Abstract: The present invention relates to improved foamed well cement compositions, additives and methods. The additives, which foam and stabilize a cement slurry containing freshwater or saltwater, are basically comprised of an aqueous solution of an alpha-olefinic sulfonate surfactant and a betaine surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods and compositions for sealing a pipe string in a well bore. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy sealing composition which hardens into a resilient solid mass having high bond strength comprising an epoxide containing liquid, an organosilane compound and a hardening agent, placing the epoxy composition in the annulus between the pipe and the walls of the well bore and allowing the epoxy composition to harden.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of modifying the properties of a subterranean stratum penetrated by a well bore to increase its strength and decrease its permeability. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy composition having flexibility upon hardening, pumping the epoxy composition into the subterranean stratum by way of the well bore and by way of the porosity of the stratum and then allowing the epoxy composition to harden in the stratum.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of sealing a string of pipe in a well bore. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy sealing composition which hardens into a solid mass having flexibility and resiliency comprising an epoxide containing liquid and a hardening agent, placing the epoxy composition in the annulus between the string of pipe and the walls of the well bore and allowing the epoxy resin to harden.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of modifying the properties of a subterranean stratum penetrated by a well bore to increase the resistance of the stratum to shear failure. The methods basically include the steps of preparing a hardenable epoxy composition having flexibility upon hardening including an epoxide containing liquid or an epoxy resin and an epoxide containing liquid and a hardening agent. The epoxy composition is pumped into the subterranean stratum by way of the well bore and by way of the porosity of the stratum and then allowed to harden in the stratum.

Abstract: A core sample test apparatus applies pressure to the core sample and measures responsive longitudinal deformation with two sensors and lateral deformation with two orthogonal pairs of diametrically disposed sensors. The apparatus holds the core sample under test in a sleeve to which no or insignificant end torsional forces are applied during installation due to rotationally blocked washers used adjacent the ends of the sleeve. Concurrent acoustic testing can also be applied.

Abstract: Improved flare apparatus having long service lives for burning flammable and air and methods are provided. The flare apparatus is basically comprised of an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member positioned within the outer tubular member whereby an annular flammable gas discharge space is provided immediately adjacent to an annular air discharge space. The flammable gas is discharged into the atmosphere in an annular straight out pattern. At least a portion of the air is discharged into the atmosphere for mixing with the flammable gas in a swirling pattern immediately adjacent to the flammable gas which prevents internal burning and premature failure of the flare apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved primary well cementing methods and apparatus. The methods basically comprise the steps of releasing a displacement plug into the casing to be cemented and pumping a first displacement fluid behind the displacement plug while measuring the quantity of the first displacement fluid required to land the displacement plug on a float collar or the like connected near the bottom of the casing, releasing a bottom cementing plug into the casing and pumping a cement slurry behind the bottom cementing plug in a predetermined quantity and then releasing a top cementing plug into the casing and pumping a second displacement fluid behind the top cementing plug in a quantity substantially equal to the measured quantity of the first displacement fluid thereby ensuring that the cement slurry is not under or over displaced in the annulus between the casing and the well bore.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for placing and cementing a casing string in a horizontal well bore section are provided. A float shoe is attached to the end of the casing string and a float collar is connected in the casing string for trapping air in a first portion of the casing string thereby causing it to be buoyed up during placement by drilling fluid contained in the well bore. A selectively openable and releasable closed baffle assembly is connected within the casing string for trapping air or a low density fluid in a second portion of the casing string thereby causing it to also be buoyed up by drilling fluid in the well bore. The buoying up of the casing string reduces placement drag and consequent compressive loading on the casing string. After placement, the closed baffle means is opened to allow fluid circulation and conditioning of the annulus. A bottom cementing plug is then landed on the baffle assembly and the baffle assembly is released and moved to the float collar.

Abstract: The present invention provides resilient cement compositions and methods which are particularly useful in the construction and repair of oil and gas wells. The cement compositions have improved mechanical properties including elasticity and ductility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool and methods of placing a treatment fluid in a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore by way of selected perforations extending from casing cemented in the well bore into the formation. The fluid placement tool includes a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough, at least one resilient self expandable cup type packer attached thereto and a valve disposed in the fluid flow passageway which closes the passageway when a closing plug is dropped into the tool. The placement tool is capable of releasing the cup type packer whereby it provides a seal between the tool and the casing when a first predetermined fluid pressure is applied to the tool after a closing plug is dropped therein and opening the fluid flow passageway whereby the treatment fluid is discharged from the tool below the packer when the fluid pressure is increased to a second predetermined fluid pressure. Methods of using the tool are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides resilient cement compositions and methods which are particularly useful in the construction and repair of oil and gas wells. The cement compositions have improved mechanical properties including elasticity and ductility and are basically comprised of cementitious material, an aqueous rubber latex and a latex stabilizer.

Abstract: Methods of forming highly insulated pipeline bundles made up of one or more flow lines positioned within a continuous larger diameter outer sleeve are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of filling the space between the outside of the flow lines and the inside of the outer sleeve with a foamed cement composition comprised of hydraulic cement, water, a gas and a foaming agent, allowing the hydration reaction between the hydraulic cement and the water in the cement composition to take place, and then heating the hydrated cement composition to evaporate and remove excess water in the cement composition and thereby increase the insulating properties of the cement composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of delaying the destruction of a well as a result of the movement of a subsiding subterranean rock formation penetrated by the well bore. In accordance with the methods, a slot is cut into the subterranean formation in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the formation towards the well bore whereby the well bore extends through the slot as the subterranean formation moves.

Abstract: A well completion spacer fluid is provided which is particularly suitable for separating a cement slurry from drilling fluid in primary cementing operations. The well completion spacer fluid is also useful for separating other potentially incompatible fluids in the wellbore, such as, separating drilling fluid from a completion brine. The spacer fluid basically comprises water, a hydrous magnesium silicate clay, silica and organic polymer(s).

Abstract: An improved coiled tubing pulling tool and methods of using the pulling tool for pulling a well tool from a well bore, relocating a well tool in the well bore and performing other similar operations.

Abstract: Methods of fracturing subterranean formations are provided. The methods basically comprise positioning a hydrajetting tool having at least one fluid jet forming nozzle in the well bore adjacent the formation to be fractured and jetting fluid through the nozzle against the formation at a pressure sufficient to form a fracture in the formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved subsurface release cementing plug apparatus for use in a string of pipe during the cementing of the pipe in a well bore. The apparatus includes a hollow cementing plug seat member adapted to be connected in the string of pipe near the bottom thereof and a cementing plug assembly releasably connectable to a circulation tool or casing running tool in the top of the string of pipe. The cementing plug assembly includes a top cementing plug having an external annular seating surface formed thereon for sealingly engaging a top internal annular seating surface of the cementing plug seat member, and a bottom cementing plug releasably connected to the top cementing plug having an external annular seating surface formed thereon for engaging a bottom internal annular seating surface of the cementing plug seat member.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of grouting a subsurface conduit whereby the hardened grout resists stress failures. The methods basically comprise the steps of forming a hardenable grout composition having elastomeric properties upon hardening, placing the hardenable grout composition adjacent to the outside of a subsurface conduit whereby upon hardening the grout composition forms an elastomeric solid support for the conduit and allowing the hardenable grout composition to harden into an elastomeric solid mass.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cementing inflation packer tool and methods of using the tool. The tool includes of a tubular housing having a packer inflating port disposed therein and a packer inflating port opening sleeve slidably disposed within the housing. The opening sleeve is movable between a closed position and an open position by a first cementing plug. An external packer sleeve having a pressurized fluid inflatable packer element attached thereto and a cementing port therein is sealingly disposed over the outer surface of the housing and the packer inflating port. The external packer sleeve provides a passageway from the packer inflating port to the inflatable packer element and check valve means are disposed in the passageway. A fluid rupturable member having a predetermined rupture pressure is sealingly attached over the cementing port.