Abstract: A method of making lightweight cement slurry which involves dissolving sodium metasilicate and an activator in mix water, and thereafter mixing Portland cement therewith. The activator may be calcium chloride, calcium formate, calcium oxide, a water soluble calcium compound or a mixture thereof. The lightweight cement slurry so formed may be used for cementing well pipe in wells or for casting lightweight structural members, such as board, columns, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiple stage cementing of well casing in subsea wells. Also, a subsea stage cementer, plug stack assembly. The combination with a subsea stage cementer, plug stack assembly of a packing and shipping crate therefor. A trip-plug for operating a stage cementing collar to open the ports thereof. A dart adapted to enter the bore of a hollow plug to block the flow of liquid through the bore.

Abstract: A head for grasping and guiding a length of pipe, such as marine riser pipe. The head has a base, a body pivoted to the base, and a pair of latch arms pivoted to the body for grasping and releasing the pipe. Power actuated means are provided for pivoting the body on its pivot. Power actuated means are provided for pivoting the latch arms between open and closed positions. The power operated means may embody features that adapt the head to the requirements of grasping and guiding a length of riser pipe suspended from hoisting equipment by a cable and being drawn into a derrick.

Abstract: A method of cementing oil, gas or water wells and the like, wherein a solution, dispersion, suspension, or the like of a cement additive in water is prepared at a predetermined concentration of additive and is thereafter mixed with dry powdered cement to form a cement slurry, and a sample of the additive-water mixture is analyzed prior to its being mixed with the cement, to verify that the additive-water mixture contains the desired concentration of additive. The analysis of the additive-water mixture preferably is performed continuously on a sample of the mixture in a spectrophotometer, the output signal of which may be displayed on a meter or may be used to control the relative quantities of water and additive that go into the additive-water mixture.

Abstract: A drill pipe protector for use on drill pipe and the like having an outer pliant and resilient collar that envelops an insert of composite construction.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece elevator link having a shank with an eye at each end involving the steps of casting from alloy steel a link blank having an oversize shank portion, forging or swaging the shank portion to reduce its diameter and correspondingly elongate it, and heat treating and drawing the forged or swaged blank to enhance its physical and mechanical properties. The eyes are cast in their final form. The oversize shank portion may be machined to reduce its diameter before it is forged or otherwise hot worked, whereby castings of but one size may be used in the production of elevator links of varying lengths.A cast elevator link blank to be hot worked into an elevator link of final form.

Abstract: A multi-stage, well-drilling mast assembly, particularly adapted to mobile drilling platforms, such as drilling vessels, the assembly having a main stage mast and an auxiliary mast, both pivoted to the platform for swinging movements between horizontal and vertical positions. The main stage carries well pipe hoisting equipment, and the auxiliary stage carries rack equipment for vertically storing well pipe, and racker equipment for moving the well pipe between the rack and the center line of the mast assembly. The racker equipment includes an upper racker arm and a lower racker arm, the lower racker arm being vertically adjustable and having a vertically moveable head.

Abstract: Means are described for absorbing energy when a drill string has been lowered into a tube for storage. The apparatus comprises a piston, orifice, fluid and spring in combination with a storage tube capable of holding a string of drill pipe.

Abstract: A pressure transfer unit having a movable partition including a flexible bellows for separating an internal, controlled-pressure chamber from a reference-pressure chamber. A valve is provided for limiting the volume of liquid that can be injected into and received in the controlled-pressure chamber during filling or refilling thereof. A spring biases the partition to apply a predetermined force to the partition and to shut off fluid transfer in the event of bellows failure. The unit is arranged for simple and rapid assembly and disassembly.

Abstract: A pipe guide head for well pipe racking apparatus has plural slides defining different sizes of pipe receiving guide openings, extensible from retracted positions within the body to extended positions for receiving pipe, each slide being connected with a lever arm pivoted on the body to close the lever arm across the pipe opening upon extension of the slide and open the lever upon retraction of the slide. Fluid pressure operated actuators are connected with the slides to extend and retract them.

Abstract: A head for use in a well pipe racking system has a support plate for drill collars and a slide shiftable to and from positions for supporting drill pipe. A retaining lever is pivoted for movement between a position for retaining the drill collars and drill pipe in the head and an open position. The lever is reversible to swing to opposite sides of the head.