Abstract: A coupling apparatus is provided for quick coupling of a plug container or the like to a casing collar. A body of the plug container is located above the casing collar. A main seal seals between the body and the casing collar. An adjusting assembly has a variable engagement with the body. An annular locking device is connected to the adjusting assembly for longitudinal movement therewith relative to the body. The locking device locks the body to the casing string. The locking device has a lower end movable between an open position wherein the casing collar can pass through a central opening thereof, and a closed position wherein a radially inward extending lip of the lower end of the locking device is located directly below the casing collar. The main seal is hydraulically biased against the casing collar.

Abstract: A pressure-assisted dynamic seal mechanism for sealing two relatively movable members within a tubing string in a well includes a primary seal member having a first cross-sectional area positioned for sealing engagement between the two relatively movable members. The primary seal is pressure-assisted by a back-up seal mechanism comprising a second seal member having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the primary seal member and a third seal member having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the second seal member. The pressures which act directly across the primary seal member also act in the same direction across the third seal member, whereas these pressures act in an opposite direction across the second seal member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sidewall core gun attached to the lower end of a drill string, enabling the taking of core samples from within a deviated borehole. The gun also includes an improved charge assembly, including a detonatable cord and one or more deflagratable cartridge assemblies for propelling a coring bullet from the gun to the sidewall of the borehole. Coring bullets imbedded in the sidewall remain connected to the gun via steel cables, whereby the bullets may be retrieved by raising the drill string.

Abstract: A fluid flow system comprises a plurality of operational elements which are interconnected by rigid conduits. The present invention provides a rigid interconnecting conduit which includes a statically adjustable assembly comprising two telescopically associated members having a combined length which is variable to accommodate objects spaced at different distances and orientations. The assembly also includes a member for clamping the relatively movable elements to provide a rigid linkage once the interconnection of the objects is made.

Abstract: A releasable coupling has opposite ends adpated to be connected into a tool string or tubing string and run downhole into a borehole. A sealing member is passed down through the tubing string and allowed to become seated within the axial passageway of the releasable coupling. Pressure is applied through the axial passageway above the sealing member whereupon the differential in pressure effected across the sealing member is also effected across a slidable piston reciprocatingly received within the releasable coupling. The piston moves into a position which enables a male member to be released and separated from a female member. When the male and female members are released and separated from one another, the lower part of the tubing string is disconnected from the upper part of the tubing string.

Abstract: A perforating gun has a charge carrier assembly housed therein comprised of a plurality of charge holders connected together in tandem. Shaped charges are supported within each of the charge holders, such that the corresponding charges of each holder are circumferentially and vertically spaced apart from one another to forn a predetermined pattern. The individual charge holders describe a polyhedron whose bases or ends describe equal polygons, and whose lateral faces are rectangular and include a centrally located aperture which is adapted to receive a shaped charge in supported relationship therewithin.

Abstract: An improved downhole pressure measuring apparatus includes a flow tube conveying pressurized fluid from a fluid source on the surface into a borehole. The fluid flow and pressure is measured at the surface and the downhole pressure is determined.A perforating gun firing mechanism may be attached to a lower end of the flow tube and positioned in the borehole respective to a perforating gun for the firing thereof. The gun is fired by manipulating the flow tubing and the downhole pressure is simultaneously recorded.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus has a housing with a compression chamber defined therein. A fill passage is disposed through the housing for placing the compression chamber in open flow fluid communication with a well annulus exterior of the housing so that well fluid may flow into the compression chamber as the apparatus is lowered into a well. An isolation valve is provided for selectively closing the fill passage and thereby trapping well fluid in the compression chamber. An operating element is disposed in the housing. An actuating piston is slidably disposed in the housing and is operably associated with the operating element for operating the same in response to movement of the actuating piston relative to the housing. The actuating piston and housing are so arranged and constructed that movement of the actuating piston relative to the housing changes the volume of the compression chamber and of any well fluid trapped therein.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled apparatus monitors a plurality of flow meters for computing and displaying the flow rates detected by each flow meter, the total volumes accumulated through each flow meter, the sum of the current flow rates for the flow meters, and the sum of the total volumes for the flow meters. The information from which the computations are made and the system operating parameters are transferred to a non-volatile memory in response to electronic means for detecting when a power outage or interruption occurs.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus includes a housing having an operating element disposed therein. An actuating piston is disposed in the housing and is operably associated with the operating element so that the operating element is operated in response to movement of the actuating piston relative to the housing. A packer is disposed about the housing for sealing between the housing and a well bore and for thereby defining an upper end of a sealed well annulus zone external of the housing. A compression passage is disposed through the housing and communicates a low pressure side of the actuating piston with the sealed well annulus zone exterior of the housing. A lower packer is longitudinally spaced from the upper packer defines a lower end of the sealed well annulus zone. The upper and lower packers are set to define the sealed well annulus zone and to define a trapped reference pressure therein equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure of well annulus fluid.

Abstract: An improved presettable, pressure-responsive retrievable fluid control valve contains a plurality of spring housing sections having individual springs disposed therein. Each of the springs is connected in mechanical parallel with each other spring. To select the preset pressure threshold at which the valve opens in response to a column of fluid in a tubing in which the valve is disposed, the number of springs and zero to two compression spacer members are chosen for each spring. The valve also includes a bypass section having an inner bypass mandrel connected by a frangible member to an outer bypass port member. Connected to the outer bypass port member is a sealing member for seating the valve in a seating nipple of a tubing. The bypass mandrel and the outer bypass port member are normally held by the frangible member in a fixed relationship so that ports through the bypass mandrel and the outer bypass port member are axially offset in a closed, or non-fluid conducting, position.

Abstract: A system is provided for gravel-packing a zone of a well. The system includes a liner hanger setting apparatus for setting a liner hanger located below the apparatus within the well. The liner hanger setting apparatus includes a housing having a housing bore disposed therethrough. A ball valve is disposed in the housing and has a ball valve bore disposed therethrough. The ball valve is rotatable between an initial closed position and an open position wherein the ball valve bore is aligned with the housing bore. A differential pressure responsive liner setting assembly is operably associated with the housing for setting the liner hanger in response to an increase in fluid pressure within an upper portion of the housing bore above the initially closed ball valve.

Abstract: A downhole tool such as a formation tester valve which provides a bypass while allowing a choice of several possible functions of this bypass to be made by rearrangement of the parts of the tool. In a first arrangement, a bypass is provided which is open while the tool is run into the well, and is then closed and latched closed upon operation of the tool by setting down weight on the tool. Subsequent reopening of the tool does not reopen the bypass. In a second arrangement, an open bypass is provided as the tool is run into the well. The bypass again is closed when weight is set down on the tool to operate the tool, but in the second arrangement, the bypass reopens when weight is picked up to reopen the tool. In a third arrangement, the bypass port may be eliminated when it is desired to run the tool without a bypass.

Abstract: A well tool apparatus includes a housing adapted to be connected in a pipe string. A mandrel is slidably received in the housing and adapted to be selectively telescoped between first and second positions relative to the housing to manipulate an operating assembly of the apparatus. The mandrel is spaced radially inward from the housing to define a longitudinally extending metering chamber in which is received a metering cartridge which divides the metering chamber into first and second chamber portions. The metering cartridge has a fluid passage disposed therethrough joining the first and second chamber portions and has a flow restricter disposed therein. A sliding seal is provided between the metering cartridge and the housing.

Abstract: A differential pressure actuated vent assembly is connected into an oil well tool string. In one form of the invention, the tool string includes a packer device, a perforating gun attached to the lower end of the tubing string, with the vent assembly being interposed between the gun and the packer device. Fluid pressure within the tubing string is effected on one face of a piston associated with the vent assembly, which reciprocates the piston and communicates the interior of the tubing string with the annulus around the tubing string while carrying out the step of perforating the formation. Movement of the piston and the subsequent detonation of the gun preferably are both accomplished sequentially in response to the dropping of a bar down through the tool string. The bar opens a passageway leading to the piston, and immediately thereafter, before the pressure differential between the interior of the tubing string and the annulus is equalized, the gun is detonated, thereby obviating damage to the formation.

Abstract: An improved diaphragm assembly for use in sealing annular members of marine structures comprising a diaphragm, a pair of flat annular plates and a rip-out assembly.

Abstract: A pressure controller includes a set point switch mechanism by which a selectable pressure to be maintained in a pressure vessel can be set. The actual pressure in the pressure vessel is detected and converted into a corresponding electrical signal by a suitable pressure transducer. Electrical signals from the set point switch mechanism and the transducer are utilized by a computer to generate control signals for controlling a volume adjustment mechanism which adjusts the effective volume of the pressure vessel and adjusts the quantity of pressurizing fluid disposed in the vessel. The volume adjustment mechanism includes a piston disposed in a cavity which is connectable with the chamber of the pressure vessel. The volume adjustment mechanism also includes a stepper motor which can be moved in precise increments to adjust the position of the piston in the cavity.

Abstract: An injection unit for injecting radioactive propping material into fracturing fluids containing propping materials used in hydraulic fracturing operations.

Abstract: An annulus pressure responsive tester valve which includes a pressure-assisted isolation valve including a pressure differential metering cartridge utilizes a sleeve-type valve section having a ported sleeve mandrel and a ported outer valve sleeve member and also having a choke associated therewith for controlling the flow of fluids through the sleeve-type valve.

Abstract: A well apparatus connected to a pipe string extending down into a cased borehole for treating a formation comprising a packer assembly for sealing with the casing assembly and an integral crossover/release assembly attached to the packer assembly for supporting and releasing a gravel screen assembly before or after treating the formation without rotating the pipe string. The crossover/release assembly includes crossover ports providing a downward flow path for the treating fluid, annular veins providing an upward flow path for the returns, and a reciprocating piston reciprocating upon effecting hydraulic pressure on the piston for releasing the gravel screen assembly.