Abstract: Various embodiments of an improved downhole disconnect tool are provided, some of which may include a first housing releasably connected to a second housing, a first piston releasably connected to the first housing, and a second piston releasably connected to the second housing. Various fluid communication ports and ball seats may be provided in various combinations in the first and second pistons and in the second housing to enable remote control of the tool by circulating one or more balls into engagement with one or more of the ball seats to disconnect the first housing from the second housing, and thereby disconnect any structures connected to the first and second housings, respectively. Other features and aspects of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly for fluid treatment of a wellbore includes substantially pressure holding closures spaced along the tubing string, which each close at least one port through the tubing string wall. The closures are openable by a sleeve drivable through the tubing string inner bore.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an improved downhole disconnect tool are provided, some of which may include a first housing releasably connected to a second housing, a first piston releasably connected to the first housing, and a second piston releasably connected to the second housing. Various fluid communication ports and ball seats may be provided in various combinations in the first and second pistons and in the second housing to enable remote control of the tool by circulating one or more balls into engagement with one or more of the ball seats to disconnect the first housing from the second housing, and thereby disconnect any structures connected to the first and second housings, respectively. Other features and aspects of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure describes a test assembly including an inflatable packer. An internal control sleeve controls flow of drilling fluid through an inflation port to inflate and deflate the packer. A shifting tool run on a slick line moves the sleeve. The packer has one end attached to an external sliding sleeve which moves upon packer inflation to expose a formation fluid port through which formation testing is performed. After testing and packer deflation, a circulation port may be opened to recover produced fluids up the drill string. A second sleeve controls flow through the circulation port and is controlled by a second shifting tool run on slick line. Other embodiments include a circulation assembly with a sliding sleeve opened and closed by one shifting tool to control circulation and the sliding sleeve itself and its operation.

Abstract: A method of separating fluids that actuate a downhole tool from well fluids is disclosed. The assembly permits equalization or circulation through the running string for delivery of the downhole tool to the desired location. The circulation passage is closed and the clean fluid is displaced into the downhole tool by pressure applied to a movable barrier, At the end of the clean fluid displacement, a lateral port is opened to allow retrieval without pulling a wet string.

Abstract: A tubing string assembly is disclosed for fluid treatment of a wellbore. The tubing string can be used for staged wellbore fluid treatment where a selected segment of the wellbore is treated, while other segments are sealed off. The tubing string can also be used where a ported tubing string is required to be run in in a pressure tight condition and later is needed to be in an open-port condition.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a gravel pack assembly comprising a gravel pack body and a crossover tool. The gravel pack body comprises a pressure set packer, one or more production screens and a plurality of axial position indexing lugs. The crossover tool comprises auxiliary flow chambers, packer by-pass channels, a crossover tool check valve and an axial position indexing collet. The gravel pack body and crossover tool are assembled coaxially as a cooperative unit by a threaded joint and the unit is threadably attached to the bottom end of a tool string for selective placement within the wellbore. Set of the packer secures the gravel pack body to the well casing and seals the casing annulus around the gravel pack assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a gravel pack operation includes a bypass mechanism (e.g., a bypass valve) that is actuatable between plural positions. The bypass mechanism is part of a tool assembly, with the bypass mechanism providing different flow paths through the tool assembly corresponding to the plural positions of the bypass mechanism. For example, if the bypass mechanism is in a first position, an elevated pressure is communicated from an annular region outside a tool string to a target wellbore section. On the other hand, if the bypass mechanism is in the second position, the elevated pressure is communicated from inside the tool string to the target wellbore section. In either position, an overbalance condition is maintained in the target wellbore section so that swabbing effects are reduced or eliminated due to movement of the tool assembly during a gravel pack operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drop ball sub that may be used to drop a large ball having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of a restriction in the wellbore such as the running tool used to run a first casing string through a second casing string. A smaller ball is used to control dropping of the large ball. The smaller ball has an outer diameter smaller than the restriction. The drop ball sub of the present invention may be used to operate any downhole tool that would benefit by receipt of a large ball. By dropping a larger ball, in one use of the invention larger valves can be controlled in the float equipment that provide a larger fluid flow path. A larger fluid flow path reduces surge pressure and enables the system to handle more debris. The present invention provides a system that preferably provides for a diverter tool above the running tool and a diverter tool below the running tool.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a gravel pack assembly comprising a gravel pack body and a crossover tool. The crossover tool comprises auxiliary flow chambers and channels around a casing packer and a crossover tool check valve. The gravel pack body and crossover tool are assembled coaxially as a cooperative unit by a threaded joint. The assembly is threadably attached to the bottom end of a tool string for selective placement within the wellbore. Set of the packer secures the gravel pack body to the well casing and seals the casing annulus around the gravel pack assembly. After setting the packer, the tool string is rotated to release the threaded assembly joint between the crossover tool and the gravel pack extension. The desired flow function is determined by selective axial positionment of the crossover tool within the gravel pack body. When the gravel pack is in place, the crossover tool is axially positioned to flush residual aggregate from the tool string bore.

Abstract: A downhole string includes a liner and devices positioned outside the liner. One or more control lines extend from the liner devices along the exterior of the liner to one or more connectors that provide connection points inside the liner. The one or more connectors may include electrical connectors (e.g., direct contact connectors), inductive connectors (e.g., inductive couplers), optical connectors (e.g., fiber optic connectors), and hydraulic connectors. The one or more control lines may be electrical lines, fiber optic lines, or hydraulic lines. The downhole string may also be used with a cement protector during cementing operations to protect both the inside of the liner as well as the one or more connectors attached to the liner. The cement protector includes a sleeve that isolates cement from the inside of the liner during a cementing operation so that a liner wiper plug is not needed. The cement protector is engageable to a pulling tool that is attached to a running tool.

Abstract: A downhole adjustable choke includes a choke body which is adapted to be lowered into a borehole. The choke body has a bore and an orifice connected to the bore. A sleeve is disposed inside the bore of the choke body. The sleeve has an orifice which is aligned with the orifice in the choke body. An actuator is coupled to move a flow plug inside the sleeve so that the flow area of the orifice in the sleeve is adjustable.

Abstract: A completion string for use in a wellbore includes a tubing having a bore and a housing providing a main bore communicating with the tubing bore and further defining plural side bores generally parallel to each other. A plurality of valves are positioned proximal respective side bores to control fluid flow. An actuator is coupled to the valves to actuate the valves to at least open and closed positions. The valves may be part of tubular flow elements mounted to the housing, each tubular flow element including a bore that forms part of a respective side bore. Each valve may include a sleeve valve or a disk valve. The housing may include a side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention provides heat insulation compositions and methods. The compositions are basically comprised of an epoxide containing liquid, an insulating material and an epoxide hardening agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for gravel packing open holes wherein hydrostatic pressure is maintained above the formation pressure (“overburdened condition”) throughout the gravel pack process. The apparatus includes a completion string which contains a flow restriction device, a crossover device and a packer each above and below the crossover device. The string is set in the wellbore with the flow restriction device adjacent the producing formation. The upper packer and the crossover device are set, which allows the gravel fluid to pass to the annulus, and return through the string. After gravel packing, the lower packer is set. The crossover device and the upper packer are retrieved from the wellbore leaving the flow restriction device and the lower packer in the wellbore. The system maintains the wellbore under overburdened condition throughout the gravel packing process.

Abstract: A wash nozzle for wellbore washing operations has been invented, the wash nozzle, in one aspect having a central mandrel with a top, a bottom, and a fluid flow bore therethrough from top to bottom, at least one mandrel port through the central mandrel for fluid flow from within the central mandrel's fluid flow bore to an exterior of the central mandrel, a hollow sleeve rotatably mounted around the central mandrel, and at least one sleeve port through the sleeve for fluid flow from within the sleeve from the exterior of the central mandrel to an exterior of the sleeve, the at least one sleeve port defined by a wall on the sleeve. In one aspect the wash nozzle includes apparatus for selective rotation of the sleeve about the mandrel. In one aspect flow through the wash nozzle is stopped to effect sleeve rotation and, in one particular aspect, flow through the nozzle is then re-established. Methods have been invented using such wash nozzles for wellbore washing operations and/or cuttings removal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for setting a compression seal pack in a well without rotation of the pipe string and setting mandrel. The setting device includes a release device and a moveable member. The release device secures a setting mandrel in a non-engaged position with respect to the seal packer. The moveable member is positionable to a first position, where the setting mandrel is locked in its non-engaged position, and to a second position, where the release device is free and the setting mandrel may move with respect to the seal packer. The method disclosed herein includes coupling the setting device to a compression set packer, positioning a setting mandrel within the seal packer and setting device, positioning the seal packer at the desired location in a well, releasing the setting mandrel from its non-engaged position with respect to the seal packer and lowering the setting mandrel into engagement with said packer to set the packer in the well.

Abstract: Completion method for avoiding formation impairment in the completion of a wellbore by anchoring and activating a plug at a selected position in the wellbore to seal off a selected portion of the wellbore from other portions of the wellbore. The plug is positioned at the selected position in the wellbore and anchored at that position. A seal in the plug is then activated such that fluid cannot pass the plug. Other parts of the wellbore can then be operated at different pressures than the isolated part of the wellbore without impairment of the formation resulting from the loss of well fluids into the formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cementing inflation packer tool and methods of using the tool. The tool includes of a tubular housing having a packer inflating port disposed therein and a packer inflating port opening sleeve slidably disposed within the housing. The opening sleeve is movable between a closed position and an open position by a first cementing plug. An external packer sleeve having a pressurized fluid inflatable packer element attached thereto and a cementing port therein is sealingly disposed over the outer surface of the housing and the packer inflating port. The external packer sleeve provides a passageway from the packer inflating port to the inflatable packer element and check valve means are disposed in the passageway. A fluid rupturable member having a predetermined rupture pressure is sealingly attached over the cementing port.

Abstract: A travel joint and latching assembly is connected below a gravel pack service tool to set an isolation assembly while performing backwashing and gravel pack operations, in a single trip. The travel joint is protected against inadvertent expansion by a positive mechanical lock assembly which isolates and decouples mechanical loading forces which may arise during the setting of the packer and during gravel pack operations. Inadvertent set of the hydraulic packer during backwashing operations is prevented by a hydraulic setting tool which includes a shear sleeve and an expandable C-ring drop ball seat.

Abstract: An earth well completion apparatus and method wherein a work string equipped for jet washing downhole filtration devices, such as well screens and for back washing said downhole filtration devices and containing multiple ball catcher subs which utilize the same drop ball to prevent the inadvertent operation of hydraulically powered tools as well as to permanently valve closed a portion of said work string is concentrically disposed in a production string and run in said well simultaneously. Said ball catcher sub which prevents the inadvertent actuation of said hydraulically operated tools is contained within the main fluid bore of said work string and has an expellable inner collar with an outwardly biased catcher ring which, when expelled, shears hollow shearable means thereby actuating said tool.

Abstract: In the disclosed pressure operated valve, a sleeve valve controlling flow between outside and inside the valve is releasably connected in a housing when the sleeve valve is in open position. Pressure on a ball sealingly engaging the sleeve valve operates the sleeve valve from open to latched closed to disconnect positions and expends the sleeve valve from the housing.

Abstract: An earth well completion apparatus and method wherein a work string equipped for jet washing downhole filtration devices, such as well screens and for back washing said downhole filtration devices and containing multiple ball catcher subs which utilize the same drop ball to prevent the inadvertent operation of hydraulically powered tools as well as to permanently valve closed a portion of said work string is concentrically disposed in a production string and run in said well simultaneously. Said ball catcher sub which prevents the inadvertent actuation of said hydraulically operated tools is contained within the main fluid bore of said work string and has an expellable inner collar with an outwardly biased catcher ring which, when expelled, shears hollow shearable means thereby actuating said tool.

Abstract: A casing cementer with torque-limiting rotating positioning tool. The casing cementer comprises a housing with a rotating valve sleeve therein. A positioning tool is used to rotated the valve sleeve between open and closed positions thereof. No reciprication of the positioning tool is required. The valve sleeve has a sealing ring molded thereto for sealing between the housing and the valve sleeve. The valve sleeve preferably has an inside diameter at least as large as an inside diameter of the casing. A stop is provided to limit movement of the valve sleeve when it reaches either the open or closed position. A clutch in the positioning tool provides for torque-limitation and a ratcheting indication to the operator at the surface when the valve sleeve has been opened or closed.

Abstract: A retrievable bridge plug apparatus has slip segments and packing elements which are extendable to outward positions. In a cased well, the slip segments grip the casing and prevent the longitudinal movement of the bridge plug. The packing elements contact the casing to provide a seal to isolate the well interval above the bridge plug from the well interval below the bridge plug. The bridge plug is retrieved from the well by equalizing pressure and then retracting the slip segments and packing elements. Pressure is equalized by pulling up on the retrieving tool, which couples to a fishing neck at the upper end of the bridge plug. Pulling up on the fishing neck opens a valve and exposes a flow path for fluid. The slip segments, and consequently the packing elements, are prevented from retracting during the equalization of pressure by a locking device. Then, the retrieving tool is set down to lower the fishing neck. Lowering the fishing neck releases the locking device.

Abstract: A selectively releasable valve in a wiper plug releasably attached to a hydraulic setting tool for a liner hanger in a well bore where the valve has an annular valve seat member having collapsible finger members for sealingly receiving a ball member. The valve seat member is movable under predetermined hydraulic pressure to shift and expand the finger members to release the ball member. The valve seat member is retained in the wiper plug.

Abstract: A packer assembly is provided suitable for multiple setting and unsetting operations in a well bore during a single trip to seal the annulus between the interior walls of the well bore and a tubing string. Thge packer is set by dropping a metal ball which plugs the passageway through the tubing string, such that tubing pressure may thereafter be increased to inflate the packer. A sleeve is axially movable within a control sub from a ball stop position to a ball release position, and has a cylindrical-shaped interior surface with a diameter only slightly greater than the ball. Collet fingers carried on the sleeve are radially movable from an inward position to an outward position to stop or release the ball as a function of the axial position of the sleeve.

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: A connector for incorporation in a production tube for an oil well, below the packer, comprises a closing flap which closes when a first retractable ball seat is displaced downwards, in order to provide a safety device during the installation of the well head, and above the flap, a second retractable ball seat which, when it is moved away axially downwards, causes the flap to open and be maintained in the open position, in order to put the well in a state of production. The balls seats are provided in the upper portions of two resiliently radially expandable sleeves and are displaced downwardly by the application of fluid pressure to the space within the production tube above their other closure of the respective seat by a ball dropped on to the seat from above.

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 steam deflector connectable into a tubing string is provided for selectively passing steam through the tubing string to the bottom thereof or diverting steam from inside the tubing string out into the well liner-tubing annulus without causing a vortex effect and in a direction concentric with and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing string and above the bottom end thereof utilizing a sliding-sleeve arrangement.