Abstract: A well cementing composition and method of cementing well bores are disclosed in which a slurry is first prepared utilizing cement, mixing water, and aluminum hydroxychloride in the range of 0.1 to 4.5 weight percent based on the dry weight of cement. The slurry thus prepared when pumped into place in the well bore has zero free water content thereby reducing the bridging or channeling in the cement column which is associated with free water formation.

Abstract: An improved slip-type elevator locking mechanism has a lock rod which has one end connected to the slip setting yoke and a free end extending generally parallel with the direction of movement of the slips in the elevator bowl. A cam arm mounted on the elevator at a central pivot point has a cam throat on one end which is adapted to receive the lock rod free end and an opposite end and is pivotable about the central pivot point between upper and lower lock rod engaging positions and a neutral, unlocked position. A fluid cylinder is pivotally mounted by a base end to the elevator and is pivotally attached at its output shaft to the cam arm opposite end for urging the cam arm to the neutral position. The fluid cylinder output shaft is spring-biased outwardly away from the base end in the absence of fluid pressure on the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for making orientation measurements in a drill string within a well bore comprising a tubular housing (22) adapted for insertion into the drill string and first (13) and second (15) measuring devices in the housing for measuring first and second orientation characteristics, respectively, of the drill string. A signal generator (23) is responsive to the two measuring devices to provide a signal which is representative of the orientation characteristics measured. The measuring devices are operated alternately so that the signal from the signal generator is alternately representative of the first and second orientation characteristics. The signal from the signal generator, when the latter is controlled by the first measuring device, is different from the signal when the latter is controlled by the second measuring device so that it is readily apparent which of the two measuring devices is reporting.

Abstract: An inflatable packer system for use in a well testing or treating tool which is attached to a drill string. The inflatable packer system comprises a pump subassembly operated by rotation of the drill string, a check/relief valve subassembly, valve subassembly, packer deflate subassembly, at least one inflatable packer, at least one flow subassembly, at least one recorder subassembly, and a drag spring unit. The packer system may also incorporate a straddle by-pass extension assembly for additional spacing between packers in a two packer straddle test. The inflatable packer system is used to isolate any desired zone or zones in a well bore so that multiple tests involving inflation and deflation of the packer(s) without removing the tool from the well may be performed.

Abstract: An emergency deflation tool intended for use in an inflatable packer system. The mechanism comprises a cylindrical axially extending member adapted to be fixed against axial movement, another hollow cylindrical member surrounding a portion of the length of said member with a vent through the wall thereof, an inflation fluid passageway, and an expendable tension sleeve joining the two members.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving stands of pipe in a derrick having a powered turret mounted in a selected position relative to the derrick and a vertical leg supported and rotated by the turret. A powered dolly is mounted on the vertical leg and moves one end of a power arm to selected positions along the vertical leg. A pipe gripping head is mounted to the opposite end of the power arm. A scissor arm is rotatably connected at one end in mid-region of the power arm and at the other end to the vertical leg. As a consequence, the pipe gripping head moves reciprocally in a straight line to engage, move, and disengage stands of pipe.

Abstract: Improved rotary power slips having a housing for mounting in a rotary table of an earth drilling rig. Air is transferred from a stationary fluid source on the drilling rig to pneumatic cylinders carried by the housing when said housing is static to operate said slips. Transfer is accomplished by expansion of a perforated annular bladder thereby forming an expansive fluid duct between a stationary seal ring connected to the stationary fluid source and an air transfer plate which is rotatable with the housing.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in an inflatable packer system comprising an outer valve member, an inner valve member adapted to move axially relative to said outer valve member when weight is set down on and lifted from the system, and a shifting sleeve which is pumped down by inflation fluid with respect to both said inner and outer valve members to establish an inflation fluid passageway.

Abstract: An expansive admixture is shown of the type used in cementing oil and gas well bores. Aluminum particles are coated with a gasoline and water insoluble wood resin. The resin coated aluminum particles in combination with activated charcoal and a fluid loss additive provide controlled expansion of the slurry over an extended period of time without detracting from other desirable properties of the slurry.

Abstract: An expansive additive for cement compositions is provided of the type used in cementing oil and gas well bores. Aluminum particles are coated with a gasoline and water insoluble wood resin to provide added control over the nature and extent of gas generation in the slurry.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing a drill pipe joint is characterized by an arm pivotally moveable with respect to a drill pipe from a first, normal, position. The arm deflects a predetermined angular distance from the normal position when it comes into contact with a predetermined distended location on a drill pipe. An electrical signal is generated by a signal arrangement associated with the arm to indicate that the predetermined distended location is reached.

Abstract: A shifting sleeve retrieval mechanism for use in a valve having a stretched and collapsed configuration and an outer valve member adapted to be fixed against longitudinal movement and an inner valve member adapted to move longitudinally with the outer valve member. A shifting sleeve surrounds a length of the inner valve member and moves longitudinally with respect to both inner and outer valve members. The inner valve member has a shoulder thereon which rides under the shifting sleeve when the valve is collapsed and engages the shifting sleeve when the valve is elongated, thereby moving the shifting sleeve to its original position.

Abstract: A check/relief valve intended for use in an inflatable packer system. The valve comprises a hollow cylindrical longitudinally extending inner member surrounded by a spring loaded relief piston and a spring loaded check valve poppet, all surrounded by a hollow longitudinally extending outer member.

Abstract: A pipe gripping head especially suitable for use with pipe handling apparatus in earth drilling operations. The pipe gripping head includes a pair of jaws operably pivotable between an open and a closed locked position which does not rely on pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to maintain the jaws in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for forming a plug in a well bore by establishing a two-phase system within the well bore. The two-phase system includes a less dense phase which bears against the upper surface of a higher density phase to provide an interface between the two phases that is positioned at a desired location in the well-bore for formation of a plug. A hardenable plug material is injected at the interface between the two phases with the plug material having a density which is intermediate the densities of the less dense and more dense phases. The plug material is then permitted to harden to form a bond within the well bore. In the formation of the plug, the plug material floats on the more dense phase with the plug material being squeezed between the less dense and the higher density phases. Thus, the plug material is compressed and is also forced laterally into contact with the surface of the well bore to bond more securely to the well-bore surface during hardening of the plug material.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for measuring the angular deviation from the vertical of the end of the drill string which includes a housing adapted for insertion in the drill string, a pendulum pivotally mounted in the housing and capable of swinging through large angles, and a substantially perfectly balanced catch link pivoted at the same point as the pendulum and normally coaxially aligned with the end of the drill string. Means are provided for coupling the pendulum and catch link together at a preselected angle and for measuring the deflection of the coupled pendulum and catch link from the axis of the end of the drill string so that the angular deviation from the vertical of the end of the drill string may be determined. Means are provided for signalling the measure of the deflection to the surface.

Abstract: A guide bushing mountable in a supporting sleeve in the deck of a blast hole drill for guiding a drill string extending through the sleeve, the bushing having a tubular core providing a cylindrical axial bore adapted to receive and guide the drill string, the core having a flange by which it is supported in the supporting sleeve, and in which a resilient, elastomeric cushion mounted on the exterior of the core serves to cushion transverse movements of the bushing within the supporting sleeve. Preferably, the bushing is formed of two halves fastened together by hinges, so that it can be opened and laterally installed around the drill string.

Abstract: A computer-controlled oil drilling derrick is characterized by apparatus for determining the load supported by a traveling block during motion thereof from a first to second position within an oil drilling rig. The apparatus is operative to output a signal functionally related to the net load on the traveling block. Further, the apparatus outputs an appropriately scaled signal functionally related to the load on the traveling block when in a substantially static condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding perforation sealer balls into a stream of well treating fluid being pumped through a fluid flow line into a well, the apparatus having a housing, a tube in the housing for receiving sealer balls, the tube communicating with the fluid flow line for the passage of sealer balls from the tube into the flow line. There is provided a tubular sealer ball magazine that communicates with the tube for the transfer of sealer balls from the magazine into the tube. A plunger is reciprocably mounted in the tube for movement between a retracted position, in which the plunger is clear of the juncture of the magazine with the tube to allow a sealer ball to move into the tube, and an extended position, in which the plunger closes the juncture of the magazine with the tube and also ejects a ball from the tube and into the fluid flow line.

Abstract: A computer - controlled oil drilling rig is characterized by apparatus for comparing signals representative of the actual velocity and direction of travel of a traveling block with signals representative of predetermined minimum and maximum velocities of the traveling block and a signal representative of a predetermined direction of travel of the traveling block. Output signals are generated if the actual velocity signals are greater than the maximum velocity signal or less than the minimum velocity signal and if the direction of the traveling block deviates from the predetermined direction.