Abstract: A sub-surface release plug assembly for use in cementing an outer casing annulus around a well casing comprising a top plug releasably connected to a drill string by a collet mechanism and a bottom plug releasably attached to the top plug by a sleeve assembly extending through the top plug. The assembly further comprises primary and secondary release means for releasing said plugs thereby ensuring that the plugs are released in said casing during cementing operations.

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 components. The non-metallic components may include but are not limited to the center mandrel having an unmachined, molded central opening therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, a sliding valve is disposed on an outer surface of the center mandrel for opening and closing a valve port. An overshot is used to selectively actuate the sliding valve. Methods of installation and drilling out of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of controlling an apparatus with a control signal responsive to a feedback signal comprises: detecting when a feedback signal is not being received; determining whether a control signal is being provided; and adjusting the control to the apparatus depending on whether the control signal is being provided. An apparatus for performing this method comprises a programmed computer and a control signal feedback circuit for providing to the programmed computer a signal indicating whether a valid control signal is being provided.

Abstract: A method of unsticking a material delivery apparatus comprises automatically generating and applying to the material delivery apparatus a cyclical drive signal that causes at least two levels of torque to be applied to the material delivery apparatus.

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: 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 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: A method and system provide automated, preferably electronic, monitoring and control of equipment used to pump and vaporize liquid nitrogen at an oil or gas well. The method comprises: pumping liquid nitrogen at the well; vaporizing pumped liquid nitrogen at the well; flowing vaporized nitrogen at the well; sensing temperature of the flowing vaporized nitrogen; sensing pressure of the flowing vaporized nitrogen; and automatically stopping the pumping of liquid nitrogen at the well when the sensed temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range or when the sensed pressure is outside a predetermined pressure range. A pre-stoppage warning can also be provided, and data about the vaporized nitrogen can be generated, displayed locally and transmitted remotely. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coiled tubing operated full opening completion tool system for use in a well bore. The tool system comprises a completion tool, such as a casing valve, disposed in a well casing. The tool system further comprises a positioner tool for opening and closing a sliding sleeve in the casing valve. A hydraulically actuated operating cylinder section, including opening and closing cylinder sections, is used to actuate the positioner tool to open and close the casing valve sleeve. Hydraulic slips lock the tool in position in the well bore during actuation. The tool further comprises a jetting tool which is hydraulically actuated between an open position thereof in which fluid in the tool is communicated through a jetting nozzle aligned with a port in the casing tool and a closed position. A J-slot and lug are provided in the positioner tool for controlling the longitudinal position thereof during opening and closing of the casing valve sleeve.

Abstract: Insert type floating equipment valves for use in the cementing of casing in oil and gas wells and the like which may be retained in the casing therein through the use of slips or set screws or anchors and uses either cup type or compression type sealing members.

Abstract: A cased suspended sub-sea well is secured for abandonment by setting a packer in the casing thereof, the packer having a perforating gun suspended therefrom firing the gun to perforate the casing and then injecting cement into the annulus behind the casing.

Abstract: Method of forming openings in structural substrates, especially oil and gas well casings, by providing a supply of a preselected liquid and providing a supply of preselected abrasive particles which are soluble in the liquid. The liquid and abrasive particles are combined to form an abrasive particle laden saturated solution having a predetermined concentration ratio exceeding the saturation point of the base liquid. The abrasive particle laden saturated solution is then pressurized to a predetermined delivery pressure and is routed to at least one jetting nozzle capable of expelling the abrasive particle laden saturated solution. The substrate, in which an opening is to be formed, is subjected to a directed expulsion of the abrasive particle laden saturated solution at a distance and for a period of time necessary to form an opening therethrough. Such abrasive particle laden saturated solution used and needed to form the opening is then considered to be residual.

Abstract: A rheometer comprises a thin-walled bob having two ends, adjacent at least one of which ends there is disposed a respective flow diverter plate to eliminate adverse end effects caused by swirling fluid in the rheometer.

Abstract: A system and method for determining, particularly quantitatively, a mixing efficiency of a mixing system, wherein a fracturing fluid, cement or other mixture is produced at an oil or gas well site, utilizes a mathematical model from which an ideal output characteristic is determined based on actual operating conditions obtained from the mixing system. The ideal output characteristic is compared to an actual output characteristic, and adjustments to the mixing system or an automatic control thereof can be made in response.

Abstract: A method of forming a tank system and a tank system formed thereby wherein the tank system comprises a plastic tank covered by a metal shell.

Abstract: A modular welding fixture apparatus for positioning a workpiece. The fixture includes a base table having an array of openings through the surface and an array of locator mounting holes co-located in a spaced relationship with respect to the openings to accommodate at least one vertical end locator having a base plate that is removably mountable to the base table at preselected positions thereon, and the locator has means for locating and holding at least a portion of a workpiece. The fixture further includes at least one horizontal locator having a base plate that is removably mountable to the base table at preselected positions thereon, and the base plate having means for locating and holding at least a portion of a workpiece.An alternative embodiment includes a rotatable base plate and a rotatable front plate to allow greater flexibility in the positioning of workpieces at various angles with respect to the base table.

Abstract: A modular fluid end assembly, and associated method of providing same, for a reciprocating pump having a cylinder housing secured to a crankcase by tie bolts. The fluid end is tolerant to having cylinder-head bolts improperly torqued while also providing an over pressure relief feature. The modular fluid end includes a cylinder-head having two seal landings, one common to a cylinder base joint surface and one common to an end joint surface. The base joint seal landing is smaller than the end joint seal landing. An end plate and a co-acting valve cover is provided. The valve cover includes a seal extending thereabout and is accommodated by the seal landing of the end joint. A second seal is accommodated by the base joint seal landing. A plurality of cylinder-head bolts having predetermined yield strengths, are located in proximity to the periphery of the end plate to force the end plate and the valve cover against the cylinder-head.

Abstract: A well jetting apparatus for use in fracturing of a well. Fracture initiation is provided by forming openings through the well casing and then forming fan-shaped slots in the formation surrounding the casing. Those slots are formed by a the jetting apparatus which has at least one hydraulic jet directed through the opening. The apparatus may be pivoted generally about the point of the opening to form the slots, but preferrably a plurality of slots are formed substantially simultaneously. 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 the apparatus may be used in any well configuration.

Abstract: A capacitive differential pressure sensor comprises two end pieces and a central diaphragm all of the same type of electrically non-conductive material, such as quartz. As the central diaphragm moves relative to the end pieces in response to pressures applied through the end pieces, capacitance changes are sensed through one pair of facing electrodes on one end piece and the diaphragm and another pair of facing electrodes on the other end piece and the diaphragm. A method of measuring differential pressures at an oil or gas well with such a sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for measuring downhole flowing and shut-in pressures to determine the condition of the reservoir and the potential of the well as a stimulation candidate. The tool string of the present invention is a novel combination of existing equipment that allows an electronic pressure gauge and shut-in tool to be run into the hole with coiled tubing. The present invention, in most cases, solves the potential problem of having to shut in or kill a flowing well prior to and after performing pressure testing, preventing lost production or potential well damage due to the killing operation. In addition, the present invention provides accuracy over current coiled tubing systems by reducing the effects of wellbore storage on pressure build-up testing.