Abstract: A climate control unit (4) for excavators (2), comprises a fan (6) arranged in a first opening (8) in an operator cab wall (10) of the excavator (2), at least one main filter (24) arranged to cover the first opening (8) and a first cover (26) arranged over the main filter (24) and the first opening (8). The first cover (26) has a first inlet opening (28) in which a prefilter (30) is arranged.

Abstract: A wellhead plug assembly having one or more plugs for plugging segments of a wellhead bore through which access during completion and production procedures is gained. Each plug has a shortened length that is achieved by positioning connections between several of the components of the plug assembly radially beneath the anchoring and sealing means. By placing the connections radially inward to, and in tandem with, the sealing and or anchoring means, the overall length of a given plug may be shortened to less than eleven inches for plugs to be used in conduits having internal diameters greater than one and one-half inch. Furthermore, the tandem orientation allows plug designs in which a majority of the overall longitudinal length of the plug comprises the collective longitudinal lengths of the seal and anchor means.

Abstract: Gravel slurry is pumped through the longitudinal service bore of a tubular service tool which is extended through a packer mandrel and into the seal bore of a tubular cross-over tool which is disposed in the annulus between the service tool and a well casing. Slurry flow is directed from the service bore through a cross-over flow port of the cross-over tool into the annulus between the cross-over tool and the well casing. The gravel-laden slurry is injected through casing perforations into the surrounding earth formation at a high flow rate. After the fracture operation has been completed, the slurry flow rate is reduced substantially and a gravel pack is accumulated in the annulus between the well screen and the well casing. Slurry liquid is circulated through the well screen into a return flow bore of the service tool.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and pressure conditions, improved sealing is provided by a seal element prop surface which is radially offset with respect to the seal element support surface of the packer body mandrel. At least one seal element is supported on the elevated prop surface and is subjected to a radial squeeze in the set configuration, even though the lowermost seal element may be subject to longitudinal separation. The split level seal element support arrangement provides an annular pocket into which the seal elements can be retracted upon release and retrieval of the packer, thereby providing clearance for unobstructed retrieval. Upon release of the packer, a retainer collar is shifted away from a lower metal backup shoe, thereby providing an annular pocket into which the metal backup shoe is deflected, so that it does not obstruct the drift clearance as the packer is retrieved.

Abstract: A detector structure is used to sense and log the joints in a downhole jointed tubular structure, such as a well bore casing or production tubing, in a subterranean well. The detector is moved through the jointed tubular structure on an elongated positioning member, representatively a slick line, through a series of joints to be logged. As the detector passes through each joint it electromagnetically senses the joint and responsively generates an electric output signal. The output signal is used to momentarily cause a drag structure portion of the detector, in cooperation with the interior side surface of the tubular structure, to momentarily create a detectable tension change in the elongated positioning member. Alternatively, a pyrotechnic or compressed gas device may be used to create the detectable changes in response to the generation of the electrical output signals.

Abstract: A sample draining apparatus includes a hydraulic circuit having a sampler vessel and a drain vessel disposed therein. A first pump is located outside the hydraulic circuit and pumps fluid from a fluid source outside the hydraulic circuit into the hydraulic circuit to pressurize the circuit. A second pump is disposed in the hydraulic circuit for circulating fluid in the hydraulic circuit so that a fluid sample flows from the sampler vessel into the drain vessel while the sample is maintained within the closed hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: A hanger assembly used to support tubing, such as a siphon string, and other tools beneath the surface of a wellbore within casing or production tubing. The assembly includes a setting mechanism having first and second sleeves responsive to increased pressure for moving relative to one another for activating a slip assembly and sealing element. The setting mechanism is connected to reeled tubing by a quick disconnect device defining a passage for permitting fluid flow from the surface of the wellbore to the setting mechanism to provide hydraulic activation. The disconnect device is responsive to increased pressure within the passage for disconnecting the reeled tubing from the setting mechanism.

Abstract: Using a specially designed push-on coupling structure the facing end portions of two tubular well completion structures, such as a length of coil tubing and a tubular coupling member, are fixedly and sealing connected to one another simply by pushing one of the end portions into the other end portions. The coupling structure includes an O-ring seal member carried by one of the end portions for creating a fluid tight seal between the telescoped end portions; a radial projection carried by one of the end portions and receivable in a side wall slot in the other end portion for preventing appreciable relative rotation between the telescoped end portions; and an axially split locking ring member coaxially threaded onto one of the end portions and having a gripping thread section disposed thereon and operative to engage the other end portion in a manner permitting the two end portions to be initially telescoped with one another but precluding their subsequent axial separation.

Abstract: A sintered metal screen is releasably suspended from a packer mandrel by a locking mandrel and a landing nipple. The sintered metal screen and locking mandrel are retrievable with the assistance of a running tool which is insertable into the bore of the locking mandrel. According to this arrangement, the sintered metal sand screen may be removed and replaced without retrieving the packer or the production tubing. In one embodiment, the sintered metal screen is enclosed within the bore of a sliding side valve. The sliding side valve may be opened and closed as desired for selectively admitting formation fluid from various producing zones, or for isolation of a damaged screen. In another embodiment, an auxiliary sintered metal screen is inserted into the bore of a primary screen, for example, a conventional wire-wrap sand screen.

Abstract: A travel joint and latching assembly is connected below a gravel pack service tool to set an isolation assembly while performing backwashing and gravel pack operations, in a single trip. The travel joint is protected against inadvertent expansion by a positive mechanical lock assembly which isolates and decouples mechanical loading forces which may arise during the setting of the packer and during gravel pack operations. Inadvertent set of the hydraulic packer during backwashing operations is prevented by a hydraulic setting tool which includes a shear sleeve and an expandable C-ring drop ball seat.

Abstract: A well testing tool for use in high pressure wells where it is desired to pressure test the equipment includes a mandrel that is ported to the interior of the test string. The ported mandrel allows pressure to equalize between the interior of the string and an annular chamber formed between the mandrel and the tool housing, and thereby eliminates the tendency of the mandrel to deform into the chamber.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting two cylindrical members in which two connector members are respectively connected to the cylindrical members. The respective end portions of the connector members are adapted to interlock to prevent relative movement of the connector members, and therefore the cylindrical members, in a first plane. A sleeve extends over at least a portion of the connector members to prevent relative movement of the latter members, as well as the cylindrical members, in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The sleeve is lockable in its preventing position and can be easily released by a simple rotation of the sleeve.

Abstract: A well tool assembly and a method of operating same including a clutch which provides a rotary-driving connection between a running tool and well tool mandrel when the running tool is rotated in a first direction (e.g. clockwise) and has cammed surfaces which ride up on complementary cammed surfaces on the mandrel to disengage the clutch when the running tool is rotated in a second (e.g. counterclockwise) or opposite direction. Once the clutch is disengaged, the running tool can be disconnected from the mandrel by rotating the running tool in said first direction. The clutch can be disengaged either hydraulically at the same time a well tool (e.g. a packer) is being hydraulically set or by rotation of the running tool in the second direction in the event the well tool assembly becomes stuck before the assembly reaches its destination.

Abstract: A well tool system and a method utilizing said system e.g. pressuring a well conduit to determine whether the conduit has leaks. The system allows a plurality of no go type landing nipples to be used in a conduit without prohibitively restricting the flow therethrough. With the tool of the present system, the landing surface in each nipple is substantially smaller than in prior no go nipples since the landing surface does not support the tool during the well operation. Pressure-actuated, load-bearing keys are expanded into contact with the nipple once the tool is landed which, in turn, bear substantially all of the downward force on the tool during the well operation. The tool can easily be removed by reducing the upstream pressure and lifting the tool upward in the conduit.

Abstract: Methods of perforating a well using coiled tubing conveyed perforating guns are disclosed. A perforating tool string includes a coiled tubing string, a perforating gun, a releasable gun hanger, and a pressure responsive release connecting the coiled tubing string to the perforating gun. The perforating tool string is lowered into place within the well and then the gun hanger is actuated by reciprocating motion of the coiled tubing string without rotating the coiled tubing string, thereby setting the gun hanger in the casing. Fluid pressure is then increased in the coiled tubing string to actuate the pressure responsive release to release the coiled tubing string from the perforating gun. The coiled tubing string and pressure responsive connector may then be retrieved from the well prior to firing the perforating gun. The perforating gun is subsequently fired by a pressure responsive firing head to perforate the well casing, and the perforating gun then automatically drops to the bottom of the well casing.

Abstract: A locking system which includes landing nipples connectable in a well flow conduit and a lock mandrel to which well flow control devices are connectable. The landing nipples have an unrestricted full bore flow passage with a locking groove and profiled locating recesses with one square shoulder in the flow passage. The lock mandrel may be lowered through full bore landing nipples to automatically locate in the full bore landing nipple in which the lock mandrel is to be operated to lock and expand a seal system to sealingly engage the landing nipple. The lock mandrel utilizes locking lugs engageable in the landing nipple locking grooves. The automatic locator device has locating keys with one or two square shoulders, which locate the lock mandrel in a landing nipple. After operating, the lock mandrel is releasably retained locked and sealed in the landing nipple. The lock mandrel may be operated to disengage the landing nipple and permit the seal system to retract for retrieval from the landing nipple.

Abstract: A longitudinally spaced series of tubular nipple structures are installed in a well flow conductor operatively extended through a subterranean well bore. Each nipple structure has a thinned-wall, increased interior diameter longitudinal section through which a plurality of fluid flow openings laterally extend, and an interior side surface annular tool locator recess, with each such recess having a profile different than those of all of the other tool locator recesses. The thinned-wall longitudinal sections of the nipples facilitate the formation of the flow openings therein. To seal off the flow openings in any selected one of these longitudinal nipple sections, a radially expandable tubular metal patch is supported on a setting tool which is lowered into the well flow conductor. A locator member complementarily and lockably receivable by the locator recess of the selected nipple is also supported on the tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted to provide a time delay between the hydraulic actuation of the firing head assembly by fluid pressure and the detonation of a downhole explosive device used in subterranean wells, such as a perforating gun. In a preferred embodiment, the firing head assembly can be quickly and easily connected in a tubing string intermediate the ported sub and the perforating gun or other explosive device. In one preferred embodiment, the hydraulically-actuated firing head assembly is provided with five combustible columns which are generally coextensive. When the fluid pressure applied to the firing head assembly is sufficient to actuate the firing head assembly, the actuation mechanism, such as a firing piston, initiates a combustive reaction in one end of the first combustible column. When the combustive reaction reaches the other end of the first combustible column, it is communicated to one end of the second combustible column.

Abstract: A sand screen having a plurality of sintered, substantially spherical plastic members covering a perforated mandrel is releasably suspended from a packer mandrel by a locking mandrel and a landing nipple. The sand screen and locking mandrel are retrievable with the assistance of a running tool which is insertable into the bore of the locking mandrel. According to this arrangement, the sand screen can be removed and replaced without retrieving the packer or the production tubing. In one embodiment, the sand screen is enclosed within the bore of a sliding side valve. The sliding side valve can be opened and closed as desired for selectively admitting production from various producing zones, or for isolation of a damaged screen. In another embodiment, an auxiliary sand screen having a plurality of sintered, substantially spherical plastic members covering a perforated mandrel is inserted into the bore of a primary screen, for example, a conventional wire-wrap sand screen.