Abstract: A subsea assist snubbing jack comprises bi-directional slip bowls and can hold light or heavy pipe loads, create clamping load internally without relying on pipe weight or the force of the subsea assist snubbing jack to develop clamping force; do not require pipe motion to unseat the clamp on the pipe; utilize smooth faced inserts that do not mark the pipe; and are suitable for subsea control by wire operation. In embodiments, it is also instrumented to directly measure the pipe weight being held by one or both slip bowls.

Abstract: A weight down tool comprises a central mandrel configured to be coupled to a wellbore tubular, a plurality of outwardly extending hunter lugs disposed about the central mandrel, and a plurality of radially expandable weight down lugs disposed about the central mandrel. The hunter lugs are configured to retract in response to moving through an upper restriction in a downwards direction and to expand the weight down lugs into an expanded position in response to moving through the upper restriction in an upwards direction. The weight down lugs are configured to retract out of the expanded position in response to moving through the upper restriction in an upwards direction.

Abstract: An anchor assembly can anchor a downhole power unit in a wellbore. The anchor assembly can couple to a downhole power unit and can include a coupling member supported by a supporting member in a body. The supporting member can move vertically relative to the body in response to a force and the coupling member can move radially between an expanded position and a retracted position in response to movement by the supporting member. The coupling member in the expanded position can anchor the anchor assembly.

Abstract: An expansion cone assembly (200) for setting a liner hanger. The expansion cone assembly (200) includes a cone mandrel (202) having an outer frustoconical surface (220), a lead cone (206) slidably disposed around the cone mandrel (200) having a frustoconical surface (228) with a maximum outer diameter (230) and a collapsible cone (204) slidably disposed at least partially around the outer frustoconical surface (220) of the cone mandrel (202). In an expansion configuration, the outer frustoconical surface (220) radially props the collapsible cone (204) such that it has a first maximum outer diameter (232) that is greater than the maximum outer diameter (230) of the lead cone (206). In a retrieval configuration, the collapsible cone (204) axially shifts relative to the outer frustoconical surface (220) such that it has a second maximum outer diameter (234) that is no more than the maximum outer diameter (230) of the lead cone (206).

Abstract: Packer assemblies capable of providing desired load-bearing performance and of being retrieved from a bore in a subterranean formation are described. A packer assembly can include a wedge that can respond to a force in a downhole direction by un-supporting the slip. The unsupported slip is configured to disengage from a casing string, allowing the packer assembly to be removed from the bore. The wedge can include a collet to allow the wedge to separate from the slip to prevent slip re-setting.

Abstract: An anchor tool has a body, a plurality of slips coupled to the body, each of the slips hingedly coupled to a link at a first end, each of the slips slidably retained in a channel at a second end and each of the slips operably moveable from a retracted orientation to an expanded orientation.

Abstract: A load distributing apparatus including, a sleeve configured to be radially expandable, and a wedge in operable communication with the sleeve. The longitudinal movement of the wedge relative to the sleeve causes an increase in longitudinal load on the sleeve by the wedge until an expanded portion of the sleeve reaches a selected dimension of the wedge after which continued movement of the wedge relative to the sleeve maintains a substantially constant longitudinal load on the sleeve.

Abstract: A collet assembly has a housing and the collets disposed on flexible fingers connected to the housing at their opposed ends. A surrounding landing sleeve stops the assembly so that collets are aligned with a recess in a landing collar that is part of a surrounding tubing string. Once set the landing sleeve transmits compressive loads so that compressive stress essentially bypasses the finger structure supporting the collets. The fingers are initially tapered toward a longitudinal axis so that when internally supported they assume an aligned orientation to the housing axis to allow greater tensile loading and to provide a retraction force when the housing is to be removed after the collet support is removed.

Abstract: A boring head system for boring machines includes couplings or drive units for the rotation-translation of at least one boring rod and of at least one covering tube that are coaxial and hollow, such to allow the passage of pressurized water/air as well as the upward flow of waste fluid consisting of water/air mixed with debris along the interspace defined between the rod and the covering tube, and also includes a protection screen or wall completely enveloping the rod and the covering tube, suited to be positioned near or at the level of an upper annular opening of the interspace, out of which the waste fluid flows, in such as way as to intercept the waste fluid in all directions and to convey it downwards.

Abstract: A downhole tool 100 includes closure seats 116, 176 for seating with a closure, such as a ball. Shear pins or other connectors temporarily limit axial movement of each closure seat which is initially housed within a restricted diameter portion of the central throughbore in the tool body. A piston axially moves in response to fluid pressure to pressurize fluid in a chamber and controllably release fluid through one or more restrictions. The closure seat may be lowered to engage a stop 108, 159, such that the seat may move axially to an enlarged diameter bore portion of the tool, thereby allowing radial expansion of a closure seat to release the ball.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for remotely running a subsea production tree (12) and desuspending a well is described. The apparatus comprises a tree running tool (16) adapted to be connected to a production tree, at least one downhole tool, at least one of the tools being a plug retrieval tool (22) and a tool deployment device (18) in hydraulic communication with at least the plug retrieval tool to hydraulically operate the plug retrieval tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a decelerating device. The device includes, a body movably engagable within a tubular, a mandrel longitudinally movably disposed at the body, and at least one deceleration element disposed at the body in operable communication with the mandrel such that longitudinal movement of the mandrel with respect to the body causes controlled radial movement of the at least one deceleration element to decelerate the decelerating device in relation to the downhole tubular.

Abstract: Elastodynamic waves are generated by a tool having a hammer rotatably connected with a housing by a first hinge and an actuator arm rotatably connected with the hammer by a second hinge. An axial force applied to the actuator arm by a drive shaft and spring is translated and amplified to a radial impact force by rotation of the hammer around the first hinge. The tool may also include a stabilizer arm connected to the actuator arm by a third hinge, and connected to the housing by a fourth hinge. The housing may be an acoustic wireline tool cylinder having an opening that permits the hammer mass to extend outside the housing when rotated in a first direction. The housing may also include a second opening that permits the hammer mass to extend outside the housing when rotated in a second direction, and a third opening that permits the hammer mass to extend outside the housing when rotated between the first and second openings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a downhole retrieving tool. The tool includes, a tubular member with a deformable portion having a reduced internal dimension, and a swage member engagable with the reduced internal dimension such that movement of the swage member through the deformable portion radially increases the internal dimension and the outer surface of the deformable portion causing the deformable portion to move radially outwardly.

Abstract: A tool is used for installing a string of casing in a well. The casing is supported by a casing hanger that lands on a landing shoulder of the wellhead assembly. A running mechanism is releasably secured to the casing hanger for landing the casing hanger and setting a casing hanger seal. A profile is formed in the wellhead assembly above the landing shoulder. The tool includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion being secured to the running mechanism. A mandrel is mounted to the body for axial movement relative to the body, the mandrel having a threaded upper end for securing to a running string of conduit. A cam surface is formed on the mandrel. A plurality of dogs are mounted to the upper portion of the body in sliding engagement with the cam surface for movement in response to axial movement of the mandrel into engagement with the profile. While in the engaged position, the dogs resist upward movement of the casing hanger during cementing of the string of casing.

Abstract: A method of installing an internal latch profile in an existing tubular string does not require the use of a packer. In a described embodiment, a method of latch installation includes the step of deforming an interior surface of the tubular string after the tubular string is positioned in a well. In another described embodiment, a method of latch installation includes the step of cutting into the interior surface of the tubular string.

Abstract: A collection device for use with a drill to capture debris ejected from drilling into a surface (100) comprising a body (10) formed of flexible material having a first, substantially flat, configuration and a second erect, configuration defining a cavity (120). The body includes a hole (50) for receiving a drill bit into the cavity when the body is erect and adhesive means (80) for adhering the body to the surface (100).

Abstract: A downhole pulling tool (100) for retrieving downhole devices (102, 104) from a wellbore is disclosed. The downhole pulling tool (100) includes a mandrel (106) and a sleeve (108) that is slidably disposed about the mandrel (106). The sleeve (108) is moveable in a first direction from a first position to a second position relative to the mandrel (106) and is moveable in a second direction from the second position to a third position relative to the mandrel (106). An engagement member (114) radially extends between the mandrel (106) and the sleeve (108) and is operated from a retracted position to an engagement position when the sleeve (108) is moved to the second position relative to the mandrel (106) after equalization.

Abstract: A downhole tool catcher which includes a bottom hole assembly formed of an inner tubular in an outer tubular, an external housing connected to the outer tubular, and a washpipe extending from the inner tubular into the external housing, the washpipe having an external shoulder located uphole of an internal shoulder on the external housing, the external shoulder and internal shoulder being configured to engage each other upon movement of the external housing in an uphole direction in relation to the washpipe. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom hole assembly includes a mud motor.

Abstract: An anti-rotation device for use with concentric tubing hangers is disclosed. The anti-rotation device can be used as part of the emergency release system that provides for manually releasing and removing the tubing hanger running tool in the event the hydraulic release mechanism fails. The anti-rotation device can be retrofitted into existing tubing hangers without modification to the surrounding casing or spool body.

Abstract: A primary pipe gripping mechanism and a backup, secondary pipe gripping mechanism are carried in a single tapered slip bowl. The primary gripping mechanism employs smooth surface pipe dies that set against and grip and hold the pipe without damaging the pipe surface. After the primary mechanism is set, toothed dies in the secondary gripping are automatically engaged with the pipe with only a minimal pipe gripping force. Accidental slippage of the pipe through the smooth dies sets the toothed dies down against a wedging surface to grip and hold the pipe to stop its downward movement. A resilient biasing device is used to urge the toothed dies away from the pipe before the smooth dies are set. Movement of the pipe relative to the already set, smooth dies automatically causes the toothed dies to set and grip the pipe to thereby limit the incidence of pipe damage to those situations in which pipe slippage occurs through the primary gripping mechanism.

Abstract: A slip die with a substantially smooth pipe contact surface is employed in a conventional slip assembly as a primary mechanism for gripping pipe. A second conventional slip assembly with conventional dies having penetrating die teeth on their contact surfaces is employed as a secondary gripping mechanism to automatically grip the pipe in the event the primary mechanism loses its grip. The smooth slip elements are constructed of a malleable material which tends to conform to surface irregularities on the outer surface of the pipe to increase the gripping force on the pipe. In the method, the pipe is initially gripped by the primary slip mechanism before the secondary mechanism is actuated to contact the pipe. The slips are set by downward pipe forces acting on the dies so that the die teeth of the secondary mechanism do not grip the pipe unless the primary slip mechanism fails.

Abstract: An improved metal-to-metal seal packoff system for establishing a high pressure metallic barrier between concentric tubular elements, such as a wellhead housing and a casing hanger, including a seal element with a pair of annular metal sealing lips that are energized by the wedging force of an expander mandrel having a cross-sectional configuration resembling a tuning fork with depending legs.

Abstract: A hanger for hanging a string of conduit within a wellhead has a metal-to-metal seal. The hanger has a body that locates within the wellhead and provides an annular clearance between the body and the wellhead. A locking device fits within this clearance to lock the hanger against axial movement. The metal-to-metal seal is an annular ring with inner and outer cylindrical sidewalls. The seal has a cavity into which a wedge ring is driven to urge the sidewalls apart to embed within the hanger body and wellhead bore. The locking device has reacting wedges that urge a split ring outward into engagement with the wellhead. A retaining mechanism is then moved downwardly with the seal to retain the split ring in locking engagement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for maintaining the integrity of a cement sheath surrounding a casing in a hot subteranean zone including a layer of compressible refractory insulation surrounding the casing and at least one cement hanger slidably carried by said casing and means for limiting the movement of the hanger on the casing. The insulation layer mechanically isolates the sheath from thermal expansion of the casing and the slidable cement hanger likewise allows limited axial motion of the casing relative to the sheath without inducing tensile loads.

Abstract: A cased borehole has a tubing string run downhole thereof. A packer affixed to the tubing is set with the tubing string terminating in proximity of a hydrocarbon producing formation to be completed. A wireline operated perforating gun is suspended from a mass by means of a lost motion coupling and the mass is suspended from a wireline. The entire apparatus is run downhole and positioned adjacent to the hydrocarbon containing formation. The gun is detonated; whereupon formation fluid enters the casing and tends to thrust the gun uphole respective to the mass and to the wireline. The relative motion between the gun and mass is advantageously used to set a tool hold down apparatus which arrests uphole thrust of the gun. The gun can be subsequently retrieved by lifting the mass with the wireline, thereby releasing the tool hold down apparatus and enabling wireline retrieval of the entire apparatus suspended from the wireline.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be run into a well on a wireline for explosively cutting tubing having an explosive cutting member mounted with a body member connected to the wireline, a settable hanging member for securing the body member within the bore of the tubing prior to detonation of the explosive member, and a wireline actuated firing mechanism to explosively activate the explosive cutting means for severing the tubing in the well.