Abstract: A roller tool 1 that can be connected into a string for deployment into an oil or gas well includes at least two rollers or wheels 10 located on each side of the roller tool 1, with axes of rotation that are perpendicular to the axis of the roller tool 1. The roller tool further includes at least two interconnecting tubular portions, where one tubular portion 41 comprises a mandrel 45 that connects to another tubular portion 42. An annular hub 20 is fitted over the mandrel 45 and the rollers 10 are connected onto the hub 20. The tubular portions 41, 42 comprise circumferential sleeve sections 56a, 56b that partially extend over the rollers 10 and resist detachment of the rollers 10 from the roller tool 1. The roller tool 1 can aid passage of a string through a well by holding the string away from the walls of the well and reducing frictional contact.

Abstract: A flow restrictor for restricting flow in an annulus, the flow restrictor comprising a body and a restrictor assembly mounted on the body, wherein the restrictor assembly is actuatable between a run-in configuration and a set configuration in which at least a portion of the restrictor assembly is radially splayed to thereby substantially restrict flow in the annulus, and wherein the flow restrictor is actuatable by fluid flow over the restrictor assembly above a threshold flow rate to actuate the restrictor assembly from the run-in configuration to the set configuration.

Abstract: A downhole tool (1) comprises a power control module (20), which includes a battery pack (22) for supplying power to components of the tool, and an electronic control circuit (24) for controlling the supply of power by the battery pack. The electronic control circuit (24) and battery pack (22) are contained within a housing (26) that allows their insertion and removal as a single unit. The tool (1) also comprises an electric motor (104) for powering a gear assembly (210), and a braking system comprising an electrical and a magnetic brake for braking the motor (104) when required.

Abstract: A roller tool 1 that can be connected into a string for deployment into an oil or gas well includes at least two rollers or wheels 10 located on each side of the roller tool 1, with axes of rotation that are perpendicular to the axis of the roller tool 1. The roller tool further includes at least two interconnecting tubular portions, where one tubular portion 41 comprises a mandrel 45 that connects to another tubular portion 42. An annular hub 20 is fitted over the mandrel 45 and the rollers 10 are connected onto the hub 20. The tubular portions 41, 42 comprise circumferential sleeve sections 56a, 56b that partially extend over the rollers 10 and resist detachment of the rollers 10 from the roller tool 1. The roller tool 1 can aid passage of a string through a well by holding the string away from the walls of the well and reducing frictional contact.

Abstract: A connection mechanism (4) comprises first and second components (6, 8) which can be selectively coupled together, one of the first or second components comprises a locking member (25) which is moveable between a first state and a second state, the other of the first or second component comprises means (16) for initially moving the locking member from the first to the second state as the first and second components are initially drawn together and means (19) for returning the locking member to the first state once the first and second components are fully engaged together to prevent disengagement of the first and second components.

Abstract: A time delay apparatus for use with a downhole tool in a wellbore casing. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an electronic circuit comprising a timer, a fusible link, a split spool device that includes a center pin held in place in a restrained position with a spool and a spring element surrounding the spool. A pressure applied to a trigger device, such as a rupture disk, activates a pressure switch and starts a timer, configured with a preset countdown time, in the electronic circuit. On expiration of the timer, the timer block of the electronic circuit generates a signal to cause breaking of the fusible link and releasing of the spring element such that the center pin of the split spool travels to a functional position and activates the downhole tool.

Abstract: A controller (30,300) for mounting on or within a downhole tool (10) is provided and comprises a touch operated control device (32, 320; 36) having a touchable surface (34,340) mounted within an aperture (16) formed in a sidewall (15) of the downhole tool (10) such that the touchable surface (34, 340) is outwardly facing and is the radially outermost component of the controller (30, 300) such that an operator may touch the touchable surface (34, 340) without having to disassemble the downhole tool (10). The controller (30, 300) also comprises one or more microprocessors (44) in electrical or electronic communication with the touch operated control device (32, 320; 36), where the microprocessor (44) is capable of being programmed by an operator to instruct the downhole tool (10) to actuate wherein the operator instructs the controller (30, 300) by touching the touchable surface (34, 340) with one or more distinct touches.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interlock and setting section for a downhole tool system, the interlock and setting section comprising: a shifting profile located within a throughbore of the downhole tool system, wherein the shifting profile is capable of being coupled to by a shifting tool in the throughbore of the downhole tool system, in order to move the shifting profile with respect to the downhole tool system; a load connector member coupled to the shifting profile and further coupled to a load setting member arranged to deliver a load to a tool as required; wherein there is further provided a selective locking mechanism to selectively lock at least the load setting member to at least one of the downhole tool system and the shifting profile.

Abstract: An expandable slips system for use on a mandrel having a longitudinal axis, the mandrel adapted to be run into a borehole, the expandable slips system comprising: at least one slip which in use is adapted to be moved outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel to grip against and thereby engage a downhole formation, the at least one slip comprising at least one angled member; at least one cone member for engagement with the at least one slip, the cone member comprising at least one angled member for engagement with the at least one angled member of the slip; and at least one cone member expansion device for engagement with the at least one cone member, the cone member expansion device comprising at least one angled member for engagement with another at least one angled member of the cone member.

Abstract: A time delay apparatus for use with a downhole tool in a wellbore casing. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an electronic circuit comprising a timer, a fusible link, a split spool device that includes a center pin held in place in a restrained position with a spool and a spring element surrounding the spool. A pressure applied to a trigger device, such as a rupture disk, activates a pressure switch and starts a timer, configured with a preset countdown time, in the electronic circuit. On expiration of the timer, the timer block of the electronic circuit generates a signal to cause breaking of the fusible link and releasing of the spring element such that the center pin of the split spool travels to a functional position and activates the downhole tool.

Abstract: An expandable slips system for use on a mandrel having a longitudinal axis, the mandrel adapted to be run into a borehole, the expandable slips system comprising: at least one slip which in use is adapted to be moved outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel to grip against and thereby engage a downhole formation, the at least one slip comprising at least one angled member; at least one cone member for engagement with the at least one slip, the cone member comprising at least one angled member for engagement with the at least one angled member of the slip; and at least one cone member expansion device for engagement with the at least one cone member, the cone member expansion device comprising at least one angled member for engagement with another at least one angled member of the cone member.

Abstract: A connection mechanism (4) comprises first and second components (6, 8) which can be selectively coupled together, one of the first or second components comprises a locking member (25) which is moveable between a first state and a second state, the other of the first or second component comprises means (16) for initially moving the locking member from the first to the second state as the first and second components are initially drawn together and means (19) for returning the locking member to the first state once the first and second components are fully engaged together to prevent disengagement of the first and second components.

Abstract: A setting tool (10) for use in a downhole wellbore is described as having a hydraulic fluid pumping mechanism (78) for providing pressurized hydraulic fluid. A piston mechanism (116) is moveable by said pressurized hydraulic fluid acting upon a portion of the piston mechanism (116). A resetting mechanism (84) is provided which when operated releases the pressurized hydraulic fluid from acting upon said portion of the piston (116) and which results in the resetting of the setting tool (10). In addition, a method for resetting a setting tool (10) is described including the steps of: (i) running the setting tool (10) downhole; (ii) actuating the setting tool (10) and thereby deploying an apparatus (203) downhole; (iii) retrieving the setting tool (10) to surface; and (iv) bleeding off pressure to reset the setting tool (10).

Abstract: A controller (30,300) for mounting on or within a downhole tool (10) is provided and comprises a touch operated control device (32, 320; 36) having a touchable surface (34,340) mounted within an aperture (16) formed in a sidewall (15) of the downhole tool (10) such that the touchable surface (34, 340) is outwardly facing and is the radially outermost component of the controller (30, 300) such that an operator may touch the touchable surface (34, 340) without having to disassemble the downhole tool (10). The controller (30, 300) also comprises one or more microprocessors (44) in electrical or electronic communication with the touch operated control device (32, 320; 36), where the microprocessor (44) is capable of being programmed by an operator to instruct the downhole tool (10) to actuate wherein the operator instructs the controller (30, 300) by touching the touchable surface (34, 340) with one or more distinct touches.

Abstract: A lock ring for use as a one way movement restrictor between two telescopingly arranged tubulars to permit movement in one direction and prevent movement in the other direction of one tubular relative to the other tubular; the lock ring comprising: a profile having one or more formations formed on the outer circumference for engagement with a suitable formation profile formed on the inner circumference of the outer telescopic tubular; and one or more teeth formed on its inner circumference, the teeth being adapted to dig into the outer surface of the inner telescopic member; such that the profile having one or more formations on the outer circumference and/or the said one or more teeth permits the lock ring to be pushed along the outer surface of the inner telescopic tubular when pushed by the outer telescopic tubular in one direction; and is further adapted to dig the teeth into the outer surface of the inner telescopic tubular when the push in said one direction is removed or when it is pushed by the outer

Abstract: A lock ring for use as a one way movement restrictor between two telescopingly arranged tubulars to permit movement in one direction and prevent movement in the other direction of one tubular relative to the other tubular; the lock ring comprising: a profile having one or more formations formed on the outer circumference for engagement with a suitable formation profile formed on the inner circumference of the outer telescopic tubular; and one or more teeth formed on its inner circumference, the teeth being adapted to dig into the outer surface of the inner telescopic member; such that the profile having one or more formations on the outer circumference and/or the said one or more teeth permits the lock ring to be pushed along the outer surface of the inner telescopic tubular when pushed by the outer telescopic tubular in one direction; and is further adapted to dig the teeth into the outer surface of the inner telescopic tubular when the push in said one direction is removed or when it is pushed by the outer

Abstract: A setting tool (10) for use in a downhole wellbore is described as having a hydraulic fluid pumping mechanism (78) for providing pressurised hydraulic fluid. A piston mechanism (116) is moveable by said pressurised hydraulic fluid acting upon a portion of the piston mechanism (116). A resetting mechanism (84) is provided which when operated releases the pressurised hydraulic fluid from acting upon said portion of the piston (116) and which results in the resetting of the setting tool (10). In addition, a method for resetting a setting tool (10) is described including the steps of: (i) running the setting tool (10) downhole; (ii) actuating the setting tool (10) and thereby deploying an apparatus (203) downhole; (iii) retrieving the setting tool (10) to surface; and (iv) bleeding off pressure to reset the setting tool (10).

Abstract: A tubing section coupling comprises a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion (18,20) having an external surface adapted to slidingly engage an internal surface defined by the first tubular portion. The first and second tubular portions (18, 20) are axially restrained by means of a fixing device adapted to releasably connect the first and second tubular portions together. The first and second tubular portions (18, 20) each define a profile; the profiles are adapted to be connected to rotationally restrain the tubular portions.

Abstract: A tubing section coupling comprises a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion (18,20) having an external surface adapted to slidingly engage an internal surface defined by the first tubular portion. The first and second tubular portions (18, 20) are axially restrained by means of a fixing device adapted to releasably connect the first and second tubular portions together. The first and second tubular portions (18, 20) each define a profile; the profiles are adapted to be connected to rotationally restrain the tubular portions.