Abstract: A short stroke casing valve with positioning and jetting tools therefor. The casing valve has a sliding sleeve within a housing. The housing defines a housing communication port therethrough, and a seal is disposed on longitudinally opposite sides of the housing communication port. The sleeve has a selective latch profile therein adapted for engagement by the positioning tool. The positioning tool has outwardly biased positioner blocks which automatically engage the sliding sleeve. The positioner blocks have a selective latch profile thereon which is adapted for engagement with the latch profile in the sliding sleeve. This latch profile in the positioner tool prevents undesirable engagement of the positioner blocks with any other portion of the casing string except the latch profile in the casing valve. In one embodiment, a non-rotational jetting tool includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced jetting orifices therein.

Abstract: Expandable casing portions are provided, such as casing slip joints or expansion joints, on opposite sides of a fracture initiation location to accommodate casing and formation movement during fracturing of a well. The fracture initiation location may be provided by forming openings through the well casing and then forming fan-shaped slots in the formation surrounding the casing. These slots may be formed by a hydraulic jet which is directed through the opening and then pivoted generally about the point of the opening. These fan-shaped slots circumscribe an angle about the axis of the casing substantially greater than the angle circumscribed by the opening itself through which the slot was formed. These techniques are particularly applicable to fracturing of horizontal wells, but are also useful on vertical wells.

Abstract: A valve system for use with a tube jetting apparatus used for cleaning the interior surfaces of tubes such as those in heat exchangers. The apparatus includes a piston housing having a piston assembly slidably disposed therein. The pressure relief assembly also includes a differential pressure relief valve which is connected to the piston housing to relieve pressure therein as the piston moves within the housing.

Abstract: A stage cementer and inflation packer apparatus. 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 acutated by a pump-down plug in a plug-operated embodiment or by a differential pressure acting on the opening sleeve in a hydraulically operated embodiment, to actuate the opening sleeve to allow inflation of the packer element. A back check valve prevents the packer from deflating. After the packer is inflated, additional pressure is applied which ruptures a rupture disc to open a port to the well annulus above the set packer element. Cementing may be carried out through this port, and after the cementing operating, a plug engages the operating sleeve to move the operating sleeve in the external closure sleeve, thereby closing the cementing port.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving downhole devices is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a retrieving device that can be run on non-conventional workstrings such as coiled tubing, wireline, or electric line. The apparatus comprises a power mandrel, an inner sleeve mandrel slidably disposed within the power mandrel, and an overshot means. Means are provided to translate longitudinal movement of the power mandrel into rotational movement of the inner mandrel.

Abstract: A manifold for a front-discharge fluid end reciprocating pump. The manifold comprises tubular portions which are connected to ports on the pump by threaded engagement of a plurality of nuts. The manifold has a center portion and at least one branch portion which intersects the center portion. Another tubular portion having a ported end is in communication with the center and branch portions and provides an outlet for the manifold. At least one nut on the manifold is a standard nut having lugs extending therefrom adjacent to an outer surface of the nut. A special nut is used on at least one of the connections and has lugs extending adjacent to the inner surface thereof. The lugs on the special nut have a longitudinal thickness less than the nuts on the standard nut. In this way, the nuts may be engaged with closely adjacent ports on the pump without interference of the lugs on the nuts with one another.

Abstract: No swivel head with manifold assembly having remote control valves and plug release plungers. The assembly comprises a body connectable to a tool string, and a cementing manifold connectable to the cement source. The cementing manifold has remotely controllable cement control valves incorporated therein. The manifold is rotatably mounted on the body to provide continuous fluid communication between the manifold and body even when the body is rotating with respect to the manifold. The rotatable mounting is provided by a swivel connection comprising a mandrel extending from the body and a sleeve connected to the manifold. The swivel connection also provides continuous communication between a pressure line, extending from the sleeve to a pressure supply, and another pressure line, extending from the mandrel to a dart or ball releasing mechanism. This allows the releasing mechanism to be actuated even when the body is rotating with respect to the manifold and when the entire apparatus is being reciprocated.

Abstract: A surface valve with pressure energized seals and having gear actuation. The valve comprises a body with a rotating valve plate therein. The pressure energized seals provide sealing engagement between the valve plate and body. An actuation gear with a geared surface having a cam-shaped pitch line is positioned adjacent to the valve plate. An eccentrically rotated pinion gear is engaged with the actuation gear for providing rotation of the actuation gear and corresponding movement of the valve plate between open and closed positions thereof.

Abstract: A seal for long-time exposures in oil and gas well tools. The seal is adapted for use in a sealed joint between two relatively movable members. In particular, the seal is designed for relatively slidable members. The seal has a body portion with a pair of annular arms extending from opposite sides thereof. A lip on each of the arms is adapted for engaging one of the relatively movable members. An elastomeric sealing element may be disposed in a groove in the body portion for dynamic sealing between the first and second members. Pusher rings may be disposed on opposite sides of the seal so that the seal may be clamped against one of the relatively movable members without the lips or arms longitudinally engaging either of the relatively movable members or a lock ring used to clamp the seal in place.

Abstract: A swivel cementing head with manifold assembly. The assembly comprises a body connectable to a tool string, and a cementing manifold connectable to the cement source. The manifold is rotatably mounted on the body to provide continuous fluid communication between the manifold and body even when the body is rotating with respect to the manifold. The rotatable connection is provided by a mandrel extending from the body and the sleeve connected to the manifold. The mandrel defines a mandrel central opening therethrough and a transverse mandrel hole in communication with the mandrel opening, and the sleeve defines a transverse sleeve hole therethrough. The mandrel has a mandrel groove and an outwardly facing surface thereof adjacent to the mandrel hole, and the sleeve has a sleeve groove in an inwardly facing surface thereof adjacent to the sleeve hole.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic slip components. The non-metallic material may include engineering grade plastics. In one embodiment, the slips are separate and held in place in an initial position around the slip wedge by a retainer ring. In another embodiment, the slips are integrally formed with a ring portion which holds the slips in the initial position around the wedge; in this embodiment, the ring portion is made of a fracturable non-metallic material which fractures during a setting operation to separate the slips. Methods of drilling out the apparatus without significant variations in the drilling speed and weight applied to the drill bit may be employed. Alternative drill bit types, such as polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits may also be used.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving downhole devices is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a retrieving device that can be run on non-conventional workstrings such as coiled tubing, wireline, or electric line. The apparatus comprises a power mandrel, an inner sleeve mandrel slidably disposed within the power mandrel, and an overshot means. Means are provided to translate longitudinal movement of the power mandrel into rotational movement of the inner mandrel.

Abstract: A tube jetting apparatus for cleaning the interior surfaces of tubes such as those in heat exchangers. The jetting apparatus includes a hydraulically actuated lance and piston assembly in a housing. High pressure fluid is directed through ports in the lance and also directed across the piston to actuate the lance and piston assembly while providing high pressure fluid to a jetting nozzle on the lance. The speed of the lance and piston assmbly is controlled and jetting action occurs on both the outward and return strokes. On the return stroke, a pressure relief system is provided to relieve the system pressure through a differential pressure relief valve. A stroke limiter is provided which utilizes a collet for grippingly engaging the lance at a predetermined location thereon while minimizing damage to the surface of the lance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining flow rates of well fluid constituents on a much smaller scale than with prior art equipment. Rather than testing the total fluid stream, a sample stream portion is diverted from the total fluid stream and tested. The sample fluid stream portion is separated into its various constituents, and the mass flow rate of each constituent is determined. The total mass flow rate of the total fluid stream is measured and compared with the total mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the sample stream portion, so the total flow rate of each constituent may be calculated.

Abstract: A rheological test apparatus and method using a helical screw rheometer. The screw in the rheometer is driven by a hydraulic motor controlled by a proportioning valve. A pressure transducer provides a pressure signal at the outlet of the rheometer, and a solenoid valve is used to close the outlet downstream from the pressure transducer. In a test, fluid is flowed into the rheometer. With the screw stopped and the discharge closed, a static pressure is measured by the pressure transducer, and a computer means resets this to a zero reference value. The screw in the rheometer is then rotated at a constant speed with the discharge closed, and the dynamic pressure at the outlet is measured by the pressure transducer. Because the static pressure was zeroed, the dynamic pressure value is substantially equal to the differential pressure across the rheometer. The test is repeated for different speeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a block squeeze cementing job. The invention provides for perforating the wellbore above and below the desired well formation on a single wireline trip and setting a lower packer on a wireline above the lower perforations. A stinger is positioned in the lower packer, and secondary packer elements on an upper packer are set above the upper perforations. Cementing of the lower perforations is carried out through the lower packer. The secondary packer elements are unset, and the stinger is repositioned adjacent to the upper perforations. Primary packer elements on the upper packer are then set, and the cementing of the upper perforations is carried out through the upper packer and stinger. Setting of the secondary packer elements requires only vertical movement of the tubing string and no rotation. Both cementing steps are carried out on a single tubing trip. The upper packer is retrievable, and the lower packer is of a drillable type.

Abstract: A fluid control valve for use in retaining well treatment fluids above a circulating valve and packer in a tool string. The fluid control valve comprises a ball seat with a seating surface thereon, a sealing ball for sealingly engaging the sealing surface, and a push rod. The ball seat and push rod are relatively movable so that as the packer is set and the circulating valve is moved toward a closed position, the push rod is brought into engagement with the ball so that it is moved off the ball seat, allowing fluid flow thereby. A ball cage extends from the ball seat for guiding the ball and limiting radial movement thereof when the circulating valve is open. A retrieving neck may be connected to the fluid control valve so that the fluid control valve may be retrieved while leaving the rest of the tool string in the well bore.

Abstract: A tube jetting apparatus for cleaning the interior surfaces of tubes such as those in heat exchangers. The jetting apparatus includes a hydraulically actuated lance and piston assembly in a housing. High pressure fluid is directed through ports in the lance and also directed across the piston to actuate the lance and piston assembly while providing high pressure fluid to a jetting nozzle on the lance. The speed of the lance and piston assembly is controlled and jetting action occurs on both the outward and return strokes. On the return stroke, a pressure relief system is provided to relieve the system pressure through a differential pressure relief valve. A stroke limiter is provided which utilizes a collet for grippingly engaging the lance at a predetermined location thereon while minimizing damage to the surface of the lance.

Abstract: A hydraulic set packer for use in a well bore as part of a testing apparatus. The packer comprises a housing defining a generally annular piston chamber therein. A cylindrical portion of an annular piston is slidably disposed in the piston chamber. The piston also has a shoe portion adjacent to a packer element on the housing. An inner mandrel is disposed in the housing, and the housing and inner mandrel define a passageway therein such that fluid pressure may be applied to the piston for moving it against the packer element such that the packer is set in sealing engagement with the well bore. The passageway extends the full length of the housing so that it may be in communication with another hydraulic packer positioned therebelow. One or more packers may be used in a downhole tool on a testing string for use in testing a well formation. The packer may also be used on a tubing string for testing a blowout preventer.

Abstract: A coiled tubing set inflatable packer, bridge plug and releasing tool therefor. The packer and bridge plug comprise an adapter with a mandrel slidably disposed therein. A pressure actuated piston releases a locking ball between the mandrel and adapter during an inflation cycle and allows movement of the mandrel such that the locking ball again locks the mandrel and adapter when the mandrel is moved to a sealed position wherein the inflatable packer element is sealingly closed. The inflatable packer of the present invention comprises a valve for opening a central passageway through the packer. A J-slot in the packer allows a plurality of inflation cycles to insure proper setting of the packer prior to actuation of the valve. The bridge plug of the present invention comprises a bypass passage therethrough which may be opened by upward movement of a central mandrel. A releasing tool is provided for releasing the packer or bridge plug in the well bore after setting of the packer element.