Abstract: An articulated debris barrier folds on itself to extend radially to span a surrounding annular gap when the tool associated with it is set. The debris barrier can be used with a packer or bridge plug. The set position of the packer or plug is locked and another lock holds the extended position of the debris barrier. The debris barrier lock can be a snap ring that extends into a groove brought into alignment with it during the setting. Alternatively the lock for the debris barrier can be a body lock ring. In either case, release and retrieval of the packer or plug involves undermining of the locking feature for the debris barrier so that the debris barrier can extend while retracting from the borehole wall so that the barrier and the associated packer or plug can be removed together.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a clutch assembly which is comprised of (1) a cam plate which includes cams which are spaced about a central axis; (2) a rocker plate which includes at least one pocket, wherein the pocket includes a first rocker plate engagement surface and a second rocker plate engagement surface; and (3) at least one rocker which is pivotally situated within the pocket of the rocker plate, (4) a first solenoid, and (5) a second solenoid, wherein the solenoids can be activated or deactivated to allow for the clutch to be in a neutral position (to allow for free rotation in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions), to prevent rotation in a clockwise direction while allowing for free rotation in a counterclockwise direction, or to prevent rotation in a counterclockwise direction while allowing for free rotation in a clockwise direction.

Abstract: A string from the surface is connected to a packer extension with a thread to provide a metal to metal seal for production or injection through the packer. The thread provides a metal to metal seal. The initial string is released from the packer extension by a tubular cut made with a cutting tool above the thread that provides the metal to metal seal to the packer extension. An outer sleeve surrounds an expanded length of wall which is the target cut zone above the threaded connection. A cut through the tubular does not cut the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve features a left handed square thread to engage a known released tool run in on a string to connect to the packer release mechanism and release the packer for removal with the release tool suspended from a string.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a clutch assembly which is comprised of (1) a cam plate which includes cams which are spaced about a central axis; (2) a rocker plate which includes at least one pocket, wherein the pocket includes a first rocker plate engagement surface and a second rocker plate engagement surface; and (3) at least one rocker which is pivotally situated within the pocket of the rocker plate, (4) a first solenoid, and (5) a second solenoid, wherein the solenoids can be activated or deactivated to allow for the clutch to be in a neutral position (to allow for free rotation in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions), to prevent rotation in a clockwise direction while allowing for free rotation in a counterclockwise direction, or to prevent rotation in a counterclockwise direction while allowing for free rotation in a clockwise direction.

Abstract: An extrusion ring is attached at a mandrel end to a gage ring as well as a softer ring that is disposed between the extrusion ring and the mandrel. The softer ring acts as an extrusion barrier along the mandrel. On setting the softer ring protects a free end of an extrusion ring from contact with the sealing element by extending axially at least as far as the extrusion ring and preferably further. The sealing element being softer than the adjacent softer ring allows the extrusion ring to push the softer ring out past the end of the extrusion ring and allows the softer ring to fill a void space adjacent the free end of the extrusion ring and to the sealing element. Relative motion between the rings at the attachment location is prevented.

Abstract: A T-shaped slip is retained in an opening of a slip ring to drive the slip in opposed directions to and away from the surrounding borehole wall along a cone. The slip ring and cone do not come together when the slip is engaged. The opening allows release of a lock ring first with the slip engaged followed by release of the slip from the borehole wall. The slip ring and cone come together during removal from the borehole. A travel stop on the axial slip movement is provided to prevent guides on the slip from exiting a track or dovetail on the cone when the slip ring and cone are in contact during removal of the plug or packer. Extension of the guide from the cone track can happen if the slip moves through an enlarged portion of the borehole. The travel stop prevents this.

Abstract: A dual bore packer features axially offset tapered thread connections so that the pressure rating and size of the connections in each of the bores can be as large as possible. This is enabled by providing as thick a wall as possible between the bores in the zone where the connecting tapered thread is placed.

Abstract: A packing element containment system includes a support member extending from a first end to a second end. One of the first and second ends includes a support ring engagement section. A support ring is carried by the support ring engagement section of the support member. The support ring is configured and disposed to shift relative to the support member converting an axial movement of one of the support ring and the support member to a radial expansion of the support ring to provide one of a support to an anti-extrusion ring and containment for a packing element.

Abstract: A mandrel and a packer outer assembly are formed to create spring compartments on opposed sides of a sealing element. The outer assembly is shear pinned to the mandrel to minimize spring travel during setting. Once set in the normal way the presence of the springs transfers load and sustained loads through the connected tubular string in either direction. A load coming from downhole and acting in an uphole direction first compresses the spring located uphole from the sealing assembly so that the loading goes behind the sealing assembly and into the upper spring and ultimately to the upper slips. The reverse happens when the force is coming from uphole of the sealing assembly and acting in a downhole direction. The springs can be a coil, a stack of Belleville washers, fluid pushed through an orifice, a resilient material or a contained compressible fluid, to name some examples.

Abstract: A string from the surface is connected to a packer extension with a thread to provide a metal to metal seal for production or injection through the packer. The thread provides a metal to metal seal. The initial string is released from the packer extension by a tubular cut made with a cutting tool above the thread that provides the metal to metal seal to the packer extension. An outer sleeve surrounds an expanded length of wall which is the target cut zone above the threaded connection. A cut through the tubular does not cut the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve features a left handed square thread to engage a known released tool run in on a string to connect to the packer release mechanism and release the packer for removal with the release tool suspended from a string.

Abstract: A T-shaped slip is retained in an opening of a slip ring to drive the slip in opposed directions to and away from the surrounding borehole wall along a cone. The slip ring and cone do not come together when the slip is engaged. The opening allows release of a lock ring first with the slip engaged followed by release of the slip from the borehole wall. The slip ring and cone come together during removal from the borehole. A travel stop on the axial slip movement is provided to prevent guides on the slip from exiting a track or dovetail on the cone when the slip ring and cone are in contact during removal of the plug or packer. Extension of the guide from the cone track can happen if the slip moves through an enlarged portion of the borehole. The travel stop prevents this.

Abstract: A mandrel and a packer outer assembly are formed to create spring compartments on opposed sides of a sealing element. The outer assembly is shear pinned to the mandrel to minimize spring travel during setting. Once set in the normal way the presence of the springs transfers load and sustained loads through the connected tubular string in either direction. A load coming from downhole and acting in an uphole direction first compresses the spring located uphole from the sealing assembly so that the loading goes behind the sealing assembly and into the upper spring and ultimately to the upper slips. The reverse happens when the force is coming from uphole of the sealing assembly and acting in a downhole direction. The springs can be a coil, a stack of Belleville washers, fluid pushed through an orifice, a resilient material or a contained compressible fluid, to name some examples.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated downhole tool located at a depth where control line hydrostatic pressure would normally set the tool is temporarily isolated from hydrostatic pressure and changes thereto from well exposure or downhole operations until properly located. A removable barrier is placed in the control line to the tool at a height from the tool that limits the hydrostatic force exposed to the actuation mechanism for the tool. The preferred barrier is a rupture disc that is selectively broken with applied pressure from a remote location, typically the surface above the well. The mounting depth of the barrier can be varied to control the maximum hydrostatic pressure seen by the tool as it is advanced to the intended position.

Abstract: A retrievable compression set packer is sequentially released. First the sealing element is allowed to relax. Then the upper slip has wedging action that forces it against a surrounding tubular relaxed. After that the upper slips are pulled up to retract them fully allowing the packer to come out. These sequential actions are done with a mandrel movement in one direction. The sealing element is released with undermining a collet by aligning collet heads with a recess on the mandrel. The slip force release happens with mandrel movement forcing a ring into a wedge such that circumferential force on slip segments is reduced or eliminated when the wedge is pushed out of its conforming slot allowing for circumferential flexibility of the slip seat. The mandrel then picks up a slip ring that retracts the slip segments on the slip seat and the packer is removed.

Abstract: An articulated debris barrier folds on itself to extend radially to span a surrounding annular gap when the tool associated with it is set. The debris barrier can be used with a packer or bridge plug. The set position of the packer or plug is locked and another lock holds the extended position of the debris barrier. The debris barrier lock can be a snap ring that extends into a groove brought into alignment with it during the setting. Alternatively the lock for the debris barrier can be a body lock ring. In either case, release and retrieval of the packer or plug involves undermining of the locking feature for the debris barrier so that the debris barrier can extend while retracting from the borehole wall so that the barrier and the associated packer or plug can be removed together.

Abstract: A method of forming a downhole seal between inner and outer tubulars. The method including bonding a sealing element to an insert with a bond that bonds at temperatures less than a first temperature and increasingly breaks down at temperatures higher than the first temperature. Defeating the bond between the sealing element and the insert at a second temperature higher than the first temperature; and, subsequently forming a seal between the inner and outer tubulars with the sealing element. Also included is a downhole sealing apparatus.

Abstract: A compression set sealing element preferably 85A-95A TDI-Ester Polyurethane is compressed axially and retained against extrusion by CEM anti-extrusion rings. The compressed state of the sealing element is locked in by a degradable lock ring assembly. The mandrel is secured to an upper end of a slip cone and a breakable slip ring is secured by a wireline setting tool until the set position is reached. The slip ring breaks into segments that are pulled up the slip cone as the setting tool pushes on a sleeve to axially compress the sealing element and lock in the set. The sealing element is retained against extrusion by CEM anti-extrusion rings. When the setting tool is removed a ball seat is exposed for delivery of a ball to build pressure into the formation for fracturing. The entirety of the plug then disintegrates from well fluid exposure.

Abstract: A compression set sealing element preferably 85A-95A TDI-Ester Polyurethane is compressed axially and retained against extrusion by CEM anti-extrusion rings. The compressed state of the sealing element is locked in by a degradable lock ring assembly. The mandrel is secured to an upper end of a slip cone and a breakable slip ring is secured by a wireline setting tool until the set position is reached. The slip ring breaks into segments that are pulled up the slip cone as the setting tool pushes on a sleeve to axially compress the sealing element and lock in the set. The sealing element is retained against extrusion by CEM anti-extrusion rings. When the setting tool is removed a ball seat is exposed for delivery of a ball to build pressure into the formation for fracturing. The entirety of the plug then disintegrates from well fluid exposure.

Abstract: A packer system including a packer and a setting mechanism. The setting mechanism has a setting piston that is actuatable in response to a fluid pressure in order to set the packer with the setting piston. The setting mechanism prevents actuation of the setting piston until the pressure is decreased below a threshold pressure from a value greater than the threshold pressure. A method of setting a packer is also included.

Abstract: A packing element containment system includes a support member extending from a first end to a second end. One of the first and second ends includes a support ring engagement section. A support ring is carried by the support ring engagement section of the support member. The support ring is configured and disposed to shift relative to the support member converting an axial movement of one of the support ring and the support member to a radial expansion of the support ring to provide one of a support to an anti-extrusion ring and containment for a packing element.