Abstract: Apparatus for isolating a formation, isolating a damaged section of casing, and for pressure testing the apparatus when located in a cased well bore. The apparatus includes a first packer that is in sealing engagement with the casing for isolating the formation, second and third packers that are spaced to span the damage to the casing, a first valve for closing the passageway through the packers, and a second valve for applying pressure between the first and second packers to test the seals formed thereby. Also provided is an improved method for isolating a damaged section of casing, isolating a formation, and pressure testing the apparatus when located in a cased well bore. The method includes extending the aforementioned apparatus into the well bore, closing the first valve to close the flow through the packers, opening a second valve, and applying pressure to test the seals of the first and second packers.

Abstract: A downhole tool for controlling the flow of fluids through the well casing includes a tubular mandrel with a flow control valve therein. A radially expandable seal member encircles the mandrel and a sub-bottom defines an abutment member, attached to and movable with the mandrel, for engaging one side of the seal member. A bottom cone is positioned around the mandrel and on the opposite of the seal member from the sub-bottom. The cone has a sleeve extending therefrom positioned between the seal and the mandrel on which the seal member is carried. An upper cone is positioned around the mandrel with slips segments being positioned between the upper and bottom cones. An upper radially expandable seal member encircles the mandrel and its carried on a sleeve extending from the upper cone. A lock hub is positioned around the mandrel and on the side of the upper cone opposite the upper seal and slip segments.

Abstract: A downhole inflatable packer pump for use in a testing string. The pump includes an upper mandrel rotatably disposed in a case. The upper mandrel includes a pump cam with a cam slot thereon. A piston cavity is defined between the case and inner mandrel in which a single, sleeve-type piston is reciprocably disposed. A cam roller on the piston engages the cam slot, and as the inner mandrel rotates, the piston is reciprocated. A diaphragm sealingly separates the piston chamber from a pumping chamber. Inlet and outlet check valves with annular resilient lips allow fluid flow into the pumping chamber from the well annulus and out of the pumping chamber into an outlet chamber in communication with the lower portion of the testing string. The piston chamber is filled with a lubricating oil, and pumping action of the reciprocating pump piston causes movement of the oil which is transmitted to the pumping chamber through the diaphragm.

Abstract: In the representative embodiment of the invention described herein, formation-treating apparatus is adapted to be dependently supported in a well bore from a pipe string and which includes upper and lower telescoped body members adapted to be selectively moved between upper and lower operating positions for controlling the injection of treating fluids into one or more earth formations traversed by the well bore. A pair of spaced packer elements are mounted on the lower member above and below a discharge port and cooperatively arranged for isolating a well bore interval that is to be treated by discharging one or more treating fluids in the pipe string from the port. To control the injection of treating fluids, retrievable valve means are also cooperatively arranged within the body members and adapted to be alternatively seated on upper and lower full-bore valve seats in the upper and lower bodies in response to movement of the bodies to their operating positions.

Abstract: A packer for a down hole oil well includes an inner mandrel assembly having an upper outer sleeve assembly that includes the hold down mechanism and upper packer seals with a piston on the underside of the packing seals to be pressure responsive and to deform the seals in response to pressure within the well string. Furthermore, a lower outer sleeve assembly has packing elements that are deformed and a setting mechanism to allow the packer to be set in a position within the well casing. Upper and lower unloading valves allow for fluid the bypass the packers when the packer is retrieved upward through the well casing.

Abstract: An injection tool for use in injecting fluids through perforations in the well bore of an oil or gas well is mechanically set and mechanically releasable. Fluid can be injected between upper and lower packing elements into a selected perforation. The upper and lower packing elements on opposite sides of the perforation into which fluid is injected are retractable, and any pressure differential across the upper packing elements or across the lower packing elements can be separately equalized.

Abstract: An improved retrievable compression set straddle packer assembly for use in oil and gas wells. The straddle packer assembly comprises an hydraulic slip assembly, an injection mandrel assembly, a packer assembly, a mechanical slip assembly, a drag block assembly, and a bypass assembly.

Abstract: An improved retrievable compression set straddle packer assembly for use in oil and gas wells. The straddle packer assembly comprises an upper hydraulic slip assembly, an upper packer assembly, a bypass assembly, a lower packer assembly, a lower mechanical slip assembly and lower drag block assembly.

Abstract: Hollow tubular members used as piling to support offshore platforms and the like are more easily aligned with a stabbing means. The base of the stabbing means is flexibly attached to the inner surface of one end of a tubular member; the tip of the stabbing means, which is rounded and pointed, projects beyond the end of the tubular member. The stabbing means can be attached to the tubular member for easy removal and can be adapted to couple with a retaining device within a companion tubular member that is to be aligned with the first tubular member. Preferably, a cable is coiled within an elastomeric material that flexibly bonds the stabbing means to the tubular member--the cable can be pulled or ripped from the material to destroy the bond and thereafter permit removal of the stabbing means.

Abstract: The recovery of petroleum produced from an oil reservoir is enhanced by injecting water such as from a geopressured aquifer having a natural gas content at or near saturation at a temperature above 300.degree. F. into the oil reservoir at a flow rate sufficient to develop a back-pressure in the oil reservoir equal to between about 80% of its fracture pressure and a pressure below its fracture pressure and producing oil from the oil reservoir when the injection of water necessary to maintain the back-pressure below the oil reservoir fracture pressure drops below a predetermined level. The recovery of petroleum also is enhanced by using sand screening means to complete a portion of the well bore penetrating into the oil reservoir and a straddle packer assembly means which can be raised and lowered relative to the screening means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gravel packing a producing formation or zone in a well without inducing fluid movement across the zone being packed during reverse circulation. Packing and reverse circulation are effected without any movement of the tool string from the time packing is initiated. Bypass and dump valves are incorporated in the isolation gravel packer to facilitate movement of the tool string within the well bore before and after packing a zone.

Abstract: A method of gravel packing multiple zones with a single trip of the operating string into a well without inducing fluid movement across zones, and without disturbing the zone being packed in reverse circulation. Apparatus is disclosed to perform the method, comprising a screen liner assembly surrounding a concentric operating string. Mechanical force on the operating string is used to change all tool modes of the apparatus. The operating string is accurately positioned with respect to the screen liner assembly at every zone level and zones may be easily relocated if necessary. Zones may be packed in any order, and a zone may be repacked, if necessary, during the same trip into the well.