Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.

Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.

Abstract: A sleeve shifting tool for shifting a slidable sleeve positioned inside of another downhole tool is described herein. The tool has a housing and a collet apparatus for engaging a slidable sleeve disposed within a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore. The collet apparatus includes at least one collet arm and at least one collet key disposed thereon for engaging the slidable sleeve. The tool also includes a collet activation apparatus for initiating the collet apparatus and force the at least one collet key of the collet apparatus to engage the slidable sleeve. A method of shifting a sleeve positioned in a downhole tool with the sleeve shifting tool described herein is also provided herein.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a connector apparatus for a semi-flexible tubing. The connector apparatus includes an inner sub having a first end disposable within a semi-flexible tubing and a second end connectable to various other downhole tools. The first end of the inner sub includes at least one depression disposed thereon that is generally alignable with at least one depression disposed on the semi-flexible tubing. The connector apparatus also includes an external sleeve disposable outside of the semi-flexible tubing. The external sleeve having at least one opening disposed therein generally aligned with the at least one depression in the first end of the inner sub. This disclosure is also directed to a method of installing the connector apparatus on a semi-flexible tubing and a method of running the semi-flexible tubing and a downhole tool into a wellbore via the connector apparatus disclosed herein.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to a perforator tool and a method of using the perforator tool to perforate a formation. The perforator tool can include a first and second sleeve and optionally a third sleeve. The perforator tool can also include at least one perforation opening and at least one circulation port. The sleeves are slidably disposed within the perforator tool and can be displaced to permit perforation of the formation, block the perforation openings and open circulation ports.

Abstract: A sleeve shifting tool for shifting a slidable sleeve positioned inside of another downhole tool is described herein. The tool has a housing and a collet apparatus for engaging a slidable sleeve disposed within a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore. The collet apparatus includes at least one collet arm and at least one collet key disposed thereon for engaging the slidable sleeve. The tool also includes a collet activation apparatus for initiating the collet apparatus and force the at least one collet key of the collet apparatus to engage the slidable sleeve. A method of shifting a sleeve positioned in a downhole tool with the sleeve shifting tool described herein is also provided herein.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a connector apparatus for a semi-flexible tubing. The connector apparatus includes an inner sub having a first end disposable within a semi-flexible tubing and a second end connectable to various other downhole tools. The first end of the inner sub includes at least one depression disposed thereon that is generally alignable with at least one depression disposed on the semi-flexible tubing. The connector apparatus also includes an external sleeve disposable outside of the semi-flexible tubing. The external sleeve having at least one opening disposed therein generally aligned with the at least one depression in the first end of the inner sub. This disclosure is also directed to a method of installing the connector apparatus on a semi-flexible tubing and a method of running the semi-flexible tubing and a downhole tool into a wellbore via the connector apparatus disclosed herein.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to a perforator tool and a method of using the perforator tool to perforate a formation. The perforator tool can include a first and second sleeve and optionally a third sleeve. The perforator tool can also include at least one perforation opening and at least one circulation port. The sleeves are slidably disposed within the perforator tool and can be displaced to permit perforation of the formation, block the perforation openings and open circulation ports.

Abstract: A valve system for cementing including a valve and a sleeve shifter. The valve may have a moveable sleeve with openings and a housing situated about the moveable sleeve and having flow passages. The sleeve shifter may be configured to be opened and/or closed multiple times. The valve may be used in reverse cementing and/or squeeze jobs.

Abstract: A well casing cementing apparatus includes a housing and an inner assembly of movable parts. The housing includes a cementing port and a packer on its outer surface below the cementing port. The inner assembly includes three movable parts comprising a closing sleeve for closing the cementing port after a cementing operation, a closing sleeve seat for moving the closing sleeve and a packer setting sleeve for setting the packer. A rupture disk is provided closing the cementing port in a run in condition and is selected to have a rupture pressure at or above a pressure selected for setting the packer. An expandable collet on a lower end of the housing permits the closing sleeve and the setting sleeve to be pumped out the lower end of the housing, but prevents the pumped out parts from moving back into the housing, e.g. during production of fluids from the well.

Abstract: A dart may include a foam body, a filtering material at least partially covering the foam body, and a mandrel. The foam body may surround the mandrel.

Abstract: A dart may include a foam body, a filtering material at least partially covering the foam body, and a mandrel. The foam body may surround the mandrel.

Abstract: A valve system for cementing including a valve and a sleeve shifter. The valve may have a moveable sleeve with openings and a housing situated about the moveable sleeve and having flow passages. The sleeve shifter may be configured to actuate the valve by moving the sleeve. The valve may be configured to be opened and/or closed multiple times. The valve may be used in reverse cementing and/or squeeze jobs.

Abstract: A system for actuating a downhole tool disposed within a work string comprising a support suspending the work string into a well bore, a launching apparatus positioned at a location remote from the work string, a tortuous path connected between the launching apparatus and the work string, and a mechanical plug that launches from the launching apparatus, traverses the tortuous path, enters the work string, and actuates the downhole tool.

Abstract: A well casing cementing apparatus includes a housing and an inner assembly of movable parts. The housing includes a cementing port and a packer on its outer surface below the cementing port. The inner assembly includes three movable parts comprising a closing sleeve for closing the cementing port after a cementing operation, a closing sleeve seat for moving the closing sleeve and a packer setting sleeve for setting the packer. A rupture disk is provided closing the cementing port in a run in condition and is selected to have a rupture pressure at or above a pressure selected for setting the packer. An expandable collet on a lower end of the housing permits the closing sleeve and the setting sleeve to be pumped out the lower end of the housing, but prevents the pumped out parts from moving back into the housing, e.g. during production of fluids from the well.

Abstract: A method of servicing a well bore comprising positioning a launching apparatus at a location remote from a work string, routing a first mechanical plug through the work string and a tubular, actuating a first cementing plug within the tubular via the first mechanical plug, and pumping a cement slurry into the well bore. A method of servicing a well bore comprising disposing a downhole tool within a work string in the well bore, positioning a launching apparatus remote from the work string, wherein the launching apparatus comprises a first device operable to actuate the downhole tool, and launching the first device into the work string to actuate the downhole tool.

Abstract: A system for actuating a downhole tool disposed within a work string comprising a support suspending the work string into a well bore, a launching apparatus positioned at a location remote from the work string, a tortuous path connected between the launching apparatus and the work string, and a mechanical plug that launches from the launching apparatus, traverses the tortuous path, enters the work string, and actuates the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fluid pressure applied to a cementing plug comprises disposing the cementing plug within a casing string to define a trapped volume of fluid within the casing string, isolating a portion of the trapped volume of fluid adjacent the cementing plug to define an isolated volume of fluid, and relieving the fluid pressure within the isolated volume of fluid at a first rate sufficient to prevent damage to or inadvertent release of the cementing plug. An apparatus for relieving fluid pressure within a casing string being run into a well bore comprises at least one equalizer valve connected to a work string extending into the casing string, and a sealing device disposed above the equalizer valve to seal an annular space formed between the work string and the casing string.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean cementing operations, and more particularly to an apparatus useful in loading cementing plugs and darts into tubulars, and methods of using such apparatus in subterranean cementing operations. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of placing a compressible object having a cross-section within a tubular, including the steps of: reducing the cross-section of the compressible object; placing the compressible object with the reduced cross-section in a tubular; and releasing the compressible object within the tubular. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of reducing the radial cross-section of a compressible object. Other examples of apparatus of the present invention include apparatus for placing a compressible object into a tubular.