Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving objects from well bores includes an uppermost segment having an internally threaded opening extending upwardly from a bottom end of the uppermost segment to a first location above the bottom end. One or more additional segments are provided. Each of the additional segments have top and bottom ends and are removably attachable, at a top end of each additional segment, to a bottom end of one of an upper one of the additional segments and the uppermost segment. Each of the additional segments have a tapered, internally threaded opening extending between the top end and the bottom end of the additional segments. A top end of the uppermost segment is secured to a bottom end of a rotatable down-hole drill rod and is lowered down around and rotated relative to an object to be retrieved such that threads on the tapered, internally threaded opening engage with the object. A method for using the apparatus and a method for making a retrieving tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mill assembly having a mill face for milling material in a downhole milling operation is received in a casing or well bore having an internal wall having a first diameter. The mill face has a smaller diameter than the first diameter. The mill face is connected to a shaft assembly including a shaft and a stabilizing assembly for stabilizing the shaft in the casing or the well bore. The stabilizing assembly is connected at one end to the mill face and has a smaller diameter than the first diameter. The stabilizing assembly includes a stem having one or more tapered surfaces, the tapered surfaces tapering from a first diameter to a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The stabilizing assembly further includes a plurality of roller bearings circumferentially arranged in a plane around the stem, each roller bearing being in contact with one of the tapered surfaces at a first point.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, treating a well using a tool string is disclosed. The method includes the steps of supplying a predetermined amount of treatment fluid to the well; pumping fluid from the well and holding the fluid in the tool string; and releasing the treatment fluid from the tool string into the well. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes repeating the pumping and releasing steps until the well is adequately treated.

Abstract: A well clean-out tool includes a cylindrical member in which a helical conveyor screw is arranged for vertical sliding movement relative to the cylindrical member. The tool is lowered into a well bore until the shoe contacts debris within the bore. At that time, the screw is caused to descend relative to the cylindrical member, whereupon a lower end of the screw projects slightly below a lower end of the cylindrical member, and a rotary coupling between the screw and the cylindrical member is released, and a spring is caused to store energy. Thereafter, the screw is rotated relative to the cylindrical member, while the spring presses the cylindrical member against the debris in order to resist rotation of the cylindrical member. The screw projects only slightly downwardly beyond the lower end of the cylindrical member, e.g., less than one inch, in order to convey debris upwardly within the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A wire line mass or bird nest is retrieved from a well bore by running into the well bore a coiled rod such that a lower pointed end of the coiled rod engages the wire line mass. The coiled rod is rotated to draw the wire line mass upwardly into entangled relationship with the coiled rod; whereupon the coiled rod and wire line mass can be removed together from the well bore. Outward projections on the coil rod prevent the wire line mass from slipping off the coiled rod.

Abstract: A well clean-out tool includes a cylindrical member in which a helical conveyor screw is arranged for vertical sliding movement relative to the cylindrical member. The tool is lowered into a well bore until the shoe contacts debris within the bore. At that time, the screw is caused to descend relative to the cylindrical member, whereupon a lower end of the screw projects slightly below a lower end of the cylindrical member, and a rotary coupling between the screw and the cylindrical member is released, and a spring is caused to store energy. Thereafter, the screw is rotated relative to the cylindrical member, while the spring presses the cylindrical member against the debris in order to resist rotation of the cylindrical member. The screw projects only slightly downwardly beyond the lower end of the cylindrical member, e.g., less than one inch, in order to convey debris upwardly within the cylindrical member.

Abstract: An indicating device for repeatedly indicating variation in the load on a part such as a polish rod of a pump is disclosed. The indicating device includes an indicator for providing an indication when current flows through the indicator, a switch for moving between an opened and a closed position and for permitting current to flow through the indicator when the switch is in one of the open and closed positions, and reciprocating moving means for reciprocally moving in response to reciprocating movement of the part and for moving the switch to the one of the open and closed positions once during each cycle of the reciprocating movement of the reciprocating moving means. The indicator thus provides the indication once during each cycle of the reciprocating movement of the part and thus repeatedly indicates reciprocating movement of the part.

Abstract: A fluid flow control and mechanical actuation system for controlling fluid flow in and mechanically actuating a tool includes an upwardly biased and vertically movable actuating assembly for actuating a tool upon downward movement. Two passages extend through the actuating assembly. A vertically and rotationally movable valve having a radially offset bore extending therethrough is also provided. The valve controls fluid flow to the two passages in the actuating assembly upon successive downward strokes of the valve so that when the bore in the valve is aligned with one of the passages in the actuating assembly, a pressure build-up occurs which is sufficient to cause the actuating assembly to move downwardly for actuating a tool. On the other hand, when the bore in the valve is aligned with the other passage in the actuating assembly, the build-up of pressure does not occur and the downward movement of the actuating assembly is prevented.

Abstract: A fishing tool for retrieving broken or lost implements from a drilled hole includes a one-piece body having a bore extending from one end to the other. Oppositely positioned and inwardly directed male keys extend from the inner surface of the bore. The male keys extend along a substantial portion of the length of the bore and engage oppositely positioned portions of a catch slip. The catch slip is slidable along the length of the bore and is guided by the male keys and supported by the inner surface of the bore. The lower end of the body may be provided with a removable guide bushing and a removable guide for retaining the guide bushing in place at the lower end of the body. A front face of the catch slip may be provided with a buttress thread for firmly grasping the implement being retrieved and for permitting the grasped implement to be released while it is still in the hole through rotation of the tool.