Abstract: A hydraulic dump valve (10) for use with an inflatable packer (38) in a downhole (32) installation. The hydraulic dump valve (10) includes disc springs (102, 118) to adjust the pressure of operation of the valve (10) to allow use of liquid operated packers (38) in boreholes (32) with low static water levels by isolating the hydrostatic pressure in an inflation line (51) from the packers (38) and at the same time provide communication from the inflatable packer (38) to the well annulus (30) to allow downhole deflation of the packer (38).

Abstract: A hydraulic anchoring assembly (10, 10a), and method of its use, for anchoring and sealing an insertable progressing cavity pump on rods in a well. The assembly (10, 10a) has one or more cup seals (42, 42a), upstream of one or more inflatable packers (14, 14a) upstream of one or more hydraulic slips (16). The cup seals (42, 42a) provide a pressure differential for inflation of the upstream most inflatable packer (14), which in turn provides a pressure differential for the downstream inflatable packer(s) (14a) to inflate to produce a fluid tight seal between the insertable progressing cavity pump and the well. In highly deviated wells the up seals (42, 42a) can be used to pump the hydraulic anchoring assembly (10, 10a) down the well in situations where the rods would otherwise buckle.

Abstract: An inflatable packer and control valve (10) for use on the outside of a casing (23), as used in wells and boreholes, and is operated by differential pressure against shear pins (126a, 196) and changes operating conditions by axial displacement of generally cylindrical sleeve valve members (84, 88) in a control valve (16). The control valve (16) uses relatively large annular flow passageways (140, 260, 310) for the flow of inflation fluid, especially cementitious slurries, to avoid blockage and allow reliable inflation and thus minimise the risk of under-inflation due to blockage of tubular passageways commonly used in prior art control valves. The control valve (16) also uses a locking mechanism (90, 272) to ensure positive engagement of a shut-in sleeve valve member (88) to ensure shut-in of the valve (88) to maintain inflation of the Inflatable packer (14).