Abstract: An inflation packer apparatus includes an inflatable packer bladder and uses cementitious fluid as an inflation fluid. The packer apparatus includes a packer mandrel having a central flow passage therethrough and an outer packer body which includes the inflatable packer bladder. A chemical accelerating agent is employed to accelerate the hardening time of the cementitious fluid used to inflate the packer bladder. An annular inflation fluid passageway is defined between the mandrel and the body. Inflation fluid passes from the central flow passage into the annular inflation fluid passageway to inflate the inflatable packer bladder. The mandrel has grooves defined on an outer surface thereof. The chemical accelerating agent is placed in grooves defined on the outer surface of the mandrel so that the accelerating agent is dispersed into the fluid passing into the annular passageway.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding materials including a container having a container wall, a non-circular container opening extending through the container wall, a non-circular container flange connected to the exterior of the container wall and surrounding the container opening. A non-metallic, non-circular access hatch connectable to the container flange by bolting and having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough is provided. The non-metallic, non-circular access hatch preferably includes a primary opening having a removable cover and a variety of associated components being accommodated by respective apertures such as a recirculation line, a pressure relief valve, a vacuum relief valve, and a fluid level indicator. Preferably the hatch apparatus and the primary opening cover are made of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene material.

Abstract: A slow rotating mole apparatus for use in hydrablasting wellbores and pipelines. The apparatus generally consists of a motor section with a rotor rotatable in response to fluid flow through the motor section, a speed reducer section connected to the motor section such that an output speed of the speed reducer section is less than an output speed of the rotor, and a jetting section attached to the speed reducer section and rotated thereby at the speed reducer output speed. The speed reducer section and jetting section define a flow passage therethrough in communication with jetting ports in the jetting section so that the fluid pumped through the apparatus is jetted therefrom. The speed reducer section may include one or more gear reductions to achieve the desired rotational speed of the jetting section.

Abstract: An intelligent automatic gain stabilization method and apparatus for a radiation detection instrument automatically locate the position of a predetermined characteristic within an energy spectrum, automatically determine whether the characteristic is properly located, and automatically provide gain adjustment to the output of the radiation detection instrument to maintain measurement accuracy of the system.

Abstract: A floating apparatus for use in a casing string. The apparatus includes an outer sleeve having a check valve centrally positioned therein. A body portion, which may be comprised of high compressive strength cement, is affixed to the check valve and the housing. The body portion has an upper end and a lower end. An upper seal is disposed above the upper end of the body and sealingly engages the housing and the outer sleeve. A lower seal is disposed in the sleeve below the lower end of the body portion, and sealingly engages the valve housing and the outer sleeve, so that fluid flowing through the outer sleeve cannot communicate with the body portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding materials comprising: a container including a container wall and having a first container opening extending through the container wall; a first container flange connected to the exterior of the container wall surrounding the first container opening; and a non-metallic blanking hatch connectable to the first container flange by bolting. The non-metallic blanking hatch has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough which provide access to the interior of the container.The inventive apparatus preferably also comprises: (a) a second container flange connected to the exterior of the container wall and surrounding a second container opening extending through the container wall and (b) a non-metallic manway hatch connectable to the second container flange.

Abstract: A packer apparatus with a circulating port. A housing of the packer has inflation passages, circulating passages, treating fluid passages, and equalizing passages defined therein. In a straddle packer embodiment, upper and lower packers are mounted on the housing on opposite sides of an outlet of the treating fluid passage. A circulation valve with a sliding differential pressure actuated valve sleeve is disposed below the packers. An inner mandrel is slidably received in the central opening of the housing. The mandrel has a mandrel bore and has upper inflation and circulating ports, lower inflation ports, upper and lower equalizing ports, a treating port and lower circulating ports, all of which communicate with the mandrel bore. The valve sleeve has a valve port. A lug and endless J-slot is operably associated with the housing and mandrel for controlling a telescoping position of the mandrel relative to the housing in response to reciprocation without rotation of the mandrel relative to the housing.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuous multi-component slurrying process at an oil or gas well comprises continuously flowing substances for creating a slurry in response to a slurry flow rate factor and continuously flowing another substance for the slurry in response to a flow rate of at least a predetermined one of the other substances or the slurry itself. The method can include density control, slurry (tub) level control, and a combination of such controls. The method can operate in either closed loop or open loop manner, and control can be effected with either of two types of control signals depending on whether the controlled device is an integrating or non-integrating type. The method can also provide for bumpless transition between manual and automatic control.

Abstract: A plug container, such as can be used during a cementing operation at an oil or gas well, includes one or more plug holders which seal against a bypass sleeve when the plugs carried in the holders are released to separate columns of fluid pumped into the well. The bypass sleeve is responsive to fluid pressure so that when sufficient fluid pressure is applied to the bypass sleeve, it lifts the plug holder(s) and uncovers one or more cleanout ports in at least one plug holder. The uncovered cleanout port(s) allow residue fluid, such as cement, to flow out of the plug container. The pressurized fluid can be applied through a hose connected to a single structural member of the plug container so that the hose does not need to be disconnected when the remainder of the plug container is being assembled or disassembled.

Abstract: A high pressure poppet-type regulating valve for controlling fluids that have been pressurized up to approximately 20,000 psi (1,400 kg/cm.sup.2). In the preferred embodiment the disclosed gas-dampened valve includes a stainless steel tapered poppet which is slidably positioned within a bore of a stainless steel valve body having an integral tapered valve seat. A portion of the poppet has at least one tapered section having a preselected taper angle. The valve seat has a preselected taper as well. Preferably the tapered section of has a taper angle that is up to approximately 10% larger the taper angle of the valve seat to reduce erosion of the poppet and seat thereby allowing the poppet to be made of stainless steel in lieu of a more wear resistant material. The valve body of the preferred embodiment further includes opposed discharge ports for minimizing pressure imbalances thereby reducing cavitation-induced damage to the valve.

Abstract: Method of conveying a downhole tool by a coiled tubing unit into a wellbore having a wellhead, and in which the downhole tool is to be communicatively linked to surface equipment by way of an electrical and/or optical cable. The method includes providing a coiled tubing unit, providing a downhole tool that is attachable to the coiled tubing directly, or indirectly attachable to the tubing by way of a provided cablehead, attaching one end of the cable to a cable connector that is in electrical and/or optical communication with the downhole tool, providing and installing a Y-connector to the wellhead of the wellhead of the well bore, the Y-connector having a branch that sealingly accommodates the coiled tubing therethrough, and a branch that sealingly accommodates the cable therethrough. The method further includes tensioning the cable as the cable and the tubing is simultaneously conveyed into and out of the well bore by way of respective branches of the Y-connector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide data security for battery backed memory during power up and power down. A reversing sequential power up and power down process is used to control the write process for the memory during the operating voltage transitions of power up and power down. The apparatus is combined in a housing with a microprocessor and a memory to provide an instrument for an oil or gas well.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of hydrating a particulated polymer and producing a well treatment gel includes a mixer for spraying the polymer with water at a substantially constant water velocity and at a substantially constant water spray pattern at all flow rates of the water. A centrifugal diffuser is connected to the mixer for receiving the mixture, centrifugally diffusing the motive energy of the mixture, and hydrating the mixture into a gel. A centrifugal separator and constant velocity jet pump may be connected between the mixer and the centrifugal diffuser. A dilution valve is connected to the discharge of the centrifugal diffuser for mixing water with the gel at a substantially constant mixing energy at all flow rates of the gel and producing a diluted gel. A viscometer may be connected to the discharge of the dilution valve for measuring the viscosity of the diluted gel and regulating the flow of gel from the centrifugal diffuser to the dilution valve in order to control the viscosity of the diluted gel.

Abstract: A sub-surface release plug assembly for use in cementing an outer casing annulus around a well casing. The plug assembly comprises non-metallic materials, and in particular, high-strength engineered plastics. A method of drilling out the plug assembly using a drill bit with no moving parts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting tool for setting a packer with a sliding valve therein in an operating position in a well bore. The setting tool comprises an outer housing portion slidably disposed with respect to an inner mandrel portion. A piston is connected to the outer housing portion and slidable with respect to the inner portion. The piston is responsive to tubing pressure for setting the packer. A locking dog is provided for locking said piston against further movement after setting of the packer. An actuating mandrel forms a part of the inner mandrel portion and is adapted for engaging a valve in the packer. Longitudinal movement of the tool string allows selective opening and closing of the valve in the packer.

Abstract: A wireline set baffle for positioning in a well casing after the well casing has already been placed in a wellbore. The apparatus comprises a baffle and a setting or running tool engaged with the baffle and adapted for positioning the baffle at a predetermined location in the wellbore. In one embodiment, a lock ring may be used to lock the baffle to the casing at a predetermined location, and in another embodiment, collet fingers on the baffle may be used to engage the casing. The lock ring may be initially held in a non-engaging position by a lock ring retainer or shear pins. The collet fingers may be initially held in a non-engaging position by a cover which is disengaged from the collet fingers by a blasting cap. Engagement may be with an inner surface of the casing or a recess defined at a casing joint. A method of using the wireline set baffle is also disclosed.

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 provided by forming openings through the well casing and then forming fan-shaped slots in the formation surrounding the casing. 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. The expansion joints formed as tubular members having alternating inner and outer annular grooves. In another embodiment, the expansion joints formed by tubular members defining alternating inner and outer spiral grooves therein.

Abstract: A positive circulating valve with a retrievable standing valve therein. The valve is used with a packer positioned therebelow. The circulating valve comprises a housing with a mandrel slidably disposed therebetween. A J-slot controls movement between open and closed positions. When in the open position, mandrel ports in the mandrel are aligned with body ports in the housing so that bypassing and circulating may be carried out. The standing valve prevents fluid flow downwardly through the tool string below the circulating valve when the circulating valve is in the open position. When the circulating valve is in a closed position, the mandrel ports are in communication with a central opening through the housing, allowing fluid to be pumped downwardly through the circulating valve. The standing valve may be removed so that the circulating valve has a substantially unrestricted flow path therethrough for high flow rate fracturing jobs and the like.

Abstract: A force sensor and a force sensing method use crystal rods as both force responsive elements and light transmission media in combination with light input circuitry and processing circuitry to sense an applied force, such as oil or gas well pressure or fluid flow friction.

Abstract: A fracture oriented completion tool system for use in a casing string in a wellbore. The completion tool comprises a casing valve having a radioactive source therein, the orientation of which may be determined by use of a detector apparatus, such as a rotational gamma ray detector. The casing valve thus may be aligned with the fracture of a zone of interest in the well. A plurality of casing valves may be used, with at least one having a radioactive source. A swivel connection may be used to interconnect the casing valve so that housing ports therein may be aligned as the casing is run into the wellbore. In one preferred embodiment, the swivel connection is a locking swivel connection. A method of positioning a casing string in the well utilizing the completion tool is also disclosed.