Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, according to which a tool is fabricated of a material that breaks up or dissolves in the presence of a fluid and is inserted in the wellbore for performing a function in the wellbore. The fluid is then introduced to the tool to break up or dissolve portions of the tool and the remaining portions of the tool fall to the bottom of the well.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore, according to which a tool inserted into the wellbore for performing a function in the wellbore is fabricated of a material that breaks up upon detonation of an explosive mounted on the tool, thus allowing the pieces of the tool to fall to the bottom of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore, according to which a tool inserted into the wellbore for performing a function in the wellbore is fabricated of a material that breaks up upon detonation of an explosive mounted on the tool, thus allowing the pieces of the tool to fall to the bottom of the wellbore.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a device in a well, according to which a sensor is embedded in the device for sensing a condition of the device, and outputting a signal in response to the condition.

Abstract: A system and method for sensing and monitoring the status/performance of components of a downhole tool to enable any problems to be corrected.

Abstract: An apparatus (38) and method for sequentially packing an interval of a wellbore (32) is disclosed. The apparatus (38) comprises a cross-over assembly (40) having first and second exit ports (58, 62). The cross-over assembly (40) has a fracturing configuration wherein the first exit port (58) is open and the second exit port (62) is closed and a gravel packing configuration wherein the first exit port (58) is closed and the second exit port (62) is open. The apparatus (38) also includes a gravel packing assembly (42) that has an inlet that receives the gravel packing slurry from the second exit port (62) and a plurality of outlets (72) that allow for the delivery the gravel slurry to a plurality of locations along the length of a sand control screen (52).

Abstract: An apparatus (38) and method for sequentially packing an interval of a wellbore (32) is disclosed. The apparatus (38) comprises a cross-over assembly (40) having first and second exit ports (58, 62). The cross-over assembly (40) has a fracturing configuration wherein the first exit port (58) is open and the second exit port (62) is closed and a gravel packing configuration wherein the first exit port (58) is closed and the second exit port (62) is open. The apparatus (38) also includes a gravel packing assembly (42) that has an inlet that receives the gravel packing slurry from the second exit port (62) and a plurality of outlets (72) that allow for the delivery the gravel slurry to a plurality of locations along the length of a sand control screen (52).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a frangible rupture disc or other frangible device from a wellbore casing. The casing has a special casing section defining a plurality of holes therethrough. Rupturable glass ceramic discs or inserts are disposed in the holes and retained therein. The glass ceramic discs or inserts are adapted to withstand fluid differential pressure normally present in the wellbore but are rupturable in response to impingement by a pressure wave thereon. The pressure wave is provided by a pressure wave generating device positionable in the casing string adjacent to the holes in the special casing section. The pressure generative device may generate a pressure pulse or an acoustical wave. Methods of perforating a well casing using a pressure pulse or an acoustical wave are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening perforations in a casing string. The casing string has a special casing section defining a plurality of holes therethrough. Rupturable ceramic discs or inserts are disposed in said holes and retained therein. The ceramic discs or inserts are adapted to withstand the fluid differential pressures normally present in the wellbore but are rupturable in response to impact by a mild explosive charge. The explosive charge is provided by detonating a length of det-cord disposed in the casing string adjacent to the holes in the special casing section. A method of perforating using this apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ball drop head for dropping balls into a tubing or casing string of a well. The ball drop head has a central container with at least one ball carrier ring rotatably disposed therein. A ball cavity is defined in the ring, and a ball is disposed therein. The ball is biased radially inwardly toward the container so that when the ring is rotated to align the cavity with a ball release opening defined in the container, the ball is pushed through the ball release opening to enter and fall through a central opening in the container. The ring may be rotated manually or remotely, such as by inflating a pneumatic or hydraulic bellows. Additional rings may be mounted on the container to use in dropping additional balls. A method of dropping balls into a well is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for downhole injection and mixing of fluids into a cement slurry. The apparatus includes embodiments which either carry a fluid to the proper injection point in a wellbore or maintain it at the proper injection point until activated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus is characterized as a cementing plug having a fluid holding chamber therein. When the plug is pumped downwardly in the wellbore, the fluid in the chamber is flowed out of the chamber and mixed with the cement slurry by a venturi effect. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is characterized by a casing portion having a fluid holding chamber therein. A solenoid valve controls communication of the chamber with the well annulus, and fluid flow through the well annulus causes the fluid in the chamber to be flowed outwardly by a venturi effect. The second embodiment includes a casing shoe disposed below the fluid holding chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for downhole injection and mixing of fluids into a cement slurry. The apparatus includes embodiments which either carry a fluid to the proper injection point in a wellbore or maintain it at the proper injection point until activated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus is characterized as a cementing plug having a fluid holding chamber therein. When the plug is pumped downwardly in the wellbore, the fluid in the chamber is flowed out of the chamber and mixed with the cement slurry by a venturi effect. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is characterized by a casing portion having a fluid holding chamber therein. A solenoid valve controls communication of the chamber with the well annulus, and fluid flow through the well annulus causes the fluid in the chamber to be flowed outwardly by a venturi effect. The second embodiment includes a casing shoe disposed below the fluid holding chamber.

Abstract: Insert type floating equipment valves for use in the cementing of casing in oil and gas wells and the like which may be retained in the casing therein through the use of slips or set screws or anchors and uses either cup type or compression type sealing members.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal annular seal for use in downhole tools which may include annular elastomeric backup seals. In each embodiment, a sealing member has a pair of annular frusto-conical lips adapted for sealing engagement with a cylindrical sealing surface on a member of a downhole tool. The sealing member may be a separate component or an integral part of another member of the downhole tool. A seal energizing member may be used.

Abstract: A stage cementer and inflation packer apparatus. The apparatus comprises a mandrel with an external closing sleeve and an operating sleeve interlocked therewith. Below the operating sleeve is an opening sleeve. The opening sleeve is mechanically acutated by a pump-down plug in a plug-operated embodiment or by a differential pressure acting on the opening sleeve in a hydraulically operated embodiment, to actuate the opening sleeve to allow inflation of the packer element. A back check valve prevents the packer from deflating. After the packer is inflated, additional pressure is applied which ruptures a rupture disc to open a port to the well annulus above the set packer element. Cementing may be carried out through this port, and after the cementing operating, a plug engages the operating sleeve to move the operating sleeve in the external closure sleeve, thereby closing the cementing port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which permit stage cementing within a well bore by means of a well tool which includes a cementer having cementing ports which may be responsively opened and closed by means of a knife gate valve. The knife gate valve is disposed within the housing between outer and inner cylindrical walls and being slidable therein between an open position, wherein the cementing port is open and fluid may be communicated therethrough, and a closed position, wherein the cementing port is closed thus blocking fluid communication through said port. The knife gate valve is further operationally associated with a driver assembly and trigger device adapted to receive a trigger signal and actuate the driver assembly in response thereto. In alternate exemplary embodiments, the trigger signal may comprise an acoustical, magnetic, electromagnetic wave, electrical or other suitable signal which is received by the trigger device.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic components. The material may include engineering grade plastics. The nonmetallic components may include but are not limited to the center mandrel, slips, slip wedges, slip supports and housings, spacer rings, valve housings and valve components. Methods of drilling out the apparatus without significant variations in the drilling speed and weight applied to the drill bit may be employed. Alternative drill bit types, such as polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits may also be used.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic slip components. The non-metallic material may include engineering grade plastics. In one embodiment, the slips are separate and held in place in an initial position around the slip wedge by a retainer ring. In another embodiment, the slips are integrally formed with a ring portion which holds the slips in the initial position around the wedge; in this embodiment, the ring portion is made of a fracturable non-metallic material which fractures during a setting operation to separate the slips. Methods of drilling out the apparatus without significant variations in the drilling speed and weight applied to the drill bit may be employed. Alternative drill bit types, such as polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits may also be used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of anchoring into a packer with a stinger assembly is disclosed. Further, an apparatus and method of releasing from a packer is also disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated stinger member, a plurality of collet finger members slidably attached to the stinger, a shear ring member with a chamfered shoulder containing a plurality of splined extensions, with a plurality of shear pins contained through the shear ring member. Further, the apparatus includes a load ring attached to the elongated stinger for transferring the load of the downhole tool from the collet finger members to the load ring.

Abstract: An easily drillable production packer for use in testing, treating and squeeze cementing operations in wells which may be easily converted by securing an appropriate baffle, profile, valve assembly or plug assembly to the lower end of the mandrel thereof.