Abstract: An internal support apparatus and method for providing support to a tubular structure that is positioned in a wellbore. The apparatus is insertable into the tubular structure to reside in close proximity with an interior surface of the tubular structure, make light contact with an interior surface of the tubular structure, or expand the tubular structure. Thereafter, the support apparatus can remain in the tubular structure indefinitely to provide support against collapse or further collapse and allow the tubular structure to remain in operation.

Abstract: A resettable well stimulation tool is lowerable into a well bore on a length of tubing through which pressurized fluid may be forced into the tool to inflate a packer portion carried by the tool and then discharge a stimulation fluid into a portion of the well bore sealed off by the packer portion. During the inflation cycle of the tool pressurized fluid is forced downwardly into an annular tool body inflation chamber that communicates with an inflatable packer carried by the tool body. A perforated tube member coaxially carried in the inflation chamber serves to vertically distribute the inflation pressure along the length of the packer and assure its even inflation. In a straddle packer embodiment of the tool inflation and stimulation passages extend internally through the tool and are sealingly separated by an internal crossover structure, with the inflation passage being in communication with upper and lower packer members.

Abstract: A retrievable well lock for use within a subterranean member is used in cooperation with a tool for setting the lock. The lock will include an actuation assembly which is operable in response to longitudinal movement between portions of the lock. The setting tool will preferably include a power source within a housing assembly which can be selectively coupled to or decoupled from the lock assembly. The power source is associated with the setting tool through an activation assembly which will cause movement of a movable mandrel within the setting tool facilitating the selective actuation of the lock.

Abstract: A system is provided for deploying, operating and recovering well tools through flow lines. A system is also provided for deploying, operating and recovering a through flow line production logging system, the preferred system being characterized by the use of a time delay assembly in combination with a locking locator assembly and cooperating reach members with connecting collars disposed between a pump down transport assembly and the production logging tool.

Abstract: An inflatable stimulation tool designed to be deployed by coil tubing having a shuttle valve which reciprocates within the bore of a tubular mandrel. The shuttle valve, in cooperation with a reciprocally movable outer mandrel which is disposed about an inner mandrel, opens and closes various ports in the device to alternately seal and unseal the inflatable packer element. The shuttle valve also operates to open and close a flow passage through the inner mandrel to permit the passage of various stimulation fluids through the tool and into the well bore.Upon deflation of the inflatable packing means, which leaves the packing means in a somewhat distended state, the element is urged to its original close relationship with the mandrel by a return spring which cooperates with the lower tool structure to which one end of the rubber packing element is clamped to longitudinally stretch the element.

Abstract: A wireline retrievable jet cleaning tool (10) comprising an adapter axle (12), a longitudinally extending axle (16), and a nozzle housing (14) rotatably mounted around the axle (16), the nozzle housing having at least two longitudinally spaced-apart nozzle sections (18A, 18B) adapted to sweep jets of cleaning fluid over longitudinally spaced target areas in a well tool or tubular, each nozzle section (18A, 18B) preferably having at least one tangentially directed nozzle (44), at least one radially directed nozzle (48) and at least one obliquely directed nozzle (52). A longitudinally reciprocating jet cleaning tool (60) comprising a rotatable nozzle housing (64) adapted to rotate around and slide longitudinally along a fixed axle (66) responsive to increased fluid pressures is also provided.

Abstract: Pumpdown toolstring for performing operations requiring application of power downhole in horizontal or high-deviation oil or gas wells, comprising an elongate toolstring element (30), locomotive devices (31, 32A) on said toolstring element, with at least one locomotive device (32) provided at a trailing or top end of the toolstring element (30). The toolstring element (30) is tubular and has a closed leading or bottom end, whereas it is open at the opposite, top end. The leading locomotive device, (31) adapted to pull the toolstring element during pumping down, has a seal for co-operation with a seat at a no-go or nipple assembly at the bottom end of a tubing from which an extension tubing extend into the horizontal or high-deviation well. The leading locomotive device (31) sealingly surrounds the toolstring element (30) and allows sliding of the toolstring element there-through when engaging the seat.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing subsea wells with a flexible riser. The flexible riser can be modified for use either with wireline or through the flow line tools. The flexible riser eliminates the requirement for motion or heave compensating equipment associated with rigid marine riser systems. The flexible riser, lower riser package and associated surface support equipment can be used to obtain vertical access to a subsea well without the need to use a drill ship or semisubmersible.

Abstract: A valve having a tubular body with a valve seat and valve member controlled by a valve operator with provisions for latching the valve operator with the valve member in partially open position utilizing a snap ring which is propped out into a groove in the body and provides a stop maintaining the valve partially open against a spring and in which the valve operator has a receiving groove which receives the snap ring and maintains it in an out-of-the-way position upon movement of the valve operator toward full valve-open position.

Abstract: A valve which may be run in the open position, then in response to an increase in pressure in the flowway through the valve moved to closed position, and thereafter in response to a differential between pressure within and without the housing of the valve returned to open position.

Abstract: A well system for injection into a selected formation in each tubing string in a multiple formation dual string well completed for through flow line/pumpdown operation, utilizing a string of tools which may be pumped down tubing to open selected tubing sleeve valves between packers. Each tool string includes a pressure openable injection valve which seals across the open sleeve valve and is opened for formation injection flow at preselected pressures by application of tubing pressure at the surface. One type of injection valve closes to flow through when pressure opened for injection flow. The other injection valve is closed to injection flow on insertion of a closing prong having a through flow passage. Both injection valves and their respective tool strings may be individually retrieved closing sleeve valves in each tubing and the formations to injection.

Abstract: A side pocket mandrel designed primarily for controlling the flow of production fluid into a tubing string includes a sliding sleeve valve in the side wall receptacle for alternatively closing and opening the entry port into the receptacle. The sleeve valve is latched in its port-closing position, but is designed to enable removal from the receptacle bore for servicing; and a pulling tool is provided for removing the sleeve valve from the receptacle when desired. The sleeve is shifted to its port-opening position when a standing flow control valve is placed in the receptacle; and the standing valve has a large valve chamber and side entry and exit ports for the production fluid to provide for maximum flow. The standing valve provides a check valve into the producing zone, the valve closure member being a modified ball consisting of a cylindrical body with spherical ends and coacting with a spherical valve seat.

Abstract: A single control line, surface controlled subsurface safety valve for controlling flow in a well, having a valve closure member responsive to the longitudinal movement of an operator tube disposed in the bore of the safety valve. The operator tube is moved to a position opening the valve closure member by action of a piston, housed in an annular pressure zone, which is responsive to control fluid pressure from the surface of the well. The operator tube is returned to a position closing the valve closure member by action of a resilient urging means housed in an annular chamber located above the annular pressure zone. There is no pressure differential between the bore of the safety valve and the annular chamber housing the resilient urging means.

Abstract: A pumpdown system in which the pistons providing for movement of the train into and out of the well do not travel down into the tubing below the wellhead and are connected to tools through reach rods extending down into the tubing. The cathead effect resulting from working around the loop with pistons is minimized by guides which substantially center the pistons in the loop and in the preferred form by the use of straight sections of the loop.

Abstract: A landing nipple, adaptable to be made up in a tubing string having a sliding sleeve disposed in its bore for selectively providing communication of balance and control pressure fluid to the nipple bore. When the sleeve is shifted to its first, upper position, balance fluid is conducted via the nipple to a tubing retrievable safety valve placed in the tubing string below the nipple. In the event the tubing retrievable safety valve is taken out of service, a secondary safety valve can be landed in the nipple, the sleeve shifted to its downward, second position, opening sleeve ports for conducting control and balance fluids to the landed, secondary safety valve.

Abstract: A well safety system comprising a tubing retrievable safety valve adaptable for being connected in a well tubing string with means therein, responsive to pressure, for opening and closing the valve. The tubing retrievable safety valve is to be connected, in the tubing string, below a landing nipple for receiving a secondary safety valve. The safety valve and landing nipple are connected by a common conduit for conducting a suitable pressure fluid for control and balance of the safety valve and a secondary valve landed in the landing nipple. Means are provided on the landing nipple for selectively flushing pressure fluid into the tubing bore. This abstract of the disclosure is neither intended to define the scope of the invention which, of course, is measured by the claims nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: A piston for use as a TFL locomotive or well swab having a seal unit forming a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of a flow conductor or tubing string. The seal unit comprising at least one annular fin or lip extending radially from the piston. The annular fin or lip having an exterior portion formed from elastomeric material which is deformable to seal with the flow conductor and an interior portion formed from elastomeric material molded on wire mesh. The interior portion providing increased wear resistance and strength for the annular lip. In one version, the piston carries several individual seal units each having an annular lip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a well tool having a pawl for engaging a surface in a well. Once the pawl engages the well surface and has performed its intended function, it is rendered inoperative. The well tool is retrieved from the well and the pawl redressed. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A kickover tool for installing or retrieving well equipment from side pocket mandrels in which a centralizing device is ineffective as the tool is run and which has springs that move to a new position after this tool begins reverse movement in the well to kick the tool into a position to install or retrieve equipment when the tool reaches a side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pumpdown tool for a well, the tool including a housing having a circumferentially extending seal on its outer surface and having a circumferential centralizer to protect the seal while the tool is being run in the well tubing.