Abstract: An axisymmetric clutch mechanism includes a drive clutch body having a drive bearing surface and a drive clutch surface; an intermediate clutch body having an intermediate clutch surface configured for sliding contacting engagement with the drive clutch surface; a driven clutch body having a driven bearing surface configured for transferring compressive axial force to the drive bearing surface; and rotational drag means for generating resistance to rotational slippage between the drive clutch surface and the intermediate clutch surface. The intermediate and driven clutch bodies are helically coupled in a first rotational direction, forming a first helical coupling having a first lead angle, and with the taper angle of the drive clutch surface and the intermediate clutch surfaces and the first lead angle being selected such that the clutch mechanism will lock when the drive clutch body is rotated relative to the driven clutch body in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response to relative axial displacement to induce the relative rotation required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface will cause the relative axial movement required to release the latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the rotary latch mechanism operates in response to externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring externally-induced rotation.

Abstract: A clamp assembly, for mounting around a tool joint coaxially joining cylindrical upper and lower workpieces, comprises an upper collar assembly and a lower collar assembly, each having semi-cylindrical left and right collar segments. The left and right collar segments of each collar assembly are removably connectable to each other by threaded fasteners to form the collar assembly. The upper and lower collar assemblies are coaxially mountable around the upper and lower workpieces, respectively, such that tightening the fasteners will urge the upper and lower collar assemblies to grip the upper and lower workpieces, respectively, and thus to provide increased resistance to relative rotation between the two workpieces about the tool joint axis. The upper and lower left collar segments, and/or the upper and lower right collar segments, may be interlockingly and radially slidable relative to each other to accommodate differences between the outside diameters of the two workpieces.

Abstract: An axial linkage acting between the main body and the gripping assembly of a tool for gripping tubular workpieces includes a drive cam body that coaxially engages an intermediate cam body via a drive thread, with the intermediate cam body coaxially engaging a driven cam body via a driven thread, and with the drive thread and the driven thread having opposite orientations. The linkage includes a latch mechanism for preventing relative axial displacement of the drive cam body and the driven cam body. In operation while unlatched, the linkage converts bi-directional relative rotation into relative axial movement of the drive cam body and the driven cam body, thus increasing or decreasing the overall length of the linkage according to the rotational direction. The linkage can be re-latched using any of multiple operational sequences.

Abstract: A cementing head apparatus includes a plug-launching tool and a tubular plug receiver cage disposed within a bore of the launching tool, plus one or more paddles selectively movable within a bore of the receiver cage between a hold position in which the paddles at least partially occlude the receiver cage bore to hold a plug within a retained plug interval of the receiver cage bore, and a launch position in which the paddles are substantially retracted from the receiver cage bore to allow passage of the plug through the receiver cage bore and onward into a casing string to which the launching tool is mounted.

Abstract: A secondary latch mechanism (also referred to as a lockout mechanism) for a gripping tool, such as a casing running tool (CRT), prevents activation of the CRT prior to full insertion of a tubular workpiece into the CRT. When embodied in a CRT, the lockout mechanism prevents activation of the CRT unless a fully-inserted tubular workpiece applies a selected axial load to a bumper mounted on the CRT. The lockout mechanism is operable between a locked state and an unlocked state. In the locked state, the lockout mechanism prevents relative axial movement between the CRT cage and mandrel, and keeps the CRT slips retracted away from the workpiece. When in the unlocked state, there is no significant restriction to the normal movement of the CRT components, and the CRT functions as if the lockout mechanism were not present.

Abstract: A rotary latch release mechanism includes axially-aligned upper and lower rotary latch components carried on and rotationally coupled to upper and lower latch assemblies, respectively. The latch release mechanism is movable from an axially-latched position to an axially-unlatched position in response to relative rotation between the upper and lower rotary latch components. The latch release mechanism has a movable land surface that acts in response to relative axial displacement, to induce the relative rotation required to release the latch. The latch release mechanism may be configured such that the axial movement of the movable land surface will cause the relative axial movement required to release the latch in combination with the required rotation. Accordingly, the rotary latch mechanism operates in response to externally-controlled axial movement of a movable land surface carried by the latch release mechanism, without requiring externally-induced rotation.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a tubular running operation (TRO) in which a running string is disposed in a wellbore includes sensors located at the wellsite, plus one or more processors, displays, and user-input devices, which may be at the wellsite or elsewhere. The sensors are configured to measure running string parameters including the running strings position within the well, the running and rotation rates, and loads acting at the top of the running string. Based on this information, the processor(s) perform torque-and-drag analysis (TDA) in the top-down direction to estimate downhole loads on user-selected running string components, accounting for measurement and modelling uncertainties. Based on the estimated loads, the processor(s) calculate one or more damage indicators, which are communicated to the user via the display(s), enabling the user to take corrective action to prevent or manage damage to the running string.

Abstract: In systems and methods for detecting steps in connection processes used in well operations using drilling rigs to manipulate tubular strings (such as drill strings and casing strings), sensor data gathered by data acquisition systems (such as electronic data recorders) associated with a drilling rig is analyzed to identify time intervals corresponding to specific steps constituting the complete connection process in question (such as connection make-up or connection break-out). These time intervals are compared against target or benchmark values for the corresponding process steps, thus facilitating identification of “invisible lost time” (ILT), determination of the causes of the ILT, and determination of appropriate measures to mitigate or eliminate the causes of the ILT. These systems and methods eliminate or minimize the need for onsite data collection by human observers using stopwatches or other manual data collection means.

Abstract: A collet-type mechanism for releasably gripping either an external or internal target surface of a tubular workpiece includes a collet receiver defining a collet receiver contact surface configured as a curved lateral surface of a truncated right circular cone, and a segmented collet assembly comprising a plurality of collet segments. Each collet segment defines a workpiece engagement surface configured for gripping engagement with a workpiece target surface, and a collet segment contact surface configured for at least partial contacting engagement with the collet receiver contact surface. The collet segment contact surface may comprise two axially-contiguous regions, one of which corresponds to a curved lateral surface of either an oblique circular cylinder or a right circular cylinder, and the other of which corresponds to a curved lateral surface of a truncated right circular cone.

Abstract: An adjustable-length bail extension includes a tubular outer link member, an inner link member axially movable within the bore of the outer member, and an adjustment mechanism for releasably clamping the outer member to the inner member at any of multiple locking positions defined by sets of locking grooves formed at axial intervals on the inner member. The adjustment mechanism is operable between a locked position wherein a collet assembly linked to the outer member engages a selected locking groove set and thereby enables axial load transfer between the inner and outer members; and an unlocked position wherein the collet assembly does not lockingly engage any locking grooves, such that the inner member is axially movable within the outer member to enable adjustment of the overall length of the adjustable-length bail extension by repositioning the collet assembly to engage the inner member at a different locking position.

Abstract: A tool for launching wiper plugs into a casing string in a gas or oil well during cementing operations employs a collet-like mechanism carrying radially-movable jaws arranged to retain a plug in a fluid flow path when the tool is in a closed position, and to release the plug into the fluid flow path when the tool is in an open position. Selection of the desired operational position of the plug launcher (i.e., open or closed) is effected by actuation of an axially-movable sliding sleeve. Alternative means for actuating the sliding sleeve include rotary actuation about the tool's longitudinal axis, rotary actuation about a radial axis generally normal to the longitudinal axis, rotary actuation about a generally tangent axis, and pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. The tool may be adapted to carry multiple wiper plugs for sequential launching into a casing string.

Abstract: A grip element for gripping a tubular CRA workpiece has a hardened grip surface carrying an array of generally pyramidic die teeth, which may have either pointed or rounded tips, with the configuration of the tooth tips being selected for effective gripping of the CRA workpiece by way of an interference grip, and without unacceptably marking the CRA workpiece. The die tooth density over the grip surface may be selected to minimize accumulation of contaminants between teeth and/or to facilitate removal of accumulated contaminants. The substrate of the grip element may comprise a stainless steel having no free iron, with the grip surface being hardened by nitriding. Optionally, the tips of the grip element may truncated after nitriding to partially expose the stainless steel substrate. In alternative embodiments, the grip element may have a carbon steel substrate with a nitrided grip surface.

Abstract: A torque transfer control tool has a rotary-stroking piston that is axially movable within a fluid chamber in response to rotation of mandrel having an upper end co-rotatably coupled to a first torsional drive system component and a lower end coaxially disposed and rotatable within the bore of a cylindrical housing. A lower end of the housing is co-rotatably coupled to a second torsional drive system component. Mandrel rotation in a first rotational direction moves the piston downward to pressurize a fluid in a lower fluid chamber below the piston. Fluid flow control means associated with the piston allows fluid flow out of the lower fluid chamber to prevent the fluid pressure therein from exceeding a first pre-set pressure, thus limiting the magnitude of the torque transferred to the second torsional drive system component in the first rotational direction via the tool housing.

Abstract: A tool for launching wiper plugs into a casing string in a gas or oil well during cementing operations employs a collet-like mechanism carrying radially-movable jaws arranged to retain a plug in a fluid flow path when the tool is in a closed position, and to release the plug into the fluid flow path when the tool is in an open position. Selection of the desired operational position of the plug launcher (i.e., open or closed) is effected by actuation of an axially-movable sliding sleeve. Alternative means for actuating the sliding sleeve include rotary actuation about the tool's longitudinal axis, rotary actuation about a radial axis generally normal to the longitudinal axis, rotary actuation about a generally tangent axis, and pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. The tool may be adapted to carry multiple wiper plugs for sequential launching into a casing string.

Abstract: A tool for gripping a tubular workpiece comprises: a land element for reacting compressive load against an end face of the workpiece; grip elements and grip element carrier means; a main body with means for converting axial motion of the tool relative to the workpiece into radial movement of the grip elements from a retracted position to an engaged position exerting radial load on the workpiece; and retractor means for retracting the grip elements from the workpiece the tool is displaced axially away from the workpiece. The grip element carrier means may comprise a cylindrical cage with the grip elements being radially slidable within circumferentially-spaced windows in the cage. The means for converting axial movement and load into radial movement and load may comprise a cone or ramp surface that bears against the grip elements such that radial loads from the grip surfaces are carried through the main body.

Abstract: In a method for controlling the interface level between a liquid inventory and an overlying steam chamber in a subterranean petroleum-bearing formation, an inflow relationship is developed to predict the vertical position in a gravity field of the interface between two fluids with a density contrast (most commonly a water/oil emulsion and steam), relative to a horizontal producer well. The inflow relationship is applied to producer well completions by designing the completion to raise or lower sand face pressures over the horizontal length of the well. This pressure distribution will affect liquid levels according to the inflow relationship. Axial flow relationships for the liquid inventory may be developed to facilitate estimation of liquid levels at selected locations. Axial flow relationships for the steam chamber may also be developed to estimate the effect of the injector well completion on the steam chamber pressure and, in turn, the liquid level.

Abstract: A shoulder ring, for installation in a threaded pipe coupling between the installed pin ends of two pipes being connected by the coupling, has opposing end faces and a central opening, and may be lobate or circular in shape. The shoulder ring provides enhanced axial retention within the coupling by incorporating a thread element which engages the internal threads of the coupling to prevent or deter displacement of the ring from the coupling. Alternatively, enhanced axial retention may be provided by way of an interference or interlocking fit that is plastically induced during the ring installation process. The shoulder ring may be of lobate or circular configuration, with the axial retention of lobate embodiments being further enhanced by forces acting radially outward against the coupling due to elastic deformation of the ring during installation. Also disclosed are tools for installing the shoulder rings in a threaded coupling.

Abstract: In a method for controlling interface level between a liquid inventory and an overlying steam chamber in a subterranean petroleum-bearing formation, an inflow relationship is developed to predict the vertical position in a gravity field of the interface between the two fluids (liquid and steam) with a density contrast relative to a horizontal producer well. The inflow relationship is applied to producer well completions by designing the completion to raise or lower sand face pressures according to mobility variations over the horizontal length of the well. This pressure distribution will affect liquid levels according to the inflow relationship. The completion can include tubing-conveyed or liner-conveyed flow control devices to create flow network that provides a customized sand face pressure distribution. Axial flow relationships between adjacent locations along the producer well may be modeled in order to develop an axial flow network to facilitate estimation of liquid levels at selected locations.

Abstract: A fluid seal assembly consists of a seal element of compliant material that is retainingly carried by a seal carrier. The seal carrier includes one or more elements of relatively rigid material defining a sealing face with a seal-receiving groove interrupting the sealing face. The seal-receiving groove has groove-defining walls each of which has a proximal end at the sealing face and a distal end. The groove-defining walls serve as seal contact surfaces. The seal contact surfaces are configured such that the seal-receiving groove narrows toward its distal end. The seal-receiving groove has a depth and a breadth suitable for accepting the seal element, with the seal element projecting past the sealing face when compressed to be in contact with the seal contact surfaces.