Abstract: A casing packer apparatus includes a mandrel having a mandrel exterior, a longitudinal mandrel bore defined therethrough, and a power port defined in the mandrel communicating the mandrel bore with the mandrel exterior. A packer element is concentrically received about the mandrel. An annular piston is concentrically received about the mandrel and has an annular differential pressure area defined thereon and communicated with the mandrel bore through the power port. The annular piston and packer element are operably associated so that the packer element is set by sliding motion of the piston in response to increased fluid pressure in the mandrel bore. Either a compression set packer element or an inflatable packer element may be utilized.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus is provided for mixing slurries, particularly high density, high viscosity fracturing fluid slurries containing a large proportion of proppant material. A mixing tub has a generally round horizontal cross-sectional shape. A relatively large, low-speed rotating agitator is utilized to mix the slurry. The design of the agitator is such that a radially inwardly rolling toroidal shaped slurry flow zone is created adjacent the upper surface of the slurry within the tub. A stream of clean fracturing fluid is introduced into the tub near the center of the toroidal shaped flow zone. Dry proppant material is introduced into the tub and carried by the radially inwardly rolling flow into contact with the clean fracturing fluid. Foraminous baffles, preferably constructed from expanded metal sheets, are radially oriented within the tub to reduce rotational motion of the slurry within the tub without causing dropout of proppant from the slurry.

Abstract: A self-leveling mixer apparatus includes a base and a generally downwardly tapered movable mixing tub supported from the base in a manner such that the tub is movable between first and second positions relative to the base. A leveling valve is provided for controlling a level of fluid in the movable mixing tub. A connector linkage operably associated with the tub and the leveling valve is connected therebetween for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the mixing tub relative to the base. The tub preferably has a generally oval shaped upper end and a generally circular shaped lower end and is constantly tapered therebetween. A tub orientation control linkage is provided to prevent tilting of the tub as it moves between its upper and lower positions.

Abstract: A plug-in apparatus for use with an electrical busway containing a plurality of bus bars includes an enclosure with an electrical accessory disposed therein. A plurality of plug-in jaws are connected to the electrical accessory and extend through a rear wall of the enclosure for engaging the bus bars. An operating handle is mounted outside of the enclosure. An interlock assembly includes an elongated interlock arm movably connected to the enclosure and extending in a generally horizontal direction across a plane of the rear wall of the enclosure. The interlock arm is movable relative to the enclosure between an unlocked position and a locked position. A safety link is operably associated with the operating handle and interlock assembly for preventing the operating handle and the interlock assembly from being simultaneously located in their "On" and unlocked positions, respectively.

Abstract: A blender system includes a blender tub for blending a solid particulate material in a liquid. The tub has a tub outlet defined therein. The system also includes a pump having a pump suction inlet and a pump discharge. A suction conduit is provided for conducting a tub outlet stream from the tub outlet and a liquid supply stream from a liquid supply to the pump suction inlet. A solids concentrator device is provided for separating a pump discharge stream from the pump discharge into a lower density recirculating stream and a higher density concentrator discharge stream. The concentrator device has a concentrator inlet for receiving the pump discharge stream, a low density outlet for directing the recirculating stream back to the tub, and a high density outlet for discharging the concentrator discharge stream.

Abstract: A blender system includes a blender tub for blending a solid particulate material in a liquid. The tub has a tub outlet defined therein. The system also includes a pump having a pump suction inlet and a pump discharge. A suction conduit is provided for conducting a tub outlet stream from the tub outlet and a liquid supply stream from a liquid supply to the pump suction inlet. A solids concentrator device is provided for separating a pump discharge stream from the pump discharge into a lower density recirculating stream and a higher density concentrator discharge stream. The concentrator device has a concentrator inlet for receiving the pump discharge stream, a low density outlet for directing the recirculating stream back to the tub, and a high density outlet for discharging the concentrator discharge stream.

Abstract: A blender vehicle apparatus includes a vehicle having a vehicle frame. An internal combustion engine driven hydraulic power package is mounted on the vehicle frame. A plurality of liquid additive storage tanks are mounted on the frame adjacent the power package. An operator's work platform, including a control station, is mounted on the vehicle frame adjacent the storage tanks on a side thereof opposite the power package. A hydraulically powered blender assembly is also included, and a hydraulically powered lifting apparatus is mounted on the vehicle frame for moving the blender assembly between a lowered position and a raised position. The raised position of the blender assembly is located above the vehicle frame and adjacent the work platform on a side thereof opposite the storage tanks.

Abstract: A well testing apparatus includes a housing having a formation fluid flow passage. A sliding sleeve tester valve is reciprocably disposed in the housing. A probe separable from the housing and constructed to be received coaxially within the sliding sleeve tester valve has a probe passage defined therethrough for communicating the formation fluid flow passage with a measuring device carried on the probe. A probe valve is also disposed in the housing and is constructed to receive a lower end of the probe. A releasable connector operably connects the probe and the sliding sleeve tester valve so that the sliding sleeve tester valve is moved between its open and closed positions in response to reciprocal movement of the probe relative to the housing. The tester valve can be operated an indefinite number of times, and whenever desired the probe can be disconnected from the tester valve in response to an appropriately timed reciprocable motion of the probe.

Abstract: A shaped charge carrier assembly includes a thin wall carrier having a charge opening disposed therethrough for freely receiving a shaped charge therein. A deformable retaining device is integrally formed with the thin wall carrier adjacent a periphery of the charge opening. The deformable retaining device allows the shaped charge to initially be freely received in the charge opening, but subsequently retains the shaped charge in the charge opening upon deformation of the deformable retaining device.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus is provided for connection to a cylindrical member. The coupling apparatus includes a body member and an annular seal between the body member and the cylindrical member. A plurality of collet sections are disposed about the body member, and each collet section has a first end connected to the body member and a second end adapted for engagement with a downward facing surface of a shoulder of the cylindrical member. An outer sleeve is slidable relative to the collet sections between an open position wherein the second ends of the collet sections are held in a relatively radially expanded position and a closed position. A release device is operably associated with the plurality of collet sections and the outer sleeve for moving the second ends of the collet sections to their relatively radially expanded position upon sliding of the outer sleeve from its closed position to its open position.

Abstract: A well testing tool includes a housing adapted to be connected to a well test string and having a substantially open bore therethrough. A valve assembly is disposed in the housing and includes a spherical valve member having a substantially open valve bore therethrough and includes upper and lower annular seats engaging the spherical valve member. The valve member is rotatable within the seats between closed and open positions. An actuating assembly is engaged with the valve member for rotating the valve member between its open positions upon relative longitudinal movement between the actuating assembly and the spherical valve member. An upper load transfer mandrel is disposed between the upper seat and the housing for transferring any upward forces caused by upwardly directed pressure differentials across the spherical valve member to the housing by compressional loading of the upper load transfer mandrel.

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 selective injection packer apparatus includes a housing having a longitudinal housing bore therethrough. A mandrel has a longitudinal mandrel bore therethrough and is slidably disposed in the housing bore. Upper and lower longitudinally spaced compressible packers are disposed about the housing. Upper and lower power pistons are operably associated with the housing and the upper and lower packers, respectively, for longitudinally compressing and radially expanding the upper and lower packers in response to an increase in fluid pressure within the mandrel bore. A power passage is operatively associated with the power pistons for selectively communicating the mandrel bore with the power pistons. An injection passage is operatively associated with the housing and the mandrel for selectively communicating the mandrel bore with an exterior of the housing between the upper and lower packers.

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 with first and second sides of the power piston. A retarding device is disposed in the second pressure conducting passage for delaying communication of a sufficient portion of an increase in well annulus pressure to the second side of the power piston for a sufficient time to allow a pressure differential across the power piston to move the power piston from a first position to a second position relative to the housing. A pressure relief valve is communicated with the second pressure conducting passage between the power piston and the retarding device for relieving from the second pressure conducting passage a volume of fluid sufficient to permit the power piston to travel to its second position.

Abstract: A multiple-mode, multiplex pumping apparatus includes circuit control elements for initializing the apparatus by placing each of the pistons and plungers in each pumping section of the multiplex pumping apparatus at a respective initial starting point. The pumping apparatus also includes electronic circuit elements for controlling the inlet valves, exhaust valves and precompression valves of the hydraulic circuit of the pumping apparatus. The apparatus includes phase control circuit elements for controlling the separation of the leading edges of the plungers of two of the pumping sections of the apparatus when the apparatus is operating as a quadruplex pump. The pumping apparatus also includes elecrtronic circuit elements for insuring that each plunger of each pumping section stops at a fixed stopping point. The apparatus also includes electronic circuit elements for controlling the volume of fluid in the rod end portions of each of the pumping sections.

Abstract: A well testing assembly includes a pressure limiter located between a downhole pump and an inflatable packer. The pressure limiter includes a housing having first and second housing parts and having an inflation passage disposed therein for communicating a discharge of the downhole pump with the inflatable packer. A clutch is connected between the first and second housing parts. A biasing spring biases the clutch toward an engaged position. A piston is operatively associated with the clutch and communicated with the inflation passage for overcoming the biasing spring and moving the clutch to a disengaged position at a predetermined fluid pressure level within the inflation passage.

Abstract: The inflatable bladder means of the inflatable packer of the present invention includes an integral support means for bridging an annular space between the packer and a well casing, to increase the ability of the inflatable packer to withstand differential pressures within said annular space. The integral support means includes a plurality of reinforcing layers with each of said layers having a first end securely fastened to an annular anchor shoe means and a free second terminating between the anchor shoe means and a sliding shoe means. The integral support means further includes a second plurality of reinforcing layers which are radially alternated with the reinforcing layers of the first plurality. Each of the reinforcing layers of the second plurality includes a first free end terminating adjacent the anchor shoe means and a second free end terminating between the anchor shoe means and the sliding shoe means.

Abstract: A port valve isolation packer comprises an upper body, a slip joint port valve, a positioner mandrel, a spacer coupling and a lower body, all of which make up a tubular body of the isolation packer. Said tubular body has upper and lower packer assemblies and a closing positioner attached to its outer surface. An inner mandrel is concentrically disposed within said tubular body. The slip joint port valve includes a slip joint mandrel having a port disposed therein, and a slip joint sleeve having a radial bore therethrough. When said port valve is in a first closed position, said port is blocked by said slip joint sleeve. When said port valve is in a second open position, said port is aligned with the radial bore of the slip joint sleeve. The inner bore of the inner mandrel communicates with said port. A fluid bypass is provided through an annular cavity between the inner mandrel and the tubular body.