Abstract: An open tip downhole expansion tool including a frustoconical member having a base at a diametrically smaller portion of the frustoconical member and a tip at a diametrically larger portion of the frustoconical member, the member having a radially outer zone and a radially inner zone and having an axial length extending from the base to the tip; an outer void in a material of the member along a length of the radially outer zone; and an inner void in a material of the member along a length of the radially inner zone, the outer and inner voids being located at different positions along the axial length of the frustoconical member, the outer and inner voids each causing the frustoconical member to present a first resistance to deformation when the voids are open and a higher resistance to deformation of the frustoconical member when the voids are collapsed.

Abstract: A plug which does not cause an adverse effect such as failure of a member constituting the plug when a wellbore is plugged. The downhole plug (10) includes a mandrel (1) having a hollow structure, a sealing member (2) attached to an outer circumferential surface of the mandrel (1) and being deformable by exerted pressure, and a socket (3) attached, adjacent to the sealing member (2), onto the outer circumferential surface of the mandrel (1), downstream of where the pressure is exerted on the sealing member (2). An inner circumferential edge (31a) of the socket (3) which comes in contact with the mandrel (1) protrudes toward the sealing member (2).

Abstract: A wellbore assembly includes a production string disposed inside a wellbore and a junk collector coupled to a downhole end of the production string. The junk collector has an upper rim defining an opening configured to receive wellbore junk. The junk collector receives wellbore junk through the upper rim at a downhole end of the production string and stores the wellbore junk.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a packer for creating a seal in an annular area. In one aspect, a packer cup for use in a wellbore is provided. The packer cup includes a base and a first seal segment having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first seal segment is attached to the base. The packer cup further includes a second seal segment that is spaced apart from the base. The second seal segment is attached to the second end of the first seal segment, wherein each seal segment is configured to move from a retracted shape to an expanded shape upon activation of the respective seal segment. In another aspect, a method for creating a seal between a tubular and a wellbore is provided. In a further aspect, a packer is provided.

Abstract: A system for plugging an oil well comprises a hollow drill string. A connecting device having an upper surface, a side surface, and a lower surface having a recess is loosely situated around the drill string. A first skirt has a plurality of first rods that are each pivotally connected to the upper surface. A second skirt has a plurality of second rods that are each pivotally connected to the lower surface. A first fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the first skirt to transition from a closed position to an open position. A second fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the second skirt to transition from a closed position to an open position. A stop having a beveled edge is secured to the drill string. The recess is configured to allow the connecting device to mate with the stop's beveled edge.

Abstract: A system for plugging an oil well after a blowout comprises a hollow drill string. A connecting device is loosely situated around the string. The connecting device has an upper surface, a side surface and a lower surface having a recess. An inflatable bladder comprises an impermeable material. A skirt has a plurality of rods, each of which are pivotally connected to the lower surface. The first fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the bladder to transition from an unfilled state to a filled state. A second fastening ring is configured to selectively allow the skirt to transition from a closed position to an open position. A stop having a beveled edge is secured to the drill string. The recess is configured to allow the connecting device to mate with the stop beveled edge.

Abstract: An actuatable wellbore isolation assembly comprising a housing generally defining an axial flowbore and comprising a mandrel portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, a radially expandable isolating member positioned circumferentially about a portion of the housing, a sliding sleeve circumferentially positioned about a portion of the mandrel of the cylindrical housing, the sliding sleeve being movable from, a first position in which the sliding sleeve retains the expandable isolating member in a narrower non-expanded conformation to a second position in which the sliding sleeve does not retain the expandable isolating member in the narrower non-expanded conformation, and an actuator assemblage configured to selectively allow movement of the sliding sleeve from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A packer unit for an annular blowout preventer including an annular elastomer body including an elastomer having a unidirectional grain and a quantity of fiber longitudinally aligned with the grain of the elastomer. A method of forming a packing unit for a blowout preventer including forming a fiber reinforced elastomer by aligning fibers with a grain of an elastomer; cutting a portion from the fiber reinforced elastomer in the direction of the grain; loading the cut portion in a packing unit mold such that the grain of the fiber reinforced elastomer of the cut portion is parallel to a packing unit axis; and heating the loaded packing unit mold.

Abstract: An energized composite metal to metal seal. A sealing device includes a metal seal with a metal sealing surface facing radially outward, and another metal sealing surface facing radially inward; and a nonmetal seal including a nonmetal sealing surface positioned proximate one metal sealing surface and facing radially outward, and another nonmetal sealing surface positioned proximate the other metal sealing surface and facing radially inward. A method of sealing between a housing assembly and a closure member includes applying a pressure differential across the sealing device while the sealing device seals between the housing assembly and the closure member, and the pressure differential increasing contact pressure in a metal to metal seal between the housing assembly and a metal sealing surface on the metal seal, and increasing contact pressure in a metal to metal seal between the closure member and another metal sealing surface on the metal seal.

Abstract: A sealing array for positioning in an annular space between tubular members to provide a seal therebetween. The sealing array includes a pair of oppositely disposed backup rings, each defining a primary outer seal member of the sealing array. A pair of rigid cap rings is disposed between the backup rings. Each cap ring has a substantially planar surface and an oppositely disposed surface that engages one of the backup rings to energize the backup rings upon the application of sufficient pressure. The cap rings are sized to form controlled extrusion gaps with both tubular members. An energizing element is disposed between the planar surfaces of the cap rings. The energizing element engages a planar surface of at least one of the cap rings and seals the extrusion gaps associated with the engaged cap ring upon the application of sufficient pressure.

Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing an annular space between an inner and an outer pipe in a double-walled subsea pipeline which seal assembly comprises an annular member (1) and moveable blocking means (2, 3) and: (a) under normal operating conditions is in a non-sealing position which allows the passage of a gas through said seal assembly; and (b) is actuatable from a non-sealing position to a sealing position in response to the entry of liquid into said annular space.

Abstract: A packer cup for sealing the interior of a pipe under pressure includes a first region of relatively soft material and a second region of relatively hard material. The region of the relatively softer material would begin at the lip of the cup and extend for at least one third the length of the cup up to the entire length of the cup.

Abstract: A self adjusting excluder sub includes a first subassembly; a second subassembly with respect to which the first subassembly is axially movable; and a support disposed at the second subassembly and when actuated being resiliently disposed against the first subassembly while being laterally movable relative to the first and second subassemblies jointly and method.

Abstract: A sealing device is disclosed for separating sections inside an elongate hole with at least one duct extending inside and along the hole. In at least one embodiment, the sealing device includes a first portion which is arranged, in use of the sealing device, to surround the duct and fit substantially tightly against the same, and a flexible cup-shaped second portion, which is arranged to surround the first portion and be resilient radially outwards to seal, in use, against the hole. Moreover, in at least one embodiment, a method is disclosed for separating sections in an elongate hole with a duct extending inside and along the hole. A sealing device is slipped onto the duct at the intended level so that the sealing device after installation forms a cup shape around the duct. The duct (and the sealing device are inserted into the hole, and the duct and the sealing device are installed at the intended level.

Abstract: A packer cup for use inside a wellbore. In one embodiment, the packer cup includes a body, a support member disposed inside the body and one or more support layers disposed against an inside diameter of the support member.

Abstract: A packer cup for sealing the interior of a pipe under pressure includes a first region of relatively soft material and a second region of relatively hard material. The region of the relatively softer material would begin at the lip of the cup and extend for at least one third the length of the cup up to the entire length of the cup.

Abstract: A seal cup and method is disclosed that can be used on a wellbore tool. The seal cup includes an external circumferential seal land adjacent the cup lip and an outer surface capable of permitting drainage away from the seal land of fluids, which may seep past the seal land. This acts against pressure invasion in the interfacial contacting region between the seal cup and the structure, for example, a wellbore liner against which it is sealed.

Abstract: A sealing device is disclosed for separating sections inside an elongate hole with at least one duct extending inside and along the hole. In at least one embodiment, the sealing device includes a first portion which is arranged, in use of the sealing device, to surround the duct and fit substantially tightly against the same, and a flexible cup-shaped second portion, which is arranged to surround the first portion and be resilient radially outwards to seal, in use, against the hole. Moreover, in at least one embodiment, a method is disclosed for separating sections in an elongate hole with a duct extending inside and along the hole. A sealing device is slipped onto the duct at the intended level so that the sealing device after installation forms a cup shape around the duct. The duct (and the sealing device are inserted into the hole, and the duct and the sealing device are installed at the intended level.

Abstract: A pressure control device for mounting on a mandrel includes a flexible cup member, a rigid support member and an anti extrusion portion of greater hardness than the cup member located at an outer portion of the cup member. The cup member is bonded only to selected areas of the anti extrusion portion and the support member, thereby permitting relative movement between other areas of contact.

Abstract: A seal cup and method is disclosed that can be used on a wellbore tool. The seal cup includes an external circumferential seal land adjacent the cup lip and an outer surface capable of permitting drainage away from the seal land of fluids, which may seep past the seal land. This acts against pressure invasion in the interfacial contacting region between the seal cup and the structure, for example, a wellbore liner against which it is sealed.

Abstract: A packer cup for use in sealing the interior of a pipe under pressure is described. The cup uses a bell-shaped end which has a lip of softer material which is integral with the body of the cup which is harder material. Under pressure the lip expands against the side of the pipe and as pressure increases the body of the bell also expands against the pipe.

Abstract: An improved cup packer for use on wellbore tools is disclosed. The open end of the cup packer bore is filled with an elastomer to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the packer body includes an angularly protruding section at at least one of its ends, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the packer body is at its maximum at its bore. In an additional alternative embodiment of the invention, the open end of the packer is sealed by a screen to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A packer comprises an elastomeric member (2) which, in use, will deform radially when subjected to axial pressure. A plurality of steel fingers (3, 4) are vulcanized onto the elastomeric member (2). One end of each steel finger (3, 4) is accomodated in a recess in a bearing ring (5). The cross section of the fingers (3, 4) is generally wedge-shaped so that, when axial pressure is applied to the elastomeric member (2), the fingers (3, 4) pivot outwardly yet completely circumscribe the sealing member (2). The packer is particularly useful for applications where the packer must pass through a relatively narrow opening yet seal a relatively wide tubular.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for improved sealing across an annular space between facing sealing surfaces. Methods for mechanically setting and pressure energizing sealing ring assemblies are also described. In one aspect, several sealing ring assemblies are described, each of which include an outer seal body formed of elastically deformable metal and having an annular base with a pair of legs extending from the base to form a channel. A plurality of predominately non-deformable segments are positioned between the legs. The use of segments substantially reduces detrimental hoop stress which would hinder effective setting of a seal between the inner and outer members. In preferred embodiments, the legs and the segments each present raised portions which are offset from each other. The offset arrangement of the raised portions permit the ring assembly to be mechanically set by radial spring loading through elastic deformation of portions of the seal body.