Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly apparatus includes a carrier having a plurality of carrier segments integrally formed from a single substantially flat elongated sheet of structural material. An interconnecting portion is located between each two adjacent segments and is integrally connected therewith. The interconnecting portion provides a rigid and precise angular offset between adjacent segments through a permanent deformation of the interconnecting portion. Each carrier segment has a charge receiving opening therein and includes a pair of diametrically opposed wedges for snugly enaging a pair of elastomeric lugs of a shaped charge.

Abstract: The tubing tester valve of the present invention comprises a tubular housing assembly having a downwardly closing, spring biased flapper valve disposed therein near the top thereof. A tubular mandrel assembly is disposed within the housing assembly below the flapper valve, and is secured to the housing assembly with shear pins. The tubing tester valve may be permanently opened through the application of annulus pressure from the rig floor to the annulus surrounding the pipe string, which pressure moves the mandrel assembly upward to rotate the flapper valve to an open position. In order to assure that the mandrel assembly does not retract downwardly, thus permitting the flapper valve to reclose, a spring biased locking means is provided to hold the mandrel assembly in its "up" position.

Abstract: A low actuation pressure bar vent for use in a tool string having low pressure therein. The vent includes a body portion and a piston slidingly disposed in the body. The piston and body define a first cavity therebetween and a second cavity therebetween, spaced from the first cavity. The body further defines a plurality of transverse ports therethrough providing communication between a body central opening and a well annulus. When in a closed position, the piston sealingly closes the ports. In a first embodiment, the first cavity has a spring disposed therein. The body also defines a second plurality of ports therein providing fluid communication between the first cavity and the well annulus. Pressure in the well annulus and the spring bias the piston toward an open position uncovering the ports. In an alternate embodiment, a pressurized gas biases the piston. The second cavity is filled with a fluid such that movement of the piston is prevented.

Abstract: A wireline set and tubing retrievable bridge plug. The bridge plug includes a central mandrel portion having a plurality of J-shaped recesses thereon at an upper end and at least one shaped recess at a lower end thereof. Disposed around the central mandrel is a packer mandrel having a packer element thereon and slips disposed therearound. A ratchet assembly is provided for holding the apparatus in a set position in which the packer element sealingly engages the well bore and the slips grippingly engage the well bore. The shaped lower recess in the central mandrel is disposed below the ratchet mechanism. A packer mandrel case having a lug therein for engaging the shaped recess is disposed around the lower end of the mandrel. The slips, ratchet mechanism and J-shaped recess are all positioned below the packer element for protection from debris in the well bore. A retrieving tool attached to a tubing string is used to retrieve the bridge plug.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices for absorbing shock in a tool string within a borehole. These components may serve together in a variety of configurations to form a shock absorbing system. A longitudinal shock absorber is connected in the tool string. The longitudinal shock absorber includes compressible members utilized to damp longitudinal movement. A radial shock absorber is connected in the tool string. The radial shock absorber includes resiliently mounted contact pads for contacting the sides of the borehole to damp radial movement. A carrier assembly is utilized to provide a shock absorbing mounting for particularly delicate components such as gauges, and to damp any shock which might be transmitted thereto from either a radial or longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An annulus pressure responsive downhole tool includes a housing with an operating element disposed in the housing. The operating element is movable from a first element position to a second element position relative to the housing. A hydrostatic well annulus pressure referenced annulus pressure responsive first power piston is disposed in the housing and movable from a first to a second position thereof relative to the housing in response to an increase in well annulus pressure. A lower than hydrostatic well annulus pressure referenced annulus pressure responsive second power piston is disposed in the housing and is operatively associated with the operating element for permitting the operating element to move from its first element position to its second element position in response to movement of the second power piston from a first position to a second position thereof relative to the housing.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for actuating a perforating gun by pressure includes a pressure actuated gun firing head disposed on the perforating gun for detonating the shaped charges of the gun. The gun is attached to a pipe string and located downhole adjacent the formation to be perforated. The pressure actuated firing head includes a housing with a plug and piston. The piston has a firing pin adapted for engagement with the initiator of a perforating gun upon reciprocation within the housing. Initially, the piston is pressure balanced until the time of actuation. The plug is responsive to fluid pressure of a predetermined magnitude at the time of the actuation of the gun firing head. Upon effecting pressure on the plug, the plug unbalances the piston causing the piston to reciprocate. Upon reciprocation of the piston, the firing pin engages the initiator to detonate the shaped charges of the perforating gun. Pressure may be effected on the firing head through the pipe string, or the annulus, or both.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing a cementing plug. A first cylinder mounted on a plug container includes a plunger received therein which is longitudinally moveable into the plug container for supporting a cementing plug. A second cylinder received over the first cylinder defines an annular chamber between the cylinders. An annular sleeve is sealingly and slidingly received within the chamber and is slidable between a first position toward the plug container and a second position away from the plug container. The first cylinder includes a slot formed in one side thereof and the plunger includes a recess formed on the radially outer surface thereof. A lock dog is received in the slot and is urged into the plunger recess when the annular sleeve is in the first sleeve position and is withdrawn from the recess when the annular sleeve is in the second sleeve position.

Abstract: A double-grip screen hanger apparatus providing compensation for thermal expansion as a result of heat, such as is present in steam flood or steam injection wells. The screen hanger includes an inner mandrel adapted for attachment to a liner screen. A packer portion is disposed around the inner mandrel, and opposed upper and lower slip assemblies are positioned above and below the packer portion, respectively. The slip assemblies and packer portion are shearably attached to the inner mandrel. Setting of the slips and packer is accomplished by a hydraulic actuator and a running tool attached to the tool string. Downward force applied on the mandrel shears the shearing attachments, thus setting the slips and the packer portion. After setting, the slips locate the packer, and the mandrel is relatively free to longitudinally move within the packer and slips due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: An angular displacement indicating apparatus includes internal and external magnets disposed so that the external magnet tracks the internal magnet when a shaft to which the internal magnet is connected rotates. The external magnet is connected to a rotary variable differential transformer, for example, so that the external magnet moves from a null position in response to rotation of the internal shaft thereby causing the transformer to generate an electrical signal proportional to the angle of rotation of the shaft. Embodiments of the invention include external connecting mechanisms which can be moved to physically indicate the actual angle of deflection of the internal shaft.

Abstract: An annulus pressure responsive downhole tool includes a housing having a power piston slidably disposed therein. First and second pressure conducting passages communicate a well annulus exterior of the housing with first and second sides of the power piston. A metering cartridge is disposed in the second pressure conducting passage for delaying communication of relatively rapid changes in well annulus pressure to a second side of the power piston to thereby operate the power piston, and for communicating relatively slow changes in well annulus pressure to the second side of the power piston so that hydrostatic well annulus pressure is substantially balanced across the power piston as the apparatus is run into a well. A gas energized compressible liquid spring is contained in a first portion of the second pressure conducting passage between the second side of the power piston and the metering cartridge.

Abstract: A retrievable well packer includes a packer mandrel with an expandable packing element disposed about the mandrel. Upper and lower shoes are received about the mandrel above and below the expandable packing element for compressibly engaging the packing element. A slip assembly is received about the mandrel for anchoring the packer within the well bore. Upper and lower wedges are received about the mandrel above and below the slip assembly for wedging the slip assembly radially outward upon longitudinal compression of the packing element. The mandrel is nonrotatably connected to each of the upper and lower shoes and upper and lower wedges for preventing rotation of those components relative to the mandrel in the event the packer must be milled out of a well bore. The mandrel is initially releasably longitudinally locked relative to the lower wedge by a releasing collet attached to a lower end of the mandrel and having radially outward extending lugs received within a groove of the lower wedge.

Abstract: A continuous reactor for forming polymeric materials from reactive components for use in a system for mixing monomeric materials and the process of operation of the continuous reactor and system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording data downhole in a borehole. A recorder having a data memory is lowered into a data recording position in the borehole. A signal is transmitted downhole into the borehole and the recorder is initiated to begin recording data at an ascertainable memory location of the data memory in response to a downhole stimulus produced in response to the transmitted signal. Also, a downhole recorder for use in detecting the firing of an explosive device downhole in a borehole is provided. After an attempt is made to actuate the explosive device, the recorder is retrieved to the surface where the contents of its memory are analyzed to determine whether the explosive device has been actuated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for surging fluid downhole in an earth borehole, as well as tools especially adapted for use in such systems and methods, are disclosed. In a system for surging fluids, upper and lower valves both operated through the use of annulus pressure define the upper and lower extremities of a surge chamber. In a multiple surge system, first and second surge chambers are provided and a further valve is operative to surge fluids from the first surge chamber into the second surge chamber. A valve is disclosed having a longitudinal passageway initially closed by a breakable closure member. The valve is opened by breaking the closure member, and removing the broken closure member from the longitudinal passageway. The valve is operated by pressure differential between annulus pressure and atmospheric pressure which serves to accelerate a massive cutter member into the closure member for opening it. Also, a fluid pressure actuated apparatus especially useful in operating the upper valve is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for perforating a well with an annulus pressure firer is provided by the present invention. A pressure responsive means is positioned in a tubing string uphole a packer and includes a piston movable in response to a pressure differential between the upper annulus pressure and the pressure inside the tubing string. The movement of the piston is transferred through a second, concentric tubing string to a firing head on a perforating gun below the packer. The system includes a means for simultaneously decoupling the concentric tubing strings below the packer to drop the perforating gun to the bottom of the well.

Abstract: An oil skimming and utility vessel for operation in significant seas which functions to calm wave action for further oil contaminant separation operations or other marine utility operations. The vessel is a barge having forward tank compartmentation with a large stern compartment formed as sides and bottom tank open to incoming surface wave action from astern. The stern compartment then houses one or more serially arranged combinations of wave dampeners, distributors and conveyors, and baffle structure which functions to calm incoming surface water and/or contaminated oil/water mixtures. In oil skimming operation a porous-type oil stripping conveyor is employed in primary oil removal with a subsequent secondary oil skimming operation in the calm water forward portion of the stern compartment. Alternatively, the stern compartment is configured with the dampener, conveyor and baffle structure to protect a calm water, surface level work station.

Abstract: A positive stirring consistometer cup includes a pair of wall blade members having radially inwardly extending blades which cooperate with radially outwardly extending blades of a paddle to uniformly apply shear throughout a substance to be tested. A split sleeve assembly eliminates an outer dead space, and an enlarged spacer member mounted on the shaft of the paddle eliminates an inner dead space, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the shear throughout the substance. A centralizing assembly centers the stationary paddle while causing a minimum of friction and wear to occur on the shaft of the paddle. In a method of using the positive stirring consistometer cup, the blades of the wall blade members and of the paddle stop in substantially aligned, coplanar relationship to facilitate cleaning of the elements after a test is concluded.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a tool downhole in a borehole. The apparatus includes a body; a port to admit fluid pressure into the body; and apparatus within the body in fluid pressure communication with the port for actuating the tool in response to (1) a fluid pressure level communicated through the port in excess of a first fluid pressure level greater than the hydrostatic pressure level, followed by (2) a decrease in the fluid pressure level communicated through the port from the first fluid pressure level to a second fluid pressure level less than the first fluid pressure level.

Abstract: A compact, transportable apparatus includes test equipment for operating on a sample of slurry within a single container to determine the compressibility, thickening time, and static gel strength of the sample. The static gel strength test is particularly performed with a load cell vertically moved along a lead screw, which load cell is directly connected to a drive mechanism for driving a paddle at a very slow speed through the sample.