Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments, includes a whipstock system with a body having an upper concave and a lower end, anchor apparatus on the lower end of the body, the anchor apparatus having a movable member releasably connected to the lower end of the body, and movable radially with respect to the lower body, the lower end of the body and movable member initially occupying a first space with a first diameter, and the movable member and lower end of the body movable apart from each other to anchor the whipstock system in a wellbore tubular. In one aspect there is one or more toothed slips on the movable member for engaging an interior surface of the wellbore tubular in which the whipstock system is to be anchored. In one aspect such a system can be used "through tubing".

Abstract: A wellbore mill has been invented that has a body having a top and a bottom and a first fluid flow channel extending longitudinally therethrough from top to bottom, the first fluid flow channel having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of the first fluid flow channel having an opening sized for receiving a core of material from a tubular member milled by the mill, and at least a portion of the first fluid flow channel offset from the remainder thereof to facilitate separation of the core from the tubular member.

Abstract: An array of cutting inserts has been invented having a plurality of adjacent inserts, each insert comprising a body having a top surface, a bottom, and a base, and a plurality of spaced-apart chipbreaking indentations in the top surface of the body, and a strengthening ridge between adjacent indentations of the plurality of spaced-apart chipbreaking indentations, and a peripheral strengthening ridge around an outer edge of the top surface of the body surrounding the plurality of spaced-apart chipbreaking indentations.

Abstract: Wellbore operations (e.g. for milling and/or drilling) are disclosed which require a reduced number of tool trips into a wellbore to create a cut-out pocket, opening, or window in a tubular such as casing in the wellbore; and, in some aspects, to continue into a formation adjacent a main wellbore forming a lateral wellbore in communication with the main wellbore. Preferably one trip is required to complete a window or a window and the lateral wellbore. In one aspect a full gauge tool body is used so that the completed lateral wellbore is of a substantially uniform diameter along its entire length, which, in one aspect is suitable for the passage therethrough of full gauge tools, pipe, devices, and apparatuses. In one aspect a cutting system has cutting apparatus initially covered with a wearable away material which is worn away by contacting a tubular to be milled, exposing the cutting apparatus for milling and/or for drilling formation adjacent the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a system for securing and item in a tubular channel in a wellbore, the system having a lower body member, an upper body member, interconnecting apparatus for movably interconnecting the lower body member and the upper body member so that upon application of a downward force on the upper body member the upper body member moves downwardly in the second tubular effecting sideways movement of the lower body member so the lower body member contacts an interior surface of the tubular channel thereby wedging the lower body member and the upper body member in the tubular channel, the interconnecting apparatus having a connecting bar disposed partially in a first connecting bar groove in the lower body member and partially in a second connecting bar groove in the upper body member, and the connecting bar grooves and the connecting bar configured so that the connecting bar is movably held in the connecting bar grooves, and at least one pawl member having opposed pawl

Abstract: Wellbore operations (e.g. for milling and/or drilling) are disclosed which require a reduced number of tool trips into a wellbore to create a cut-out pocket or window in a tubular such as casing in the wellbore and, in some aspects, to continue into a formation adjacent a main wellbore forming a lateral wellbore in communication with the main wellbore. Preferably one trip is required. A milling apparatus has been invented with milling apparatus for milling a tubular member and a nose cone releasably connected to the milling apparatus and releasably connectible to a diverter that directs the milling apparatus toward the tubular member. A nose cone for a milling apparatus has been invented with a body member, the body member having a mid portion, a top portion and a lower nose portion, and the top portion releasably securable to the milling apparatus and the lower nose portion releasably securable to a concave of a whipstock.

Abstract: A method for milling an opening, slot, hole, or window in a tubular of a tubular string in a wellbore, has been invented which includes installing a mill system in the tubular at a desired milling location, and milling an opening in the tubular. In one aspect the method includes using a mill which has a weight member below the mill, above the mill, or both. In one aspect additional weight is added to the weight member once it has been introduced into the tubular string.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, in certain preferred aspects, a whipstock with a body with a top, a bottom, and a cavity in the body, a sacrificial element secured to the top of the body, the sacrificial element having at least one surface for abutment by a first mill moving down adjacent the whipstock to guide the first mill while the first mill mills a tubular in which the whipstock is positioned and the sacrificial element for inhibiting the mill from contacting the body, the first mill having a curved outer shape and a nose projecting downwardly therefrom, the nose having a nose shape, the cavity defined by sides of the body and having filler material therein, the sides of the body presenting a face for abutment by a second mill while the second mill moves down adjacent the whipstock to mill a window in the tubular, the face for guiding the second mill and inhibiting the second mill from contacting the body other than the sides thereof defining the cavity, the sacrificial element having a groove therein

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, discloses a system for selectively anchoring a wellbore tool at a desired location in a wellbore or tubular member such as casing or tubing; such a system with a selectively settable anchor assembly that has a piston that is moved upwardly by fluid under pressure from the surface thereby moving one or more movable slips out from a body of the anchor assembly to set the anchor assembly in place; and such a system with a whipstock connected to the anchor assembly. Fluid under pressure pumped from the surface down a workstring to which the system is connected flows to the anchor assembly through or adjacent the whipstock. In one aspect a mill (or mills) is releasably connected to the whipstock. In one aspect, fluid under pressure flows through or adjacent the mill(s) to the whipstock.

Abstract: A new mill has been invented which has a body, a fluid flow bore therethrough, and apparatus therein for selectively controlling the flow of fluid through the bore. In one aspect the mill is a starting mill connected to a whipstock and controlled flow of fluid through the mill results in setting of an anchor device or anchor packer below the whipstock. In one aspect the mill is initially filled with fluid and apparatus is provided in the mill to permit controlled fluid leakage from within the mill. In another aspect the mill has apparatus thereon for isolating a shear stud from a downward force imposed on the mill, the shear stud releasably connecting the mill to a whipstock.

Abstract: A downhole wellbore tool has been developed which has a lower movable valve apparatus which, when it contacts a member in a wellbore or in a tubular in a wellbore, is moved to close off fluid flow through the item to which the valve apparatus is attached. In one aspect, such a valve apparatus is used below a mill above which is positioned a downhole motor which rotates the mill for milling. Actuation of the valve apparatus results in a cessation of the circulation of the motive fluid flowing to and through the motor so that milling stops. In one aspect the valve is selectively operable so that milling may be resumed. In another aspect such a tool is useful for indicating a known location in a wellbore when a decrease or cessation in fluid flow or a decrease in pressure is noticed at the surface.

Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments, includes a wellbore tool side support or stabilizer (in one aspect for a concave of a whipstock in a wellbore or in a tubular) which has one or more movable members or bars which are movable from a non-supporting position in, partially in, or on a tool (or device or apparatus) to a position in which it or they provide lateral support on a side of the tool. In certain embodiments such a side support has a plurality of bars which initially are disposed within a tool, such as a whipstock; and which are then moved by an interconnecting setting bar so that they project from a side of the whipstock opposite a concave face of the whipstock, thus insuring correct positioning of the concave face for milling operations. Preferably, the supports or bars are locked in place upon reaching a desired orientation. In one aspect a shock absorber is interconnected between the whipstock and an installation tool or setting tool assembly.

Abstract: A downhole wellbore tool has been developed which has a lower movable valve apparatus which, when it contacts a member in a wellbore or in a tubular in a wellbore, is moved to close off fluid flow through the item to which the valve apparatus is attached. In one aspect, such a valve apparatus is used below a mill above which is positioned a downhole motor which rotates the mill for milling. Actuation of the valve apparatus results in a cessation of the circulation of the motive fluid flowing to and through the motor so that milling stops. In one aspect the valve is selectively operable so that milling may be resumed. In another aspect such a tool is useful for indicating a known location in a wellbore when a decrease or cessation in fluid flow or a decrease in pressure is noticed at the surface.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, discloses a whipstock system having an orientation device; a flexion member releasably secured to the orientation device; co-acting lower and upper body members, the lower body member interconnected with the flexion member; a connecting bar which connects the upper and lower body members permitting the upper body member to move downwardly with respect to the lower body member while preventing separation of the two body members; and a concave member secured to and above the upper body member. In one preferred embodiment, one or more movable pawls on the connecting bar move to engage surfaces on one or both body members to prevent upward movement of the upper body member with respect to the lower body member, or conversely movement of the lower body member downwardly away from the upper body member; and movement of the one or more pawls in contact with both body members also forces the two body members apart further stabilizing the system in a tubular.

Abstract: Milling operations are disclosed which require a reduced number of tool trips into a wellbore to create a cut-out pocket or window in a tubular such as casing in the wellbore. Preferably one or two trips are required. A milling system is disclosed which is useful in such operations which includes a whipstock with an orientation member secured thereto and a milling apparatus with one or more mills and an extending joint, if needed, with a central channel therethrough for receiving the orientation member as the milling apparatus moves down in the wellbore. Such a system may be used in a single-trip milling operation. The milling apparatus is useful in a two-trip operation in which no orientation member is attached to the whipstock and in which a starting mill is initially run in on a first trip to create an initial pocket in the casing.

Abstract: An indicator device has been invented for indicating correct orientation of an orienting receptacle and an associated wellbore tool secured to the orienting receptacle with respect to an anchor fixed in an interior of a longitudinal channel, the anchor having a top end, the indicator device having a rod having a top end and a bottom end and movably disposed in and extending through a tool central channel of the wellbore tool and with a bottom portion extending into the orienting receptacle; the bottom end of the rod disposed for contact by the top end of the anchor and the rod movable upwardly in the tool central channel by the top end of the anchor as the orienting receptacle moves down on the anchor to correctly orient the wellbore tool.

Abstract: The present invention includes, in one embodiment, a receptacle for use in orienting a tool or member in a wellbore or in a tubular with respect to an anchor (or other member) anchored in the wellbore or tubular. In one aspect the receptacle has hollow cylindrical body with a tapered nose and a lower alignment assembly in a bottom of the hollow body member. The lower alignment assembly receives and releasably holds a top portion of the anchor and facilitates its movement through and orientation with respect to the receptacle. In one aspect the receptacle also includes an upper locking assembly which receives and locks onto the anchor. An anchor according to this invention has a guide key according to this invention with dual opposed carved surfaces which co-act with curved surfaces on the tapered nose of the receptacle's body to facilitate movement of the receptacle in a correct orientation down over the top to the anchor.

Abstract: A whipstock assembly which includes a guide section and a setting section, wherein the setting section is configured to facilitate slight rotation of said setting section when the whipstock is set within a well, which rotation urges the guide section securely against the sidewall of the wellbore. Setting section includes a surface which will serve as a fulcrum, and a radially moveable element which serves to apply a force to one side of the whipstock, allowing the whipstock assembly to move as a lever, wherein the guide section is caused to meet the wellbore sidewall.

Abstract: An apparatus is established which facilitates the cutting and removal of well casing on a single trip into the wellbore. The apparatus is run into the wellbore on the tubing string and provides a rotatable sleeve including grapples adapted to engage the casing, and to facilitate removal of the casing. The apparatus also includes cutting assemblies coupled to the mandrel, which may be rotated so as to cut the casing, thereby facilitating removal of the casing through use of the grapples.

Abstract: This miling tool for underground work consists of a tool body which has a plurality of cutter blades. Each cutter blade has a negative axial rake and an essentially constant negative radial rake. In addition, each cutter arm has a close packing of cylindrical cutting grade tungsten carbide inserts set at a lead angle of about 0 to 10 degrees. The inserts are also preferably vertically offset on adjacent cutting blades.