Abstract: Apparatus including a side pocket mandrel for inclusion in a well tubing string for removably receiving an instrument in its offset receptacle bore for monitoring at least one parameter such as pressure, temperature or the like, at a downhole location, there being an electrical conductor wire extending from equipment at the surface downward to the side pocket mandrel and a plug in the lower end of the receptacle for electrically connecting the instrument in the receptacle with the conductor wire extending from the surface so that electrical energy may be transmitted downhole to power the instrument, that the instrument may generate electrical signals representing data sensed in the well and transmit them to the surface for processing and immediate display, printout, or storage. Suitable kickover tools and running tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for releasably connecting well tools together for disconnection thereof downhole in a well without jarring but in response to a series of upward pulls on the cable or flexible line by which the well tools are lowered into the well.

Abstract: Downhole apparatus for converting conventional petroleum wells to gas lift or chemical injection operation by perforating the well tubing at the desired depth and thereafter installing a packoff anchor within the well tubing, without disturbing the setting thereof, to bridge the perforation, the packoff anchor having an elongate tubular body with a lateral flow port in its wall, seals above and below the flow port for sealing with the well tubing above and below the perforation, and a receptacle for receiving a flow control device, such as a gas lift valve or injection valve for controlling flow through the lateral port. Fluids, such as lift gas or treating fluids injected into the annulus at the surface enter the flow stream inside the well tubing through the perforation and lateral flow port but under control of the flow control device. Preferably this elongate tubular body is a side pocket mandrel, and that preferably of the orienting type.

Abstract: A side pocket mandrel having deflectors provided by external indentations formed in the wall of the mandrel body and providing corresponding internal protrusions located just above the upper end of the receptacle bore, such protrusions being shaped generally like deflectors and serving the same purposes as deflectors.

Abstract: A test tool including a locking device and a sleeve valve with a recording instrument attached, for use in testing wells as for the purpose of gathering data for reservoir evaluation, the test tool is installed in a landing receptacle in a well and, preferably near the reservoir to be evaluated, the test tool being run into the well on a conventional wireline tool string and an operating tool and locked and sealed in the landing nipple. The sleeve valve of the test tool is left open during running and is generally left open for a period during which the well is flowed, after which the valve is then closed by a pull on the wire line attached to the operating tool and left closed to allow pressure to build up below the test tool. Slacking the wire line causes the test tool to open. The test tool can be cycled between open and closed positions as many times as desired. When the last cycle has been performed, the valve is closed and the operating tool is retrieved from the well.

Abstract: Apparatus of the "coil tubing injector" type which is capable of running coupled pipe into or out of a well continuously. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus including a side pocket mandrel for inclusion in a well tubing string for removably receiving an instrument in its offset receptacle bore for monitoring at least one parameter such as pressure, temperature or the like, at a downhole location, there being an electrical conductor (wire) extending from equipment at the surface downward to the side pocket mandrel and a plug in the lower end of the receptacle for electrically connecting the instrument in the receptacle with the conductor (wire) extending from the surface so that electrical energy may be transmitted downhole to power the instrument, that the instrument may generate electrical signals representing data sensed in the well and transmit them to the surface for processing and immediate display, printout, or storage.

Abstract: A well test tool for closing a well at a downhole location below the well packer and near the formation to be tested, the apparatus being openable and closable from the surface by tensioning and relaxing the cable or wire line on which it is lowered into the well, the test tool having a lock mechanism which locks automatically upon entering its landing receptacle in the well and is further provided with a releasing mechanism for unlocking the test tool automatically after a present number of open/close cycles have been performed. A bypass landing receptacle is provided which permits high rates of flow during testing. A modified bypass landing receptacle is provided to permit use of the apparatus above the well packer, as in wells having an existing packer therein. Methods of testing wells are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tool stopping device for use in well flow conductors for stopping well tools moving therethrough, these devices being located at desired checkpoints, their arrival thereat indicating the progress of the tools in the flow conductor, each device having lugs movable between an inner, tool stopping position and an outer position in which they do not obstruct the bore of the device, each device also having a mechanism remotely actuable from the surface for moving the lugs between their outer and inner positions, whereby tools may be stopped by the lugs when in their inner position, after which the lugs may be moved to their outer position to free the tools for movement beyond the device. In some forms of the devices, the lugs may stop tools in position where they are to be locked in place. In another form, the tools are stopped by a shoulder in the device and the lugs are then contracted to anchor the tool in engagement with that shoulder.

Abstract: A latch for releasably anchoring well tools such as gas lift valves, or the like, in receptacles in well conduits, the latch becoming automatically locked in the receptacle upon reaching its proper position therein.

Abstract: An improved device for releasably anchoring a well tool, or the like, in a well conduit, the device having locking keys thereon which are spring-pressed outwardly, each key having a pair of oppositely facing abrupt lock shoulders which are engageable with a corresponding pair of oppositely facing lock shoulders in a landing receptacle in the well conduit, the locking device including a key retractor sleeve with cam surfaces thereon which coact with corresponding cam surfaces on the locking keys to retract the keys responsive to upward movement of the retractor sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for installing a well tool device in the offset receptacle of a side pocket mandrel in predetermined oriented relation therein.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for packing particulates such as sand, gravel, or the like, around a well screen in a well for sand control, the apparatus having provisions for packing the particulates tightly in place without relying on settling due to gravity, thus requiring minimal distance between the packer and the casing perforations. Methods of performing such packing operations are also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved equipment and methods for treating wells by processes such as acidizing, gravel packing, and the like, wherein provision is made for removing the excess acid, gravel, and the like, from the well while the work string or pipe, on which the equipment is run into the well, remains connected to the well packer. The pipe string is disconnected from the packer only when it is ready to be removed from the well. Provision is also made for repeating the cleanout operation any number of times, making it possible to perform a series of treating operations during a single trip into the well and removing the excess treating medium after each such treating operation in the series.

Abstract: A downhole well pump powered by pressurized fluid conducted to it through a power fluid conduit connected to its upper end by a remotely releasable connector which makes it possible to run and retrieve the pump either at the time the power fluid conduit is run or retrieved, or separately, and when run or pulled separately either through use of the conduit or other means such as wireline, rods, pipe, or the like, the connector being releasable simply by dropping a ball into the conduit and then building fluid pressure against the ball. Actuation of the connector to disconnect also opens a drain or equalizing passage in the pump automatically. The power fluid conduit being inside the well tubing makes it practical to install this pump in wells having casing of sizes insufficient to accommodate power fluid conduits exterior of the tubing. Installations and methods for their preparation are also disclosed. Gas lift valves may be used in the power fluid conduit, where the power fluid is gas.

Abstract: Improved coil tubing injection apparatus for servicing wells by running coil tubing thereinto for circulating fluids through the well and having the ability to rotate the coil tubing for performing drilling operations. The apparatus can readily provide concurrent longitudinal and rotational movement of the coil tubing. Methods of servicing wells involving such movement of coil tubing are disclosed.

Abstract: A gas lift valve device of the differentially operated type, having a straight, non-tortuous flow passage therethrough, with a hollow valve stem providing a portion of such passage, said device having a floating seat which automatically moves to valve engaging position to check backflow, the area of said seat being larger than the area of a piston on said stem and arranged so that the valve will close at a first predetermined differential pressure and will open at a second predetermined differential pressure which is lower than the first.

Abstract: A tool stopping device for use in a well flow conductor having a preferably full open bore and an abrupt stop shoulder surrounding the bore and engageable by corresponding stop shoulders of spring biased keys carried on a well tool for stopping the well tool as it moves through the flow conductor to indicate the tool's arrival at the device, the device having lugs remotely actuable from the surface for releasing the keys from engagement with the stop shoulder in the device for movement of the well tool therebeyond. One form of the device is suitable for stopping tools entering from one direction only. Another form of the device is suitable for stopping tools both moving into and out of a well. Either or both types of devices may be used in any quantity to provide known checkpoints in a well system for monitoring the progress of well tools moving therethrough.

Abstract: An improved side pocket mandrel having a body comprising a one-piece main body section in which a main bore and a receptacle bore extend longitudinally therein and an upper body section having space therein for operating a kickover tool, welded together with a circumferential weld. In another embodiment, the machined main body section is welded by circumferential welds between upper and lower body sections. Additional embodiments are further disclosed having means therein for orienting kickover tools which are run and manipulated by wire line or pump down techniques and also having deflectors therein for deflecting regular well tools back into the main passage when approaching the receptacle from above and yet guiding flow control devices into the receptacle when such device is moved laterally into alignment with the receptacle by a kickover tool. Some disclosed embodiments have check valve means controlling flow between the exterior and the interior thereof.

Abstract: A high-strength side pocket mandrel for high pressure service having a full-opening bore throughout its length but having a bore of keyhole shape above its receptacle bore to provide minimal but ample space for operation of a kickover tool for installing devices in the receptacle bore and providing strengthened walls for withstanding greater forces which would tend to burst or collapse the mandrel.