Abstract: A method of forming an entry guide at an end of a tubular string in a wellbore can include conveying a forming device into the wellbore, and deforming the end of the tubular string from a cylindrical shape to an outwardly widening shape with the forming device. A method of forming an entry guide at an end of an expanded liner hanger in a wellbore can include outwardly expanding the liner hanger, thereby sealingly securing a tubular string in the wellbore, and deforming the end of the liner hanger from a cylindrical shape to an outwardly widening shape with a forming device.

Abstract: An expandable downhole sealing assembly in which an axial setting force is applied to radially compress and self-energize an expanding element such that stored radial forces in the expanding element effect and maintain a seal thereafter. The sealing assembly can be used to provide a seal between a casing and a mandrel in a well, among other applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extrusion preventing supporting device (30) comprising interconnected chain elements (40; 50, 55). Outwardly curved ends (42; 57, 58) of the chain elements (40; 50, 55) are adapted to be received by inwardly curved ends (43; 52, 53) of adjacent chain elements (40; 50, 55). Each chain element comprises a through connection bore (44; 54, 59). The extrusion preventing supporting device (30) further comprises one continuous connection wire 70 provided through the respective connection bores (44; 54, 59).

Abstract: A composite cone assembly for use with a frac or bridge plug system is discussed herein having shaped outer contours and the strength needed for high pressure applications but with reduced machining requirements by forming part of the cone assembly from a high strength fiber material and the contoured surface from molding, such as from injection molding or compression molding.

Abstract: An expansion tool for use in a wellbore includes an expansion surface made up of a concave portion, a convex portion and a straight section therebetween. In one aspect, the center section is formed according to a formula Y=(1.26) (X)?0.13, where X is the wall thickness of a tubular and Y is the length of the center section. In another aspect, the expansion surface includes a first concave portion and a convex portion having an arc length extending the concave portion to a trailing edge of the tool. In another embodiment, the concave and convex portions are radius-shaped. The arrangement of the shapes and their relation to each other reduces relatively high and low contact pressures and lessens the effects of axial bending in a tubular or a connection.

Abstract: A packer or bridge plug uses a sealing element made from a shape memory polymer (SMP). The packer element receives heat or other stimulus to soften the SMP while the element is compressed and retained. While so retained, the heat or other stimulus is removed to allow the SMP to get stiff so that it effectively seals a surrounding tubular. High expansion rates are possible as the softness of the material under thermal input allows it to be reshaped to the surrounding tubular or to the surrounding open hole from a smaller size during run in and to effectively retain a sealed configuration after getting stiff on reduction in its core temperature while longitudinally compressed. The SMP or equivalent material whose modulus is changeable can be covered on the outside, the inside or both with an elastic material that protects the SMP and enhances the seal in the wellbore and against the mandrel.

Abstract: A packer or bridge plug uses a sealing element made from a shape memory polymer (SMP). The packer element receives heat to soften the SMP while the element is compressed and retained. While so retained, the heat is removed to allow the SMP to get stiff so that it effectively seals a surrounding tubular. High expansion rates are possible as the softness of the material under thermal input allows it to be reshaped to the surrounding tubular from a smaller size during run in and to effectively retain a sealed configuration after getting stiff on reduction in its core temperature while longitudinally compressed.

Abstract: A packer includes a sealing element, a gage and a plurality of foldback rings. The rings are located between the gage and the sealing element.

Abstract: An arrangement is described of a plug with a sealing system for pressure testing of bore holes and the like in a formation or the like, comprising a pipe in which the plug is fitted in a plug-carrying chamber, and the plug closes the passage through the pipe in cooperation with sealing bodies, as the plug is arranged (rests) in a seat in the chamber. The arrangement is characterised in that the sealing bodies (23,25) are arranged in connection with the inner wall of the pipe (10) above (upstream) and/or below (downstream) of the chamber (30), and are arranged to form a seal against the respective cylindrical extensions (44,46) of the plug body (45) above and/or below the chamber.

Abstract: A tubing plug is preinstalled in a premium connection that allows support for the plug outside the drift dimension of the tubulars above and below. The plug is supported in a rotationally locked manner to avoid turning when being milled out. The plug shape internally comprises gentle sloping walls rather than surfaces in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tubular to allow smaller cuttings to be produced that can be caught on a magnetic sub or circulated to the surface. Because the plug is supported in a zone outside the drift dimension of the adjacent tubulars, milling out the plug does not reduce the drift of the tubular assembly in which the plug was initially mounted. Seals can be provided for bubble tight sealing around the plug.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method useful for discouraging the extrusion of at least one deformable member of a device into a space adjacent to the deformable member when the device is disposed within a borehole and the deformable member extends from the device to the borehole wall involves at least one expandable member disposed upon the device. The expandable member is expandable into the annulus to reduce the width thereof and retractable therefrom to allow movement of the device within and out of the borehole and redeployment of the expandable member. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly suited for limiting the extrusion of packer elements.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus for limiting the extrusion of a packer element. The apparatus includes a packer mandrel having a packer element assembly disposed in a wellbore. Packer retaining shoes are disposed about the packer mandrel at the ends of the packer element assembly. The packer retaining shoes have an inner retainer and an outer retainer. The inner retainer has a plurality of segments having gaps therebetween that expand in width when the retaining shoe is moved from an initial position in which it is disposed about the packer mandrel to an expanded position wherein it engages the wellbore to limit the extrusion of the packer element assembly. The outer retainer is likewise made up of a plurality of segments having gaps therebetween that will expand. The outer retainer engages the wellbore to limit the extrusion of the packer element assembly.

Abstract: A wellbore tubular handling system and method is provided for operation in holding and lowering tubulars, such as tubing strings, casing strings, pipe strings, and the various components thereof, at a rig site. The handling system utilizes a shock table with a compressible support surface that compressively moves with a selected compression rate in response to the weight of the wellbore tubular string. The shock table preferably has a shock table body mounted below the rig floor and may conveniently replace the rotary table master bushing except for a flange which supports the shock table on the rig floor. A split-sectioned landing spear can be split open to an open position to thereby allow large items such as collars or other string components to pass through the shock table.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packer for a wellbore, comprising a central tubular element (7) covered by a deformable peripheral sleeve (5). Fluid is injected inside the tubular element under pressure in order to form said sleeve (5) and to apply it to the walls of the wellbore (3). The inventive device is characterized in that the deformable sleeve (5) is made out of metal and the inner wall of the sleeve (5) comprises at least one annular chamber (17) that extends over at least one part of the surface of the sleeve (5) and communicates with the inside of the packer via an orifice (19), whereby said chamber (17) is filled with a material that is non-miscible with respect to the wellbore fluid prior to the injection of said fluid under pressure.

Abstract: An adjustable tubular hanger for suspending a tubular string from a wellhead component is provided which includes an elongated body having a lower end adapted to be connected to the tubular string and an upper end portion including a plurality of axial annular grooves formed in the outer diameter surface thereof, each groove defining a downwardly facing support surface, and a support ring adapted to be positioned around the body in one of the grooves, the support ring having an upwardly facing load shoulder for engaging the support surface and a downwardly facing load surface for engaging a support shoulder formed in the wellhead component, whereby the elevation of the tubular hanger within the wellhead component can be adjusted depending on in which groove the support ring is positioned.

Abstract: A plug for creating a pressure barrier within an oil or gas well comprises a plug body (5) and a metal primary seal element (7) having a frusto-conical seal face (7A) adapted to engage a corresponding seal surface of a profiled well conduit to create a metal-to-metal seal having a relatively large contact area. The primary seal is energised by pressure applied above the plug, prior to the plug been set by a running tool which operates an actuating member (5) to displace locking keys (4) radially outwards so as to engage corresponding formations in the well profile and lock the plug against axial movement within the well conduit. The plug may be retrieved using a pulling tool and re-used, and includes a secondary elastomeric or polymeric seal (6).

Abstract: An adjustable casing hanger for suspending a casing string from a wellhead is provided which includes an elongated tubular body having a lower end adapted to be connected to the casing string and an upper end portion including a plurality of axial annular grooves formed in the outer diameter surface thereof, each groove defining a downwardly facing support surface, and a support ring adapted to be positioned around the body in one of the grooves, the support ring having an upwardly facing load shoulder for engaging the support surface and a downwardly facing load surface for engaging a support shoulder formed in the wellhead, whereby the elevation of the casing hanger within the wellhead can be adjusted depending on in which groove the support ring is positioned.

Abstract: This invention is a packer which is a short pipe designed to attach to a screen or filter device at one end. The other end is designed to attach to the well pipe or nipple extension or provide a seat for a submersable pump. On the outside of the pipe are four annular rings to provide a seal between the packer and the adjacent strata of earth or pipe casing. Three of the four annular rings extend perpendicular from the pipe. The fourth which attaches to the end of the packer extends in an upwardly concave fashion from the short pipe. On the inside of the packer is an annular ridge in approximately the middle of the short pipe. This ridge keeps the well pipe, nipple extension, submersable pump, and the screen from touching when they are attached to the packer. The packer is made of plastic and can be cast in a single step process.

Abstract: The packing-seal is shown in use in a borehole as a level-isolating seal for a groundwater sampler. The packing-seal shown includes an expandable annulus of Dowell (TM) water-expandable material. Surrounding that is a pressure-sleeve of rubber. A sheet of woven Kevlar (TM) is wrapped circumferentially around the sleeve and the Dowell annulus, such that the ends of the Kevlar sheet overlap. Outside the Kevlar is an outer rubber sleeve. Upon expansion of the packing seal to fill the borehole, the Kevlar sheet unwraps to allow the Dowell to expand without restraint. Once the packing seal has filled the borehole, the Kevlar sheet is prevented from unwrapping further. If the borehole contains a fissure the Kevlar provides a rigid bridge over the fissure, and prevents the packing-seal from ballooning out into the fissure.

Abstract: A packer for effecting steam treatment of a production formation of a subterranean well comprises an insulated mandrel which is slidably inserted within the bore of an inner tubular body assembly. An outer operative tubular assembly surrounds the inner assembly and mounts a plurality of drag blocks, upper and lower cone elements, a plurality of radially displaceable slips cooperating with the upper and lower cone elements, and an outer packing element fabricated by an assemblage of high temperature resistant, non-resilient seal elements formed primarily of graphite. An inner packing element is provided in the inner tubular body assembly utilizing additional high temperature resistant, non-resilient seal elements formed primarily of graphite, which sealingly engages the insulated mandrel.

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: An improved well packer for use in sour gas wells is disclosed. The improved packer includes a cylindrical mandrel encircled with a resilient metal seal ring, means for anchoring the packer at a predetermined vertical depth, means for radially expanding the seal rings so as to cause sealing engagement with the casing and mandrel, and ratchet means for maintaining the seal rings in expanded form. The packer is adapted to be run into the cased wellbore on tubing and is particularly useful in sour gas wells.