Abstract: Two embodiments of a wireline blowout preventer are disclosed. The rams in each embodiment are keyed to end bodies which close the outer ends of body cross bores for the rams. One blowout preventer embodiment utilizes cross pins having flat surfaces positioned in each end body. The pin flat surfaces slidably engage flat surfaces on a sleeve connected and keyed to each ram to key rams to end bodies. The other embodiment keys the rams to the end bodies with a square sleeve connected and keyed to each ram. Each square sleeve is moveable through square hole in the end body. The end bodies may be positioned inverted, inverting the rams to prevent flow downwardly through the blowout preventer when the rams are in closed position.

Abstract: A lock system for wells which includes a landing nipple in the well tubing and two embodiments of a lock mandrel, which are sealingly engageable and releasably lockable in the landing nipple to control flow through the well tubing. One lock mandrel is closed to flow and "plugs" the landing nipple. The other lock mandrel, which will operate as a standing valve, has a through flow passage and a check valve preventing downward flow through the flow passage and lock mandrel. Both lock mandrels utilize "C" rings for locking in landing nipples and may be released for expending downwardly from landing nipples by a predetermiend downward force.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a wireline blowout preventer are disclosed. The rams in each embodiment are keyed to end bodies which close the outer ends of body cross bores for the rams. One blowout preventer embodiment utilizes cross pins having flat surfaces positioned in each end body. The pin flat surfaces slidably engage flat surfaces on a sleeve connected and keyed to each ram to key rams to end bodies. The other embodiment keys the rams to the end bodies with a square sleeve connected and keyed to each ram. Each square sleeve is moveable through square hole in the end body. The end bodies may be positioned inverted, inverting the rams to prevent flow downwardly through the blowout preventer when the rams are in closed position.

Abstract: A well tool locking system adapted for releasably locking a lock mandrel and surface-controlled subsurface safety valve in a staggered well bore is disclosed. The subject locking system comprises a collapsible, slidably engaged no-go ring and locating dogs that are operatively coupled to a locking sleeve to pre-prop locking keys in the annular recesses of a landing nipple prior to applying control line pressure to the safety valve. The subject locking system is designed to lock in the direction of flow, does not require the use of shear pins, and will not release from the running tool until the safety valve is activated and the lock mandrel locking keys are fully engaged with the landing nipple.

Abstract: An hydraulically actuated stuffing box for use on a lubricator assembly or a grease injector section to seal around flexible line run through the lubricator assembly into an underwater well. The stuffing box has a piston on which control fluid acts, compressing a resilient seal in the stuffing box to seal around the line. The piston is biased to a position not compressing the seal to prevent hydrostatic pressure of the control fluid from compressing the seal to seize the line in deep water. The stuffing box and grease injector section have a through passageway for line. Both have an internal valve, which will automatically prevent surrounding water flow into a well or well outflow into the water when no flexible line is in the passageway.

Abstract: A latching seal unit for use on a tubing string in a well bore for connecting the tubing string into a well packer having a receiving head provided with one or more latching lugs, the seal unit including a top sub connectable on a tubing string, a tubular locator body connected with the top sub, a latching collet cage having straight-slots mounted on the locator body formed of circumferentially spaced collet fingers defining longitudinal slots and guide surfaces providing entrances into the slots and a latching recess along each of the longitudinal slots, the longitudinal slots being sized to form an interference fit with the latching lugs in the well packer, and the latching recesses being sized to receive the latching lugs, a tubular seal body connected with the locator body, annular seal elements assemblies on the seal body for sealing with a packer bore, and a mule-shoe guide on the seal body below the seal element assemblies.

Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for use in a well tubing string including a valve closure member, an operator tube for opening the valve closure member, a small diameter offset piston to move the operator tube in response to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface, and a spring biasing the operator tube to a position closing the valve. A bearing assembly mounted on the operator tube minimizes eccentric and torsional loading of the operator tube by the piston and spring. The operator tube also has multiple flow paths and barriers to prevent accumulation of debris from well fluids within the safety valve. The safety valve has metal-to-metal sealing systems to improve valve life under harsh downhole well environments.

Abstract: A large diameter reel having a large diameter hollow drum with a flange at each end about which a flexible elongate member, such as coil tubing, electrical conductor cable, or the like, may be wound, the reel having no shaft, but instead, having a large central opening extending therethrough, and having a gear located in the opening or on at least one or both of the reel's flanges. A carrier, such as a skid, trailer or semi-trailer, is provided with rollers for supporting the reel upon edge and with a driving gear meshable with the reel gear for rotating the reel. The trailer or semi-trailer may be provided with a hole in the bed thereof to accommodate the reel in an inset position to permit such vehicles with a reel thereon to freely pass beneath highway overpasses, and other overhangs. Methods of supporting such reels on such carriers are also provided.

Abstract: A lock mandrel for selectively locking a well tool at a desired landing nipple in a well bore, and a running tool for installing the lock mandrel. The lock mandrel includes an upwardly operable expander sleeve for locking the mandrel responsive to an upward force and a selector key assembly for landing the lock mandrel at a landing nipple having a selector profile compatible with the profile on the selector keys of the lock mandrel. The running tool includes a latch key assembly for coupling the running tool with the lock mandrel and an operator lug assembly for operating the lock mandrel. The running tool also includes a non-load bearing shear pin for holding the running tool in a running mode and a emergency release apparatus for releasing the lock mandrel in the well bore and retrieving the lock mandrel with the running tool in the event that the locking mechanism of the lock mandrel is not fully operable in the well bore.

Abstract: An hydraulically operated slip assembly useful to grip pipe being run into or pulled from a well. This assembly has upper and lower plates, each having a passage for pipe. Wedges, carrying unique slip systems are positioned around the passages between the plates and are slidably mounted for guided radial movement inwardly to grip pipe and outwardly to ungrip pipe as moved by an hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted aside on the lower plate. The unique slip systems automatically increase grip on pipe on up or down movement of gripped pipe caused by up or down loads on the pipe. Forces resulting from increased pipe grip develop frictional forces within the slip assembly, which effectively prevent outward movement of the wedges after inadvertent or on purpose operation of the cylinder to ungrip the pipe. The pipe must be returned to near the neutral position where the slip systems are not automatically gripping pipe tighter before the cylinder can move the slip systems outwardly to ungrip pipe.

Abstract: An actuator for opening and closing the gate of a surface safety valve includes a primary piston and an auxiliary piston. The primary drive piston is directly connected to the valve stem, while the auxiliary piston is slideably connected thereto. Extension movement of the auxiliary piston is stopped by a divider plate after initial breakaway forces are overcome. The thrusting force developed by the auxiliary piston during a valve opening operation is transmitted to the valve stem and the primary piston by a shuttle sleeve. The shuttle sleeve is radially spaced about the valve stem, thereby defining a bridge annulus which maintains fluid communication between the primary pressure chamber and the auxiliary pressure chamber at all times. The thrusting force produced by the auxiliary piston is combined with the thrusting force produced by the primary piston to break the static gate seal and overcome the gate drag during a first stage of operation.

Abstract: A dual string packer for releasable, hydraulic setting within a wall casing is disclosed. The packing seal elements and hydraulic actuator assembly are mounted for sliding movement along primary and secondary packer mandrels. Setting forces are applied to the packing seal elements by a setting cylinder which is mounted for slideable, sealing engagement against the primary and secondary packer mandrels, and setting forces are applied to the anchor slips by a piston which is sealed against the primary and secondary packer mandrels. The set condition is maintained by a pair of locking rods and segmented ratchet slips. The locking rods are carried by the setting cylinder head and are retracted axially out of piston pockets as a variable volume pressure chamber is pressurized. Upon achieving set engagement of the anchor slips and seal elements, the locking rods are trapped in compression between the head of the setting cylinder and the segmented ratchet slips.

Abstract: A plugging device for installation as by wireline tools in a receptacle in a wall flow conductor for plugging the flow conductor against flow from below as well as from above, the plugging device including a tubular housing having seals for sealing with the receptacle, lock members for anchoring it therein, a mandrel reciprocable in the housing between lower and upper positions for moving the lock members to locking position and for allowing them to move to unlocking position, a plug member closing the housing and being movable relative thereto between lower and upper positions, and a locking mechanism for locking the plug member to the mandrel whenever the mandrel is in its lower position and the plug member is moved to its upper position to prevent the mandrel from being moved to its unlocking position. A running tool is provided for installing the plugging device which will not release the device unless it is properly installed in the receptacle.

Abstract: A system for handling reeled tubing including a guide, a shear for cutting the tubing, and a tubing injector including upper and lower strippers and guides and an enclosure for the injector. The enclosure in one form excludes sea water in an open bottomed enclosure and in the other maintains pressure in a completely closed enclosure.

Abstract: A wet connector for latchingly connecting an electric cable between surface equipment and a previously installed electrically powered well tool at a remote, downhole location in a well for transmitting electrical energy or signals thereto or therefrom. One form of the wet connector is released electricaly (reverse polarity being used), and another form of the connector is released by tensioning and slackening the electric cable a predetermined plurality of times. Systems using such wet connectors are disclosed, as are methods for their use. The wet connector can be used in conjunction with an electric cable for installing certain tools in a well, especially where it is desirable to deposit such tools gently with no jarring.

Abstract: Disclosed are selective and no-go systems for injecting fluids in a well and a system for orienting a tool in a landing nipple in a well conduit, which is utilized in the selective set injection system. Each injection system is comprised of a land nipple, an injection mandrel having openings for flow and an orientor. The landing nipples have wall openings for flow and orienting means which are engaged by the mandrel orientor as the mandrel is lowered into the landing nipple, orienting the mandrel and aligning the mandrel flow openings with the nipple flow openings. There are orifices in the flow openings in both mandrels to control injected flow through the mandrel. The system for orienting a tool in a landing nipple has an orientor attachable to a well tool. This orientor and the selective orientor have lugs which engage an orienting sleeve in the nipple and are guided into slots when lowered into the sleeve.

Abstract: A programmable system for controlling the operation of a plunger completion oil or gas production well to optimize production from the well. The controller operates one or more motor valves controlling the well in accordance with programmable values of off-time, on-time and exhaust-time. The controller monitors whether or not a plunger arrival signal is received on each cycle of intermitting the well and changes either the off-time or the exhaust-time for the next cycle in response thereto. In oil well mode, the off-time is decreased slightly for each cycle following a cycle in which plunger arrival occurred and increased slightly for each cycle following one in which it did not. In gas well mode, the exhaust-time is increased slightly for each cycle following a cycle in which plunger arrival occurred before on-time expired and decreased slightly for each cycle following one in which it did not.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe union having a reliable metal ring seal and a resilient seal. The resilient seal is on the pin portion of the union, which has an internal seal surface. The box portion of the union has a bore to sealingly receive the resilient seal and an internal seal surface. The metal ring seal is compressed into sealing engagement with the pin portion and box portion sealing surfaces when the union pin portion and union box portion are connected together by a threaded collar. When the union is utilized in a tree cap for an underwater wellhead and the union box portion is attached to the wellhead, the resilient seal serves as a secondary seal and protects the metal seal. Well servicing risers or lubricators may be connected to the tree cap box portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressurized cleaning of well flow conductors. The apparatus has a non-rotating inner mandrel, an adapter to connect the inner mandrel to a work string, a rotating housing on the exterior of the inner mandrel, and a nozzle body attached to the housing. An alternative embodiment of the invention allows cleaning tools to be attached to a modified nozzle body and rotated therewith. Fluid pressure flowing through the inner mandrel will cause the housing to rotate relative to the inner mandrel. Rotation is used to direct fluid jets in the nozzle body towards different portions of the interior of the flow conductor. Rotation of a cleaning tool can also be used for combined mechanical and hydraulic drilling to remove deposits from within a well flow conductor.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve valve well flow control device having a tubular nipple connectable in a well tubing string and side ports for flow into the nipple and a retrievable pack-off sleeve insertable into the nipple for closing the side ports, the sleeve including an equalizing port and J-slots for coacting with a guide lug in the nipple to position the sleeve at an equalizing position prior to retrieving the sleeve from the nipple to minimize the damage to seals around the retrievable sleeve.