Abstract: A non-flashing fluid sampler for use in obtaining a well fluid sample. The sampler comprises a body defining a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber and a sampling port therein. The sampling port is in communication with the first chamber and with an outside zone outside the body. The second and third chambers are initially isolated from one another by a control valve. Upon activating the control valve, fluid may flow from the second chamber to the third chamber through a flow restriction. An extendable floating piston is disposed between the first and second chambers, and the floating piston defines a variable volume therein. An initial amount of well fluid flows into the variable volume, thus trapping dirty fluid, and subsequently, a well fluid sample is flowed into the first chamber. An isolation valve is provided for allowing hydrostatic pressure into the sampler after the fluid sample has been taken.

Abstract: A coiled tubing drilling hydraulic disconnect for use in disconnecting a tool from a length of tubing or other tool string. The apparatus has an upper housing and a lower housing with a splined ring threadingly engaged with the lower housing. A spline in the splined ring engages a spline on the upper housing so that torque may be transmitted therebetween. Lugs are disposed through windows in the lower housing below the splines, and a bushing is disposed between the splined ring and the lugs. Relative rotation between the upper and lower housings causes the splined ring to tighten against the bushing and lugs, thereby eliminating play therebetween. A lug prop disposed in the upper housing may be hydraulically actuated so that the lugs may move to a disconnect position, thereby releasing the upper housing from the lower housing. Because the windows are disposed below the splines, no torque or bending are applied to the windows, and the windows and lugs are shaped to minimize stress concentrations.

Abstract: An apparatus for opening perforations in a casing string. The casing string has a special casing section defining a plurality of holes therethrough. Rupturable ceramic discs or inserts are disposed in said holes and retained therein. The ceramic discs or inserts are adapted to withstand the fluid differential pressures normally present in the wellbore but are rupturable in response to impact by a mild explosive charge. The explosive charge is provided by detonating a length of det-cord disposed in the casing string adjacent to the holes in the special casing section. A method of perforating using this apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-flashing fluid sampler for use in obtaining a well fluid sample. The sampler comprises a body defining a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber and a sampling port therein. The sampling port is in communication with the first chamber and with an outside zone outside the body. The second and third chambers are initially isolated from one another by a control valve. Upon activating the control valve, fluid may flow from the second chamber to the third chamber through a flow restriction. An extendable floating piston is disposed between the first and second chambers, and the floating piston defines a variable volume therein. An initial amount of well fluid flows into the variable volume, thus trapping dirty fluid, and subsequently, a well fluid sample is flowed into the first chamber. An isolation valve is provided for allowing hydrostatic pressure into the sampler after the fluid sample has been taken.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for burning petroleum products during well testing. The apparatus comprises a plurality of burner nozzles for mixing air, oil or other flammable hydrocarbon, and in some cases steam, and discharges the mixture for burning. Each module may have a plurality of burner nozzles, and a plurality of such modules may be connected together. Each burner nozzle has a body with an air inlet and a fluid inlet, a nozzle insert disposed in the body and having an air port in communication with the air inlet and a fluid port in communication with the fluid inlet. Sealing is provided between the nozzle insert and the body. The body may also have a steam inlet, and the nozzle insert may also have a steam port in communication with the steam inlet, for directing steam into the apparatus to increase the mixing energy and temperature, thereby facilitating atomization.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing an open-hole well and obtaining a fluid sample therefrom. The apparatus comprises a compression packer on a drill pipe. Disposed in the drill pipe is a housing, defining a surge chamber therein, and a closure valve in communication with the surge chamber. A fluid sampler is in communication with the surge chamber. In operation, the packer is placed in a set position by setting down weight. The closure valve is pressure actuated so that fluid is flowed from a formation or zone of interest into the surge chamber and then into the sampler. By opening a housing valve at an upper end of the surge chamber, formation fluid may be forced back into the formation or zone of interest by a bull-heading operation. In a preferred embodiment, the packer and drill pipe are disconnectable from the remainder of the apparatus, and the packer is drillable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing and sampling open-hole oil and gas wells. The apparatus includes a packer, a surge chamber, a closure valve which may be opened to flow fluid into the surge chamber, and a sampler. The surge chamber may be one of a pair of surge chambers, and the closure valve may be one of a pair of closure valves so that two surges may be carried out prior to obtaining a fluid sample in the sampler. In operation, the packer is placed in a set position by setting down weight. The closure valves are also actuated when weight is set down. The first closure valve has a first predetermined time delay before opening so that the packer may be set, and the second closure valve has a second predetermined time delay so that the packer may be set and the first closure valve opened before a fluid sample is captured. By opening a vent tool at an upper end of the uppermost surge chamber, formation fluid may be forced back into the formation or zone of interest by a bull-heading operation.

Abstract: A tubing injector apparatus for guiding coiled tubing and inserting the tubing into a well. The apparatus includes a tubing guide portion which has a curvilinear first frame and a curvilinear second frame spaced from the first frame. An elongated first guide track is attached to the first frame, and a second guide track is attached to the second frame. The guide tracks are adapted for sliding engagement by the tubing as the tubing is moved through the injector apparatus. The guide strips are preferably made of a self-lubricating material so that the tubing moves easily.

Abstract: An early evaluation system with pump for servicing a well and taking fluid samples and measurements. In each of the embodiments, a formation pump is actuated to flow fluid from the well formation below a packer element engaged with the borehole into a sampling tube. Fluid samplers and recording instruments may be in communication with the sampling tube. In one embodiment, the pump is mechanically actuated by rotation of the tool string. In another embodiment, the pump is hydraulically actuated and has a hydraulic motor connected thereto. In this hydraulically acutated embodiment, fluid pumped down the tool string actuates the hydraulic motor and thereby further actuates the pump. Other pump embodiments are also disclosed. In still another embodiment, the apparatus may be incorporated into a drill string so that a drilling operation may be carried out and immediately followed by a fluid evaluation operation.

Abstract: A ball drop head for dropping balls into a tubing or casing string of a well. The ball drop head has a central container with at least one ball carrier ring rotatably disposed therein. A ball cavity is defined in the ring, and a ball is disposed therein. The ball is biased radially inwardly toward the container so that when the ring is rotated to align the cavity with a ball release opening defined in the container, the ball is pushed through the ball release opening to enter and fall through a central opening in the container. The ring may be rotated manually or remotely, such as by inflating a pneumatic or hydraulic bellows. Additional rings may be mounted on the container to use in dropping additional balls. A method of dropping balls into a well is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing a well and obtaining a fluid sample therefrom. The apparatus comprises a housing connectable to a tubing string and having a packer at the lower end thereof. The packer is set, and fluid is flowed from a formation or zone of interest into the chamber and then into a sampler in a controlled manner such that the fluid in the housing or sampler does not flash. In one embodiment, a pump is used to flow formation fluid; plugs are used in the housing to first flow dirty fluid and then flow clean fluid into the housing. In another embodiment, a nitrogen cushion is bled slowly to flow fluid into the housing.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for burning petroleum products during well testing. The apparatus comprises a plurality of burner nozzles for mixing air, oil or other flammable hydrocarbon, and in some cases steam, and discharges the mixture for burning. Each module may have a plurality of burner nozzles, and a plurality of such modules may be connected together. Each burner nozzle has a body with an air inlet and a fluid inlet, a nozzle insert disposed in the body and having an air port in communication with the air inlet and a fluid port in communication with the fluid inlet. Sealing is provided between the nozzle insert and the body. The body may also have a steam inlet, and the nozzle insert may also have a steam port in communication with the steam inlet, for directing steam into the apparatus to increase the mixing energy and temperature, thereby facilitating atomization.

Abstract: A bi-directional explosive transfer apparatus for use in connecting and orienting perforating guns in a well. The apparatus includes a connector having first and second housing portions which are pivotally attached to one another. First and second explosive devices in the connector provide a bi-directional explosive path between perforating guns joined by the connector. At least one orienting fin is attached to the perforating guns to position the guns off-center so that they will orient themselves by gravity in a deviated well section. The swivel connection provided by the connector allows the guns to rotate individually as necessary and relative to the other guns. A method of perforating a well using the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A twin carriage coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the tubing from the well. The apparatus includes a superstructure with a pair of spaced carriages disposed therein. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriage to be moved toward and away from one another in a transverse direction with respect to the superstructure. This movement allows gripper chain systems to be engaged or disengaged from tubing extending through the apparatus. A roller chain system is disposed in each of the carriages and is adapted for engagement and support of the gripper chain systems as the gripper chain systems are engaged with the tubing. A timing gear system may optionally be provided to insure that the rotational speed of the gripper chain systems are substantially constant.

Abstract: A ball valve having the capability of cutting coiled tubing extending therethrough. The valve includes a ball rotatably disposed within a housing and adjacent to a seat. Control arms prevent relative longitudinal movement between the ball and seat. The ball defines a pair of slots therein, each slot having a bearing surface. A pair of control pins are disposed on opposite sides of the ball and rotatably disposed in corresponding control frames disposed on opposite sides of the ball. Each control pin has an end with a bearing surface thereon extending into a corresponding slot in the ball so that flat contact is provided between the control pin and the ball. This greater area of contact between the pins and the slots allows a greater load to be transmitted to the ball to provide the shearing load necessary to shear relatively large diameters of coiled tubing which extend through the open valve. The valve is opened and closed by pressure actuation of a piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for downhole injection and mixing of fluids into a cement slurry. The apparatus includes embodiments which either carry a fluid to the proper injection point in a wellbore or maintain it at the proper injection point until activated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus is characterized as a cementing plug having a fluid holding chamber therein. When the plug is pumped downwardly in the wellbore, the fluid in the chamber is flowed out of the chamber and mixed with the cement slurry by a venturi effect. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is characterized by a casing portion having a fluid holding chamber therein. A solenoid valve controls communication of the chamber with the well annulus, and fluid flow through the well annulus causes the fluid in the chamber to be flowed outwardly by a venturi effect. The second embodiment includes a casing shoe disposed below the fluid holding chamber.

Abstract: A surface switchable down-jet/side-jet apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing with a valve sleeve slidably disposed therein. When the valve sleeve is in a first position, fluid pumped into the apparatus will be jetted out of at least one longitudinally directed port. An actuator, such as a ball, is dropped into the apparatus to seat on the valve sleeve, and when pressure is applied thereto, forces the valve sleeve downwardly, shearing a shear pin. The valve sleeve is moved downwardly to a second position in which at least one transverse port in the housing is uncovered and the longitudinal port is closed. Additional fluid pumped into the apparatus is jetted radially outwardly through the transverse port.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for snubbing tubing-conveyed perforating guns in and out of a well bore. The apparatus includes a string of perforating guns wherein adjacent perforating guns are attached using a connector having an upper mandrel which is attached to a lower mandrel by left-hand threaded connection. A ratchet positioned on the upper mandrel allows left-hand rotation of the upper mandrel and ratchet with respect to the lower mandrel while preventing right-hand rotation of the ratchet with respect to the lower mandrel. Shear screws interconnecting the upper mandrel and the ratchet may be sheared upon application of a predetermined torque to allow right-hand rotation of the upper mandrel with respect to the ratchet. The lower mandrel has a recess or reduced diameter portion which is adapted for sealing engagement by a pipe ram in a blowout preventer.

Abstract: A stage cementer with integral inflation packer. The apparatus comprises a mandrel with an external closing sleeve and an operating sleeve interlocked therewith. Below the operating sleeve is an opening sleeve. The opening sleeve is mechanically actuated by a pump-down plug to actuate the opening sleeve and thereby to allow inflation of a packer portion disposed around said mandrel. An anchor ring is disposed in said mandrel and engaged therewith by a retainer ring. The anchor ring limits movement of the opening sleeve, and a shallow portion of a groove prevents radially inward movement of the retainer ring so that the anchor ring remains lockingly engaged with the mandrel. A back check valve prevents the packer from deflating. When the packer portion is inflated, a packer shoe slidably moves about an outer surface of the closure sleeve. After the packer portion is inflated, additional pressure is applied which ruptures a rupture disc to open a port to the well annulus above the packer portion.

Abstract: A downhole coiled tubing latch for positive latching to a drill pipe while pumping fluids. The apparatus comprises a housing positioned in the drill pipe with a slidable mandrel positioned in the housing. The apparatus further comprises a latch stinger which can be lowered on a coiled tubing and sealingly engaged with the mandrel and the housing. When weight is set down, the stinger and mandrel are moved downwardly which actuates latch fingers on the mandrel which latchingly engage a groove on the stinger to positively hold the stinger in place while fluids are pumped therethrough. One or more pressure balance pistons are used to help hold the apparatus in a latched position when pressure is applied. When weight is picked up, a spring returns the mandrel to the unlatched position so that the stinger may be removed.