Abstract: An annular pressure activated downhole tool has a housing including an outer surface, an inner surface defining a passage, an annular projection projecting into the passage from the inner surface, and an opening. A mandrel extends into the passage. The mandrel has a first end and a second end. A power spring support is detachably connected to the second end of the mandrel in the passage. A power spring is arranged about the mandrel and extends between the power spring support and the annular projection. A trigger housing is arranged in one of the mandrel and the power spring support. A trigger arranged in the trigger housing selectively engages with the inner surface. The trigger is operable to disengage from the inner surface of the housing, releasing the power spring, and shifting the mandrel along the passage when exposed to a selected annular pressure.

Abstract: A BHA features an MWD tool connected to a running tool supporting a whipstock that is connected to an open hole anchor. The anchor is flow set and after the anchor is set the running tool collets release from the whipstock to allow cement to be pumped through the anchor to hold the set position. The collets are released from the whipstock also with flow and after the anchor has been set. One way is to use nozzles in series. Another is to run in with a ball on the anchor seat, set the anchor and blow out the ball seat so flow can again be used to release the running tool collets. Another is suspending a ball above the anchor seat, releasing the ball with pressure cycle, open another flow passage to allow collet release of the whipstock. Finally, pressure can be used to release the running tool collets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow through a drill string includes a housing having an axis, a radial wall with a bore extending axially therethrough, and an aperture formed in the radial wall. The aperture is in fluid communication with the bore. A piston is located inside the housing and has an orifice configured to permit axial fluid flow through the housing. The spring axially biases the piston to a closed position.

Abstract: A BHA features an MWD tool connected to a running tool supporting a whipstock that is connected to an open hole anchor. The anchor is flow set and after the anchor is set the running tool collets release from the whipstock to allow cement to be pumped through the anchor to hold the set position. The collets are released from the whipstock also with flow and after the anchor has been set. One way is to use nozzles in series. Another is to run in with a ball on the anchor seat, set the anchor and blow out the ball seat so flow can again be used to release the running tool collets. Another is suspending a ball above the anchor seat, releasing the ball with pressure cycle, open another flow passage to allow collet release of the whipstock. Finally, pressure can be used to release the running tool collets.

Abstract: A drilling assembly is tripped in a cased hole to make more open hole. The assembly features retracted scrapers and a closed circulation sub so that the drilling can commence with string pressure delivered to bit nozzles due to the circulation sub being in a closed position. When drilling is done and the bit is to be removed, an object lands on a seat on a sleeve that acts as a piston to break scraper retainers for casing scraping deployment and to open the circulation port. A bypass opens around the seated ball when the sleeve shifts to allow flow around the seated ball for circulation while scraping. Drilling and casing scraping are accomplished in a single trip.

Abstract: A valve for subterranean whipstock service has a side port and a through passage with a biased movable sleeve to shift between circulation mode into the annulus and flow through mode for setting an anchor and then feeding window mill nozzles. The valve is run in when in circulation mode to allow operation of a measurement while drilling device. When the whipstock is properly oriented the pressure is increased to break a shear pin to allow a spring to bias the sleeve to the flow through position. The shifting of the sleeve opens a bypass passage around the restriction orifice that was first used to build pressure to break the shear pins that let the sleeve move under spring bias. As a result the spring can hold the sleeve in position despite high flow rates needed to remove cuttings from the mill as the window is opened.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow through a drill string includes a housing having an axis, a radial wall with a bore extending axially therethrough, and an aperture formed in the radial wall. The aperture is in fluid communication with the bore. A piston is located inside the housing and has an orifice configured to permit axial fluid flow through the housing. The spring axially biases the piston to a closed position.

Abstract: A piston has a hydraulic line going through it and is held in position with one or more shear pins or similar breakable retainers. The piston blocks the flow to the window mill circulation ports until a pressure level is reached that breaks the breakable members to allow the piston to move. The piston moves into a larger bore to allow bypass flow through lateral openings. The piston is captured in the larger diameter chamber after passing the lateral openings. Piston movement pushes out some of the high pressure tubing through the window mill where initial rotation of the window mill along the whipstock face causes the extending tubing to be ground off. A rupture disc and high pressure hoses are no longer needed for a significant cost savings from prior designs.

Abstract: A BHA features an MWD tool connected to a running tool supporting a whipstock that is connected to an open hole anchor. The anchor is flow set and after the anchor is set the running tool collets release from the whipstock to allow cement to be pumped through the anchor to hold the set position. The collets are released from the whipstock also with flow and after the anchor has been set. One way is to use nozzles in series. Another is to run in with a ball on the anchor seat, set the anchor and blow out the ball seat so flow can again be used to release the running tool collets. Another is suspending a ball above the anchor seat, releasing the ball with pressure cycle, open another flow passage to allow collet release of the whipstock. Finally, pressure can be used to release the running tool collets.

Abstract: A drilling assembly is tripped in a cased hole to make more open hole. The assembly features retracted scrapers and a closed circulation sub so that the drilling can commence with string pressure delivered to bit nozzles due to the circulation sub being in a closed position. When drilling is done and the bit is to be removed, an object lands on a seat on a sleeve that acts as a piston to break scraper retainers for casing scraping deployment and to open the circulation port. A bypass opens around the seated ball when the sleeve shifts to allow flow around the seated ball for circulation while scraping. Drilling and casing scraping are accomplished in a single trip.

Abstract: A piston has a hydraulic line going through it and is held in position with one or more shear pins or similar breakable retainers. The piston blocks the flow to the window mill circulation ports until a pressure level is reached that breaks the breakable members to allow the piston to move. The piston moves into a larger bore to allow bypass flow through lateral openings. The piston is captured in the larger diameter chamber after passing the lateral openings. Piston movement pushes out some of the high pressure tubing through the window mill where initial rotation of the window mill along the whipstock face causes the extending tubing to be ground off. A rupture disc and high pressure hoses are no longer needed for a significant cost savings from prior designs.

Abstract: A watermelon mill has a cutting structure mounted on a removable sleeve. The mandrel can be in two pieces threaded together to trap a ring or lug extending internally from the sleeve. Alternatively the sleeve can serve as a coupling holding together opposed threaded components that then make up the mandrel. The mandrel can have a radial external shoulder to act as a sleeve travel stop and another sleeve can be pushed into the first sleeve that has the cutting structure on it for proper axial fixation. The second sleeve that does not have cutting structure is pushed into position by making up an adjacent pin and box combination at a nearby connection to the cutting structure. What results is a flexible assembly that assembles without welding and retains greater flexibility in the larger sizes due to the assembly method. The sleeve can be tossed when the cutting structure is spent or redressed and remounted for another use.

Abstract: A BHA features an MWD tool connected to a running tool supporting a whipstock that is connected to an open hole anchor. The anchor is flow set and after the anchor is set the running tool collets release from the whipstock to allow cement to be pumped through the anchor to hold the set position. The collets are released from the whipstock also with flow and after the anchor has been set. One way is to use nozzles in series. Another is to run in with a ball on the anchor seat, set the anchor and blow out the ball seat so flow can again be used to release the running tool collets. Another is suspending a ball above the anchor seat, releasing the ball with pressure cycle, open another flow passage to allow collet release of the whipstock. Finally, pressure can be used to release the running tool collets.

Abstract: A drilling assembly is tripped in a cased hole to make more open hole. The assembly features retracted scrapers and a closed circulation sub so that the drilling can commence with string pressure delivered to bit nozzles due to the circulation sub being in a closed position. When drilling is done and the bit is to be removed, an object lands on a seat on a sleeve that acts as a piston to break scraper retainers for casing scraping deployment and to open the circulation port. A bypass opens around the seated ball when the sleeve shifts to allow flow around the seated ball for circulation while scraping. Drilling and casing scraping are accomplished in a single trip.

Abstract: A valve for subterranean whipstock service has a side port and a through passage with a biased movable sleeve to shift between circulation mode into the annulus and flow through mode for setting an anchor and then feeding window mill nozzles. The valve is run in when in circulation mode to allow operation of a measurement while drilling device. When the whipstock is properly oriented the pressure is increased to break a shear pin to allow a spring to bias the sleeve to the flow through position. The shifting of the sleeve opens a bypass passage around the restriction orifice that was first used to build pressure to break the shear pins that let the sleeve move under spring bias. As a result the spring can hold the sleeve in position despite high flow rates needed to remove cuttings from the mill as the window is opened.

Abstract: A valve for subterranean whipstock service has a side port and a through passage with a biased movable sleeve to shift between circulation mode into the annulus and flow through mode for setting an anchor and then feeding window mill nozzles. The valve is run in when in circulation mode to allow operation of a measurement while drilling device. When the whipstock is properly oriented the pressure is increased to break a shear pin to allow a spring to bias the sleeve to the flow through position. The shifting of the sleeve opens a bypass passage around the restriction orifice that was first used to build pressure to break the shear pins that let the sleeve move under spring bias. As a result the spring can hold the sleeve in position despite high flow rates needed to remove cuttings from the mill as the window is opened.

Abstract: A disintegrating plug uses a setting tool to push a swage into the plug body that has external ribs that contact the wall of the surrounding tubular. The ribs retain the body to the surrounding tubular wall with frictional contact. Some leakage may ensue but in fracturing some leakage does not matter if enough volume under the right pressure reaches the formation. The sheared member during the setting comes out with the mandrel that is part of the setting tool. In an alternative embodiment one or more o-rings are used to seal while anchoring is assisted by the hardened insert(s) that can be snap fitted in using rib flexing or that can be a c-ring that is expanded and snapped in. The o-ring(s) are axially spaced from the insert(s).

Abstract: A whipstock anchor is hydraulically set and locked in the set position. Release occurs with a pull induced component failure that relieves hydraulic pressure that allows the slips to retract. Release can occur with a remotely actuated circuit that burns a retainer for a piston whose movement opens a vent or initiates a chemical reaction to undermine a lock ring. Movement of a single cone or opposed cones extends the slips. The cone angles being different (cone angles do not have to be different, it is preferred to have the slip angles different) adds a skew to the slips and positions the top of the whipstock against the tubular top in a horizontal run. A bottom cap is removable to convert to setting by set down weight or to attach a hydraulically operated packer below the slips. Slips can be extended with radial movement of pistons.

Abstract: A test packer is lowered to a set liner hanger in a locked position that prevents the seal and slips from setting during running in. A first ball is dropped to shift a sleeve to release the grip of dogs to a groove on an outer housing. Setting down weight sets the test packer seal and sets the slips. After the casing integrity pressure test is done the test packer is lifted to again position the groove in the outer housing by the dogs. A second ball lands on the same seat now enlarged due to earlier movement and breaks a retainer on a locking sleeve. A spring return or continued downhole motion of the locking sleeve locks the packer in the run in position. Subsequent rotation and circulation can take place as completion fluid is circulated in. A circulation port above the packer can be opened optionally for circulation or reversing above the test packer.

Abstract: A watermelon mill has a cutting structure mounted on a removable sleeve. The mandrel can be in two pieces threaded together to trap a ring or lug extending internally from the sleeve. Alternatively the sleeve can serve as a coupling holding together opposed threaded components that then make up the mandrel. The mandrel can have a radial external shoulder to act as a sleeve travel stop and another sleeve can be pushed into the first sleeve that has the cutting structure on it for proper axial fixation. The second sleeve that does not have cutting structure is pushed into position by making up an adjacent pin and box combination at a nearby connection to the cutting structure. What results is a flexible assembly that assembles without welding and retains greater flexibility in the larger sizes due to the assembly method. The sleeve can be tossed when the cutting structure is spent or redressed and remounted for another use.