Abstract: An apparatus for use in forming a plug during hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean soil formation comprising a top tubular retaining body extending between top and bottom ends and having a frustoconical outer surface extending from the bottom end thereof. The apparatus further includes a plurality of slip arms located around the outer surface of the retaining body, each slip arm extending between top and bottom ends and having an inner surface extending from the top end corresponding to the outer surface of the retaining body and an exterior surface adapted to frictionally engage a wellbore; and a seal element located around the outer surface of the retaining body above the plurality of slip arms adapted to be displaced towards the top end of the retaining body by the plurality of slip arms so as to seal an annulus between the retaining body and the wellbore.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displacing a sleeve within a downhole tool wherein the apparatus comprises an outer mandrel, and a sleeve extending between first and second ends slidably located within the outer mandrel wherein the sleeve and mandrel form first, second and third annular chambers therebetween. The first annular chamber is in fluidic communication with an interior of the sleeve. The second annular chamber is in fluidic communication with an exterior of the mandrel. The third annular chamber is substantially sealed. The method comprises pressurizing the second chamber through bores extending through the sleeve and releasing the pressure within the second chamber so as to permit a vacuum within a third sealed chamber and a pressure from an exterior of the mandrel to pressurize a first chamber to draw the sleeve towards a second end of the outer mandrel thereby uncovering the valve openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectably isolating a subterranean formation from a production string comprises a radially expandable ring located between upper and lower sleeves and retained at a position to intrude into a central passage extending therethrough. The expandable ring is permitted to radially expand into a recess upon displacement of the lower sleeve to permit a body retained thereon to move therepast. The apparatus includes a pair of inner and outer indexing rings which cooperate to permit the inner and outer indexing rings to move towards a bottom end thereof only to a fixed endwall whereafter further movement of the inner and outer indexing rings and lower sleeve is prevented.

Abstract: An sleeve valve for a well assembly includes at least one set of passages extending through a tubular body between the central passage and an exterior of the tubular body and a sleeve slidably located within the central passage of the valve body adapted to selectably sealably cover or uncover the at least one sets of passages. A shifting tool for actuating the sleeve valve is connectable to a tool string and includes a shifting bore with an actuating piston extending from a central bore through the shifting tool and first and second key bores extending radially inwards from the outer surface each having a piston keys located therein. Each of the first and second piston keys is operably connected to the actuating piston so as to be extended from the outer surface when the central bore is supplied with a pressurized fluid.