Abstract: A mechanism for arients and maintains a key in a sub for guiding directional measurement equipment of a directional drilling assembly with respect to the drillbit. The orienting sub has an outer sleeve which is supported on an inner shoulder in the orienting sub. An inner sleeve which holds the key has an outer wedged profile which follows the shape of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve can be longitudinally, obliquely, or spirally segmented and has a thread on one end so that a jam nut can be installed to advance the inner sleeve with the key until a wedging action occurs between the inner and outer sleeves and the sub. At that point, the key is oriented without any bores through the wall of the sub. Provisions can be made in the assembly to provide a biasing force on the inner sleeve which holds the key to compensate for vibrational loads on the assembly.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a sub-surface reservoir whereby a production flow is subjected to a separation process in the well hole. Gas and liquid are separated from each other using a cyclone separator, and condensate/oil is separated from water at high pressure in a subsequent cyclone separation. Membranes are used to separate unwanted gases, includeing H.sub.2 S, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O, using membranes under high pressure in the well hole.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for suppressing ignition of flammable materials in a borehole. The apparatus may include a down hole device having an upper end and a lower end, with a shaft extending between the upper and lower ends. A flexible sheath is carried about the shaft. The sheath is upwardly open to atmosphere and is sealed from the borehole adjacent its bottom end. A gas-receiving gap is defined between the sheath and the shaft. A cap seals the annulus between the borehole's wall and the flexible sheath, with the cap desirably sealingly engaging the sheath adjacent its upper end. An inert gas delivered to the gas-receiving gap through a delivery conduit. In one method of the invention, an apparatus as outline above is provided. The down hole device is placed in a borehole such that its upper end is positioned adjacent ground level and its lower end is positioned within the borehole.

Abstract: A pressure-boosting apparatus particularly amenable for use in downhole applications is disclosed. The pressure-boosting apparatus employs an unbalanced piston which is initially fixated in a run-in position. The piston has a flowpath therethrough in which is mounted a check valve. Initially, pressure is applied to above and below the piston which results in an unbalanced force on the piston due to its configuration. Flow to the tool initiates its actuation at this time. When the unbalanced force reaches a predetermined level, the piston is no longer fixated to the housing and begins to accelerate. Acceleration of the piston closes the check valve due to the sudden decrease in pressure behind the check valve and an increase in pressure in front of the check valve as the fluid volume in front of the piston is compressed.

Abstract: The invention describes the separation of oil and water in a production flow from a hydrocarbon reservoir, said separation being carried out by the use of one cyclone or a plurality of cyclones positioned downhole. The produced water is reinjected into the reservoir itself or into a formation zone lying above or below the reservoir.

Abstract: A torque anchor for the purpose of anchoring well equipment within a well conduit. The device anchors the well equipment from rotation in one direction but allows rotation in the other. The device has a body with slips and a driving portion within the slip. The slip has a friction surface which slides against the well conduit. This prevents damage to the gripping teeth or the well conduit. The slip has a gripping teeth portion which engages the well conduit only when the anchor is set. The slip is urged outward by the use of a spring. A portion of the slip is the drive surface which engages the driving portion. This drive surface is such that the perpendicular distance from the drive surface to the outer edge of the gripping teeth increases along the slip in the direction away from the friction surface. The slip has a portion which retains the slip within the anchor and thereby does not require any retaining means.

Abstract: A blast joint for protecting production tubing passing through a producing zone including one or more tubing joints of sufficient length to extend through the producing zone, erosion resistant carbide rings mounted on the tubing joints in end-to-end array, ring retainers at each end of the erosion resistant rings to hold the rings on the tubing joints, and one or more elastomer spacer rings engaged with the erosion resistant rings for holding the erosion resistant rings in end-to-end array and being yieldable axially by outward displacement in response to movement of the erosion resistant rings along the tubing joint to permit the rings to move in response to lateral bending of the tubing joints and impact forces on the blast joint during assembly and installation to minimize damage to the erosion resistant rings. The carbide rings are larger than the tubing joints to permit lateral bending of the tubing joints in the rings without stressing the rings.

Abstract: A simple, efficient apparatus for deploying non-metallic tubing in an oil and gas well comprising a suspension system including one or more continuous support members attached to at least one bottom portion of the tubing and attached to the well head in a manner to alleviate the load which would otherwise be borne by the upper portion of the tubing. Additional guides or centralizers are used periodically along the length of the tubing to reduce helical wrapping of the suspension which could cause compressive forces resulting in tubing failure or collapse.

Abstract: A grease applicator for the threaded joint section of a drill shaft of a blasthole drill. The grease applicator has a grease applicator head movable to an application position adjacent the threaded section of the drill shaft by an applicator drive. The drive extends the applicator head to and extracts the applicator head from the application position. When the applicator head is at the application position, a propelling device for moving grease through the applicator head into engagement with the threaded section is activated to apply the grease to the threaded section. To distribute the grease over the threaded section, the applicator head may have a shape partially surrounding the threaded section. The threaded joint section is vertically positioned in the path of movement of the grease applicator head and the applicator head is extended by the applicator drive along a path toward the threaded section.

Abstract: A riser string connecting a floating vessel to a subsea well has a weak link coupling which will part the riser string once a minimum force is reached. The weak link coupling has a release mechanism which operates at the minimum force. An arming device has a locked position which will prevent operation of the release mechanism. The operator can remotely shift the arming device into an armed position in which the release mechanism will release at the minimum force. The operator can shift the arming device back to the unarmed position if separation did not occur. An actuator will move the arming device from the locked position to the release position. Tapered surfaces on the box and pin of the weak link coupling neutralize the effect of bending moments on the weak link coupling.

Abstract: A blast joint for use with a snubbing unit includes a casing around the protective rings and means for sealing around the bottom of the rings between the tubing and the casing.

Abstract: A blast joint resistant to erosion including an inner pipe joint having a substantially smooth outer surface and an upper end and a lower end. A cylindrical lower assembly having an exterior surface suitable for gripping with power tongs is mounted on the lower end of the inner pipe joint with a torque transfer assembly for transferring torque from the lower assembly to the smooth outer surface of the inner pipe joint. A cylindrical upper assembly having an exterior surface suitable for gripping with power tongs is mounted on the upper end of the inner pipe joint. A plurality of erosion resistant rings are concentrically mounted on the inner pipe joint in a vertically continuous arrangement from a point near the lower end to a point near the upper end of the inner pipe joint without a vertical gap between the rings. A hydrostatic piston and cylinder loader provides a vertical load on the plurality of rings to prevent separations between the rings.

Abstract: An apparatus to support washpipes has a pair of substantially mirror image components which, when clamped together about an inner string, define an annual chamber for receiving and supporting the ends of one or more washpipes.

Abstract: A composite material tube, substantially insensitive to the variations of elongation under the effect of the internal pressure, comprising a number n of stable layers of reinforcement fibers, the fibers of each layer (i) being placed at the same winding angle in absolute value, referenced theta, with respect to the axis of the tube with an equal proportion of fibers wound at said angle in one direction (.vertline.theta.vertline.) as fibers wound in the opposite direction (-.vertline.theta.vertline.), the fibers of each layer being buried in a matrix which adheres to these fibers. The fibers of the same layer and the associated matrix have a volume referenced Y, the parallel fibers of the same layer and the associated matrix having overall a modulus of elasticity in the natural direction of the fibers, referenced E, wherein said n layers of fibers comply as a whole with the following relationship:0.35.ltoreq.A.ltoreq.0.

Abstract: A blast joint for use with a snubbing unit includes a casing around the protective rings and means for sealing around the bottom of the rings between the tubing and the casing.

Abstract: A durable blast joint using a protective sheath of erosion resistant rings arranged in overlapping stacks so as to provide a vertically continuous protective sheath for the full length of the blast joint. The blast joint provides durable structural surfaces suitable for gripping with power tools and has a pressure operated hydrostatic driver for maintaining a tight fit between a continuous series of erosion resistant rings. The blast joint is also adaptable to be installed in a pressurized well, using a snubber unit.

Abstract: An electrically conductive cable is held within the inner bore of a well tool connected to coiled tubing by a clamp which comprises a split ring having radially outwardly extending lug portions on the split ends of the ring. The lug portions are located within a longitudinally upward slot of a sleeve located within the inner bore of the well tool. Upon application of tensional force to the cable, the lugs of the split ring clamp are drawn into the taper thereby compressing the split ring in tighter engagement with the outer surface of the cable.

Abstract: A blast joint and related handling apparatus and method for installing the blast joint in a pressurized well, using a snubber unit. The blast joint has a pressure rated protective jacket, a pressure operated ring load compensator, and an adjustable tubing anchor.

Abstract: A durable blast joint using a protective sheath of erosion resistant rings arranged in overlapping stacks so as to provide a vertically continuous protective sheath for the full length of the blast joint, while also providing durable structural surfaces suitable for gripping with power tools.

Abstract: A multi-joint blast joint comprising a series of standard length joints of production tubing is disclosed. The blast joint includes a series of cylindrical rings composed of an abrasion resistant material mounted about the tubular tubing joints forming a protective shield about the production tubing. A movable sleeve formed of cylindrical abrasion resistant rings is selectively shiftable to enclose and shield the tubing connection assemblies joining the production tubing forming the blast joint. A slip sleeve is mounted about the blast joint providing a pipe slip engaging surface for suspending the blast joint in the well bore. The production tubing and abrasion resistant rings form a blast joint whose length exceeds the standard length of a single joint of production tubing.

Abstract: A blast joint comprising a series of standard length joints of production tubing is disclosed. The blast joint includes a series of cylindrical rings composed of an abrasion resistant material mounted about the tubular tubing joints forming a protective shield about the production tubing. A movable sleeve formed of cylindrical abrasion resistant rings is selectively shiftable to enclose and shield the tubing connection assemblies joining the production tubing forming the blast joint. The production tubing and abrasion resistant rings form a blast joint whose length exceeds the standard length of a single joint of production tubing.

Abstract: Invention relates to a pin for clamping a sleeve 1 moulded from rubber and having a crenellated cut, of which the teeth 7 and spaces 8 match one another, so that the sleeve can be closed over a tube to be protected, the said sleeve being of the type with an embedded metal carcass 6 and terminating with a loop 13 in each tooth 7.The pin 10 which makes it possible to clamp the sleeve by penetrating all the loops of the carcass is of a type with a trapezoidal shank and is characterized in that the point of its shank has a gland 22, and in that the edges of the shank on and at the rear of the gland are rounded and polished.The invention can be used particularly for clamping protectors serving for drilling or production in an underground deposit.

Abstract: The cable head provides an H.sub.2 S resistant assembly which includes a weak link therein substantially isolated from any stress other than tensile stress induced by the logging cable. The cable head also provides a fishing neck at the top of the tool string after the weak link is severed and the wireline retrieved. Moreover, the logging cable is positively secured to the cable head by a force-fit wedge, and the design thereof ensures that parting of the weak link also provides for a positive mechanical disengagement of the logging cable from the cable head. Finally, an external sinker bar has been provided which mounts externally of the cable head, surrounding the logging cable above the cable head and mechanically interlocking therewith; such sinker bars may be run above the cable head in series, each interlocking with the one below it.

Abstract: A blast joint comprising a series of standard length joints of production tubing is disclosed. The blast joint includes a series of cylindrical rings composed of an abrasion resistant material mounted about the tubular tubing joints forming a protective shield about the production tubing. A movable sleeve formed of cylindrical abrasion resistant rings is selectively shiftable to enclose and shield the tubing connection assemblies joining the production tubing forming the blast joint. The production tubing and abrasion resistant rings form a blast joint whose length exceeds the standard length of a single joint of production tubing.

Abstract: There is provided a protective method and joint for multiple consecutive production tubing each having a body portion and an increased diameter portion within a zone to be protected, the method including the steps of installing a plurality of first generally cylindrical annular protective rings coaxially over the body portion of each tubular; placing a plurality of second generally cylindrical annular protective rings coaxially locatable along the increased diameter portion of each tubular over the body portion of the first tubular while supporting the second protective rings with at least one sleeve coaxially located along the body portion of the first tubular; coupling a second tubular to the first tubular to form coupled tubulars; and placing the second protective rings over the increased diameter portion of the second tubular while using at least one sleeve to limit movement of the second protective rings in their radial direction and facilitate movement of those rings over the increased diameter and body

Abstract: There is provided a protective joint for production tubing having a body portion and an increased diameter portion within a zone to be protected and including a transition ring formation and a plurality of first and second generally cylindrical annular protective rings coaxially locatable with the body portion and the increased diameter portion, respectively. The transition ring formation is located between the first and second protective rings and may include a transition ring, a supporting ring and a compensating ring which are sealingly biased with the protective rings against two retainers by a biasing means to thereby form a protective shield capable of accommodating longitudinal movement of the production tubing relative to the protective joint as well as flexing in the production string.

Abstract: A cable head catcher mechanism for use when running tools within a well and which catches the fishing neck of a wire line operated well tool in the event the wire line should become broken due to excessive force as the well tool reaches the upper limit of its travel within the well servicing apparatus. A segmented collet system within a pressure containing housing of the apparatus is operative to catch the fishing neck of a well tool to prevent the tool from falling in the event the wire line cable becomes broken. A sleeve piston is provided which operatively positions the segmented collet within the housing and is hydraulically energized to cause releasing movement of the collet to thus release the fishing neck of the well tool when desired. The mechanism is constructed to allow the cable head and cable to be installed without requiring cutting of the cable.

Abstract: A method of preventing degradation of vulcanized rubber materials used in the operation of oil and gas wells comprising forming said rubber material from a sulfur vulcanized composition comprising a copolymer rubber having in the polymer chain (I) 10 to 60% by weight of a unit from an unsaturated nitrile, (II) not more than 10% by weight of a unit from a conjugated diene, and (III) 30 to 90% by weight of a unit from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer other than the unsaturated nitrile and/or a unit resulting from the hydrogenation of a unit from a conjugated diene, said rubber being vulcanized with a sulfur vulcanization system.

Abstract: Housing means are adapted to be secured adjacent the upper end of a well bore with latch means supported therein for latching with the fishing neck on the upper end of a wire line tool when it is retrieved from the well bore. The housing means includes release means constructed and arranged to unlatch and maintain the latch means unlatched from the fishing neck on the upper end of the wire line tool when desired.

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in a system for landing wire line "no go" tools at selected levels within a tubing string, a landing nipple connectible in the tubing string and in which either a top or a bottom "no go" tool may be landed.

Abstract: An anti-gas locking apparatus for a downhole pump comprises a sleeve disposed below the pump and in fluid communication with the pump inlet, a housing disposed about the sleeve and fluidly communicating at its upper end with the well in which the pump is disposed, and a cross-over assembly communicating lower portions of the housing with the lower end of the sleeve. The cross-over assembly comprises a cross-over diffuser including a jacket member, the upper end of which mates with the lower end of the sleeve, and a dome member within the jacket member. Apertures are formed through the jacket member and dome member and webs extend between these members to form inlet passages into the interior of the dome member from the annulus between the housing and the sleeve and outlet passages about the dome member to the sleeve. An impeller is disposed within the jacket member below the dome member.

Abstract: A protection structure for a tubular member, such as a blast joint, and a protection element therefore which is an abrasion resistant half sleeve with an inward facing tongue and groove along one axial edge, an outward facing tongue and groove along the other axial edge, a groove in one arcuate end and a projection on the other arcuate end, two of said elements forming a protection ring and a plurality of said rings being supported on a tubular member by upper and lower supports which provide tongue and groove engagement with the upper end of the upper ring and with the lower end of the lower ring.

Abstract: A downhole gas separator for use with a downhole pump in a producing well bore, the gas separator being secured to the lower end of the pump and generally comprises inner and outer concentrically arranged tubes extending downwardly within the well tubing, the first tube being provided with a plurality of perforations in the sidewalls thereof adjacent the upper portion thereof, and the second tube being provided with a plurality of perforations in the sidewalls thereof adjacent the lower portion thereof. The well fluid contained in the well bore is drawn into the well casing and travels through a long, torturous upward and downward path through the well tubing and gas separator and to the surface of the well bore, with substantially all of the gas being separated from the heavier components of the fluid during the travel.

Abstract: This is an improved blast joint for subterranean wells which is ideally suited for applications where corrosive compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are encountered. The blast joint comprises a plurality of temperature and corrosion resistant hard rings which are in a stacked end face-to-face array, coaxially carried on a length of tubing. The rings are resiliently compressed in the array by spring washers interspaced by flat washers and this assembly is retained by end collars distally carried on the tubing. The end collars which are employed in this invention have a collet type construction; each collar comprising a clamp ring slidably received over the end of the production tubing, having an internally threaded outer end and a tapered inside wall. A collet sleeve with a tapered outside wall is received in the clamp ring.

Abstract: A strap cutter is secured to the top structure on an oil well casing and as the discharge pipe supporting a submersible pump is withdrawn, the cutting head of the strap cutter engages with and cuts the straps which secure the pump power cable to the discharge pipe. The strap cutter is manually guided into place but employs the upward motion of the discharge pipe string to supply the cutting force. The method comprises the use of the upward motion to accomplish the cutting step.

Abstract: Surface casing stabilizer and hanger means includes a downwardly tapered and inwardly inclined annular outer surface and a concentric, contoured inner annular surface. The surface casing hanger and stabilizer engages and supports surface casing in a conductor pipe and connects the surface casing to the conductor pipe. In practicing the method, the conductor pipe is first positioned in the earth's surface and a well bore drilled therethrough to the desired depth for receiving the surface casing, which surface casing is then lowered into the well bore. Cement is then discharged through the surface casing to fill the annulus between the surface casing and the conductor pipe. While the cement is soft and before it hardens, the conductor pipe's upper end is cut off at the desired elevation and the surface casing then elevated to enable the surface casing stabilizer and hanger means to be engaged therearound.

Abstract: A pumping rod connecting and disconnecting device comprises: a lower production tubing column and an upper production tubing column having a larger diameter than that of the lower column; a connecting piece provided with a circular seat and a circular groove; a lower assembly mounted onto the upper end of a lower pumping rod column and provided with mounting and locking means, as well as with passage means arranged between the spaces located below and above the device; an upper assembly fixed to the lower end of an upper pumping rod column having a continuous axial conduit; and removable blocking means for blocking the locking means of the upper and lower assemblies, connected to a surface source of hydraulic pressure. The device can be used for pumping by means of floating pumping apparatus.

Abstract: Means is provided in a blast joint, for an oil well, whereby the elements of the blast joint are designed and organized to overcome adverse external conditions encountered in the installation of the joint, as well as those encountered in the operation of the joint in the well, to maintain the structure and operability of the blast joint in a condition favorable to its effectiveness in protecting the production tubing from erosion at its production location in the well.

Abstract: In a well treating process in which fluid is or will be conveyed to or from a subterranean reservoir through a pipe string containing threaded pipe joints, the avoidance of reservoir permeability impairment is improved by lubricating the pipe joint threads with automatically applied pre-determined amounts of lubricant.

Abstract: A well system and method for completing petroleum oil and gas wells having special application to extreme environmental settings such as platform, sub sea, and floating vessel operations, and frozen regions such as the Arctic. The system effectively defines a downhole wellhead including weight supporting apparatus in which the tubing hanger is supported and a pack-off with the casing for minimizing the effects of structural damage at the surface end of the well system.

Abstract: The invention provides a blast joint which comprises basically an extended series of short cylindrical rings preferably rectangular in longitudinal axial section, composed of an abrasion resistant material such as cemented tungsten carbide, and disposed coaxially in contact with each other between end retaining rings mounted upon a supporting steel tube which comprises a single section or joined sections of a production tube.

Abstract: A well system and method for completing petroleum oil and gas wells having special application to extreme environmental settings such as platform. sub sea, and floating vessel operations, and frozen regions such as the Arctic. The system effectively defines a downhole wellhead including weight supporting apparatus in which the tubing hanger is supported and a pack-off with the casing for minimizing the effects of structural damage at the surface end of the well system.

Abstract: A sleeve for supporting a radially inwardly extending key disposed within the interior of a drilling sub is characterized by a substantially cylindrical body member having a plurality of ribs extending either radially inwardly or radially outwardly therefrom to define a plurality of fluid conducting channels. A plurality of threads is provided on the radially outer surface of the sleeve adjacent the first axial end thereof. A radially extending notch divides the threads into a first and second set of threads. With the first and second set of threads engaged with a plurality of threads disposed on the interior of the sub, a threaded bolt is disposed in an axially extending bore provided within the sleeve, to thereby lock the sleeve in position within the sub.

Abstract: A mule shoe having a closed key-receiving slot defined by long and short edges therein is characterized by a cam surface thereon connecting the ends of the edges of the slot. The sum of the angular distance occupied by the slot and the angular distance through which the cam surface winds about the axis of the member is equal to at least 360.degree.. An axially directed reaction force generated by abutting contact between the cam surface and a key is converted to a torque acting to cam the mule shoe in only a predetermined angular direction.

Abstract: A conventional logging instrument is adapted to traverse a slanted or deviated earth borehole on the end of a conventional logging cable. A heavy, streamlined sinker bar is adapted to be fitted over the cable and to slide freely thereon. Upper and lower stop clamps, separated by approximately 100 feet of cable, are provided on the cable with the lower stop clamp being located approximately 200 feet above the logging instrument. The sinker bar is adapted to slide freely between the upper and lower stop clamps. Since it is unlikely that the logging tool and the sinker bar will become stuck at the same time in a highly deviated borehole, one of two things can happen. If the sinker bar becomes stuck, the cable passes freely through the center of the sinker bar without impeding the logging tool until the upper clamp reaches the limit of its travel. If at that point the logging instrument is descending freely, it can dislodge the sinker bar with a gravitational force.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.

Abstract: The present application discloses and claims the method of producing a blast joint for oil well production tubing. The method disclosed and claimed herein relates to assembling, upon the exterior of a length of production tubing, a stack of short length refractory rings resistant to abrasion and capable of enduring high temperature, to be used in a string of oil well production tubing.

Abstract: Precompletion apparatus for use in air drilling and casing a problem formation in a well including a casing landing nipple at the lower end of a first string of solid well casing installed by suitable conventional techniques, an expendable plug for engagement in the casing landing nipple to plug a well bore after air drilling below the casing landing nipple to control the well during inserting of a slotted liner, an expending shoe for engaging and displacing the plug downwardly from the landing nipple, a slotted well bore casing for lining a well bore along a problem formation which has been air drilled, and a casing hanger for supporting the slotted liner along the air drilled portion of the well bore from the landing nipple. The plug and hanger each have locking keys engagable with a casing landing nipple and expandable seals for sealing with a seal surface along the casing landing nipple.

Abstract: Damage due to rupture or ballooning of the plastic jacket on a flexible pumping strand due to filling of the well with gas is prevented by providing an assembly including a preset pressure release valve in the lower portions of the strand to quickly release fluid from the interior of the strand to the surrounding environment upon the attainment of a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the strand within a predetermined fraction of the rupture or ballooning strength of the plastic jacket on the pumping strand.

Abstract: There is provided a protective joint for production tubing having a body portion and an increased diameter portion within a zone to be protected and including a transition ring formation and a plurality of first and second generally cylindrical annular protective rings coaxially locatable with the body portion and the increased diameter portion, respectively. The transition ring formation is located between the first and second protective rings .[.and may include a transition ring, a supporting ring and a compensating ring which are sealingly biased with the protective rings against two retainer by a biasing means.]. to .[.thereby.]. form a protective shield capable of accommodating longitudinal movement of the production tubing relative to the protective joint as well as flexing in the production string.