Abstract: A well tool or bridge plug for blocking fluid communication through well tubing. The present invention allows a fixed volume of liquid to be trapped within the well tubing while installing the plug. A piston means is releasably secured within the bridge plug. The piston means can slide relative to the housing of the bridge plug to compensate for any liquid displaced by inserting the bridge plug into the well tubing. The present invention is particularly adapted for use in through the flow line (TFL) or pumpdown well completions. However, the present invention could be used with wireline equipment.

Abstract: A well packer for use in geothermal wells or stem injection wells. The packer can be anchored to the inner wall of a casing string to resist differential pressure in either direction. The anchoring means includes a single set of slip elements which are hydraulically or mechanically set. The packer includes a sealing unit with packing elements especially adapted for high temperature wells. The packer can be simply released from the casing by upward tension on the tubing.

Abstract: A well sealing system for blocking fluid flow through an annulus partially defined by a tubing string disposed within a casing string. A metal seal ring is compressed and radially expanded to form a primary metal to metal seal between the exterior of the tubing string and the interior of the casing string. A production well packer and packing rings are carried by the tubing string to form secondary elastomeric to metal seals between the tubing string and casing string. Backup rings are provided to control the extrusion of the metal seal ring while it is compressed and radially expanded. A protective cylinder is also provided to prevent damage to the packing rings and the metal seal ring while the tubing string is lowered through the bore of the casing string. The protective cylinder assists in setting the production packer while the metal seal ring is being compressed.

Abstract: A core breaker carrier for inserting and removing a core breaker from a drill bit. The carrier of the present invention eliminates the need for using wireline tools to install a core breaker within a drill bit. The core breaker carrier with core breaker attached can be inserted into the bore of the drill pipe at the well surface and pumped into the drill bit. Fluid pressure is used to anchor the carrier at a preselected location within the drill bit.

Abstract: A well safety system for controlling the flow of fluid through well conduits. The system includes a surface controlled subsurface safety valve made up as part of a tubing string extending from the well surface to a subsurface formation within a casing string. A packer, installed below the safety valve, forms a fluid tight seal between the tubing and casing to direct fluid from below the packer into the tubing. The safety valve contains lateral passageways which allow communication of fluid from the bore of the safety valve to the annulus between the tubing and casing above the packer. A valve actuator is releasably secured within the upper portion of the safety valve and forms a fluid tight seal between control fluid pressure in the tubing string above the safety valve and formation fluid pressure in the tubing string below the safety valve. The safety valve can be locked open when control pressure is increased above a preselected value and then released.

Abstract: An apparatus or tool for applying tension to a tubing string. The tool comprises a housing and a sleeve within the housing. One end of the housing is attached to the tubing string and the opposite end of the sleeve is attached to the tubing string. Hydraulic fluid pressure acts upon a piston carried by the sleeve to contract the sleeve relative to the housing and apply tension to the tubing string. The hydraulic tubing tensioner can be used to apply tension to tubing between two packers or to apply tension to a tubing string extending from a downhole packer to the well surface.

Abstract: A well tool for depositing a gravel pack into an annulus formed between a casing string and the lower portion of a production tubing string. The well tool includes a sliding sleeve valve which can be shifted to allow communication of a gravel pack slurry to the annulus through lateral ports in the sleeve valve. The sleeve valve includes shoulders which extend to engage a shifting tool preventing removal of the shifting tool from the sleeve valve with the lateral ports open. The sleeve valve allows improved methods to be used to compress the gravel pack and remove undesired fluids from the gravel pack. Methods are disclosed to position the sleeve valve to allow the gravel pack slurry to flow into the annulus or to isolate the annulus and compress the gravel pack. The preferred well installation for using this invention includes a production packer with the sleeve valve and a gravel pack screen attached to the lower end of the packer.

Abstract: An improved winch system to automatically inhaul or retrieve flexible line during a slack line condition. The winch system utilizes a traction unit to control the pay out and retrieve the flexible line when the flexible line is subject to normal loading. When the load on the flexible line drops below a preselected value, a spooling unit can retrieve the flexible line through the traction unit at an accelerated rate to prevent fouling of the flexible line.

Abstract: A piston for use as a TFL locomotive or well swab having a seal unit forming a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of a flow conductor or tubing string. The seal unit comprising at least one annular fin or lip extending radially from the piston. The annular fin or lip having an exterior portion formed from elastomeric material which is deformable to seal with the flow conductor and an interior portion formed from elastomeric material molded on wire mesh. The interior portion providing increased wear resistance and strength for the annular lip. In one version, the piston carries several individual seal units each having an annular lip.

Abstract: A plunger lift system used in wells having a tubing string disposed within casing. An improved plunger catcher and trip assembly is provided within the wellhead to hold the plunger in its upper position while lift gas escapes from the tubing string through the wellhead and formation fluids form a new slug in the lower end of the tubing string. The new system incorporates a conventional mechanical timer or controller to allow simple adjustments to obtain the most efficient product rate from each individual well. The controller determines the time interval during which lift gas is injected into the annulus between the casing and tubing and the time interval during which the plunger is held within the wellhead by the catcher and trip assembly.

Abstract: A tool for pressure testing flow conductors. The tool can engage the inside wall of a flow conductor at any location and form a pressure barrier to allow hydrostatic testing of the flow conductor on one side of the tool for leaks. The tool can be used to test either vertical or horizontal flow conductors. The tool is particularly adapted for use with pumpdown or through the flowline (TFL) servicing equipment for hydrostatic testing of tubing in wells. The tool is initially inserted into the flow conductor in a retracted condition. The tool can be moved through the conductor as desired until activated at a selected position within the flow conductor.