Abstract: A tieback string assembly features a metal to metal nose seal weighted down with casing extending between a lower end of a telescoping joint optionally having metal to metal seals for spacing out to a wellhead casing hanger. The telescoping joint is located so that the hanging weight off the telescoping joint lower end is sufficient to energize the metal to metal nose seal engaged to a sleeve or a liner top packer. The tieback string is smaller in outside diameter than the parent casing through which it is run. The assembly retains high pressure by avoiding lower pressure rated elastomers in the nose seal or the telescoping joint.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of sealing a tieback to a tubular. The method includes, positioning a metal deformable member of the tieback within a tubular and contacting the tubular with a sleeve of the tieback. Moving the sleeve in a first axial direction thereby contacting and radially deforming a first portion of the deformable member by axially compressing the deformable member and sealably engaging the tubular with the radially deformed first portion.

Abstract: An improved liner hanger comprises a mandrel having a piston housing and a plurality of spring slots disposed on the outer wall surface of the mandrel. Each spring slot having at least one spring disposed therein. The liner hanger also has a slip housing having a plurality of slips operatively associated therewith, a spring adjustment sleeve, and an adjustment sleeve ring. The location of the spring slots on the outer wall surface of the mandrel permits an increase in the number of springs utilized for setting the liner hanger. The spring adjustment sleeve and adjustment sleeve ring permit easy and safe assembly and disassembly of the liner hanger. Additionally, when actuated to move from its run-in position to its set position, springs, slip housing, and slips all move upward.

Abstract: A tie back assembly that uses expansion for connection and sealing is disclosed. The male component does not have any wall portions removed to hold a resilient seal. A seal is an option as anchoring and sealing can be accomplished by the expansion alone. The pressure rating of the connection is not reduced by material removed to accommodate a seal. A variety of expansion techniques can be used and the expansion can be done in a single trip with the insertion of the tie back assembly into the receptacle or in a separate trip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a liner wiper plug into a well bore on a workstring with a liner pipe, releasing the wiper plug from the workstring, and giving a positive indication of release of the wiper plug. A sleeve captures a collet to a latch ring until a plug is pumped down the workstring to cause a pressure buildup, which shears a shear screw, allowing the sleeve to shift, releasing the latch ring and the wiper plug from the workstring. A rupture disk is provided in the event of jamming of the apparatus, to allow pressurization above the wiper plug, shearing a weak link in the latch ring to release the wiper plug.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for pumping segregated fluids through a tubular member, such as is required when cementing a liner into a well bore. A liner wiper plug has an internal bore formed therethrough, with a flapper valve mounted in the liner wiper plug. The flapper valve can pivot to an open position to allow fluid flow through the wiper plug, and the flapper valve can pivot to a closed position to prevent fluid flow through the wiper plug. A work string, or a stinger attached to a work string, can be positioned within the internal bore of the wiper plug, holding the flapper valve in the open position. The wiper plug can be run into the well on the work string, with the flapper valve held open, and with flow of a first fluid in progress. The wiper plug can be releasably supported from the liner. The work string is withdrawn from the wiper plug to allow the flapper valve to close.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for cementing a liner string in a well bore. The apparatus comprises an operating string having a smaller diameter than the internal diameter of the liner string which is insertable therein. The operating string is connected within the internal diameter of the liner string and may be operated by rotation of the operating string to release the string from the liner. A plug is connected to the lower end of the operating string and has a top plug which is releasably supported from the plug carrying body together with a longitudinally spaced bottom plug which is releasably supported from the top plug. The top plug is pressure releasable relative to the plug carrying body, as is the bottom plug to the top plug, and a retainer on the bottom plug, respectively. A shift is provided for locking the top plug to the plug carrying body until the bottom plug is released by application of pressure.

Abstract: An improved setting tool is provided for positioning, setting, and releasing a liner in a subterranean wellbore. The setting tool includes a plurality of fingers, each biased for locking engagement with axially spaced recesses provided in the wall of the tool mandrel axially above a lowermost position of the liner hanger connecting nut. The fingers are automatically forced upward into a release position when interference rollers move radially out of their respective recesses and separate a plurality of axially movable sleeves. Premature release of the liner is avoided by positioning the recesses in the mandrel such that the fingers are in a lock position when the tool string is either in tension or compression. The liner can be rotated after setting the liner hanger, so that the setting tool and drill string can thereafter be reliably retrieved by simple axial pick-up.

Abstract: A slip gripping mechanism is shown for supporting a string of cylindrical conduit within the interior bore of a circumscribing well conduit. A cone retaining ring engages a plurality of floating cone segments which define spaced longitudinal slots on the outside of the cylindrical conduit. Vertically shiftable slips are carried in the slots by side edges which engage mating profiles formed in the slots. The slots form guideways for the slips for shifting the slips upwardly and outwardly between a set position engaging the circumscribing conduit and an unset position. The cone retaining ring is internally threaded and engages a mating externally threaded surface on the cylindrical conduit to fix the cone segments and prevent axial movement with respect to the cylindrical conduit.

Abstract: A device and method are shown for testing a packer in a well bore where the packer has an internal bore for conducting fluids and external gripping and sealing means for gripping and sealing the surrounding well bore. The packer is first set at a desired depth within the well bore. The test tool is then made up on a tubing string and has an external collet for engaging a recess provided within the interior bore of the packer. An external shear sleeve on the test tool is initially positioned to underlie the collet fingers when the collet fingers are received within the packer recess to retain the packer on the test tool. A fluid port communicates the test tool internal bore with a pressure responsive area of the shear sleeve for shearing the sleeve and releasing the collet fingers. The packer is then tested by applying pressurized fluid to the well annulus above the set packer. By shearing off the shear sleeve, the test tool can be retrieved to the well surface, leaving the set packer in the well bore.