Abstract: A retrievable well packing tool suitable for high pressure environments which is hydraulically set within a well bore and thereafter mechanically released. The packer includes a pressure compensator which enhances the setting force, maintains a continual setting force during well operations, and equalizes differential pressures during release. Dual slips are provided to ensure rigid anchoring of the packer to the casing wall. The short, compact design of the packing tool facilitates running through the casing while reducing manufacturing costs. Inadvertent presetting of the packer is presented by positively locking all components.

Abstract: A well packer is shown which is particularly suitable for use in high temperature well environments, such as in fire flooding and steam injection secondary recovery techniques. The well packer has a central mandrel which extends within an outer assembly, including a top body with an interior bore, which circumscribes the central mandrel. The central mandrel has an external flange region about a portion of the circumference, for contacting abutment members within the top body bore when the mandrel is rotated within the body, to transmit torque to the outer assembly. A seal element in the outer assembly moves radially outwardly between a retracted and extended configuration to sealingly engage the well bore. A slip-cone assembly carried in the outer assembly moves between retracted and extended positions to grip the well bore and anchor the tool.

Abstract: A liner hanger is shown of the type used to hang a well liner in a surrounding well bore. The hanger includes a tubular mandrel which is connectible in a liner string. A set of circumferentially-spaced gripping slips are mounted about the mandrel with each slip having a spring arm extending therefrom in alignment with the axis of the mandrel. A tapered, slip expander cone is mounted on the mandrel exterior above each of the slips for expanding the slips radially outwardly in the direction of the surrounding well bore responsive to opposite relative movement of the slips and cones. At least one channel guide is formed on the exterior of the mandrel in longitudinal alignment with one of the expander cones. The channel guide includes a slot portion for slidably receiving the spring arm of one of the gripping slips for supporting the slip on the exterior of the mandrel.

Abstract: A valve used in a drill stem test tool has a ball movable between an open position to allow flow through the drill string for testing and a closed position to block flow. Operating means move the ball between the open and closed positions in response to pressures in the well annulus. A nitrogen filled pressure chamber and pressure balancing piston compensate for variations in annular pressure as the tool is being lowered into position in the well. Actuating means including a weight operated sleeve are operated from the surface to overcome the compensating effect of the pressure balancing piston to allow the ball to be rotated to the open position. The ball is spring biased toward the closed position by a coil spring located inside the pressure chamber. Relieving pressure in the annulus causes the spring to close the ball.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulically operable well packer for releasable setting within a well conduit, including a seal assembly for sealing the packer to the conduit and an anchor assembly for anchoring the packer to the conduit. The seal assembly includes sealing members for engaging the conduit as well as secondary sealing members for engaging a central mandrel of the packer, both sets of sealing members being constructed of material which permits the mandrel to remain sealed to the well conduit in the presence of high temperatures. The packer may be released by straight longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to the outer packer assembly.

Abstract: A shifting sleeve retrieval mechanism for use in a valve having a stretched and collapsed configuration and an outer valve member adapted to be fixed against longitudinal movement and an inner valve member adapted to move longitudinally with the outer valve member. A shifting sleeve surrounds a length of the inner valve member and moves longitudinally with respect to both inner and outer valve members. The inner valve member has a shoulder thereon which rides under the shifting sleeve when the valve is collapsed and engages the shifting sleeve when the valve is elongated, thereby moving the shifting sleeve to its original position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anchoring assembly for anchoring well equipment within a surrounding well conduit. In one form of the invention, the anchoring assembly is specifically described for use as an hydraulically set, retrievable liner hanger. A modified form of the invention describes the anchoring assembly employed with a seal to function as an hydraulically set, retrievable well packer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retrievable, hydraulically set well packer which is locked in set position without need for tubing rotation and may be released from set position by shearing a retrieving link with either a straight pull on the production tubing or by the application of high pressure through the tubing. Dual, opposed cones are employed for retaining the packer slips anchored irrespective of the direction of the pressure differential acting on the packer and without need for an extra sleeve to transmit pressure induced forces to the cones. Compression seals are employed to hold the slips firmly anchored against longitudinal displacement in both directions without reliance on the presence of a pressure differential across the set packer. The seals are employed as two separate assemblies which are positioned above and below the slips to isolate a portion of the pressure induced forces from the retrieving link.