Abstract: A retrievable packoff assembly for temporarily sealing a well pipe and anchoring equipment at a subsurface location within the pipe. The assembly is connected to a tubular actuation tool which is manipulated from the surface to position the assembly at a subsurface well location, set the assembly and then release from the set assembly. Right-hand tool rotation sets the assembly, releases the tool, and is subsequently employed to reengage and unset the assembly for retrieval to the surface. A bypass flow passage in the assembly is controlled by a sliding sleeve valve which is automatically closed by the right-hand tool rotation during setting and release and automatically reopened by tool rotation occurring during retrieval of the assembly. Flow through both the assembly and the bypass is confined within the actuation tool. A control flow passage in the apparatus is sealed by a retrievable blanking plug which may be removed to permit passage of equipment through the anchored assembly.

Abstract: An anchor assembly may be used for interconnecting a downhole tubular member with a packer affixed within a well bore. The anchor assembly may include a mandrel fixedly secured to production tubing, and a collet mechanism axially movable relative to the mandrel. The collet mechanism may have a plurality of axially extending collet fingers each having a first plurality of threads for mating engagement with the packer mandrel threads and a second plurality of threads for mating engagement with the anchor assembly mandrel threads. A sealed member is provided for sealing engagement between the mandrel and the downhole packer. The anchor assembly of the present invention allows substantial axial forces to be transmitted between the production tubing and the set packer without risking collapse of the packer mandrel or failure of the bearing surfaces between the production tubing mandrel and the collet mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of anchoring a work string to a packer set in a wellbore and releasing therefrom. The apparatus includes a stinger, a collet slidably disposed on the stinger and having a plurality of collet fingers adapted for engaging the packer, a shear ring member shearably attached to the stringer and adapted for holding the collet fingers into engagement with the packer. The packer may be normally released by applying torque to the work string such that the collet fingers are unthreaded from the packer. Torque is applied from the stinger to the collet fingers by a load ring attached to the stinger and having splines extending between the collet fingers so that torque may be applied to the collet without applying torque to the shear ring member.

Abstract: Preferential disconnection of a valve-actuating subassembly from a temporary abandonment safety valve and packer assembly is provided by stops which limit relative rotation between the valve-actuating subassembly within the valve along with a locking collar associated with the interconnection between the safety valve and the packer assembly so that high torque associated with rotational movement of a drill string in a highly deviated hole effects the release of the proper portion of the assembly without danger of undesirable release of other interconnections.

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: A tubular body containing a sleeve actuated safety valve is attachable to the top end of a hurricane plug. A running tool has a floating nut connection with the tubular body and a tubular extension on the running tool effects the opening of the safety valve while connected to the tubular body. After setting the hurricane plug, the running tool is disconnected from the tubular body by setdown weight, followed by rotation. A retrieving tool has an external threaded section which is threaded through an internal threaded section in the tubular body to engage the actuating sleeve for the safety valve, and effect the opening of the safety valve. Further rotation of the running tool engages the retrieving tool with the tubular body to effect the unsetting of the hurricane plug and permit the removal of the tubular body, hurricane plug and depending tool string from the well by the retrieving tool.

Abstract: A gravel packer and service tool combination for use in subterranean wells operates sequentially to lock and seal the packer in the well at a producing formation, release a mechanical connection between the packer and service tool, and open a passage through which gravel packing can be performed. Each operational step can be performed in primary and secondary fluid pressure-responsive modes of operation. The secondary mode of operation can be employed in the event the primary mode of operation fails.

Abstract: An assembly for installation within the end of a joint of casing or liner for use in a downhole environment where the liner or casing is disposed in the borehole which traverses earth formations. The assembly includes an annular split ring expander and an annular split ring slip element and a self-energizing packing element which has an interference fit with respect to the bore of a string of pipe. A mechanically operated setting tool has a set of nut members on a threaded mandrel which are selectively operated for setting the slip element of the assembly into a wedging engagement with the expander in the wall of a well pipe and for releasing the setting tool from the body of the assembly to leave the assembly installed within the end of a joint of casing or liner. An expander nut is threadedly coupled to the end of the body of the assembly to lock the slip member in position and the bore of the body is conformed to receive a valve and a landing collar arrangement.

Abstract: An assembly for installation within the end of a joint of casing or liner for use in a downhole environment where the casing or liner is disposed in the borehole which traverses earth formations. The assembly includes an annular split ring expander and an annular split ring slip element and a self-energizing packing element which has an interference fit with respect to the bore of a string of pipe. A mechanically operated setting tool has a set of nut members on a threaded mandrel which are selectively operated for setting the slip element of the assembly into a wedging engagement with the expander in the wall of a well pipe and for releasing the setting tool from the body of the assembly to leave the assembly installed within the end of a joint of casing or liner.

Abstract: An arrangement for lowering into a well bore casing on an operating string to sealably engage a packer that is supported on a tubular member so that the packer can be set either by a combination of hydraulic or mechanical action or mechanical action alone or hydraulic action alone includes a packer supported by a tubular member. An outer tubular member extends from adjacent the other end of the packer and telescopically receives the tubular member and a release mechanism releasably connects the tubular member and the outer tubular member with the operating string. A lock arrangement locks the tubular member and the outer tubular member together against relative longitudinal movement and the lock arrangement is operable after the release mechanism is actuated to disconnect the tubular member from the operating string whereupon said outer tubular member may be moved relative to the tubular member to expand the packer into sealing engagement with the casing.

Abstract: A packer and service tool assembly for oil or gas well preparation includes a disengageable coupling mechanism which permits the tool to be screwed into and out of the packer and which can be hydraulically disengaged so that the tool can be removed without applying torque to the tool or workstring. A releasable ratchet mechanism is also provided in the packer for trapping the setting loads when the packer is set in the casing. The ratchet mechanism is releasable by pulling up a housing portion which cammingly engages collapsible ratchet fingers thereby disengaging the ratchet finger trapping teeth from a stationary ratchet ring.

Abstract: A packer setting tool, a packer assembly and an attached liner assembly are lowered into a well bore at a desired depth to fix the liner therein. Cement is pumped down a tubing string, through the packer, the lining, check valves and forced upwardly in the annulus of the well bore. The pumped cement is followed by a non-setting liquid to clear the internal tubular structure. The packer assembly is then set in the wet cement of the annulus to provide an additional fluid seal in the well bore. The packer setting tool is released and the cement is allowed to harden and fix the linear and the packer assembly within the well bore.

Abstract: A packer setting tool is disclosed for providing quick and reliable release thereof from a well casing packer. The setting tool is adapted for lowering the packer assembly within the casing. The setting tool is rotated by a drill string to release an upper set of packer assembly slips into engagement with the well casing. The packer setting tool is then lifted, thereby deploying a rubber sealing boot and setting the upper and a lower set of slips into permanent engagement with the casing. The packer setting tool is then again rotated, whereupon a shear connection is released and the setting tool can be removed from the packer and out of the well bore.

Abstract: A mechanical setting tool for setting a flow control tool in an oil or gas well using the drill string includes a mandrel with means for attachment to the end of the drill string. Slips are releasably carried on the mandrel by a first release structure. A cone is releasably carried on the mandrel by a second release structure and has tapered surfaces confronting the slips. A stinger is carried on the lower end of the mandrel and has a third release means for releasably engagement to the flow control tool being set. A setting sleeve is releasably engaged to the mandrel by way of a fourth release structure between the sleeve and the cone.

Abstract: A setting device for a gravel packing system includes a housing having a slurry supply passage, a fluid return passage and a gravel packing port disposed therein. A weight responsive return valve is operatively associated with the housing for communicating an upper portion of the return passage with a well annulus exterior of the housing in response to reciprocation of a work string to which the setting device is attached. A hydraulic setting piston is operatively associated with the housing for setting a liner hanger of the gravel packing system in response to a first increase in fluid pressure within the supply passage of the housing. A hydraulically actuated supply valve is operatively associated with the housing for communicating the gravel packing port with the supply passage in response to a second increase in fluid pressure in the supply passage.

Abstract: Apparatus releasably supported on a setting string responds to manipulation of the setting string to release therefrom and anchor to a tubular member. A member on the setting string is provided with a tubular member engaging arrangement which responds to further manipulation of the setting string to anchor the member in the tubular member. A disconnect is operable upon manipulation of the setting string to disconnect the setting string from the anchored member and a release arrangement enables the disconnected setting string to release the anchored apparatus from the tubular member.

Abstract: In a PBR system in well bores, a retrievable landing assembly which can be set either mechanically or hydraulically has a telescopic setting sleeve and setting collar where the setting collar is interconnected to a setting tool by a first threaded nut member and a second threaded nut member. The setting tool is threadedly attached by one of the threaded nut members to the setting collar and the one threaded nut member is splined for longitudinal movement with respect to a mandrel of the setting tool while the other nut member is longitudinally and releasably splined to the setting collar and threadedly attached to the mandrel of the setting tool. The setting tool has a shiftable sleeve member which can be shifted by a pressure ball and applied pressure to shift the setting sleeve of the landing assembly into a locking position in the setting collar.

Abstract: A double-grip screen hanger apparatus providing compensation for thermal expansion as a result of heat, such as is present in steam flood or steam injection wells. The screen hanger includes an inner mandrel adapted for attachment to a liner screen. A packer portion is disposed around the inner mandrel, and opposed upper and lower slip assemblies are positioned above and below the packer portion, respectively. The slip assemblies and packer portion are shearably attached to the inner mandrel. Setting of the slips and packer is accomplished by a hydraulic actuator and a running tool attached to the tool string. Downward force applied on the mandrel shears the shearing attachments, thus setting the slips and the packer portion. After setting, the slips locate the packer, and the mandrel is relatively free to longitudinally move within the packer and slips due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of positioning and seating a retrievable insert landing assembly in a well bore tubular member with a left-hand threaded portion and having a sealing bore above or below the threaded portion. A releasable connecting arrangement secures the landing assembly in a well bore tubular member by engaging with the left-hand threaded portion in the tubular member. The landing assembly has an internal polished bore above the connecting arrangement which slidably and sealingly receives a tubular extension attached to a well string. The connecting arrangement is actuated by lowering the retrievable landing assembly within the tubular member to position the connecting arrangement adjacent the left-hand threaded portion and then lifting up on the landing assembly to lock it with the left-hand threaded portion. The well string is manipulated to actuate the releaseable coupling and disconnect the well string from the landing assembly after it is connected with the tubular member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a casing hanger 10 and running apparatus 16 wherein the casing hanger 10 is mechanically supported by a running thread ring 70 onto a running tool 20 for lowering into a wellhead 12, and wherein the packoff assembly 14 is held above the casing hanger 10 for circulating and cementing operations for improved flowby capabilities and wherein the packoff assembly 14 is mechanically lowered and energized to seal the annular seal area 32 comprising threading the packoff apparatus from the running apparatus 16 onto the casing hanger by rotation of the running tool 20, which concurrently also releases the casing hanger 10 from the running tool 20 by unthreading the primary thread ring 70 therefrom.

Abstract: A setting tool and a liner hanger for setting a liner hanger in well bores traversing earth formations where the setting tool can be hydraulically operated and released from the liner hanger or alternatively, can be mechanically operated and released from a liner hanger. The tool is provided with bypass areas in the liner hanger and locates the tieback sleeve below the liner hanger. The setting tool incorporates most of the expensive setting mechanism in the setting tool and is not a part of the liner hanger. Thus, the setting mechanism is therefore removable from the wellbore and can be reused on other liner hangers.

Abstract: A setting tool is shown if the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore. The setting tool is designed to set a liner hanger using right hand as well as left hand rotation and is released from the setting sleeve using right hand rotation. A plurality of retractable, spring loaded torque fingers carried on a torque collar are used to transmit torque to the setting sleeve but are moved into a retracted position after the setting sleeve is released to avoid damage to the torque fingers. A plurality of splines and a splined ring within the torque collar are used to latch the tool in the running-in position to perform well bore operations, such as hanging a liner. The splines and splined ring have specially mating surfaces which form a key arrangement to facilitate reinsertion of the splines within the splined ring for subsequent operations as the tool is manipulated between the running-in and weight set down positions.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of an apparatus for releasably latching the lower end of a tubing string within the bore of an upstanding well conduit by means of latching parts adapted to be received in latching position beneath a shoulder in the bore of the well conduit. The latching parts are locked in latching position by locking means which is engageable and releasable in response to manipulation of the well string. The latching parts are moved into unlatching position, upon release of the locking means, without necessity of sliding contact between the latching parts and the shoulder. There are also disclosed two embodiments of a seal ring clamped within a groove about a stinger portion of the apparatus for sealably engaging the bore of the well conduit.

Abstract: A setting tool is shown of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore. The setting tool has a mandrel having an upper end adapted to be connected in the pipe string and having a lower end. A setting nut is carried on the mandrel having external connecting threads for engaging mating connecting threads located on the interior of a setting sleeve disposed about the lower end of the mandrel. The mandrel is slidably disposed within the setting nut when the setting nut is engaging the setting sleeve and the mandrel is slidable between an extended running-in position and a weight set-down position.A latch collar having at least one latch ear is carried on the mandrel exterior.

Abstract: A setting tool of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore is shown which has a mandrel having an upper end adapted to be connected in the pipe string and having a lower end. A setting nut carried on the mandrel has external connecting threads for engaging mating connecting threads located on the interior of a setting sleeve disposed about the lower end of the mandrel. The mandrel is slidably disposed within the setting means when the setting means is engaging the setting sleeve. The mandrel is slidable between an extended running-in position and a weight-set down position. Dogs are provided in the setting nut for engaging a radial groove in the setting sleeve when the mandrel is in the running-in position to prevent relative movement between the setting nut and the setting sleeve which would disengage the tool.

Abstract: A well packer or other downhole tool is provided with a combination shear and rotational release mechanism comprising a release member having a set of internal threads selectively engageable with a predetermined number of external threads formed on an elongated tubular mandrel. The release member is keyed to the packer outer housing which in turn is cooperable with the slip and packing element assemblies. The mandrel may be selectively subjected to a predetermined upward pulling force to shear the threads on the release member or, alternatively, the mandrel may be rotated a predetermined number of turns to disengage the cooperating threads on the release member to effect release of the packer from its set position.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a packer positionable in a casing in which the packer has an upstanding male location member having a noncircular peripheral configuration having a circumferential slot adjacent the upper end, a female insertion member having means at the upper end for attachment to the lower end of a pipe string extending from the earth's surface and having a recess in the lower end slidably and nonrotatably receiving the upper end of the male location member and having an upper internal recess communicating with the tool open bottom, the recess having an internal enlarged diameter groove therein and a plurality of clips each configured as a segment of a washer positioned in the internal recess of the retrieval tool and having an elastomeric member therearound to inwardly bias the clips towards each other, the clips being expandable outwardly within the groove to receive the upper end of the location member and to enter into the external circumferential groove in the location member to ther

Abstract: A retrievable packer for use in an oilwell casing, the packer having a central shaft with means at the upper end for attachment of an insertion or retrieval tool, an upper body portion having an opening receiving the shaft and having an integral downwardly extending tubular sleeve, the area around the sleeve providing an annular upper gland surface, a lower body portion having an opening receiving the shaft and a larger opening slidably receiving the sleeve and providing a lower annular flange surface, the lower body portion having a plurality of slots formed in vertical planes of the shaft axis, a baseplate having a threaded opening therein receiving the threaded lower end of the shaft, the baseplate serving to engage slips positioned in the slots so that as the shaft is rotated the baseplate moves up to force the slip into contact with the casing in which the packer is positioned, and an elastomeric packing gland of tubular cross-sectional shape received on the sleeve and between the upper and lower gland s

Abstract: A packing support assembly (10) which is sleeved about a well casing ("C"), or the like, and secured thereto without the need for piercing the casing wall or welding thereto. The support assembly (10) comprises a support ring (12) which is sleeved about the casing ("C") and secured thereto by a gripping means in the form of a plurality of clamping segments (14) having serrated surfaces (40) adapted to grip the external wall of the casing ("C"). The clamping segments (14) are held in an unactivated position by retaining screws (46) which secure the clamping segments (14) to the support ring (12). To activate, the clamping segments (14) are wedged inwardly to grip the casing ("C") by a plurality of activating pins (54) which are threadably received into the bottom of the support ring (12).

Abstract: A conduit gripping tool such as a packer or hanger is provided for use in subterranean wells, together with a running tool and a method for installing the gripping tool in the well. Threaded means are mounted on the running tool for axial movement. The hand of such threads is in the opposite direction to the hand of the threaded connections of the work string supporting the running tool. The running tool additionally incorporates dogs which are engagable with slots provided in the gripping tool. A slip mechanism is retained against radial expansion during run-in. The dogs carried by the running tool are aligned with the slots in the hanger body for release so that torque in the same direction as the hand of the threaded connections of the work string is transmitted directly to the body of the hanger. Subsequently, an axially downward force applied by the work string will effect the setting of the slips and the concurrent disengagement of the dogs of the running tool from the body portion of the hanger.

Abstract: A subsurface control valve for use in shutting off a well bore. The valve comprises a valve assembly and a stinger assembly, which is run into the well bore on drill pipe with a packer placed below the valve in the string. The valve is open as the string is run into the well bore, the packer then being set, and a sliding valve in the tool being closed by a plurality of rotations of the stinger assembly, which is removed from the well bore after the sliding valve is closed. To re-open the sliding valve, the stinger assembly is run back into the well bore, into the valve assembly, and rotated a number of times in the opposite direction. The present invention includes a spring-loaded stinger to constantly bias the stinger into engagement with the sliding valve and a bearing on the stinger assembly to facilitate alignment and rotation between the stinger assembly and valve assembly so as to limit the torque applied to the valve assembly.

Abstract: A packing support assembly (10) adapted to be sleeved about a well casing ("C"), or the like, and secured thereto without the need for piercing the casing wall or welding thereto. The support assembly (10) comprises an anchor ring (11) which is sleeved about the casing ("C") and secured thereto by a first fastening means in the form of a plurality of circumferentially located fastening means such as radial bores (22) and set screws (31). The anchor ring (11) is provided with flexible fingers (61) having ridged surfaces (16) which are also adapted to rip the external wall of the casing ("C"). The flexible fingers (61) are wedged inwardly to grip the casing ("C") by means of a retainer ring (71) which is threaded onto the exterior of the anchor ring (11) and provided with an internal wedging surface (75) which is slidably engageable with cooperating wedging surfaces (52) on the exterior of the flexible fingers (61) of the anchor ring (11 ).

Abstract: A well tool assembly comprising a drillable cement retainer and setting tool includes a connection between a setting-tool mandrel and a retainer mandrel allowing for opening and closing of a cement valve in the retainer without disconnecting the setting tool from the retainer. A releasable locking mechanism in the connection keeps a tubular connector between the setting-tool mandrel and the retainer mandrel locked against sliding relative to one of the mandrels prior to deploying an upper slip set of the cement retainer. Additionally, a carrier in the setting tool includes radially resilient lugs connected between the setting-tool mandrel and a retaining sleeve for the upper slip set for sliding upwardly on the setting-tool mandrel to carry the sleeve into an upper position releasing the upper slip set for deployment. A set lock in the retainer holds the retainer mandrel against movement downwardly once the retainer is anchored in the well.

Abstract: A well tool, such as a packer apparatus, is adaptable for insertion on a conduit within a subterranean well having casing therein. The well tool comprises a cylindrical mandrel which is communicable to the conduit. Slip means are carried exteriorly around the mandrel and are movable into expanded position for anchoring the apparatus to the casing whereby subsequent longitudinal movement of the apparatus in at least one direction is prevented. Seal means are circumferentially extending exteriorly around the mandrel and are urgable into sealing relation with the casing to prevent fluid communication thereacross, the seal means comprising at least one section of transversely compressible seamless, knitted elements generally defined by a continuous series of interlocking ductile metal-containing loop members.

Abstract: An upstanding valve body assembly is provided defining a center axis and includes radially expandable and retractable slips. The assembly includes a slip actuator rotatable relative to the remainder of the assembly about the center axis for expansion and retraction of the slips responsive to rotation of the slip actuator in opposite directions. A suspension member projects above the actuator and is threadedly engaged therewith for threaded shifting relative thereto along the axis. The suspension member is threadedly disengageable and engageable with the actuator portion upon rotation relative thereto in first and second directions, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the selective disengagement of a fluid transmission conduit which is insertable through a second conduit for communication to a zone within a well bore, and for control of fluid transmission from the zone upon disengagement of the fluid transmission conduit. The apparatus defines a sealing means, usually a packer assembly, which communicates with the interior of the fluid transmission conduit for isolating an annular area between the fluid transmission conduit and the second conduit and above the zone. Valve means carried by the fluid transmission conduit and communicating with the sealing means is manipulatable between open and closed positions for selective isolation of fluid flow through the sealing means to the fluid transmission conduit.

Abstract: There is disclosed well apparatus which comprises a well conduit having a bore therethrough and a well tool having means thereon for releasably locking it within and sealing it with respect to the bore of the well conduit when lowered therein.

Abstract: A well tool, such as a packer apparatus, is adaptable for insertion on a conduit within a subterranean well having casing therein. The well tool comprises a cylindrical mandrel which is communicable to the conduit. Slip means are carried exteriorly around the mandrel and are movable into expanded position for anchoring the apparatus to the casing whereby subsequent longitudinal movement of the apparatus in at least one direction is prevented. Seal means are circumferentially extending exteriorly around the mandrel and are urgable into sealing relation with the casing to prevent fluid communication thereacross, the seal means comprising at least one section of transversely compressible seamless, knitted elements generally defined by a continuous series of interlocking ductile metal-containing loop members.