Abstract: An auto-cycling plunger including a hollow, longitudinally extending body and at least one first directional outer seal disposed on an exterior surface of the body for creating a seal between the body and a well bore. A portion of the seal is spread resiliently outwardly from the body with an applied pressure, thereby increasing the degree of sealing. The plunger also includes a valve stem including a valve member. The valve stem extends through the body and has actuable ends extending from the body. The valve stem includes an actuating head external to and proximal a first end of the body, the head being larger than the internal diameter of the first end of the body. The valve stem can be shuttled between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the valve member is longitudinally spaced from a valve seat on the body to allow fluid flow through the body. In the closed position, the valve member is seated on the valve seat, thereby sealing the body and preventing fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A simple debris removal apparatus for use in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention a modular, interchangeable venturi is provided which can be retrofit into an existing debris bailer having a filter and a debris collection container. In another aspect of the invention, a venturi is utilized to create a negative pressure in a wellbore sufficient to actuate a retrieval tool for a downhole device. In yet another aspect of the invention, a combination tool is provided which can evacuate debris in a wellbore, thereby uncovering a downhole device which can then be removed in a single trip. In yet another aspect of the invention, a debris removal apparatus is provided with a method for utilizing the apparatus in a wellbore on coiled tubing.

Abstract: A perforator apparatus for repeated punching of holes at a multiple of selected locations in tubing of a well bore. The apparatus is activated for repeated punching operations by a fluid control valve mechanism that controls opposed directional movement of a piston connected to a punch of the perforator apparatus.

Abstract: A method of gravel packing a wellbore which has at least one aperture therein that provides a fluid flow path between the wellbore and an adjacent subterranean formation. At least a part of the formation adjacent to the open hole has a filter cake coated thereon that comprises a water and oil emulsion. The method of gravel packing comprises injecting into the wellbore a gravel pack composition that comprises gravel and a carrier fluid. The carrier fluid comprises an aqueous liquid having a pH that is outside the range at which the filter cake emulsion is stable. The aqueous liquid is present in an amount effective to invert the water in oil emulsion in the filter cake when the carrier fluid comes into contact with the filter cake. As a result, gravel is deposited at or adjacent to the aperture in the wellbore and some of the filter cake is removed.

Abstract: In a release system for a packer the release ring is minimally exposed in the wellbore and is actuated by a release tool, which comprises a collet and cone with a relative movement feature. In the preferred embodiment, the release ring has alternating cuts and a built in radially outward bias. The ring is held in locked position by bands, which are broken by the action of the releasing tool.

Abstract: A plurality of steel rings are crimped or shrink fitted onto a joint of steel well casing to produce the casing anchor. The rings and joint are sufficiently interlocked so that, when the anchor is cemented in a well, the joint can transfer axial load from the casing string to the cement through the rings to provide resistance to axial displacement of the anchor relative to the surrounding earth material.

Abstract: A system for enhancing oil production and reducing contamination thereof by such things as water breakthrough in unconsolidated horizontal wells comprises gravel packing, zonal isolation and selective flow control in combination. The significant control provided by the system enables the well operator to create a uniform pressure drop form heel to toe of the horizontal well and avoid commonly experienced water coning and early breakthrough of the horizontal borehole. An intelligent completion string including one or more flow control devices and one or more sensors is installable to enhance zonal isolation and control.

Abstract: A downhole tool (10) for mounting on a drill string comprises: a mandrel (16); a body (18) axially movably mounted on the mandrel; and radially extendable members, such as stabiliser blades or cutters (30), mounted in the body and being operatively associated with the mandrel such that relative axial movement of the mandrel and body induces radial movement of the members. Application of axial tension to the tool produces axial movement of the body relative to the mandrel, tending to retract the members from an extended configuration. The mandrel may be arranged to draw the members inwardly to permit positive retraction of the members from an extended configuration. Further, the body may define a channel (32) and the mandrel and the members include an arrangement (38, 39, 40, 42) for maintaining a desired orientation of the members relative to the body channel.

Abstract: A method of pumping well fluid from a well having casing with perforations includes connecting an electrical motor to a lower end of a pump and securing the pump to tubing. A restrictor is mounted to the tubing above the pump, the restrictor having a restrictor passage. The well annulus contains a well fluid with a static level under static conditions. When the motor is started to cause the pump to operate, downward flow of well fluid contained in the well annulus flows through the restrictor passage. This reduces the amount of downward flow to increase well fluid flow through the perforations.

Abstract: New cutting structures for roller cone drill bits. In one aspect, a drill bit includes a bit body, roller cones attached to the bit body and able to rotate with respect to the bit body, and a plurality of cutting elements disposed on each of the roller cones, such that axial force on the bit during drilling is substantially balanced between the cones. In another aspect, a drill bit includes a plurality of cutting elements disposed on each roller cone such that the amount of work performed by each cone during drilling is substantially the same as the amount of work performed by each of the other cones. In yet another aspect, a drill bit includes a plurality of cutting elements disposed on each roller cone such that distribution of axial force on the bit is optimized.

Abstract: An underreamer for forming a cavity within a well bore includes a housing rotatably disposed within the well bore. The underreamer also includes a plurality of cutting blades pivotally coupled to the housing. The underreamer further includes a piston slidably disposed within the housing and adapted to engage the cutting blades. The piston is operable to receive a downwardly disposed force operable slide the piston relative to the housing. The sliding movement of the piston extends the cutting blades outwardly from a retracted position relative to the housing. The underreamer also includes a passage disposed within the piston and operable to communicate a fluid received via an annulus of the housing to the cutting blades.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided using whey protein as a retarder in a cementing composition for use in cementing operations in a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore.

Abstract: A method for creating a seal between two tubulars in a wellbore is provided. In one aspect, the method allows for the top end of a first tubular to be sealingly mated to the bottom end of a second tubular. The first tubular is positioned at a selected depth within the wellbore. An expander tool is then run into the wellbore, and the top end of the first tubular is expanded along a desired length. The inner surface of the top end is expanded from a first diameter to a second diameter which will mate with the lower end of the second tubular. The expander tool is removed, and the second tubular is run into the wellbore. The bottom end of the second tubular is then sealingly mated with the top end of the first tubular. In one embodiment, the first tubular defines a string of casing which is expanded to create a polished bore receptacle for receiving a string of production tubing.

Abstract: An apparatus for making up and breaking out of a tubing string in a well includes a connector (9; 109) for connection to a tubular (1) and a main high pressure conduit (13; 113) communicating with the connector (9; 109) for allowing circulation through a tubular (1) connected thereto. Below that unit a connecting shell (17; 117) bounding a connecting chamber (18) has an upper passage (19) and a lower passage (20), a preventer (23) for separating an upper portion (24) of the connecting chamber (18) from a lower portion (25) thereof, and a back-up high pressure conduit (26) communicating with the connecting chamber (18). A pressure corresponding to the pressure in the upper portion (24) of the connecting chamber (18) is provided in at least one pressure chamber (51; 151) and exerts a force pressing a tubular (1) or the connector (9; 109) into the connecting chamber (18) against forces exerted by pressure in the connecting chamber (18).

Abstract: A screen assembly (60) comprises a base pipe (62) having perforated and nonperforated sections (66, 68), ribs (70) circumferentially spaced therearound and a filter medium (84) positioned around the ribs (70) having voids (92, 94) therethrough. The screen assembly (60) includes a slurry passageway (98) defined by the nonperforated section (68) of the base pipe (62), two of the ribs (70) and the portion (100) of the filter medium (84) that is circumferentially aligned with the nonperforated section (68). This portion (100) of the filter medium (84) has a filler material (96) disposed within the voids (92, 94) to create a fluid tight seal for a fluid slurry. The fluid slurry is discharged from the screen assembly (60) to a plurality of levels of the interval through exit ports (106) in a plurality of manifolds (102) when the screen assembly (60) is in an operable position.

Abstract: Methods for reclaiming a borehole extending from an earth surface into the earth, part of which borehole is in a lost circulation zone. The methods include the steps of closing off the borehole to fluid flow above the lost circulation zone by installing a packer system with an inflatable packer element, inflating the inflatable packer element with cement, allowing the cement to set so that the inflatable packer effectively seals off the borehole to fluid flow, and then drilling out the inflatable packer. Such a method also may include a further operation conducted in the borehole within the lost circulation zone. The packer system comprises in one arrangement a packer body, an inflatable bladder around the packer body, a plurality of ribs mounted around at least a portion of the inflatable bladder, and a valve apparatus, all of which are fabricated from a drillable material.

Abstract: A cutter for a drill bit has a superabrasive member joined to a substrate at a three-dimensional interface. The three-dimensional interface comprises a protrusive pattern of interconnected elements comprising projections of the superabrasive member into the substrate and vice versa. The protrusive pattern comprises at least one generally annular member intersected by a series of generally radially extending members for distributing stresses along the interface, enhancing compressive strength, and enabling optimization of the magnitudes and locations of beneficial residual stresses in the superabrasive member and in the vicinity of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and a mechanism having one or more impact elements adapted to move along the longitudinal axis in an oscillating manner to impart a back and forth force on the housing to vibrate the housing. In another arrangement, an apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises a housing and at least one impact element rotatably mounted in the housing. The at least one impact element is rotatable to oscillate back and forth to impart a vibration force to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying a fluid flowing through a flow passageway (16) in a tubing (7), by; introducing into the flow passageway (16) flow zones of small cross-sectional area (11) alternating with flow zones of large cross-sectional area (12) to produce high-velocity, low-pressure zones alternating with low-velocity, high-pressure zones; and providing abrupt transitions from the small cross-sectional area zones (11) to the large cross-sectional area zones (12) to produce a turbulent flow generating swirls and eddies (19) at such transitions. The method and apparatus are particulary useful in oil well applications where the fluid is an oil-gas mixture, but could be used in other applications where the fluid is a liquid-sand mixture, a gas-liquid mist, or a viscous liquid.

Abstract: Between a drilling motor and the upwardly continuing drill string a housing contains a speed sensor rotationally connected to the motor rotor. Motor speed is sensed and if rotating at a rate less than a selected speed, a cooperating by-pass valve opens to shunt drilling fluid to the well annulus to prevent damage to the stalled motor.