Abstract: An automatic tubing release mechanism is adapted to be disposed in a wellbore between a tubing, on one end, and a perforating gun, on the other end. The release mechanism includes a frangible breakup tube, firing head positioned above the breakup tube, and the perforating gun positioned below the breakup tube when the release mechanism is disposed in the wellbore. A detonating cord is interconnected between the firing head and the perforating gun via the breakup tube. When the firing head detonates the perforating gun, the breakup tube shatters.

Abstract: A hydrostatic setting tool, adapted for setting an anchored device in a wellbore, includes a housing having a pair of ports exposed to well fluid at hydrostatic pressure. The ports lead to a shoulder of a setting mandrel. A barrier is disposed diametrically across the setting tool and an oil chamber is disposed between the setting mandrel and the barrier. The barrier includes an oil metering orifice disposed through a center thereof. A selectively operable apparatus, initially disposed in a closed position and blocking the oil metering orifice, is adapted to change from the closed position to an open position in response to a current delivered thereto from the well surface. An air chamber is disposed on the other side of the barrier. The well fluid places hydrostatic pressure on the shoulder of the setting mandrel thereby placing the same pressure on the oil in the oil chamber.

Abstract: A well apparatus adapted to be disposed in a wellbore includes a perforating apparatus and a packer adapted to set and isolate an annulus above the packer from a rathole annulus below the packer, the perforating apparatus including a new and novel rathole differential pressure balanced firing system where the firing system includes a ball release sleeve holding a firing piston, means for initially opening a top end and a bottom end of the ball release sleeve to the rathole annulus below the packer; and a plurality of sequentially operable hydraulic systems, the top end of the ball release sleeve being initially open to the rathole annulus below the packer but being subsequently closed to the rathole annulus below the packer and then reopened to the annulus above the packer when the packer is set.

Abstract: A tension actuated device is adapted to be connected between a pipe string and an object stuck downhole in a wellbore and does not disconnect the pipe string from the object in response to a transient or temporary shock load that is temporarily applied to the pipe string. Rather, the tension actuated device selectively disconnects the pipe string from the object stuck downhole by continuously applying a pulling force of a predetermined magnitude to the device via the pipe string for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A hydrostatic setting tool, adapted for setting an anchored device in a wellbore, includes a housing having a pair of ports exposed to well fluid at hydrostatic pressure. The ports lead to a shoulder of a setting mandrel. A barrier is disposed diametrically across the setting tool and an oil chamber is disposed between the setting mandrel and the barrier. The barrier includes an oil metering orifice disposed through a center thereof. A selectively operable apparatus, initially disposed in a closed position and blocking the oil metering orifice, is adapted to change from the closed position to an open position in response to a current delivered thereto from the well surface. An air chamber is disposed on the other side of the barrier. The well fluid places hydrostatic pressure on the shoulder of the setting mandrel thereby placing the same pressure on the oil in the oil chamber.

Abstract: A new method of standalone perforating comprises the steps of lowering a perforator part-way into a borehole on a tubing string; when perforating is desired, connecting a wireline to the perforator; disconnecting the perforator from the tubing string; lowering the perforator into the borehole to the desired depth; attaching the perforator to the borehole casing or formation by setting an anchor on the perforator; disconnecting all wireline and associated apparatus from the perforator; withdrawing the wireline apparatus to the well surface; with the perforator standing alone in the well, firing the perforator into the surrounding formation; and dropping the perforator to the bottom of the well. A new apparatus for releasing the perforator from the tubing string includes a neutral release latch mechanism, and a new anchoring apparatus includes two interleaved coil springs having beveled shaped surfaces.

Abstract: A new method of standalone perforating comprises the steps of lowering a perforator part-way into a borehole on a tubing string; when perforating is desired, connecting a wireline to the perforator; disconnecting the perforator from the tubing string; lowering the perforator into the borehole to the desired depth; attaching the perforator to the borehole casing or formation by setting an anchor on the perforator; disconnecting all wireline and associated apparatus from the perforator; withdrawing the wireline apparatus to the well surface; with the perforator standing alone in the well, firing the perforator into the surrounding formation; and dropping the perforator to the bottom of the well. A new apparatus for releasing the perforator from the tubing string includes a neutral release latch mechanism, and a new anchoring apparatus includes two interleaved coil springs having beveled shaped surfaces.

Abstract: A new method of standalone perforating comprises the steps of lowering a perforator part-way into a borehole on a tubing string; when perforating is desired, connecting a wireline to the perforator; disconnecting the perforator from the tubing string; lowering the perforator into the borehole to the desired depth; attaching the perforator to the borehole casing or formation by setting an anchor on the perforator; disconnecting all wireline and associated apparatus from the perforator; withdrawing the wireline apparatus to the well surface; with the perforator standing alone in the well, firing the perforator into the surrounding formation; and dropping the perforator to the bottom of the well. A new apparatus for releasing the perforator from the tubing string includes a neutral release latch mechanism, and a new anchoring apparatus includes two interleaved coil springs having beveled shaped surfaces.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the new and improved well bore apparatus disclosed herein, a test valve is arranged to be coupled in a pipe string for positioning in a well bore. When the test valve is arranged to be selectively operated by changes in the well annulus pressure, the apparatus of the present invention includes a first normally-open pressure reference valve that may be operated to trap well annulus pressure in a chamber on the tool body to provide a reference pressure that permits the operation of the pressure-controlled test valve. The apparatus of the invention may include a second normally-open valve which is coupled to the first valve and is operated for controlling communication through a bypass passage between the interior and exterior of the tool body. An annulus pressure responsive actuator piston coupled to the first and second valves is operated by opening a rupture disc to communicate the well annulus pressure to the actuator piston.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the new and improved well bore apparatus disclosed herein, a test valve is arranged to be coupled in a pipe string for positioning in a well bore. When the test valve is arranged to be selectively operated by changes in the well annulus pressure, the apparatus of the present invention includes a first normally-open pressure reference valve that may be operated to trap well annulus pressure in a chamber on the tool body to provide a reference pressure that permits the operation of the pressure-controlled test valve. The apparatus of the invention may include a second normally-open valve which is coupled to the first valve and is operated for controlling communication through a bypass passage between the interior and exterior of the tool body. An annulus pressure-responsive actuator piston coupled to the first and second valves is operated by opening a rupture disc to communicate the well annulus pressure to the actuator piston.