Abstract: A joint of male and female tubular elements is disclosed where the threads of the female and male members have negative load flanks and have two or more radial steps axially separated one from another by a reverse angle torque shoulder having one or two adjacent conical sealing surfaces. The conical sealing surfaces develop radial positional interference and the reverse angle torque shoulder serves as a positive assembly stop. The negative load flank angle of the threads and the reverse torque shoulder angle combine to interlock the male and female members and to prevent differential radial separation of the engaged conical sealing surfaces when the joint is exposed to internal pressure, external pressure or both. Tapered threads and sealing surfaces and interference threads may advantageously be used in the joint construction.

Abstract: A flexible control line for communication in a well bore is disclosed having a communication tube and a strength member extending along the tube. The tube and strength member are encapsulated in a sheath of elastomeric material. Sealing means are provided for the strength member to prevent fluid or gas migration to the surface through the strength member from a subsurface source.

Abstract: A vent line system is disclosed which is adapted for connection to a flow diverter attached to a drilling rig. The system assures that the vent line is always open for discharge of pressurized drilling fluid away from the drilling rig in one of two directions.

Abstract: A workpiece gaging system includes carriage structure for a gaging part, movable longitudinally and laterally, and a rotor to rotate that structure; also indicator means is operatively connected with the part to indicate the status of engagement, displacement, or need for displacement, of the gaging part relative to a surface or surfaces (such as pipe threads) to be gaged, as at multiple locations. Measurement encoding and signal processing means are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for deviated hole drilling upwardly and outwardly from beneath a shallow hydrocarbon formation pay zone. A large diameter vertical hole is first formed as by drilling below the pay zone. A first casing having a directional window provided in its wall is cemented in the large diameter hole. One or more casings are then provided in the borehole below the first casing. A carriage assembly loaded with drilling tools for drilling upwardly and outwardly is then lowered by means of a working drill string and landed within the first casing.The carriage assembly has a first passage in fluid communication with the drill string. The drilling tools are loaded within a second passage of the carriage assembly. The top opening of the second passage is below the directional window when the carriage assembly is landed and angularly oriented in the first casing.

Abstract: A choke valve apparatus is accommodated to different conditions of fluid flow (to or from a well, for example) by providing multiple flow control packages each having two flow control units, each package being readily connectible in the same valve body.

Abstract: Drilling apparatus is disclosed adapted for drilling upwardly a deviated hole from a carriage assembly disposed in a cased vertical hole below a target zone of a hydrocarbon bearing formation. The drilling apparatus includes a drill motor assembly having a drill bit driven by a shaft of a drill bit mud pressure driven motor. A weight on bit assembly is provided below the drill bit motor for imparting "weight-on-bit" drilling force to the drilling bit against the face of the borehole. The weight on bit assembly includes an anti-rotation assembly for preventing rotation of the drill bit motor with respect to the borehole and an axial drive assembly for applying axial force to the drill bit. Apparatus is provided to reverse the direction of the axial force generated by the weight on bit assembly. Apparatus is also provided to limit the axial force applied to the drill bit to a predetermined level.

Abstract: A test tool adapted for use during pressure testing of a subsea blowout preventer stack is disclosed. The tool has an upper and a lower body connected in a first connection by left hand threads. A check valve landed in the bore of the tool prevents downward fluid flow from the interior of the tool, but allows upward flow through the tool and the attached drill pipe for the detection of leakage of the wellhead sealing tool about the wellhead during pressure testing of a blowout preventer in the stack. During testing of a shear ram blowout preventer, the upper body is disconnected from the lower body by turning the drill pipe to the right. Raising the drill pipe then causes the upper body to shift a second set of right hand threads into position and moves the upper body and the drill pipe from the bore of the shear ram allowing it to be closed for pressure testing.

Abstract: A tubing retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve having a rotatable ball-type flow closure element is disclosed. The ball element is rotationally operated and guided by a pair of guide members fixed in the valve by a stop ring. The guide members co-act with the ball to provide the desired rotational movement as well as providing a movement limit stop to prevent rotational overtravel of the ball. The tubular operator means imparts longitudinal movement to the ball greater than the predetermined movement required to effect the desired ball rotation prior to engaging the stop ring.A locking sleeve having a longitudinal locking movement greater than the predetermined movement to rotate the ball open is provided. Operating movement of the locking sleeve uncovers a control fluid port for operating a supplemental subsurface valve operably secured with the valve. Prior to activating the locking sleeve to install the supplemental valve, the valve may be controlled through either of two conduits.

Abstract: A pressure operated safety valve adapted to be mounted in a well tubing for normally being movable to an open position by control fluid supplied from the surface, and which valve is automatically closed when the well pressure reaches a predetermined amount, whereby blowouts of the well are automatically prevented. The valve has locking means therewith which is operable by fluid pressure supplied through the well tubing from the surface for locking the valve open in the event the valve is malfunctioning in its normal operation and a "Storm" choke or other type of safety valve is to be added in the well tubing, or it is desired to temporarily or permanently lock the valve open for any other purpose. Means are also provided for releasing the locking means to return the valve to its normal operating condition if desired.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which may alternatively be used as a diverter or as a blowout preventer for a drilling rig. The system comprises a BOP attached above a spool having a hydraulically driven sleeve/piston. An outlet passage in the spool, which may be connected to a vent line, is closed off by the sleeve wall when the spool piston is at rest.Hydraulic ports are connected above and below the BOP annular piston and above and below the spool annular piston. The ports below the BOP piston and above the spool piston are in fluid communication with each other. A hydraulic circuit is provided having two valves between a source and a drain of pressurized hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A rotary bi-directional valve actuator having a new and improved dual ratchet mechanism. The linkage maintains the pawl disengaged or uncoupled from the drive bushing until operated to protect the ratchet mechanism and to prevent its binding or jamming. The disengagement of the mechanism compensates for inadvertent rotational movement of the valve stem which could result in malfunction or damage to the actuator when actuated. The actuator is extremely rugged and durable in construction for a long operating life. The simplified construction of the actuator is also easy to maintain and easy access to the working parts is provided by the sealed housing.

Abstract: Joint and joint components designed to withstand axial compressive loads join a pair of pipe sections end-to-end, the adjacent ends of the sections being threaded. A coupling member for connecting the threaded adjacent ends of the pipe sections includes threads interengaged with the threads on the adjacent ends of the pipe sections. An abutment member located between the outer ends of the pipe sections is shaped so that the ends of the pipe sections abut against opposite sides of the abutment member. Each pipe section includes a shoulder which is formed integral with and extends circumferentially around the section, the shoulder including an angled surface which faces the angled surface on the other pipe section and is oriented at an angle substantially the same as the surfce on the other pipe section, each surface terminating at a circumferential edge which is closer to the edge on the other pipe section than is any other portion of its respective surface.

Abstract: A tubular joint or connector of box and pin members is disclosed having first threads provided on a taper with respect to the axis of the joint and second threads which are cylindrical and axially separated from the first threads. The first and second threads are radially separated by a step region. Two metal-to-metal seals of complementary engaging sealing surfaces are provided, one adjacent the end of the pin member, the other axially disposed between the two threads. Reverse angle torque shoulders at the end of the pin member and the interior termination of the box member and hooked threads further characterize the joint and box and pin members.

Abstract: A multiposition choke valve assembly comprises:(a) a valve body defining an interior chamber and inlet and outlet flow ports communicable with that chamber,(b) a valve stopper sub-assembly movable axially longitudinally in the chamber, the sub-assembly including an axially extending stem, an axially extending sleeve, an annular section located between the stem and sleeve, and an annular seal on the annular section and exposed at the section periphery,(c) the sleeve forming multiple through openings and having a retracted position in which the flow passes with relatively lesser velocity past the seal and then forwardly to pass via such openings with relatively increased velocity into the sleeve, followed by generally axially forward flow toward the outlet flow port,(d) the sleeve having an advanced position in which the seal is radially compressed to engage a body bore, and the flow through the sleeve openings is blocked.

Abstract: A system and method for installing a fluid flow controller and telescoping spools beneath an offshore bottom supported drilling rig rotary table is disclosed. Upper and lower telescoping spools are provided for initially connecting a Diverter/BOP convertible fluid flow controller between structural casing in the well and a permanent housing beneath the drilling rig rotary table. Clamp means are provided for clamping the rig vent line to an opening in the housing wall of the fluid flow controller during drilling of the borehole through the structural casing in preparation for setting and cementing the conductor casing. In that mode, the system is adapted as a diverter system. After the well is drilled for the conductor casing and the conductor casing is cemented and cut off at its top, a mandrel is fitted at the top of the conductor casing to which the lower end of the lower spool may be connected.

Abstract: A pipe joint and threaded pin and box members adapted for use therein are disclosed in which two-stepped thread surfaces are axially separated by dissimilar angled positive angle torque and sealing surfaces and internal and external sealing surfaces are provided on both ends of the threaded surfaces. Protective non-engaging shoulders are provided adjacent the external sealing surfaces. Cooperating end shoulders are provided on the end of the pin member and the interior end of the counterbore of the box member. Preferably the end shoulders are provided approximately perpendicularly to the internal sealing surfaces, the box end shoulder acting to trap the pin end shoulder under conditions of high joint interior pressure.

Abstract: A safety valve is disclosed which may be installed on an offshore wellhead above the tubing head and below the Christmas tree. The valve has a housing with upper and lower vertical passages and a lateral housing passage. A cylindrical gate is disposed within the lateral passage and includes a "T" shaped passage therein. The gate may be moved laterally and angularly within the lateral passage. During completion or workover of the well, the gate is moved laterally until the upper and lower vertical passages are in full open communication to run drills, hangers or other large diameter devices into the well via a BOP which may be attached to the top of the housing. During normal production, the gate may be laterally moved into the intersection of the vertical and lateral passages and the small through head part of the "T" passage serves to provide a vertical flow path through the production bore which is sealed off from the larger upper and lower vertical passages.

Abstract: Bonnet securing and retracting apparatus for a ram blowout preventer is disclosed. The ram blowout preventer bonnet is retained by two bonnet studs and nuts and by bonnet bolts. Bearings in the bonnet are provided to slide on bonnet studs. To retract the bonnet from the ram blowout preventer housing, the bonnet nuts and bolts are removed, and the bonnet may be slid on the bonnet studs outwardly from the housing. Removable stop pins in the bonnet studs prevent the bonnet from sliding off the studs. After the pins are removed, the bonnet may be completely removed from the housing.This abstract of the disclosure is neither intended to define the scope of the invention, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to limit the invention in any way.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted for connection to a drilling conduit beneath a drilling rig floor for diverting pressurized well bore fluid in the conduit from the rig and sealing the annulus between a pipe or other object and the conduit or closing the vertical flow path of the conduit in the absence of any object in the conduit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, an annular packing element and two pistons. The housing is provided with at least one outlet passage in the wall of its body, and one of the two pistons acts as a sliding sleeve valve in cooperation with the housing wall for preventing fluid communication between the outlet passage and the interior of the housing when it is in a nonactuated or normal position and for allowing fluid communication when it is in an actuated or diverting position.