Abstract: A well packer can include a seal element adapted to extend continuously about a tubular, the seal element including a swellable material, and multiple longitudinally extending cement flow channels formed on an exterior of the seal element. A method of constructing a well packer for use in cementing a tubular in a wellbore can include forming a seal element having multiple longitudinally extending cement flow channels on an exterior thereof, the seal element including a swellable material, and positioning the seal element on the tubular, the seal element extending continuously about the tubular. A method of cementing a tubular in a wellbore can include flowing cement through an annulus between the tubular string and the wellbore, the flowing including flowing the cement through multiple longitudinally extending cement flow channels on a seal element which continuously encircles the tubular, and swelling a swellable material of the seal element.

Abstract: A settable down hole tool is of increased drillability and/or of increased expansibility. The improvement in drillability can be caused by fracturing cast iron slips into a large number of small pieces that can be circulated out of a well without further reduction in size. The improvement in expansibility can be partially caused by providing an expander cone of increased hardness thereby allowing an increased angle on the expander cone and slips. The improvement in expansibility can be partially caused by increasing the thickness of the slips.

Abstract: A turbine-pump system adapted for use with well liquid that is displaceable within a well conduit. The turbine-pump system may include a bowl assembly; and a bowl support device fixedly attachable to the bowl assembly and selectively engageable with the well conduit for holding a portion of the bowl assembly in substantially axially, radially and rotationally fixed relationship with the well conduit.

Abstract: Exemplary drill tools for placement in a drill string may include a body; a plurality of reamer cutters; and a plurality of ball and socket connectors configured to attach the plurality of reamer cutters to the body. Each of the plurality of reamer cutters may be replaceable by removing at least one of the plurality of ball and socket connectors from the reamer body. Each of the ball and socket connectors may be attached to the reamer body with bolts. Each of the ball and socket connectors may include titanium dioxide and/or titanium carbide coatings where the connectors interface with the reamer cutters.

Abstract: A pourable aqueous cement composition is disclosed. The cement composition comprises a hydraulic cement, water and a selectively removable material comprising a plurality of selectively corrodible metal powder particles dispersed within the cement or a nanomatrix powder compact, or a combination thereof. An article, including a downhole article, and more particularly a reconfigurable downhole article is disclosed. The article includes a hydraulic cement, wherein the hydraulic cement has at least partially set into a permanent form. The article also includes a selectively removable material dispersed within the cement, the selectively removable material comprising a plurality of selectively corrodible metal powder particles dispersed within the cement or a nanomatrix powder compact, or a combination thereof, wherein the selectively removable material is configured for removal in response to a predetermined wellbore condition.

Abstract: A reconfigurable downhole article is disclosed. The article comprises a base material. The article also comprises a removable material disposed on or within the base material that is configured for removal from the base material in response to a wellbore condition, wherein the base material and the removable material define a base article that is configured to perform a first function, and wherein upon removal of the removable material, the base material defines a modified article that is configured to perform a second function that is different than the first function.

Abstract: A wellbore servicing system comprising a casing string disposed within a wellbore, a work string at least partially disposed within the casing string and having a wellbore servicing tool incorporated therein, wherein the wellbore servicing tool is selectively transitionable between a jetting configuration and a mixing configuration, wherein the wellbore servicing tool is configured to transition between the jetting configuration and the mixing configuration via contact between the wellbore servicing tool and the casing upon movement of the work string upwardly within the casing string, upon movement of the work string downwardly within the casing string, or by combinations thereof.

Abstract: A convertible downhole device comprises at least one sacrificial material to provide two or more configurations so that two or more different operations or functions are performable by the downhole device, one in which the sacrificial material is fully intact and another in which the sacrificial material is at least partially removed or disappeared. The sacrificial material may be removable through any suitable method or device, such as by contacting with a fluid, by temperature, by pressure, or by combustion, ignition, or activation of a fusible or energetic material, or crushing or breaking up of a frangible material. Upon removal of the sacrificial material, the downhole device has at least one additional configuration so that at least a second operation can be performed by the downhole device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retro-fitting an explosive setting tool to a non-explosive setting tool is provided to eliminate the use of pyrotechnics when setting auxuliary tools. An explosive setting tool is retro-fitted by removing the pyrotechnic elements of the tool and replacing them with a conversion assembly including a hydraulic pump, thus converting the explosive tool into a non-explosive tool. The hydraulic pump provides the energy necessary to set the auxiliary tool. Once the auxiliary tool has been set, the non-explosive setting tool can be brought to the surface and reset using a resetting tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retro-fitting an explosive setting tool to a non-explosive setting tool is provided to eliminate the use of pyrotechnics when setting auxiliary tools. An explosive setting tool is retro-fitted by removing the pyrotechnic elements of the tool and replacing them with a conversion assembly including a hydraulic pump, thus converting the explosive tool into a non-explosive tool. The hydraulic pump provides the energy necessary to set the auxiliary tool. Once the auxiliary tool has been set, the non-explosive setting tool can be brought to the surface and reset using a resetting tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an activating mechanism (200) for guiding and controlling a downhole tool (100) and/or subsea equipment employed in connection with recovery of hydrocarbons. The activating mechanism (200) comprises an annular sleeve (21) provided with non-through-going recesses (22, 24) in the material of the annular sleeve (21), where separate replaceable elements are provided in the recesses (22, 24) to act as a pump (P), piston (S1), reservoirs (R1, R2), movable slide (S2) and pistons (25a, 25b), where these elements create a closed fluid circuit which on being subjected to a number of cyclical loads will open up a connection between the pistons (25a, 25b). A method for controlling the activating mechanism (200) is also presented.

Abstract: A modular pressure operated actuator can be coupled with a downhole tool to selectively operate it at least once. In the preferred embodiment the module can be mounted adjacent an isolation valve and after a fixed number of on and off pressure cycles allow a spring to push an actuator to operate the valve to an open position. The actuator, in another embodiment, can be reset with a tool run into the module to move the actuator back against a power spring and hold that spring force until the pressure cycling begins again. The preferred application is for a formation isolation ball valve but other valves, such as sliding sleeves, or other types of downhole tools can be actuated with the module that permits a retrofit of a hydraulic operation to a heretofore purely mechanically actuated tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retro-fitting an explosive setting tool to a non-explosive setting tool is provided to eliminate the use of pyrotechnics when setting auxiliary tools. An explosive setting tool is retro-fitted by removing the pyrotechnic elements of the tool and replacing them with a conversion assembly including a hydraulic pump, thus converting the explosive tool into a non-explosive tool. The hydraulic pump provides the energy necessary to set the auxiliary tool. Once the auxiliary tool has been set, the non-explosive setting tool can be brought to the surface and reset using a resetting tool.

Abstract: A method and device for drilling or cleaning in underground borehole including a drilling tool, a drill pipe with two pipe conduits extending up the surface and further including an arrangement for providing one drilling fluid for circulation with a drill string and a second arrangement for providing a second fluid in an annulus formed between the drill string and the wall of a wellbore.

Abstract: A series of down hole tools are assembled from a common subassembly to which are added various specialty parts to make a flow back plug, a bridge plug or a plug with a disintegratable check valve. The subassembly may be used, as is, as a ball drop plug. The components may be added through either end of the subassembly without having to take the subassembly apart. The subassembly and specialty parts may be shipped to the customer so the end user may customize the subassembly to provide a plug operable to provide a variety of functions.

Abstract: A convertible downhole device comprises at least one sacrificial material to provide two or more configurations so that two or more different operations or functions are performable by the downhole device, one in which the sacrificial material is fully intact and another in which the sacrificial material is at least partially removed or disappeared. The sacrificial material may be removable through any suitable method or device, such as by contacting with a fluid, by temperature, by pressure, or by combustion, ignition, or activation of a fusible or energetic material, or crushing or breaking up of a frangible material. Upon removal of the sacrificial material, the downhole device has at least one additional configuration so that at least a second operation can be performed by the downhole device.

Abstract: A flow back plug, a bridge plug, a ball drop plug and plug with a disintegratable check therein are made from a common subassembly including, in some embodiments, a mandrel, a slips/seal section, a setting assembly and a mule shoe. In other embodiments, the common components are a mandrel, a slips/seal section and a mule shoe. To make the flow back plug, a ball check is placed in the mule shoe. To make the bridge plug, an obstruction is inserted in the mule shoe. To make the ball drop plug, the mule shoe is left unobstructed so any ball dropped in a well seats in a tapered inlet to the mandrel. To make a plug with a disintegratable check, a ball dropped in the well is of a type that disintegrated in frac liquids. The setting assembly includes a setting rod connected to a setting device in the mandrel passage. When the plug is expanded into sealing engagement with a production string, the setting rod pulls out of the setting device leaving a passage through the mandrel and through the setting device.

Abstract: A tool that is easily convertible from a frac plug to a bridge plug is disclosed. The tool comprises a mandrel with a mule shoe connected to the lower end thereof. A closing ball is disposed in a cavity defined by the mule shoe. The mandrel is threaded to receive a plug at or near the upper end thereof to convert the frac plug to a bridge plug.

Abstract: The present invention is addressed to a method of retro-fitting a well installation to reconfigure it to provide plunger enhanced chamber lift. The method comprises the steps of providing a reel-carried supply of coil tubing, a primary seating nipple assembly, a primary seal assembly, a primary seal, a receiver housing, and a secondary seating nipple. The receiver housing is connected with the coil tubing, and the coiling tube snubbed until the primary seal engages the primary seating nipple. A wire installable and retrievable sealing plug is provided and installed within the receiver housing. The wellhead is modified to supply gas under pressure into the secondary annulus and the sealing plug is removed. A check valve assembly is provided and positioned within the coiling tube such that the secondary seal engages the secondary seating nipple. A reciprocally moveable plunger is provided and installed within the coiling tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously producing fluid from one or more zones of an oil or gas well, while injecting fluid into one or more other zones of the well, and for converting a depleted production zone into an injection zone, by remotely shifting sleeves in the apparatus to selectively align inlet and outlet ports with production and injection flow paths, respectively. A production string is provided within a completion string; the completion string has inlet and outlet ports to the well bore. One or more production sleeves have production conduits which can be selectively aligned with inlet ports by shifting the production sleeves. One or more injection sleeves have injection conduits which can be selectively aligned with outlet ports by shifting the injection sleeves.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for downhole tools enables convenient selection and actuation of a well tool assembly from among multiple well tool assemblies installed in a well. Each well tool assembly includes a control module having a selecting device and a fluid metering device. A predetermined range of pressure levels on one of multiple hydraulic lines causes the well tool assembly to be selected for actuation, a differential between pressure on that hydraulic line and pressure on another hydraulic line determines a manner of actuating the selected well tool assembly, and pressure fluctuations on one of the hydraulic lines causes fluid to be transferred from another hydraulic line to an actuator of the well tool assembly.

Abstract: A system for, and method of deploying a selected one of a plurality of tools into a subterranean well and a well employing the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a tool selector capable of receiving each of the plurality of tools into a separate location thereof and placing a selected one of the plurality of tools proximate an entrance to the subterranean well in response to a tool selection command and (2) a tool displacement mechanism, couplable to the selected one of the plurality of tools, that causes the selected one of the plurality of tools to enter and traverse at least a portion of the subterranean well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for running wireline and reeled tubing into a wellbore in which an adapter tube extends through the reeled tubing injector to enable the wireline rig to be mounted on the reeled tubing rig. A stuffing box is also provided which can easily be converted to accommodate wireline or to accommodate reeled tubing.

Abstract: A mechanical or hydraulic actuated liner hanger for supporting on an operating string to be lowered to position a liner on a tubular member in a well bore includes an integral tubular body having upper and lower annular rings thereon. A surface is provided on each ring to enable upper and lower cone segments to be positioned on each upper and lower ring, respectively, and a surface is provided on each ring that cooperates with a surface on the cone segments interlocks and retains the cone segments removably on their respective ring. A securing device may removably secure the cone segments in position on each ring. A sleeve is slidably supported on the body by lugs on the body and a recess arrangement. The sleeve includes upper and lower slip arms secured at one end on the sleeve and extending therefrom with upper and lower slip segments secured on the end of each the upper and lower slip arms.

Abstract: A downhole tool such as a tester valve originally constructed to operate with a compressible gas spring may be modified to operate with a compressible liquid spring. The volume of a spring chamber is increased. A differential area of a power piston is decreased. A flow restriction in a metering cartridge associated with the spring chamber is increased. Also, a relief valve is provided to allow fluid to be relieved from the tool into the well annulus upon expansion of the compressible liquid due to heating as the tool is lowered into a well if the expansion of liquid exceeds the available volume in the tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for converting an oil well with natural effluent rise to one with gas-lift of the effluent column, wherein the oil well has a nipple in the production tube provided with a stop-groove and smooth bearing surfaces between which a hydraulic control line comes out. For conversion an inner tube is lowered inside the production tube, the inner tube being provided with a locking system for locking the inner tube to the nipple, and with a safety valve assembly capable of closing both the passage inside the inner tube and the annular passage between the latter and the production tube, under the action of a control fluid supplied by the control line which opens between two seals on the inner tube and which bear against the smooth bearing surfaces when locking is effected.

Abstract: A low-cost, easily operable oil well packer is disclosed comprising two, spaced, circular restrainers attached to a producing casing section and connected by a hollow, flexible, cylindrical member surrounding the production casing section. The restraining members are provided with removable valve openings which are normally sealed and adjacent thereto and spaced between the threaded ends of the production casing section and the restraining members are additional valve openings which are also normally closed so that the well packer may be actuated by means of fluid pressure introduced by means of a connection from the interior of the production casing section or by means of an exterior hose.

Abstract: A well drilling rig having a rotary table for driving a drill string rotatively and having jacking mechanism for lowering casing into the well after drilling, with the jacking mechanism including fluid pressure actuated piston and cylinder means which may be left in the rig during drilling and which are positioned low enough in the rig to avoid interference with operation of the rotary table. The jacking mechanism also includes a structure which is adapted to be connected to the piston and cylinder means when the casing or other well pipe is to be lowered and which is actuable upwardly and downwardly and carries one of two pipe gripping units for progressively jacking the pipe downwardly by vertical reciprocation of that structure. The reciprocating structure may take the form of a beam extending between two pistons and actuable thereby, with a second beam being connected to cylinders within which the pistons are contained and being utilized to support the second gripping element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously producing fluid from one or more zones of an oil or gas well, while injecting fluid into one or more other zones of the well, and for converting a depleted production zone into an injection zone, by remotely shifting sleeves in the apparatus to selectively align inlet and outlet ports with production and injection flow paths, respectively. A production string is provided within a completion string; the completion string has inlet and outlet ports to the well bore. One or more production sleeves have production conduits which can be selectively aligned with inlet ports by shifting the production sleeves. One or more injection sleeves have injection conduits which can be selectively aligned with outlet ports by shifting the injection sleeves.