Abstract: A unitary assembly (10); is disclosed for isolating a leak in a side pocket mandrel (12) between the tubing annulus (16) about a tubing string (14) and the interior (20) of the tubing string. The unitary assembly includes an upper packer (22), and a lower packer (24) interconnected by a tailpipe (26). The upper packer (22) is preferably set by a wireline tool and the lower packer is preferably set hydraulically. This eliminates the need for a drilling or workover rig to be setup over the well when patching a leak.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for making a casing patch while the casing is held under tension. The method includes the steps of lowering a casing patch tool to position the annular member to which the upper end of the casing is to be connected and a casing protection collar both in surrounding relationship to the upper end of the casing and with the cold forging tool and the tensioning spear within the casing, setting the spear within the casing at a level surrounded by the casing protection collar, pulling on the spear to tension the casing, and cold forging the casing into tight gripping and sealing engagement with the annular member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for varying from a remote location the bore of shoes within a ram-type blow out preventer to sealingly engage pipe of varying diameters. A plurality of shoe pairs is provided, each pair defining a cylindrical surface having a different bore for engagement about pipe of corresponding diameter. Each shoe has pipe faces and a curved packer surface forming a semicircular half-cylinder portion of the cylindrical surface and is releasably and interchangeably interconnectable by a lock pin to either of a pair of rams in the preventer. Method and apparatus are further provided for effecting from a remote location removal of a first shoe pair from the preventer rams and transfer thereof to the location, as well as transfer of a second shoe pair from the location to the preventer and installation therein, thereby remotely varying the shoe bore in the preventer as desired.

Abstract: An improved repair connector for a subsea tubular member and the method of making such repair. The improved repair connector includes a annular housing and an annular guide, said annular housing having internal grooves filled with pressure compensating material, a concave recess having serrations therein, a rib having a downwardly facing shoulder on the interior of said housing, threads on the upper interior of said housing for receiving a string, and means carried by said guide for sealing against the exterior of a string on which the connector is to be installed. Also, a band of brittle material is positioned within a groove in the exterior of the housing which generates a noise upon the deformation of the housing responsive to completion of the forming of the tubular member therein.

Abstract: A process for sealing casing leaks comprises cleaning out the annulus between the tubing and the casing, situating a gelable mixture in the annulus at the loci of the leak in the casing, pressuring the mixture through the leak into the formation and effecting gelation of the mixture. Optionally, the remaining gelable mixture may be circulated out of the annulus. Gelable mixtures can be comprised of various organic and inorganic gel polymers.

Abstract: In order to salvage a slot path on an offshore platform wherein the original conductor pipe has become clogged or otherwise rendered unusable, the original conductor is cut off below mudline, thereby leaving a stub forming a base upon which a suitably oriented deflector trough is attached. A new or replacement conductor is installed along the same slot path until the deflector trough causes the new conductor to follow a deviated path so as to avoid the original conductor. The direction of the deflector trough is selected to avoid existing wells already driven from such structure.

Abstract: A tubing assembly is disclosed for providing fluid communication and wireline access from a tubing string through a tubing remnant extending above a packer set within a casing. In combination, the tubing assembly comprises a funnel guide connectable to the lower portion of the tubing string, and a packer connectable with the tubing string above the funnel guide for establishing a sealed zone within the casing extending from above the funnel guide to the tubing remnant packer. The funnel guide further comprises a body having a lower flared skirt adapted to receive thereinto an upper portion of the tubing remnant, a central bore extending through the body, and devices on an upper portion thereof for connection to the tubing string.

Abstract: Method of repairing a leak in a well production string by milling a protective pipe string down between the conductor pipe and the production string, and cementing it in place at depths up to 500 feet.

Abstract: A method of replacing a corroded well conductor positioned in an oil production platform at an offshore location. After shutting in or killing the well, the wellhead is removed and the sections of the casing and tubing strings within the well conductor above the mud line are backed off and removed. The damaged well conductor is cut off above the mud line leaving a stub to which the lower end of a new section of well conductor is connected and bonded by means of a novel connector. Communication between the old and new sections of well conductor is established and the casing and tubing sections are re-installed in the new well conductor and the wellhead is closed.

Abstract: A method for sealing the wall of a bore hole comprises forming a liner of resilient sheet material into a substantially cylindrical or scroll configuration having a diameter smaller than that of the hole, inserting the liner into the hole, allowing the liner to expand to substantially the diameter of the hole, and pressing the liner against the wall of the bore hole. Apparatus for performing the method comprises an elongated member having a first end insertable into the bore hole, means associated therewith for supporting a liner within the hole, and rotary means for pressing the liner into contact with the wall of the hole. A liner in accordance with the present invention comprises a resilient sheet pressed against the wall of the bore hole, and a layer of mud and cement interposed between the sheet and the wall.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for installing strain gages or other sensors-transducers in wellbores penetrating subterranean earth formations. The subject apparatus comprises an assembly which is lowered into the wellbore, secured in place, and then actuated to sequentially clean the wellbore or casing surface at a selected location with suitable solvents, etchants and neutralizers, grind the surface to a relatively smooth finish, apply an adhesive to the surface, and attach the strain gages or the like to the adhesive-bearing surface. After installing the condition-sensing gages to the casing or earth formation the assembly is withdrawn from the wellbore leaving the sensing gages securely attached to the casing or the subterranean earth formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the replacement of seals in ram type blow out preventers and is especially useful for replacing such seals where the well head is at a considerable distance from the drill head, for example on the sea bed. The method comprises removing a seal from a first blow out preventer ram in situ at the lower end of the well riser, and inserting a replacement shoe of smaller internal diameter itself fitted with a seal within the seal recess of the first ram.There is disclosed a shoe for a ram type blow out preventer comprising a part annular member having a part cylindrical outer surface provided with a ridge for receipt in a recess in a blow out preventer ram, means for indexing and securing the part annular member relative to the blow out preventer ram, and a seal receiving recess in the radially inner surface of the part annular member.

Abstract: Flow channels behind the casing in a well are plugged by detecting a circumferential temperature anomaly on the casing, perforating in the direction of such anomaly, and introducing cement into the perforations. The apparatus for locating and perforating into a flow channel includes a sensitive temperature sensing assembly capable of detecting temperature differences as low as 0.01.degree. F, and an attached perforating gun having a fixed orientation in relation to the temperature sensing assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a grouting tube for packer designed to prevent back-flow of cement grouting material past the grout packer out of the grouting area. The grouting tube is comprised essentially of an innertube constructed of steel or like material through which the grouting material is designed to flow. The inner tube has threaded nut means disposed a distance from the upper end of the tube on reverse threads. At the other or lower end of the tube, a retaining ring means is disposed and attached to said bottom end by means of rivets or the like. Concentric with said inner tube and disposed between said ring and said nut means is a series of alternating frusto-conical tubes and flexible frusto-conical leather caps. The caps are designed to act as seals between the grouting tube and the walls of the grout hole to prevent backflow of grouting material.

Abstract: Retrievable blowout preventer ram seals which are adapted to be removed and/or inserted with apparatus working on the inside of the well pipe.

Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a cement sheath around the casing in a well bore in which a retainer is inserted within the casing below perforations in the casing adjacent an area of cement sheath requiring repair; a packer means is inserted within the casing above perforations in the casing adjacent the area of cement sheath requiring repair; a gellable polymer composition is injected through the perforations and into the well bore and adjacent underground formation and allowed to gel; thereafter a sufficient amount of cementitious material is injected through the perforations into the well bore around the casing with sufficient pressure applied to squeeze gel from the well bore into the formation and replace the gel with cementitious material; the cementitious material is allowed to set; and the packer, cementitious material and retainer are removed from the casing interior.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for emplacing a liner in a conduit in a well penetrating subterranean formations characterized by suspending at a predetermined depth in the well at least one annular liner having an annular body portion and an adjacent, concentrically disposed swage means that is adapted for being driven interiorly of the body portion for expanding the latter outwardly into contact with the conduit; firing a setting tool in the method to drive the swage means concentrically interiorly of the body portion; and removing the setting tool, leaving the swage and the body portion set in the conduit with a large bore penetrating longitudinally thereof. Also disclosed are straddle patches having a liner at each end, either set in a unitary operation or set by a two-step operation; other combinations employing the liners and the specific apparatus for setting the liners.