Abstract: A rotating blowout preventer and method is disclosed that includes a flexible bladder that defines a pressure chamber radially outwardly of the bladder for direct activation of the bladder to allow for gas tight sealing along the variable profile of drill pipe and the irregular shape of the kelly. The pressure chamber for activating the bladder is preferably defined within the rotating seal assembly. As well, the rotating seal assembly includes both the bladder and the bearings. A pressure drop element is included within the hydraulic flow line through the rotating seal assembly so that the upper seal and bearing have a significantly reduced pressure drop for increased lifetime operation. The rotating seal assembly is hydraulically secured within the rotating blow-out preventer housing, preferably by remote control, by means of a preferred single cylindrical latch piston that moves upwardly and downwardly substantially parallel to the well bore axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for a valve seat wherein the geometry of the seat is such that the resultant axial forces due to the differential between internal and external pressure across the valve seat result in a resultant axial force that urges the valve seat into sealing engagement with the plug or other type of closure member, regardless of the direction of the differential pressure. Thus the valve seat is urged against the closure member regardless of whether the line pressure or bonnet pressure is higher. In the same manner, a resultant axial force urges a seal seat of the preferred embodiment into sealing engagement with the valve body. An axially moveable seal bearing ring is positioned between the valve seat and the seal seat that alters the effective geometry of the seat elements when it moves between a first position and a second position. The seal bearing ring moves responsively to the direction of the differential pressure across the seat elements.

Abstract: The valve operator of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for reducing torque necessary for opening and closing a valve, such as a quarter-turn rotary valve. In the preferred embodiment, an outer handle adaptor has inner curved tracks that drive balls positioned in straight slots of a middle cylinder. As the balls move in the straight slots, they transfer torque energy to a valve shaft adaptor mounted within the middle cylinder and having outer curved threads that mesh with the balls. The pitch of the curved tracks of the outer handle differ from the pitch the curved tracks of the valve shaft adaptor to thereby effect a desired torque reduction ratio. The valve operator has relatively few components, at least three or more relatively rotatable components, preferably arranged in meshing configuration so as to effect a small size operator without the use of a gear box.

Abstract: A firing head for actuating an explosive charge in a perforating gun. A firing pin is positioned within the firing head housing to actuate a booster charge leading to the perforating gun. The firing pin can be actuated by mechanical techniques, by controlling the differential pressure between the housing pressure and the well pressure, and by controlling the absolute fluid pressure inside the housing. A release pin initially secures the firing pin, and the release pin can be mechanically actuated. The release pin is also releasably engaged with a differential piston that communicates with the well pressure through a port in the firing head housing. Increases in the housing fluid pressure moves the piston and attached release pin to release the firing pin into contact with the booster charge. Alternatively, the port can be plugged to permit absolute pressure actuation of the firing pin.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for initiating a wellbore perforator comprising a first firing head for generating a first explosive signal when a first actuation signal is applied to the first firing head, a second firing head for generating a second explosive signal when a second actuation signal is applied to the second firing head, a first means for transferring the first explosive signal to shaped charges in the perforator including a first bulkhead interposed between the shaped charges and the first means for preventing transfer of low order initiation of the first means to the shaped charges, and a second means for transferring the second explosive signal to the shaped charges including a second bulkhead interposed between the shaped charges and the second means for preventing transfer of low order initiation of the second means to the shaped charges.