Abstract: A concentric wet connector system useful for connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting small diameter fluid lines (40, 42, 44) and electrical lines (46) downhole in oil and gas wells, the system comprising first and second slidably engageable well tubulars (32, 38) coaxially disposed around a longitudinal bore, each well tubular having a circumferentially extending wall section containing at least one auxiliary conduit leading to a connector port 64 paired and communicating with a connector port 66 of the other tubular. The connector ports in each well tubular are preferably spaced apart both circumferentially and longitudinally.

Abstract: A decentralizer for a diverter, a centralizing guide bushing and a downhole-deployable locating and orienting subsystem.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for creating a multilateral well and improved multilateral well structures.

Abstract: A well control valve assembly prevents flow from or to completion segments further downhole from the well control valve assembly once the stimulation stimulation/shifter string has been removed from the production tubing string. The well control valve assembly features a shaped flapper plate which, when opened, conforms closely to the shape and size of the production tubing string's interior diameter. The flapper plate is biased toward a closed position by a compression spring arrangement that includes an arm which levers the plate upward toward a seating surface. The valve assembly's closure is mechanically induced and is not responsive to a sensed well condition.

Abstract: An improved mechanical system selectively locks the tester valve of an annulus pressure responsive tester valve in position for an indeterminate number of well annulus pressure cycles. The tester valve can be closed upon demand. The forces which accomplish opening of the ball valve act across a power piston, but the forces which close the valve act across an actuating piston. The tester valve can be run into a well with an operating element of the tester valve, in a first position such as a closed position. Upon reaching the desired depth within the well and setting of an associated packer system, well annul us pressure is then increased to a first level above hydrostatic pressure to move the power piston and thus move the tester valve to an open position. During a normal mode of operation, well annulus pressure can be cycled between hydrostatic pressure and the first level to open and close the tester valve.

Abstract: Early evaluation testing of a subsurface formation is provided by monitoring pressure fall-off in the formation. This is accomplished by providing a column of fluid in the well having an overbalanced, hydrostatic pressure at the subsurface formation greater than a natural formation pressure of the subsurface formation. A testing string is run into the well, and the testing string includes a packer, a pressure monitor and a closure tool arranged to close a bore of the testing string. The formation is shut in by setting the packer and closing the bore of the testing string with the closure tool and thereby initially trapping the overbalanced hydrostatic pressure of the column of fluid in the well below the packer. Then the pressure in the well below the packer is monitored as it falls off toward the natural formation pressure. This data can be extrapolated to estimate the natural formation pressure based upon a relatively short actual test interval on the order of ten to fifteen minutes.

Abstract: A number of improvements are provided in early evaluation systems which can be utilized to test and/or treat a subsurface formation intersected by an open uncased borehole. An outer tubing string is run into the well and has a packer which is set in the open, uncased borehole above the subsurface formation of interest. An inflation passage is provided and preferably has an inflation valve associated therewith which is operated by manipulation of the tubing string. A communication passage communicates the interior of the outer tubing string with the borehole below the packer. An inner well tool is run into the outer tubing string and engaged therewith, whereupon it is placed in fluid communication with the subsurface formation to either sample the formation or treat the formation. Preferably, a circulating valve is provided above the packer to allow fluid circulation in the well annulus during the testing procedure to prevent differential sticking of the outer tubing string.

Abstract: A remotely-adjustable valve employable in an enhanced-lift recovery system and a method of adjusting the same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for snubbing tubing-conveyed perforating guns in and out of a well bore. The apparatus includes a string of perforating guns wherein adjacent perforating guns are attached using a connector having an upper mandrel which is attached to a lower mandrel by left-hand threaded connection. A ratchet positioned on the upper mandrel allows left-hand rotation of the upper mandrel and ratchet with respect to the lower mandrel while preventing right-hand rotation of the ratchet with respect to the lower mandrel. Shear screws interconnecting the upper mandrel and the ratchet may be sheared upon application of a predetermined torque to allow right-hand rotation of the upper mandrel with respect to the ratchet. The lower mandrel has a recess or reduced diameter portion which is adapted for sealing engagement by a pipe ram in a blowout preventer.

Abstract: An improved mechanical system selectively locks the tester valve of an annulus pressure responsive tester valve in position for an indeterminate number of well annulus pressure cycles. The tester valve can be closed upon demand. The forces which accomplish opening of the ball valve act across a power piston, but the forces which close the valve act across an actuating piston. The tester valve can be run into a well with an operating element of the tester valve in a first position, such as a closed position. Upon reaching the desired depth within the well and setting of an associated packer system, well annulus pressure is then increased to a first level above hydrostatic pressure to move the power piston and thus move the tester valve to an open position. During a normal mode of operation, well annulus pressure can be cycled between hydrostatic pressure and the first level to open and close the tester valve.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling and metering gas flowing through a pipeline is provided. The apparatus includes an orifice flow meter for accurately measuring the flow rate of gas through the pipeline within a certain range. The apparatus further includes a turbine flow meter which provides a measurement of the flow rate of the gas flowing through the pipeline over a broad range. A control circuit coupled to the turbine flow meter is provided for evaluating the flow rate to determine whether the flow rate is higher than a predetermined maximum value which can be recorded by the orifice flow meter or lower than a predetermined minimum value which can be recorded by the orifice flow meter. If the flow rate is higher than the predetermined maximum value, the control circuit generates a first voltage signal, if the flow rate is lower than the predetermined minimum value, the control circuit generates a second voltage signal.

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: A well flow conductor and method of manufacture therefor. The well flow conductor includes: (1) a composite liner tube composed of a plurality of overlapping, resin-bonded composite plies and adapted to conduct a fluid flow therethrough and (2) a composite outer structure surrounding the composite liner tube and composed of a plurality of overlapping, resin-bonded composite plies arranged in a plurality of opposed helices about a centerline of the composite liner tube, the opposed helices intersecting at predetermined axial and radial locations on an outer surface of the composite liner tube to form nodes extending radially outwardly from the outer surface to form standoffs therefrom, the standoffs capable of centralizing the well flow conductor within an interior of a casing having a larger radius than that of the well flow conductor.

Abstract: A detonator comprising a case into which is inserted a quantity of an explosive composition, a semiconductor bridge positioned adjacent one end of the explosive composition which is electrically connected to a spark gap and in some embodiments a capacitor and a bleeder resistor. A pair of electrically conductive wires are connected to the spark gap and semiconductor bridge to provide a means for passing an electrical charge to the semiconductor bridge. The detonator also may include an r.function. attenuator, such as a ferrite bead, through which the electrically conductive wires pass. The ends of the detonator case are sealed by any appropriate means.

Abstract: A buffer insert is emplaceable within a memory gauge system buffer chamber. The buffer insert includes a reduced diameter, extended inlet conduit that attaches to the buffer chamber opening. The inlet conduit employs capillary repulsion to impede entrance of wellbore fluid into the buffer chamber. The inlet conduit forces infiltrating fluids to enter proximate the top of the chamber rather than its bottom. The insert further includes an extended curled capillary allowing restricted fluid communication between the chamber and the transducer. Entrance to the curled capillary is located proximate the bottom of the buffer chamber, thereby forcing infiltrating fluids to travel downward through the more viscous silicon oil. Testing has shown the system of the present invention to greatly reduce contact with the transducer components by infiltrating wellbore fluids.

Abstract: A torque-resistant hydraulically settable packer is coaxially positionable within a subterranean well flow conductor and has a tubular body that carries a circumferentially spaced series of radially outwardly movable slip anchors having, on outer side surfaces thereof, gripping teeth with lengths that are sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular and to a plane perpendicular. Inner side surfaces of the slip anchors are engaged by circumferentially spaced flat outer side surface areas formed on the facing frustroconical ends of an opposed pair of annular setting wedge members coaxially carried by the tubular body and being axially drivable to radially outwardly shift the slip anchors to their setting positions.

Abstract: A liner hanger and a method of hanging a liner.

Abstract: A diverter for a subterranean well, a diverter retrieving tool and methods of diverting objects traversing the well and retrieving the diverter. The diverter comprises: (1) a body having a lower portion adapted to be coupled to a diverter anchoring structure and an upper portion having a slanted diverting surface, the diverter adapted to be placed within a main borehole of the subterranean well at a predetermined location and orientation proximate a junction of a lateral borehole with the main borehole, the slanted diverting surface adapted to redirect an object having a particular diameter and coming into contact with the diverter into the lateral borehole and (2) a compliant spring member associated with the slanted diverter surface.

Abstract: A retrievable well lock for use within a subterranean member is used in cooperation with a tool for setting the lock. The lock will include an actuation assembly which is operable in response to longitudinal movement between portions of the lock. The setting tool will preferably include a power source within a housing assembly which can be selectively coupled to or decoupled from the lock assembly. The power source is associated with the setting tool through an activation assembly which will cause movement of a movable mandrel within the setting tool facilitating the selective actuation of the lock.

Abstract: An actuating tool which is conveyed into a tubing string to attach to portions of an emplaced perforating gun. The tool includes an actuator with an electronic delay timer and an explosive device. The tool attaches to an emplaced perforating gun and detonates it by initiating an explosive charge along a complete explosive pathway formed between the actuator and gun, the actuator includes a tandem piston arrangement functional at most existing hydrostatic pressure levels, but nonfunctional at or near the surface of the wellbore. The tool may be withdrawn from the tubing string for a backup detonation tool to be placed into the tubing string to detonate a secondary firing head.