Abstract: The present invention provides set retarding additives, set retarded hydraulic cement compositions and methods of using the set retarded cement compositions for cementing subterranean zones in wells. A preferred set retarding additive comprises an alkanolamine salt produced by the reaction of a hydroxy carboxy acid, such as tartaric acid, gluconic acid or glucoheptonic acid, with an alkanolamine, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine.

Abstract: A method and system for testing a two-phase compressible composition, such as a foamed cementing composition, enables testing for mechanical properties while maintaining original pressurized gas volumes in the composition. A specimen of the composition can be prepared, transferred and tested without disrupting the dynamic status of the specimen. This allows for testing of the composition under conditions in which the composition will be placed in an oil or gas well. A related specimen test device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A foamable drilling fluid for use in well operations such as deep water offshore drilling where risers are not employed in returning the fluid to the surface mud pit. A preferred foamable drilling fluid comprises a prehydrated clay such as bentonite, sea water, a surfactant selected from the group consisting of .alpha.-olefinsulfonates, alkylpolyglycosides, alcohol sulfates, salts of ethoxylated alcohol sulfates, and a stabilizing surfactant consisting of cocoamine betaine. The stabilized foam drilling fluid resists foam breakdown upon drilling cessation, prevents fluid loss to reduce filter cake buildup and increases the carrying capacity of cuttings and other solids. In addition, a foamable drilling fluid is provided including an hydraulic material selected from the group consisting of Portland cement, siliceous material like fumed silica, blast furnace slag and pozzolans such as fly ash.

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 relates to tools and methods for stabilizing incompetent or otherwise unstable subterranean zones or formations penetrated by a well bore during drilling. The methods basically comprise drilling the well bore through an enlarged portion of an unstable subterranean zone or formation when it is encountered, pumping a hardenable cementitious material through the well stabilization tool while moving the tool through the enlarged portion of the well bore whereby the enlarged portion is filled with the hardenable cementitious material, allowing the cementitious material to harden and then drilling the well bore through the hardened cementitious material.

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: Opthalmic no-line progressive addition lenses for spectacles are provided with increased sizes of usable intermediate and near addition zones. A preferred lens of the present invention comprises a distance zone, one or more intermediate addition zones and a near add zone wherein each of the zones has a generally spherical base curve. The intermediate and near addition zones are combined with the distance zone by connecting wedges which have aspheric base curves. An aspheric fringe is used to flatten the peripheral area of the bottom portion of the lens, thereby providing a thin and cosmetically acceptable lens.

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: The present invention provides improved traceable well cement compositions and methods. The compositions are basically comprised of hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry and a normally non-radioactive tracer compound which becomes radioactive and emits detectible rays over a relatively short time period when exposed to neutrons. The methods of the invention relate to cementing a zone in a well and subsequently detecting the subterranean location of the cement composition therein. A traceable well cement composition of the invention is formed and introduced into a subterranean zone to be cemented. Neutrons are then emitted from a source in the well so that the tracer compound emits detectible rays, the rays are detected and the location of the cement composition in the well is determined.

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 compositions have improved expansion properties and are basically comprised of a hydraulic cementitious material, rubber particles derived from automobile tires, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, and a dispersing agent.

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: A ball drop head for dropping balls into a tubing or casing string of a well. The ball drop head has a central container with at least one ball carrier ring rotatably disposed therein. A ball cavity is defined in the ring, and a ball is disposed therein. The ball is biased radially inwardly toward the container so that when the ring is rotated to align the cavity with a ball release opening defined in the container, the ball is pushed through the ball release opening to enter and fall through a central opening in the container. The ring may be rotated manually or remotely, such as by inflating a pneumatic or hydraulic bellows. Additional rings may be mounted on the container to use in dropping additional balls. A method of dropping balls into a well is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cementitious composition is provided comprising a hydraulic cementitious material, iron chloride and sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry. The iron chloride predictably enhances the rheology and performance of the composition. Methods of cementing subterranean wells are accomplished by mixing together the hydraulic cementitious material, iron chloride and sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry; pumping the slurry to a selected location within the wellbore; and then allowing the slurry to solidify within the well.

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.

Abstract: An improved well cementing plug assembly adapted to be connected to a string of drill pipe or a circulation tool for use in a pipe during the cementing of the pipe in a well bore is provided. The top and bottom plugs are selectively releasable by activating balls dropped into the plug assembly. Different sizes of plugs can be used utilizing the same inner tubes and other assembly parts, and the top plug slides on its inner tube when a pressure differential is exerted on it thereby insuring a seal between the top and bottom plugs when the plugs are landed on a float shoe or the like.