Abstract: A hammermill having a rotor assembly and a screen bar assembly is provided to reduce oversized wood chips. The hammermill may also be used to reduce wood and/or bark, the rotor assembly includes flexible hammers which are pivotally attached to allow each flexible hammer to move radially inward or radially outward during rotation of the rotor assembly. Each flexible hammer preferably includes a recess with a portion of a support rod disposed therein to limit radial movement inward and outward relative to the rotor assembly. The screen bar assembly includes a plurality of screen bars having a beveled surface formed along one edge of each screen bar disposed adjacent to the rotor assembly. The flexible hammers allow the rotor assembly to rotate at lower revolutions per minute which reduces the amount of fines and undersized wood chips produced by the associated hammermill.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for use in a well tubing string including a valve closure member, an operator tube for opening the valve closure member, a small diameter offset piston to move the operator tube in response to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface, and a spring biasing the operator tube to a position closing the valve. A bearing assembly mounted on the operator tube minimizes eccentric and torsional loading of the operator tube by the piston and spring. The operator tube also has multiple flow paths and barriers to prevent accumulation of debris from well fluids within the safety valve. The safety valve has metal-to-metal sealing systems to improve valve life under harsh downhole well environments.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressurized cleaning of well flow conductors. The apparatus has a non-rotating inner mandrel, an adapter to connect the inner mandrel to a work string, a rotating housing on the exterior of the inner mandrel, and a nozzle body attached to the housing. An alternative embodiment of the invention allows cleaning tools to be attached to a modified nozzle body and rotated therewith. Fluid pressure flowing through the inner mandrel will cause the housing to rotate relative to the inner mandrel. Rotation is used to direct fluid jets in the nozzle body towards different portions of the interior of the flow conductor. Rotation of a cleaning tool can also be used for combined mechanical and hydraulic drilling to remove deposits from within a well flow conductor.

Abstract: A dual string well packer which is anchored at a downhole location within the bore of a well casing string by relative longitudinal movement between the primary tubing string and the secondary tubing string. The well packer is set by applying tension via the secondary string. The well packer is released from its downhole location by applying tension via the primary string. The invention is particularly adapted for use in well completions that are subject to thermocycling such as steam injection wells. However, the anchoring and releasing mechanism of the present invention can be readily adapted for use with any dual string well packer. The present invention includes an improved method for well completion, minimizing tubing handling requirements during the installation and removal of the production tubing strings and associated dual string well packer.

Abstract: A submersible well pump and downhole completion system. The system includes a fluid flow path from the well surface to inject lubricating fluid to increase downhole pump life and/or corrosion inhibitors to protect downhole components from potentially harmful well fluids. The system substantially increases the service life of downhole components used to enhance the production of well fluids. The system also offers ease of assembly at the well surface and installation at the desired downhole location.

Abstract: A well safety system with two surface controlled subsurface safety valves. The invention allows various alternatives for controlling injection into and production from a gas storage well. For maximum production, gas can flow from the underground storage reservoir to the well surface via a tubing string and the annulus between the tubing and well casing. The invention provides at least two alternative flow paths for injecting kill fluids into the well bore.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for use in a well tubing string including a valve closure member, an operator tube for opening the valve closure member, an annular piston on the operator tube responsive to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface, and a spring biasing the operator tube to a position closing the valve. A lockout sleeve mounted in tandem with the operator tube for movement to a position in which the lockout sleeve holds the valve open. The operator tube having multiple flow paths and barriers to prevent accumulation of debris from well fluids within the safety valve. One flow path including a plurality of small ports extending through the upper portion of the operator tube. Another flow path defined in part by a reduced outside diameter portion of the operator tube near its lower end and multiple channels in the valve housing adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A seal assembly for use on a downhole well tool such as a wireline locking mandrel. The seal assembly includes a center element, multiple v-rings, wire mesh backup rings, and minimum clearance metal backup rings. The v-rings are manufactured from asbestos yarn impregnated with an elastomer and wrapped with tetrafluorethylene-propylene copolymer or terpolymer.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressurized cleaning of flow conductors. The apparatus has a first mandrel and a second mandrel telescoped therein. A cleaning tool can be attached to the second mandrel. Changes in fluid pressure flowing through the mandrels will cause the second mandrel to rotate relative to the first mandrel. Rotation is used to direct fluid jets in the cleaning tool towards different portions of the interior of the flow conductor. Rotation of the cleaning tool can also be used for hydraulic drilling of deposits within the flow conductor.

Abstract: A system for cleaning perforations in a well bore by surging formation fluid through the perforations. A wireline retrievable well tool is installed in the well bore above the perforations to establish a fluid barrier which will divide the well bore into a first fluid pressure zone and a second fluid pressure zone. The well tool includes a flow path closure device which will suddenly open when the difference in pressure between the first zone and the second zone exceeds a preselected value. The sudden opening of the closure device results in a surge of fluid flow from the downhole formation which cleans the perforations.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressurized cleaning of flow conductors. The apparatus has a first mandrel and a second mandrel telescoped therein. A cleaning tool can be attached to the second mandrel. Changes in fluid pressure flowing through the mandrels will cause the second mandrel to rotate relative to the first mandrel. Rotation is used to direct fluid jets in the cleaning tool towards different portions of the interior of the flow conductor. Rotation of the cleaning tool can also be used for hydraulic drilling of deposits within the flow conductor.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing subsea wells with a flexible riser. The flexible riser can be modified for use either with wireline or through the flow line tools. The flexible riser eliminates the requirement for motion or heave compensating equipment associated with rigid marine riser systems. The flexible riser, lower riser package and associated surface support equipment can be used to obtain vertical access to a subsea well without the need to use a drill ship or semisubmersible.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for use in a well tubing string including a valve closure member, an operator tube for opening the valve closure member and holding it open, an annular piston on the operator tube operative in response to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface, a spring biasing the operator tube to a position at which the valve is closed, and a lockout sleeve mounted in tandem with the operator tube for movement simultaneously with the operator tube to a position at which the lockout sleeve holds the valve open. The operator tube and lockout sleeve are engageable by a shifting tool to operate the operator tube and lockout sleeve simultaneously. The lockout sleeve can be returned to an inoperative position by control fluid pressure moving the operator tube to a position which opens the valve closure member. The safety valve is also operable by a modified shifting tool engaging the operator tube.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve. During normal well flowing conditions, the valve is spring biased to its open position. If the difference in fluid pressure flowing through the valve as compared to fluid pressure exterior to the valve exceeds a preselected value, a pressure sensitive bellows will be actuated to close the valve. A latch mechanism is provided to prevent undesired closure of the safety valve by acceptable pressure transients resulting from normal changes in well operating conditions. An alternative embodiment of the valve responds to an electromagnetic signal from the well surface.

Abstract: A direct acting subsurface safety valve. During normal well flowing conditions, an operator sleeve is spring biased to hold the valve closure mechanism in its open position. If the rate of change of fluid pressure flowing through the valve exceeds a preselected value, a pressure sensitive piston will shift the operator sleeve to close the valve. A latch mechanism is provided to prevent undesired closure of the safety valve by acceptable pressure transients resulting from normal changes in well operating conditions.

Abstract: An electro/hydraulic system for controlling remotely located valves or other types of hydraulically powered equipment. The electrical system uses multiple microprocessors to send, validate, and execute commands. Microprocessors at the central control station constantly communicate with and monitor similar microprocessors at remote locations. The validation of commands increases safety and reliability of the present invention as compared to direct electrical control systems. The electrical components of the present invention greatly decrease the lapse time between initiating a command at the central location and equipment response at the remote location. The system also monitors and displays temperature, pressure, and valve position.

Abstract: A landing nipple and safety system for installation in wells having a submersible pump for pumping formation fluids to the well surface plus a subsurface safety valve for maintaining the well under control during installation and removal of the pump from the well. The subsurface safety valve may be hydraulically actuated by either the discharge pressure of the pump or input power fluid for hydraulically powered pumps. The landing nipple to which the pump is attached and in which the safety valve is installed can be retrieved from the flow conductor by conventional wireline techniques.

Abstract: A latch for releasably anchoring well tools at a preselected downhole location within a well bore. The latch includes collet heads which are sized to be received within an annular recess. The downhole location is defined by the annular recess and a no-go shoulder which limits the movement of the latch into the well bore. The latch is activated by application of force in one direction after contact with the no-go shoulder. A first set of pins is sheared during activation of the latch to prevent retraction of the collet heads from the recess. A second set of pins is sheared by applying force in the opposite direction to allow release of the collet heads from the recess.

Abstract: An electronic recording device and multiple sensors for measuring various parameters at locations remote from the recording device. The multiple sensors can be joined together to comprise a downhole tool for measuring various parameters within a well bore and transmitting information concerning each parameter to the recording device via a single conductor electrical wireline. The embodiment disclosed within this patent measures the parameters of pressure, temperature, flow rate plus direction, and collar location. A wide variety of sensors can be included within the downhole tool to measure additional parameters as desired. This invention allows the multiple sensors to measure various parameters at any location remote from the recording device and to transmit information concerning each parameter to the recording device on single conductor electrical line as a composite signal.

Abstract: A pulling tool for retrieving well tools from a well bore. The present invention allows the reach of the pulling tool to be easily varied. The pulling tool can also be assembled for emergency release by either upward or downward shearing forces. The weight of a well tool engaged by the pulling tool is fully supported by the housing of the pulling tool. A manual release feature is provided to release well tools from the pulling tool at the well surface without having to disassemble the pulling tool or shear any pins.