Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel assembly with multiple fluid bearings. The embodiment shown is a rotatable liner swivel assembly to be used, in conjunction with a liner hanger, cam dog assembly, and setting tool, for placing and cementing a liner in a well. Fluid-filled annular bearing chambers in the swivel assembly support the load of the liner pipe string, and permit the rotation of the liner pipe string with respect to the liner hanger during the cementing process. The bearing chambers are interconnected to equalize the fluid pressure and distribute the load uniformly over the bearing chambers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retrievable, weight set well packer which is set and released by longitudinal movement of the tubing string. Locking means are provided for keeping the packer set when the tubing is raised slightly to open a bypass between the tubing and set packer. Continued raising of the tubing releases the lock means to permit the packer to be retrieved. Dual opposed spreader cones keep the packer set against pressure induced forces in either direction. Differential sealing areas are also employed to prevent such forces from opening the bypass.

Abstract: Disclosed is a retrievable, hydraulically set well packer which is locked in set position without need for tubing rotation and may be released from set position by shearing a retrieving link with either a straight pull on the production tubing or by the application of high pressure through the tubing. Dual, opposed cones are employed for retaining the packer slips anchored irrespective of the direction of the pressure differential acting on the packer and without need for an extra sleeve to transmit pressure induced forces to the cones. Compression seals are employed to hold the slips firmly anchored against longitudinal displacement in both directions without reliance on the presence of a pressure differential across the set packer. The seals are employed as two separate assemblies which are positioned above and below the slips to isolate a portion of the pressure induced forces from the retrieving link.

Abstract: A well tool comprising: a tubular housing adapted for fluid communicable connection with the lower end of a pipe string; a piston assembly carried by the housing for relative axial movement therein from a first to a second terminal position in response to fluid pressure communicated through the pipe string to a first pressure area on the piston assembly; a valve assembly carried by the housing and movable from a closed position to an opened position, in response to predetermined axial movement of the piston assembly, to permit the pipe string fluid pressure to be communicated to a second pressure area on the piston assembly opposing the first pressure area and forcing the piston assembly to return to its first terminal position; and a working member carried by the housing for movement in response to reciprocal movement of the piston assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a well packer which is set by pressure applied through a tubing string which supports the packer within a surrounding well conduit. Once set, the packer is retrievable by either longitudinal or rotary movement of the supporting tubing string. Setting pressure drives opposed cone assemblies longitudinally toward each other to cause slip segments to move radially outwardly into anchoring engagement with the surrounding well conduit. The lowermost cone assembly is constructed in the form of a split ring and is equipped with friction teeth along its internal surface to retain the packer in its set position. A helical retrieving component secures the packer assembly to the central mandrel of the packer. Righthand rotation of the tubing string causes the outer body of the packer to unthread from the helical retrieving component secured to the mandrel which in turn unsets the packer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a well packer which is set by pressure applied through a tubing string which supports the packer within a surrounding well conduit. Once set, the packer is retrievable by either longitudinal or rotary movement of the supporting tubing string. Setting pressure drives opposed cone assemblies longitudinally toward each other to cause slip segments to move radially outwardly into anchoring engagement with the surrounding well conduit. The lowermost cone assembly is constructed in the form of a split ring and is equipped with friction teeth along its internal surface to retain the packer in its set position. A helical retrieving component secures the packer assembly to the central mandrel of the packer. Righthand rotation of the tubing string causes the outer body of the packer to unthread from the helical retrieving component secured to the mandrel which in turn unsets the packer.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for use in a flow conductor. A tubular valve body with a central flow passage is mounted in the assembly. A spring urges the body toward closed position in which a rigid sleeve encircles and covers outlet ports in the downstream end of the body. A resilient skirt of rubber extending from the end of the sleeve engages the outer surface of the body to form a seal which prevents reverse fluid flow through the valve. The rigid sleeve isolates the ports from high reverse pressure differentials. Forward flow, or a sufficiently great forward pressure differential, overcomes the spring bias and pushes the downstream end of the tubular body through the bottom of the sleeve and skirt to a position in which the outlet ports are uncovered for normal flowing operation. The spring returns the valve body to closed position when the flow reverses or the forward pressure differential falls below a prescribed value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary drive assembly for manipulating well pipe. The assembly, which is carried by the traveling block in a drilling derrick, provides means for engaging well pipe by either threaded or non-threaded connection. The threaded connection is used during drilling for imparting rotary motion to pipe forming a drill string. A torque-clamp, connector sub, and pipe guide combination provides male threads within a guiding surface to facilitate the threaded connection to pipe members. A break-out elevator provides a non-threaded connection which is used for manipulating pipe members and for making up or breaking out a connection between threaded pipe segments. A spring and roller assembly in the elevator facilitates the gripping of a pipe segment by the elevator and cushions the impact on the rotary drive assembly when the elevator is used to lift well pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cementing a liner in a well bore in which the apparatus may comprise: a setting tool having a tubular mandrel connected in a pipe string for extension through the liner; a liner wiper releasably disposed within the liner near one end of the mandrel; a plug member for effecting a movable seal behind cement as it is pumped through the pipe string into the liner; a seal assembly sealingly engaging the exterior of the mandrel and the interior of the liner above the liner wiper; and a latch assembly releasably connecting the seal assembly to the liner so as to permit limited axial movement of the mandrel without disturbing the axial position of the seal assembly. In the method of cementing a liner using the apparatus, the force due to pressure applied to the seal assembly, during pumping of cement, is transferred to the liner without transfer to the mandrel.