Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method for performing downhole operations to a subterranean formation while isolating the formation from the remainder of the well bore. The invention utilizes a tool assembly which initially sets a packer above the formation while allowing a downhole tool to extend through a passageway in the packer to perform operations such as perforating the formation. The assembly permits retrieval of the tools through the passageway in the packer while sealing off the formation from the remainder of the well.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus in the form of a float shoe or collar for use in cementing a casing string within a well bore. The shoe or collar has blades extending therefrom for centering the shoe or collar, as well as the lower end of the casing string, within the well bore. The blades include jetting ports positioned therein for use in jetting the formation. In an alternative embodiment, the jetting ports are located between blades which are generally convoluted and extend circumferentially part-way around the perimeter of the apparatus.

Abstract: Improved methods of cementing in a well are provided whereby stress failures in the resulting set cement are prevented or reduced. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing a foamed cement composition in a zone in the well to be cemented which when set has sufficient elastic properties to resist stress failure comprised of hydraulic cement, water, a gas present in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 75% by volume of the cement composition and a foaming agent, and then allowing the cement composition to set across the zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides resilient cement compositions and methods which are particularly useful in the construction and repair of oil and gas wells. The cement compositions have improved mechanical properties including elasticity and ductility and are basically comprised of cementitious material, an aqueous rubber latex and a latex stabilizer.

Abstract: A gravel packing apparatus and associated method of gravel packing a subterranean well prevents screen collapse without requiring sealing engagement of a washpipe with an external seal, without requiring reliance solely on differential pressure, and without utilizing a reciprocating valve. In a preferred embodiment, a gravel packing apparatus has a tubular mandrel, a tubular housing attached to the mandrel and defining an annular space between the mandrel and housing, a sleeve slidably disposed on the mandrel and extending into the annular space, first and second seals disposed on the sleeve, and a screen slidably disposed on the mandrel and attached to the sleeve for sliding displacement therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides set retarding additives, set retarded hydraulic cement compositions and methods of using the set retarded cement compositions for cementing subterranean zones in wells. A preferred set retarding additive comprises an alkanolamine salt produced by the reaction of a hydroxy carboxy acid, such as tartaric acid, gluconic acid or glucoheptonic acid, with an alkanolamine, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal seal assembly which provides a dynamic seal between two moving members yet does not require constant compressive loading. A hollow seal ring is provided having a "C"-shaped cross section and containing a coiled spring. The seal ring is disposed between two telescoped members of an expansion joint, or polished bore receptacle, in an interference fit and is flanked by two bearing rings. The seal ring is located relative to the pressurized fluid so that the fluid pressure is equalized across the ring and remains constant between the two telescoped members despite relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: Formation anisotropic properties are determined using knowledge of the borehole dip angle and an induction logging instrument to obtain two formation derived resistivities. Separate shale layer anisotropic properties are further determined utilizing the logging instrument in a like manner. A sand resistivity and a net/gross ratio may be derived from the formation and shale layer anisotropic information.

Abstract: A well tool apparatus (40) comprising a tubular housing (56) and operating mandrel (58) each having autofill ports (74, 76) and bypass ports (128, 130) therein. The well tool apparatus (40) also comprising a normally closed ball valve (96) rotatably disposed within the operating mandrel (58) preventing communication between the upper section (104) and the lower section (106) of the operating mandrel (58) such that internal pressure above the ball valve (96) greater than internal pressure below the ball valve (96) downwardly urges the operating mandrel (58) allowing pressure testing of the pipe string (32) above the ball valve (96) and such that internal pressure below the ball valve (96) greater than internal pressure above ball valve (96) upwardly urges the operating mandrel (58).

Abstract: Floating apparatus for well casing including a check valve disposed in a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is receivable within an outer case. In the case of a float collar, the outer case comprises coupled upper and lower casing string sections; while in the case of a float shoe, the outer case is individually coupled to a lower casing string section. The valve includes a valve housing, wherein a first cement body portion attaches the valve housing to the sleeve. When the embodiment of the invention is constructed as a float collar, the sleeve includes an annular flange that is outwardly extended therefrom and is received between ends of coupled upper and lower casing string sections for holding the sleeve and affixed valve within the outer case. A seal is provided between the flange and upper casing string section.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an MWD system which permits an indirect measurement of the wellbore inclination angle at the drill bit, in situations where it is difficult or expensive to measure that angle directly. The system includes a first inclinometer included as part of a conventional directional sensor, which is located in the bottomhole assembly a relatively large distance above the bit. The first inclinometer provides a measure of the inclination angle .alpha. at point A. The system also includes a second inclinometer, which is provided closer to the drill bit to provide a measure of the inclination angle .beta. at point B. The inclination angles .alpha. and .beta. are used, together with bottomhole assembly configuration information, and other information relating to drilling tendencies, to determine with a reasonable degree of accuracy the inclination angle .theta. of the wellbore at the bit.

Abstract: A transducer and a receiver for use in logging-while-drilling operations, having internal pressure adjustment mechanisms to equalize the pressure between the interior of the transducer or receiver, and the well fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sonic well tool for performing acoustic investigations of subsurface geological formations penetrated by a borehole, and a method of logging formation data. The well tool generally includes a longitudinally extending body for positioning in said borehole. The tool also includes a transmitter supported by the body for transmitting acoustic energy, and at least two receivers. One of the receivers is positioned on the interior of the sonic tool to receive the acoustic signals that traverse the sonic well tool. The second receiver is positioned on the exterior of the sonic tool and receive sonic signals that traverse the sonic tool and those that traverse the formation. The apparatus further includes a processor for subtracting the well tool signal of the first receiver from the combined well tool and formation signal of the second receiver.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for burning petroleum products during well testing. The apparatus comprises a plurality of burner nozzles for mixing air, oil or other flammable hydrocarbon, and in some cases steam, and discharges the mixture for burning. Each module may have a plurality of burner nozzles, and a plurality of such modules may be connected together. Each burner nozzle has a body with an air inlet and a fluid inlet, a nozzle insert disposed in the body and having an air port in communication with the air inlet and a fluid port in communication with the fluid inlet. Sealing is provided between the nozzle insert and the body. The body may also have a steam inlet, and the nozzle insert may also have a steam port in communication with the steam inlet, for directing steam into the apparatus to increase the mixing energy and temperature, thereby facilitating atomization.

Abstract: An improved commingling chamber for the distribution and pressure equalization of a thermodynamic working fluid used in a recirculating liquid type heat transfer processing system. The improved commingling chamber includes a volumetric chamber generally defined by a vessel wall, a top portion of the chamber, a lower portion of the chamber having a side wall. The lower portion terminates into a base preferably having an outlet port located therein. At least one inlet port and outlet port are located in the vessel wall. A conduit having a first end attached to at least one inlet port and being of sufficient length and configuration to vector incoming fluid toward the base outlet port, and a flow through region between a terminating end of the conduit means is provided to form a flow path between fluid exiting the conduit and the volumetric chamber. Alternative embodiments for accommodating multiple inlet ports and outlet ports are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring of fracture extension during a fracturing treatment of a producing subterranean formation. A radioactive tracer injector is coupled to and spaced from a gamma ray detector by a distance approximately equal to a distance from a point of injection during fracturing to a boundary between the desired interval to be fractured and an adjacent formation which it is desired not to fracture. A programmed central processing unit positioned at a surface location receives spectral signals generated by the gamma ray detector during the fracturing treatment and generates a fracture penetration signal and a fracture injection pump control signal that stops a fracture injection pump whenever the fracture extension signal indicates the presence of radioactive tracer material within the producing subterranean formation at the depth location of the gamma ray detector.

Abstract: A fluid-powered siren of the type used for communicating information between points of a wellbore. In one aspect, responsiveness of the siren's rotor to low flow rates is improved through application of greater torque to the siren rotor. Also, improved capturing and channeling action by the turbine rotor fins causes fluid flow to drive the turbine rotor and siren rotor combination more efficiently than it can drive a siren rotor directly as may be the case in other fluid-powered sirens. In another aspect, the system provides for control of the rotational speed of the siren rotor in instances wherein the fluid flow rate is too high. Control is affected by use of an epicyclical gear reducer which is positioned between the turbine rotor and the siren rotor to operably interconnect the two components.

Abstract: A logging-while-drilling tool for use in a wellbore in which a well fluid is circulated into the wellbore through the hollow drill string. In addition to measurement electronics, the tool includes an alternator for providing power to the electronics, and a turbine for driving the alternator. The turbine blades are driven by the well fluid introduced into the hollow drill string. The tool also includes a deflector to deflect a portion of the well fluid away from the turbine blades.

Abstract: A composition and method for acidizing a formation in the presence of ferric ion, free sulfur and/or sulfides is disclosed. The composition employs a ferric ion reducing agent and a sulfide reactant separately or in combination. The ferric ion reducing agent is a thioalkyl acid. The sulfide reactant compounds include .alpha.-diketones and saturated and .alpha.-unsaturated cyclic ketones. In another aspect, the reducing activity of the thioalkyl acid is accelerated by the presence of a catalytic quantity of a compound or mixture of compounds which yield in acid solution cuprous ion, cupric ion or combinations thereof with iodide ion.

Abstract: An improved capsule-type charge for use in perforating high temperature production zones in oil or gas wells is disclosed. The improvement consists of using a secondary initiating compound as an initiator, such as 1,3,5-Trinitro-2,4,6-Tripicrylbenzene or 2,2',2",4,4',4",6,6',6",-Nonanitroterphenyl. These initiators work well with commercially available high temperature explosives, such as PYX.