Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, restriction subs for use in setting cement plugs in wells include a tubular threaded adapter having an internal annular recess, and a metal restriction sleeve mount in such recess. In one embodiment, the sleeve has a corrugation that extends into the bore of the adapter to provide a deformable restriction; in another embodiment the sleeve has curved resilient tabs whose free ends extend into such bore. The restrictions are cooperable with a displacement plug having a metal expander member on its nose so that a distinct pressure is required to cause the expander member and plug to be forced through the restriction.

Abstract: A downhole drilling device utilizing a spring-loaded sleeve within the casing for controlling circulation of fluid material. A plastic, i.e., deformable ball is used to block a flow opening in the sleeve for positioning the sleeve and aligning flow ports. Subsequently, the ball is deformed and the drilling operation continues. In one form, an expandable packer may be operated to close off the annulus about the casing.

Abstract: A stage valve for stage cementing of casings in a well bore including a tubular collar and a telescopic tubular sleeve where the sleeve has a piston portion disposed in a collar chamber and the piston portion separates a sleeve port from a collar port in a lower position. In the lower position, the sleeve mechanically engages the collar and is movable to an upper position by a differential hydraulic pressure across the piston portion to an upper position placing the sleeve port and the collar port in fluid communication with one another. In moving to the upper position, the sleeve removes a barrier from a ratchet ring in the collar so that when the sleeve is moved downwardly from an upper position, a ratchet portion on the sleeve engages the ratchet ring in a lower position of the sleeve to lock the sleeve in a closed position.

Abstract: In a downhole staging apparatus for delivering fluidized cement sequentially into two levels of substrate which enclose a wellbore casing. Said apparatus comprises a primary cement discharge port, and one or more secondary or lateral cement discharge ports. A sleeve is operably carried in the apparatus, being adjustable to close the secondary lateral port when a cementing operation is completed. A sleeve actuating tool is cooperative with said cementing apparatus, being remotely operable to close the lateral cement discharge port to assure that no communication exists between the cementing apparatus and the wellbore after the cementing operation is completed.

Abstract: An hydraulic lock alleviation device a well cementing stage tool with such a device, and related methods for their use. The device has a channel for transmitting trapped fluid which causes a hydraulic lock from the trapped area to another area. The channel is blocked by a pressure responsive member which ruptures, moves, breaks, or is punctured to permit trapped fluid to glow from the area of hydraulic lock. In one embodiment of a stage tool with such a device, a puncture apparatus can be moved to puncture the pressure responsive member. In other embodiments, a movable piston or spool is mounted in the channel for movement to permit the flow of trapped fluid.

Abstract: A stage cementing tool comprising a substantially tubular mandrel having a single interior unitary sleeve maintained at a first or closed position in said mandrel and adapted to move to a second or open position and subsequently to a third or closed position in said mandrel. The movable unitary sleeve is maintained by interior shear pins adapted to be sheared in two steps by separate forces applied at different points of the assembly of the unitary sleeve and respective opening and closing seats secured thereto. Positive locking means are located in the sleeve which act to maintain it at each successive position and to prevent regression when the moving force is removed. The mandrel and assembly is adapted to fit in a string of casing pipe for location at a site to be cemented. In operation the unitary sleeve is first actuated to open position for cement flow and placing and thereafter to fully closed position to stop such flow and is positively locked in such closed condition.

Abstract: A cementing system using a tubular member 43 coupled to a string of tubing 14 where upper and lower tubular liner wiper plugs (20, 21) are independently attached to and separately releasable from the tubular member. The upper tubular liner wiper plug 20 has outer liner wiper seal members, an outer latching mechanism (95) and an inner latching mechanism (52). A fluid bypass (59) is located in the liner wiper plug (20) below the wiper seal members with a check valve structure for bypassing fluid from below the seal members to the bore (45) of the tubular member in response to a pressure differential. A second check valve structure (46) is provided in the tubular member to provide a fluid bypass from the exterior of the tubular member above the seal members to the interior of the tubular member in response to a pressure differential.

Abstract: A stage collar for stage cementing a well casing includes a slidable closing sleeve having ports alignable with ports in the stage collar case. These closing sleeve and stage collar ports communicate with an annulus around the well casing when the stage collar is open. A shift sleeve closes the ports during running in and is actuable by simple drill pipe movements to open and reclose the stage collar ports. The shift sleeve is operably coupled to the closing sleeve by a latch ring which locks the closing sleeve closed and cooperated therewith to form a smooth and substantially uniform inner stage collar bore. The drill pipe is operably connected to the stage collar by a screw-in or latch-in shifting tool which cooperates with the stage collar elements to form a fluidtight passage from the drill pipe to the annulus without entering the well casing interior. A dual stage shifting tool is also shown which permits a two-stage cementing operation to be performed with only one run down the hole.

Abstract: In drilling a well, sections of casing are run down a borehole, preferably with a float shoe at the lower end which is equipped with a double valve enabling the casing to fill with drilling mud both while the casing is moving down and also while it is stationary. Within the casing is a baffle collar which defines a socket for a latching dart carried by a plug. The plug and dart are driven down to the collar, when the pumping of cement into the casing has been completed, by a launching dart which also closes the passageway through the plug.

Abstract: A cement staging apparatus for wells and including well casing, comprising an open ended hollow body having a number of spaced ports therethrough; a first hollow member slideably associated with said body and having a first ports closed position and a second ports open position; first pressure associated with said first member for displacing said first member and opening said ports thereby; a second hollow member slideably associated with said body and having a first ports open position and a second ports closed position and including shifting pressure relieving means associated with said body; second pressure means associated with said second member for displacing said second member and closing said ports thereby; said second member spaced a distance from said first member; said body, said member and said first pressure means defining a canister having an open end for receipt of a supply of pressurized cement and adapted for distributing said cement through said ports; and said body, said first and said seco

Abstract: A dual-operating mode stage collar adapted to form part of a conduit string positionable in a well bore. Included is a tubular body having a side port with inner and outer openings. A first sleeve is axially shiftable relative to the body during one operating mode inside the body from one position closing the inner opening toward another position exposing it. A second internal sleeve is connected to an outer-port-closing slide through an aperture in the body and is axially shiftable as a unit relative to the body in a second operating mode from a position in which the slide and second sleeve are remote from the port toward another position in which the slide covers the outer port opening. In the preferred embodiment, the second sleeve covers the inner port opening as the slide covers the outer port opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting two stage cementing of well conduits by supplying cement through a smaller diameter tubular member. The apparatus involved provides a tubular assembly attachable to the bottom end of a well conduit. The tubular assembly defines an axial cementing passage through its bottom end. Cementing ports are provided in the tubular assembly above its bottom end to implement the second stage cementing operation. A tubular member is sealingly secured in the upper end of the tubular assembly and valve units are provided between the end of the tubular member and the cementing ports. The lower annular valve unit is selectively releasably positioned in a closed position relative to the radial cement ports. At the conclusion of the first stage of cementing, a first sealing plug is dropped through the tubular member into sealing engagement with the bore of the lower annular valve unit and fluid is applied through the tubular member to shift the lower annular valve unit to an open position.

Abstract: Downhole surge tool for completion and/or reworking of fluid-bearing wells, adapted to connection with the downhole end of a dry tubing string, the tool being actuated to provide an instantaneous full opening into the tubing of surging fluids and particulate matter inwardly from the formation and upwardly into the tubing. The downhole surge tool is characterized by its non-jammable assemblage, wherein its surge plug may not be completely reinserted upon the influence of a powerful or overwhelming backsurge. The tool includes a tubular nipple, ejectable surge plug, operably inserted into the nipple and an optional catcher sub, the plug including a positive ejection assembly which is actuated upon partial ejection of the plug, permitting limited re-entry only of the plug into the nipple. A seal is provided between the plug and the nipple, the seal being disposed above pressure relief ports within the surge plug.

Abstract: A landing nipple, adaptable to be made up in a tubing string having a sliding sleeve disposed in its bore for selectively providing communication of balance and control pressure fluid to the nipple bore. When the sleeve is shifted to its first, upper position, balance fluid is conducted via the nipple to a tubing retrievable safety valve placed in the tubing string below the nipple. In the event the tubing retrievable safety valve is taken out of service, a secondary safety valve can be landed in the nipple, the sleeve shifted to its downward, second position, opening sleeve ports for conducting control and balance fluids to the landed, secondary safety valve.

Abstract: A valve which may be made up as a part of a tubing string, preferably by removably landing the valve in a landing nipple. The valve is of the sleeve type and the gap through the valve member is held to very close spacing when the valve member gap passes over the seals in the body and is then permitted to expand when the valve member is in open position. The valve is disclosed as a part of a testing system employing a packer, a foot valve, a seal unit and a landing nipple in which the valve is supported.

Abstract: The cementing collar described herein is designed primarily for cementing operations in oil or gas wells. The basic assembly includes a collar, an outer sleeve slidable in the collar, and an inner sleeve slidable in the outer sleeve. The collar and outer sleeve each have cementing ports therein. When the assembly is being run into the well casing, the collar and both sleeves are secured by shear pins in a position such that the cementing ports are closed. To open the cementing ports a trip bomb is dropped into the casing to engage a seat inside the outer sleeve. This causes the pins to shear and permits the outer sleeve to move down to a position in which the sleeve ports line up with the collar port. After cementing has been completed, a plug is flowed down the casing to engage the inner sleeve. Fluid pressure is applied behind the plug to shear the pins a second time. This moves the outer sleeve further down to a position in which the cementing ports are again closed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cementing the bore hole of oil and gas wells and the like is provided. The apparatus provides a cementing collar threadedly attachable at each end to a well liner and having an inner sleeve slidably positionable within an outer sleeve. The two sleeves are each provided with openings and ports, respectively, which when radially aligned in register permit fluid to flow from the interior of the inner sleeve to the exterior of the outer sleeve. Radial alignment is effected by means of a series of fingers disposed circumferentially at each end on the inner sleeve and receivable at predetermined locations on the interior surface of the outer sleeve. Means are provided for axially moving the inner sleeve to align the openings with the ports and for thereafter disaligning the same.A method of utilizing the cementing collar apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in controlling a well during drilling operations is disclosed. The method includes actuating a downhole packer and providing for flow in a controlled manner past the packer. The apparatus includes a packer and means for controlling flow past the packer. This abstract is neither intended to define the scope of the invention which, of course, is defined in the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting in anyway.

Abstract: A well system for selectively locking well tools along a flow conductor in a well bore and a tool string for use in the flow conductor including a locking mandrel, a sleeve shifting device, and a well safety valve. The selective locking system has a landing and locking recess profile including both upwardly and downwardly facing stop shoulders. One form of the locking system is in a sliding sleeve valve including a cam release shoulder to free a selector and locking key when the sleeve valve is moved between spaced longitudinal locations. Another form of the locking system may be along a landing nipple and require that the well tool locked therein be disabled for release of the selector and locking tools. The sleeve shifting device has means for opening and closing the sliding sleeve valve including keys having upwardly and downwardly facing stop shoulders and recess profiles which are compatible with the landing and locking recess profile of the sleeve valve or of a landing nipple.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiple stage cementing of well casing in subsea wells. Also, a subsea stage cementer, plug stack assembly. The combination with a subsea stage cementer, plug stack assembly of a packing and shipping crate therefor. A trip-plug for operating a stage cementing collar to open the ports thereof. A dart adapted to enter the bore of a hollow plug to block the flow of liquid through the bore.

Abstract: A cementing tool for providing multiple stage cementing of an oil well including a cylindrical outer case, a longitudinally sliding sleeve valve located therein, an inflatable packer assembly disposed about the outer case with annular check valve means interposed between the interior of the inflatable packer and passages communicating with the interior of the cementing tool. Annular sleeve valve means is interposed between the check valve means and the exterior of the tool and is releasable upon the application of a predetermined pressure differential across the sleeve valve means in response to the application of pressure to the interior of the tool to open the interior of the tool to the annulus between the tool and the oil well bore above the inflated packer. The inflatable packer assembly includes a relatively thin, tubular solid metallic membrane having physical properties allowing it to contain the inflatable pressure and to expand as the inflation pressure is applied to the interior of the packer.