Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring or analyzing dynamic and static sag caused by settling of weighting materials in drilling fluids or other solids bearing fluid. The apparatus comprises a tube and shear shaft assembly that allows for a controlled rate of shear to be applied to a sample of the fluid for testing. During a test, the assembly is placed on a pivotal holder at an angle. The assembly has pistons at the pivot center of the assembly which accommodate expansion and contraction of the test fluid due to changes in temperature and pressure, thereby allowing the test fluid to be heated, cooled and pressurized to simulate subterranean wellbore conditions without changing the center of mass of the test fluid. When weight material settles down the inclined assembly, the center of mass of the assembly changes resulting in changing torque or moment about the pivotal holder. The resultant moment is measured by energizing external coils arranged to provide a uniform magnetic field.

Abstract: A seal assembly and method according to which a plurality of seal members are provided, each of which is formed by a strip of material having two interlocking portions. One of the interlocking portion of each seal member interlocks with one interlocking portion of another seal member, and the other interlocking portion of the each seal member interlocks with one interlocking portion of another seal member.

Abstract: A tubular tool body carried at the end of a drilling rig top drive is received within a drill string being used as a landing string to position casing in a wellbore. External threads on the tool body can be mated with the box threads of the drill string to secure the top drive and drill string together for simultaneous drill string movement and fluid circulation. An annular seal carried about the tool body engages and seals with the internal wall of the drill pipe to prevent drilling fluid leakage when the tool body is received within the drill pipe without thread engagement. The tool has an internal check valve that opens to allow back flow of drilling fluid that may be displaced from the drill pipe as the pipe is lowered into the well. The check valve prevents standing fluid in the top drive from spilling onto the rig floor when the tool is withdrawn from the drill string.

Abstract: A quick connect system and method for fluid devices according to which one end portion of a first tubular member is inserted in an end portion of a second tubular in a telescoping relationship. An arcuate clamp extends over the telescoping portions of the tubular members, and a tapered locking surface is formed on at least one of the tubular members and on the clamp. The tubular members move relative to each other in an axial direction in response to fluid pressure therein to move the tapered locking surfaces into engagement to lock the clamp against radial movement relative to the tubular members. A pipe assembly including a first connection system for connecting one end of a first pipe to one end of a second pipe while permitting relative rotation between the pipes, and a second connection system for connecting the other end of the first pipe to a third pipe so that rotation of the first pipe relative to the second pipe causes angular movement of the third pipe.

Abstract: A well service fluid and method using same for brine-sensitive formations is disclosed. The fluid is an invert oil emulsion comprising heavy, solids-free brine, an oil or synthetic, and sufficient emulsifier to create the emulsion. The fluid has particular applicability in gravel packing a horizontal well.

Abstract: Lightweight cement compositions and methods of cementing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore utilizing the compositions are provided. A lightweight cement composition of the invention is basically comprised of a coarse particulate hydraulic cement, an ultrafine particulate hydraulic cement mixture comprised of slag cement and a Portland or equivalent cement, fly ash, fumed silica, hollow glass spheres and water.

Abstract: The present invention provides oil based compositions and methods of using the compositions for temporarily sealing subterranean zones. The compositions are basically comprised of oil, a hydratable polymer, an organophilic clay, a water-swellable clay, and an acid soluble material such as calcium carbonate. These compositions will form a viscous gel when contacted with water. The gelled mass may then be dissolved with an acidic fluid, such as 15% hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for removing a water-based drilling fluid from surfaces in a well bore and leaving the surfaces water-wet. A method of the invention basically comprises the following steps. A water-based drilling fluid removal solution comprised of water and a mixture of a sulfonated kraft lignin salt and an N-methyl-N-oleyltaurine salt dissolved therein is provided. The drilling fluid is displaced from the well bore and the well bore surfaces are contacted with the removal solution to thereby remove the drilling fluid from the surfaces and make the surfaces water-wet.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved compositions and methods of using the compositions for sealing subterranean zones. The compositions are basically comprised of water, an aqueous rubber latex, an organophillic clay, sodium carbonate, an epoxy resin and a hardening agent for said epoxy resin.

Abstract: A method of downhole fluid displacement and a plug utilized in the method according to which the plug is inserted in a pipe between two fluids for separating and displacing one of the fluids. The plug has a specific gravity of less than the fluid above it, so that, after the displacement operation, the plug floats to the top of the latter fluid for recovery.

Abstract: Encapsulated water soluble chemicals for use in controlled time release applications, methods of encapsulating the chemicals and methods of using the encapsulated chemicals are provided. The methods of encapsulating the chemicals are basically comprised of forming a first coating of a dry hydrophobic film forming material or a sparingly soluble material which provides a dry shield on the chemical and then forming a second coating of a porous cross-linked hydrophilic polymer on the first coating which prevents the substantial dissolution of the resulting encapsulated chemical for a selected period of time.

Abstract: Drilling fluid additives are designed to increase the density of drilling fluids while minimizing the increase in the resistance to flow of the drilling fluid. In particular, barite particles are added to the drilling fluid as a weight material where the barite particles include at least 85% by weight particles less than 75 microns and greater than 6 microns in equivalent spherical diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved foamed well cement slurries, additives and methods. The foamed well cement slurries are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, sufficient gas to form a foam and an effective amount of an additive for foaming the slurry comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the effectiveness and reaction time of a breaker fluid in breaking a filter cake on the wall of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is disclosed. The method comprises employing an apparatus, such as for example the apparatus of the invention with a filter medium and the capability of applying differential pressure or dynamic conditions to form a filter cake on the filter medium with drilling mud. Breaker fluid is then substituted for the drilling mud, preferably without damage to the filter cake. The quantity of breaker fluid passing across the filter medium under static conditions is monitored over time. An increase in the rate of fluid passing across or through the medium indicates break-up of the filter cake.

Abstract: Encapsulated water soluble chemicals for use in controlled time release applications, methods of encapsulating the chemicals and methods of using the encapsulated chemicals are provided. The methods of encapsulating the chemicals are basically comprised of forming a first coating of a dry hydrophobic film forming material or a sparingly soluble material which provides a dry shield on the chemical and then forming a second coating of a porous cross-linked hydrophilic polymer on the first coating which prevents the substantial dissolution of the resulting encapsulated chemical for a selected period of time.

Abstract: Oil-based settable spotting fluid compositions and methods of using the compositions are provided. The oil-based settable spotting fluid compositions are basically comprised of oil, an emulsifying surfactant for emulsifying the oil with water whereby an oil-external emulsion is formed, a de-emulsifying surfactant which in time de-emulsifies said oil-external emulsion when the emulsion is contacted with external water, a hydraulic settable component selected from the group consisting of ASTM Class C or the equivalent fly ash and ASTM Class F or the equivalent fly ash together with a source of calcium and water selected from the group consisting of fresh water and salt water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming metal or metal alloy casings in well bores are provided. A method of the invention comprises the steps of providing and pumping a fluid suspension of a particulate metal or metal alloy into a pipe string within a well bore having a casing forming tool connected thereto. The casing forming tool includes an internal passageway sealingly communicated with the pipe string and with a plurality of radial openings in the tool positioned around the periphery thereof. An internal heater for heating the fluid suspension and melting the particulate metal or metal alloy and an internal rotating impeller for imparting centrifugal force to the fluid suspension are provided in the casing forming tool. Centrifugal force is imparted to the fluid suspension by the rotating impeller whereby the melted particulate metal or metal alloy forms a casing which solidifies on the walls of the well bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides stable well cementing methods and compositions for sealing subterranean zones penetrated by well bores. The improved thermally stable and degradation resistant well cement compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, an aqueous hydrogenated styrene-butadiene rubber latex and a latex stabilizer present in an amount sufficient to stabilize the hydrogenated styrene-butadiene latex.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of cementing pipe in well bores and low density cement compositions having enhanced compressive, tensile and bond strengths upon setting. The composition of the invention are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry and hollow glass microspheres surface treated with a mixture of organosilane coupling agents present in an amount sufficient to produce a cement composition density in the range of from about 6 to about 12 pounds per gallon.

Abstract: A cementing head is provided for introduction and separation of fluids in a well. The cementing head comprises a plug container having upper and lower fluid inlets oriented tangent to the bore of the plug container. The upper inlet is located below the upper end of the plug so that a compact manifold can be used therewith. The compact manifold includes first and second discharge tees which may be connected by a one-piece coupling such that rotation of the coupling in one direction causes the discharge tees to seal against a spacer therebetween and rotation in a second direction causes the discharge tees to move apart from one another. A coupling for quick coupling of the plug container to a casing collar is also provided. The coupling apparatus comprises a locking clamp having pivotally connected arcuate clamp portions. Each arcuate clamp portion engages a lower end of a casing collar. A threaded adjustment is provided for increasing an initial compression of a seal against the upper end of the casing collar.