is slidably received within an L-slot formed in the packer mandrel, and is selectively releasable to permit rotation of the service tool relative to the packer mandrel during retrieving operations. During run-in and retrieving operations, the anti-rotation lug is confined within a circumferentially extending portion of the L-slot, thereby limiting longitudinal travel of the packer mandrel relative to the lower wedge. The service tool can then set down on the packer for pushing the lower wedge out from under the anchor slip.

Abstract: Seal elements for use on well packers having multiple mandrels for sealing between the packer and the inner wall of a well pipe. The seal elements (center elements and/or end elements) are provided with voids therein for controlling the stresses created in the elements during setting of the packers while minimizing the strains resulting from such stresses. The voids are preferably cavities and are readily formed in the elements as they are molded.

Abstract: A single bore packer is modified by a dual flow seal unit for gas lift completion. This permits the operator to inject lift gas into the upper casing annulus at the well head, bypass the hanger packer and conduct the lift gas into the suspended production tubing below the fluid level. The dual flow seal assembly is sealed internally against the packer mandrel, with the lift gas being conducted through a bypass flow passage between the seal mandrel and the packer mandrel, and being discharged into the lower casing annulus through a discharge port formed through the packer mandrel below the packer seal element package. The hang weight load of the production tubing is decoupled with respect to the packer seal elements by a set of internal ratchet slips which transfers the hang weight load from the packer mandrel onto the anchor slips and well casing at a location below the seal element package.

Abstract: A positive position indicating tool includes a snap ring mounted on a mandrel. The snap ring is blocked on the mandrel by a shear sleeve and provides a positive stop to upward retraction of a work string. The snap ring is shearably released when it is desired to retract and/or retrieve the work string. The snap ring is supported on the mandrel by a shear sleeve which is locked onto the mandrel by shear pins. An annular recess is formed in the sidewall of the mandrel between the shear pins and the snap ring. As the tension loading on the work string increases above the combined shear strength of the shear pins, the shear sleeve and positive indication snap ring are displaced downwardly along the mandrel, and the snap ring moves into the annular recess and contracts radially out of obstructing engagement. The snap ring incorporates alternating slots which permit it to expand and recover without permanent deformation.

Abstract: A well packer for sealing an annular space within a well bore around a tubing string including a tubular mandrel, an expandable seal assembly on the mandrel for sealing around the mandrel with a well bore wall, a slip assembly on the mandrel for releasably locking the packer with the well bore wall, a drag spring and slip carrier assembly around the slip assembly, and an interlock assembly for selectively coupling the drag spring and slip carrier assembly with the mandrel for operating the packer through running, set, and release modes. The packer also includes an emergency release feature for releasing the packer in the event that well obstructions or other problems prevent normal rotation of the tubing string and mandrel to operate the interlock assembly.

Abstract: A production sub carrying a plurality of annular locator rings is coupled in series relation with downhole production equipment. A collet latch assembly including fixed and floating collet members is connected to a down hole service tool and is inserted into releasable coupling engagement with the annular locator rings of the production sub. Resilient finger portions of the fixed collet are alternately supported and unsupported by the floating collet to establish positive engagement with a selected one of the annular locator rings or to permit passage of the latch assembly with respect to the locator ring. The foregoing arrangement provides positive restriction to longitudinal movement of a work string which allows a downhole service tool attached to the work string to be selectively positioned at predetermined operating locations relative to downhole equipment.

Abstract: A hydraulic well packer for releasable setting within a well casing is disclosed. The packer includes a hydraulic actuator assembly mounted between annular packing seal elements and anchor slips, with the seal elements, hydraulic actuator assembly and anchor slips being mounted for sliding movement along the packer mandrel. Premature retraction of the setting cylinder relative to the piston is prevented by interlocking action of a shear screw lock and a transfer lug against the piston, setting cylinder and a tubular setting wedge. The piston is locked against the anchor slips and the slip housing so that seals mounted on the piston head which engage the mandrel and the setting cylinder cannot be dragged and worn out prematurely in response to hydraulic pressure fluctuations imposed after the packer has been set and sealed. The setting piston and setting cylinder are locked together during run-in by the shear screw and by interlocking engagement of the transfer lug.

Abstract: A production sub carrying a plurality of annular locator rings is coupled in series relation with downhole production equipment. A collet latch assembly including fixed and floating collet members is connected to a down hole service tool and is inserted into releasable coupling engagement with the annular locator rings of the production sub. Resilient finger portions of the fixed collet are alternately supported and unsupported by the floating collet to establish positive engagement with a selected one of the annular locator rings or to permit passage of the latch assembly with respect to the locator ring. The foregoing arrangement provides positive restriction to longitudinal movement of a work string which allows a downhole service tool attached to the work string to be selectively positioned at predetermined operating locations relative to downhole equipment.

Abstract: In a locking mandrel for releasably locking a well tool in a well flow conductor of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,531 which includes a tubular body mandrel adapted for securing with a running tool and with a well tool, a locking dog retainer sleeve on the body mandrel, expandible and contractible locking dogs carried by the retainer sleeve, and a locking sleeve movable on the body mandrel within the retainer sleeve between a first position at which the locking dogs are expanded and release positions at which the locking dogs are movable inwardly to release positions, the improvement for releasably latching the locking sleeve at the first locking position on the body mandrel which includes an annular latching boss on the body mandrel and an annular latching flange and recess within the locking sleeve.