Abstract: An extrusion resistant expansible element for use as a sealing element or packer in a subterranean well bore. The expansible element comprises an inner elastomeric sleeve to which fluid pressure is internally applied to produce the expansion forces. The internal sleeve is surrounded by an annular array of elongated reinforcing slats formed of a relatively rigid, yet deformable material such as metal or a plastic filled with reinforcing material such as fiber glass. The medial portion of the reinforcing slats is surrounded by an outer elastomeric sleeve which effects the primary seal with the well bore when the internal elastomeric sleeve is expanded through the application of fluid pressure.

Abstract: A test tool is provided for testing the production capabilities of a preselected formation subsequent to the drilling of a subterranean well. The test tool is part of a testing string which incorporates a packer which may be releasably engaged in the casing string at a depth immediately above a region where formation testing is desired. The test tool includes a rotary ball valve which is normally maintained in a closed position during the insertion of the tool into the well. After setting of the packer, the ball valve is opened by increasing the fluid pressure existing in the annulus between the casing and the testing string. Such annulus pressure is applied to a first reservoir of trapped fluid which may contain water, and supplies fluid at annulus pressure to one side of a valve operating piston to shift the operating piston to actuate the rotary ball valve to its open position and compress a piston return spring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for leveling a relatively massive template structure which is positionable on the ocean bottom in proximity to one or more sites of subterranean wells. Since the template is primarily utilized to mount or guide later applied drilling, completion or production equipment, it is essential that the template be positioned on its fixing piles in a precise horizontally level position. Accordingly, a plurality of sleeves are secured to the template which respectively loosely encircle the hollow fixing piles. Hydraulically operated clamp means are provided to lock the encircling sleeves at any selected vertical position to a respective fixing pile. A hydraulic elevating mechanism is lowered into the top open end of at least one such fixing pile and utilized to effect the lifting of the sleeve and adjacent portion of the template to which the sleeve is secured to a height approximating the desired level position.

Abstract: A test valve assembly is provided which is adapted to be lowered on a tubular string between upper and lower tubular sections into position within a blowout preventer stack at the upper end of a well bore of a subterranean oil or gas well. The apparatus has first and second fluid flow passageways within a housing. A valve member is disposed between the flow passageways and is shiftable to open position to communicate the flow passageways during selective incremental testing of the well and is manipulatable to closed position to isolate the flow passageways prior to and subsequent to selective incremental testing of the well. Means are provided which are responsive to mechanical manipulation of the tubular string for shifting of the valve member between closed and open positions. The apparatus and the tubular string may be selectively latched with respect to one another without manipulation of the valve member between closed and open positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring and recording environmental conditions in a deep bore hole using a down hole gauge including pressure and temperature sensors and data processing elements is disclosed. A pressure transducer such as a Bourdon tube is provided for measuring the down hole pressure. An encoder coupled to the pressure transducer produces a plurality of data bits defining a coded word representative of the down hole pressure. A temperature transducer is also provided for measuring the down hole temperature. An oscillator is coupled to the temperature transducer for providing a timing signal having a frequency which is proportional to the down hole temperature. Serial shift registers are provided for recording data bits in separate groups of bits defining data words which are representative of the down hole pressure and temperature conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wiper, grouting seal and diaphragm apparatus for use on a tubular sleeve of a structure wherein the sleeve receives a piling. The apparatus has a housing with a bore therethrough. A manifold seal extends interior of and circumferentially around the housing. Fluid receiving means are provided for communication with a pressure conduit extendable from the manifold to the structure. Fluid ejecting means are defined on the manifold for selective discharge of fluid injectable through the conduit and the manifold and interior of the sleeve. A longitudinally shiftable cage member initially defines the interior wall of the housing and has means engageable by the lower end of the piling for shifting of the cage member whereby the manifold is urged away from the housing and against the piling. Diaphragm seal means are initially held by the housing and across the bore, the seal means being rupturable by the cage member upon shifting of the cage member by the piling.

Abstract: The invention incorporates a combination tubular member seal enclosing and enclosure releasing apparatus having an elastomeric sealing means with interior and exterior edges. The exterior edge is disposed around one end of the tubular member for sealing across the interior of the tubular member. First and second flange members define a housing for securement of the interior edge of the sealing means and are circumferentially extendible within the tubular member. First and second seal extending means have an end secured to a respective flange member. Piston means which are telescopically operational include a piston housing having a port therein and a piston element slidably disposed with respect to the housing. One of the seal extending means has another end thereof which is engaged with one of the piston housing and the piston element while the other of the seal extending means has another end thereof engaged with the other of the piston housing and the piston element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for connecting a gage to an oil well pump power cable for transmitting pressure and temperature data to a surface recorder whereby the gage can be selectively disconnected when it is desired to test the insulation integrity of the pump power supply system, and selectively connected when the test is completed. The gage is connected to the neutral point of the three phase motor winding through a latching relay. A code transmitter generates a frequency coded signal on the power cable to a decoder which controls the relay. The same coded signal is utilized to open and close the relay contacts as desired.

Abstract: Inflatable seal means are provided on the jacket or sleeve of a supporting leg of an offshore structure to seal off therebetween and a piling which the jacket surrounds. The seal means is expanded inwardly to sealingly engage the piling and water is then expelled from the space between the jacket and the piling and grouting material is introduced into the space. Pressure is maintained on the grouting material in the space until it takes a permanent set.

Abstract: a Bourdon tube is situated down hole in an oil well or the like, and has attached thereto a coded wheel which rotates an amount determined by the sensed down hole pressure. The wheel has a number of transparent and opaque concentric bands thereon which form a gray code pattern indicative of a selected range of pressures. A plurality of radiant energy transmitters are radially positioned on one side of the wheel in optical alignment with each of the respective bands. A plurality of radiant energy sensors are positioned and aligned in a like manner on the other side of the wheel for sensing the passing or blocking of the radiant energy by the respective bands formed on the wheel. Included is a digital logic circuit controlled by a temperature responsive oscillator which provides timing signals having a frequency determined by the sensed down hole temperature.

Abstract: An inflatable reinforced sealing element for positioning on a jacket to seal off the space between the jacket and a piling in the jacket, with the jacket and piling being associated with the supporting leg of an offshore structure. Control means are provided for controlling the flow of fluid for inflation of the seal means to sealingly engage the piling and seal off the space, to trap the inflating fluid in the seal means and for controlling the flow of grouting material to the space between the jacket after the seal has been effected.

Abstract: An inflatable seal is first effected adjacent the lower end of the annular space between a piling and a jacket of a supporting leg of an offshore structure and thereafter grouting material is inserted into the annular space between the jacket and the piling. After the seal has been effected, means trap inflating fluid in the seal adjacent the lower end of the annular space while grouting material is discharged into the space.

Abstract: An inflatable securing arrangement includes support means having a longitudinally extending annular elastomer body bonded thereto. An annular reinforcing is also secured to the support means and extends longitudinally thereof, and gripping means are carried by the support means, such gripping means extending longitudinally within the elastomer body whereby movement of the elastomer body by fluid pressure inwardly relative to the support means urges the gripping means inwardly relative to the support means for engaging an object positioned in the support means.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided having particular use in conjunction with setting of longitudinally extendable piling units for anchoring an offshore platform for subsequent use in drilling, production, completion and workover of a subterranean well. The apparatus is designed to be selectively movable within the base of the piling, thereafter the unit is manipulated to urge a plurality of circumferentially extending segmented units to expandably engage within the piling base and, preferably, be locked therewithin, such that the piling may be positionably engaged along longitudinally extending legs of the platform. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus provides an inflatable element which expands the segments for engagement with the bore of the piling. Alternatively, a modified apparatus utilizes a unit which is inserted within the base of the piling by means of a wire line or related apparatus.

Abstract: A Bourdon tube is situated down hole in an oil well or the like, and has attached thereto a coded wheel which rotates an amount determined by the sensed down hole pressure. The wheel has a number of transparent and opaque concentric bands thereon which form a gray code pattern indicative of a selected range of pressures. A plurality of radiant energy transmitters are radially positioned on one side of the wheel in optical alignment with each of the respective bands. A plurality of radiant energy sensors are positioned and aligned in a like manner on the other side of the wheel for sensing the passing or blocking of the radiant energy by the respective bands formed on the wheel. Included is a digital logic circuit controlled by a temperature responsive oscillator which provides timing signals having a frequency determined by the sensed down hole temperature.

Abstract: A blowout preventer for the drill string of a subterranean well which is quickly and sealingly latchable to the upper tool joint of the string in the event of a well blowout. The blowout preventer basically comprises first and second tubular housing members, means defining a valve within one of said tubular housing members, means carried by one of said housing members for grasping a well tool joint, seal elements carried by said housing member for cooperation with said means defining a valve for containment of fluid within said apparatus, and means for selectively removing one of said housing members from the other of said housing members. A method of containing well and drilling fluids using the blowout preventer also is disclosed.

Abstract: A tool for running on a well string such as a drill string in a well bore carries inflatable packer means to close off the well bore adjacent the tool. The tool includes a body having a longitudinal bore therethrough with seating means and shock absorbing means for absorbing the shock of seating a bore close off means to close off the bore in the drill string. The bore close off means includes latch means for latching the bore close off means in seated position in the well string.The tool may be positioned in the drill string near the drilling bit and when pressure is applied in the well string at the earth's surface such pressure is conducted through the bore close off means to inflate the inflatable packer means and seal off the well bore beneath the inflated packer means.