Abstract: In one embodiment, an epoxy resin composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin and a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent. In another embodiment, a well treating composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin; a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent; a solid particulate material; and a carrier fluid. In yet another embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation is provided. The inventive method comprises the step of placing the inventive well treating composition into the formation.

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 twin carriage coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the tubing from the well. The apparatus includes a superstructure with a pair of spaced carriages disposed therein. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriage to be moved toward and away from one another in a transverse direction with respect to the superstructure. This movement allows gripper chain systems to be engaged or disengaged from tubing extending through the apparatus. A roller chain system is disposed in each of the carriages and is adapted for engagement and support of the gripper chain systems as the gripper chain systems are engaged with the tubing. A timing gear system may optionally be provided to insure that the rotational speed of the gripper chain systems are substantially constant.

Abstract: A ball valve having the capability of cutting coiled tubing extending therethrough. The valve includes a ball rotatably disposed within a housing and adjacent to a seat. Control arms prevent relative longitudinal movement between the ball and seat. The ball defines a pair of slots therein, each slot having a bearing surface. A pair of control pins are disposed on opposite sides of the ball and rotatably disposed in corresponding control frames disposed on opposite sides of the ball. Each control pin has an end with a bearing surface thereon extending into a corresponding slot in the ball so that flat contact is provided between the control pin and the ball. This greater area of contact between the pins and the slots allows a greater load to be transmitted to the ball to provide the shearing load necessary to shear relatively large diameters of coiled tubing which extend through the open valve. The valve is opened and closed by pressure actuation of a piston.

Abstract: A method for determining the downhole flow regime in a horizontal well borehole traversing a subterranean formation. A first gas holdup value within the borehole is measured using a fluid density tool. A second gas holdup value within the borehole is measured using a fullbore gas-holdup tool. The downhole flow regime is then determined as a function of the first gas holdup value and the second gas holdup value. A downhole flow regime comprised of dispersed bubble flow is indicated where the first gas holdup value is approximately equal to the second gas holdup value. A downhole flow regime comprised of annular flow is indicated where the first gas holdup value is substantially greater than the second gas holdup value and the velocity of the gas phase is substantially greater than the liquid phase. A downhole flow regime comprised of stratified flow is indicated where the first gas holdup value is less than or greater than the second gas holdup value.

Abstract: A flameless nitrogen vaporizing unit includes a first internal combustion engine driving a nitrogen pump through a transmission. A second internal combustion engine drives three hydraulic oil pumps against a variable back pressure so that a variable load may be imposed upon the second engine. Liquid nitrogen is pumped from the nitrogen pump driven by the first engine into a first heat exchanger where heat is transferred from exhaust gases from the first and second internal combustion engines to the liquid nitrogen to cause the nitrogen to be transformed into a gaseous state. The gaseous nitrogen then flows into a second heat exchanger where it is superheated by an engine coolant fluid to heat the gaseous nitrogen to essentially an ambient temperature. The superheated nitrogen is then injected into the well. The engine coolant fluid flows in a coolant circulation system. Heat is transferred to the coolant fluid directly from the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system for generating two or more frequencies for a borehole heterodyne measurement system for use in measuring electromagnetic propagation properties of rock is disclosed. A precision clock oscillator supplies a binary counter with clock signals. The output of the binary counter is supplied as address information to one or more pre-programmed ROMs. The ROMs are used to store multiple cycles of desired output signals. Output signals from the counter may also be supplied as square wave local oscillator signals in the system.

Abstract: Methods of completing poorly consolidated, weak, or otherwise unstable subterranean formations bounded by one or more consolidated formations to prevent well bore stability problems and/or sand production from the poorly consolidated or unstable formations are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of drilling a well bore into the consolidated boundary formation adjacent to the poorly consolidated or unstable formation, creating at least one flow channel communicating with the well bore in the consolidated boundary formation which extends into the poorly consolidated or unstable formation and producing fluids from the poorly consolidated or unstable formation into the well bore by way of the flow channel.

Abstract: A whipstock for use in sidetrack drilling operations in a well bore. The whipstock has a whipstock case with a whipstock body disposed therein. The whipstock is to be comprised of a drillable material so that after the whipstock has been set, the well bore can be re-opened simply by drilling through the whipstock. The whipstock body is preferably comprised of high compressive strength cement. The whipstock: also includes an offset mandrel attached to the whipstock: case. The whipstock mandrel has a whipstock bore and may have an inflation packer attached to a lower end thereof. The inflation packer is actuated through the whipstock bore to seal against the well bore and anchor the whipstock in place.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus including, but not limited to, packers and bridge plugs which more fully utilize highly stressed non-metallic components, including slips, slip wedges, and packer element retaining shoes than prior tools. The non-metallic packer element retaining shoes of the present invention are preferably made of separate shoe segments initially held in place by at least one retaining band. Such non-metallic packer element shoes do away with troublesome prior art metallic shoes and backups which tended to spin upon each other or about the mandrel while milling or drilling the tool out of a wellbore. Therefore, the subject invention increases the ability to drill or mill downhole tools out of a well bore in less time than it would take with using conventional or non-conventional drilling or milling techniques or equipment.

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: The apparatus of the present invention includes a mixing tube and inlets for conveying substances into the mixing tube such that the components intersect at a common point. A replaceable insert directs a dry component into the mixing tube. A liquid inlet bi-directionally sprays a liquid component between a wall of the mixing tube and the insert and toward the common point. A recirculation inlet directs a recirculated component toward the common point. Mixing is enhanced by a flow deflector and a flow interceptor which converge and turn the substances. The method of the present invention includes conveying substances into a mixing tube and intersecting the substances at a common point in the mixing tube to form a mixture.

Abstract: A bulk material transport apparatus, such as a truck or trailer, having at least one bulk material pressure vessel mounted thereon. The pressure vessel is provided with at least one sealable hatch opening, a first port and a second port all of which are offset from the apex of a torispherical top portion of the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel is provided with at least one discharge port located in a toriconical bottom portion thereof and is also provided with air inlet means for introducing pressurized air into the vessel. An operator platform being positioned at a preselected distance from the offset hatch opening and being within such proximity of the offset hatch opening so as to enable an operator positioned on the operator platform to gain access to the interior of the pressure vessel through the hatch opening is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus that connects to a standard PCMCIA interface of a microprocessor-based computer which typically communicates with only a single external device through the interface enables the computer to communicate with multiple external devices through the one PCMCIA interface. The apparatus operates to implement a method which transfers data from multiple devices to a personal computer through a single PCMCIA interface.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides set retarding additives, set retarded hydraulic cement compositions including such additives and methods of using the cement compositions for cementing zones in wells. The set retarding additives are copolymers or terpolymers containing monomer units formed from one of maleic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, citraconic acid and mesaconic acid along with other monomer units.

Abstract: A surface switchable down-jet/side-jet apparatus. The apparatus comprises a housing with a valve sleeve slidably disposed therein. When the valve sleeve is in a first position, fluid pumped into the apparatus will be jetted out of at least one longitudinally directed port. An actuator, such as a ball, is dropped into the apparatus to seat on the valve sleeve, and when pressure is applied thereto, forces the valve sleeve downwardly, shearing a shear pin. The valve sleeve is moved downwardly to a second position in which at least one transverse port in the housing is uncovered and the longitudinal port is closed. Additional fluid pumped into the apparatus is jetted radially outwardly through the transverse port.

Abstract: An apparatus for downhole injection and mixing of fluids into a cement slurry. The apparatus includes embodiments which either carry a fluid to the proper injection point in a wellbore or maintain it at the proper injection point until activated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus is characterized as a cementing plug having a fluid holding chamber therein. When the plug is pumped downwardly in the wellbore, the fluid in the chamber is flowed out of the chamber and mixed with the cement slurry by a venturi effect. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is characterized by a casing portion having a fluid holding chamber therein. A solenoid valve controls communication of the chamber with the well annulus, and fluid flow through the well annulus causes the fluid in the chamber to be flowed outwardly by a venturi effect. The second embodiment includes a casing shoe disposed below the fluid holding chamber.

Abstract: The acoustic detector in a mud pulse telemetry system includes a one dimensional waveguide disposed between a pressure transducer and a conduit carrying drilling fluid to a drill string. The waveguide, which may include a flexible hydraulic hose, increases the amplitude of the acoustic mud pulse signal received at the transducer located at the termination end by a factor of two or more. In addition, the waveguide may be substantially filled with a fluid having a viscosity higher than the viscosity of the drilling fluid so as to provide a means to dampen high frequency noise, and thereby improve the signal-to-noise ratio at the pressure transducer.