Abstract: A well jetting apparatus for use in fracturing of a well. Fracture initiation is provided by forming openings through the well casing and then forming fan-shaped slots in the formation surrounding the casing. Those slots are formed by a the jetting apparatus which has at least one hydraulic jet directed through the opening. The apparatus may be pivoted generally about the point of the opening to form the slots, but preferrably a plurality of slots are formed substantially simultaneously. These fan-shaped slots circumscribe an angle about the axis of the casing substantially greater than the angle circumscribed by the opening itself through which the slot was formed. These techniques are particularly applicable to fracturing of horizontal wells, but the apparatus may be used in any well configuration.

Abstract: A fracture oriented completion tool system for use in a casing string in a wellbore. The completion tool comprises a casing valve having a radioactive source therein, the orientation of which may be determined by use of a detector apparatus, such as a rotational gamma ray detector. The casing valve thus may be aligned with the fracture of a zone of interest in the well. A plurality of casing valves may be used, with at least one having a radioactive source. A swivel connection may be used to interconnect the casing valve so that housing ports therein may be aligned as the casing is run into the wellbore. In one preferred embodiment, the swivel connection is a locking swivel connection. A method of positioning a casing string in the well utilizing the completion tool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coiled tubing operated full opening completion tool system for use in a well bore. The tool system comprises a completion tool, such as a casing valve, disposed in a well casing. The tool system further comprises a positioner tool for opening and closing a sliding sleeve in the casing valve. A hydraulically actuated operating cylinder section, including opening and closing cylinder sections, is used to actuate the positioner tool to open and close the casing valve sleeve. Hydraulic slips lock the tool in position in the well bore during actuation. The tool further comprises a jetting tool which is hydraulically actuated between an open position thereof in which fluid in the tool is communicated through a jetting nozzle aligned with a port in the casing tool and a closed position. A J-slot and lug are provided in the positioner tool for controlling the longitudinal position thereof during opening and closing of the casing valve sleeve.

Abstract: A well completion method comprising the steps of: (1) positioning a conduit in a wellbore such that (a) a wellbore annulus surrounding the conduit is defined between the conduit and the wall of the wellbore, (b) the wellbore annulus has a first longitudinal segment which is positioned within a producing formation, (c) the wellbore annulus has a second longitudinal segment which is positioned within a producing formation, and (d) the wellbore annulus has a third longitudinal segment which is positioned between the first longitudinal segment and the second longitudinal segment; (2) placing a gravel pack in the wellbore annulus such that the gravel pack surrounds the conduit and substantially fills the first, second, and third longitudinal segments of the wellbore annulus; and (3) injecting a hardenable hydraulic cement composition into the portion of the gravel pack located in the third longitudinal segment of the wellbore annulus such that, after the hydraulic cement composition hardens, the third longitudinal

Abstract: A metal-to-metal annular seal for use in downhole tools which may include annular elastomeric backup seals. In each embodiment, a sealing member has a pair of annular frusto-conical lips adapted for sealing engagement with a cylindrical sealing surface on a member of a downhole tool. The sealing member may be a separate component or an integral part of another member of the downhole tool. A seal energizing member may be used.

Abstract: A well jetting apparatus for use in fracturing of a well. Fracture initiation is provided by forming openings through the well casing and then forming fan-shaped slots in the formation surrounding the casing. Those slots are formed by a the jetting apparatus which has at least one hydraulic jet directed through the opening. The apparatus may be pivoted generally about the point of the opening to form the slots, but preferrably a plurality of slots are formed substantially simultaneously. These fan-shaped slots circumscribe an angle about the axis of the casing substantially greater than the angle circumscribed by the opening itself through which the slot was formed. These techniques are particularly applicable to fracturing of horizontal wells, but the apparatus may be used in any well configuration.

Abstract: A short stroke casing valve with positioning and jetting tools therefor. The casing valve has a sliding sleeve within a housing. The housing defines a housing communication port therethrough, and a seal is disposed on longitudinally opposite sides of the housing communication port. The sleeve has a selective latch profile therein adapted for engagement by the positioning tool. The positioning tool has outwardly biased positioner blocks which automatically engage the sliding sleeve. The positioner blocks have a selective latch profile thereon which is adapted for engagement with the latch profile in the sliding sleeve. This latch profile in the positioner tool prevents undesirable engagement of the positioner blocks with any other portion of the casing string except the latch profile in the casing valve. In one embodiment, a non-rotational jetting tool includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced jetting orifices therein.

Abstract: A seal for long-time exposures in oil and gas well tools. The seal is adapted for use in a sealed joint between two relatively movable members. In particular, the seal is designed for relatively slidable members. The seal has a body portion with a pair of annular arms extending from opposite sides thereof. A lip on each of the arms is adapted for engaging one of the relatively movable members. An elastomeric sealing element may be disposed in a groove in the body portion for dynamic sealing between the first and second members. Pusher rings may be disposed on opposite sides of the seal so that the seal may be clamped against one of the relatively movable members without the lips or arms longitudinally engaging either of the relatively movable members or a lock ring used to clamp the seal in place.

Abstract: A casing cementer with torque-limiting rotating positioning tool. The casing cementer comprises a housing with a rotating valve sleeve therein. A positioning tool is used to rotated the valve sleeve between open and closed positions thereof. No reciprication of the positioning tool is required. The valve sleeve has a sealing ring molded thereto for sealing between the housing and the valve sleeve. The valve sleeve preferably has an inside diameter at least as large as an inside diameter of the casing. A stop is provided to limit movement of the valve sleeve when it reaches either the open or closed position. A clutch in the positioning tool provides for torque-limitation and a ratcheting indication to the operator at the surface when the valve sleeve has been opened or closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for hydraulically jetting a well tool having a sliding member includes a positioning tool for operably engaging the sliding member, and a jetting tool connected at a rotatable connection to the positioning tool. The jetting tool is thus rotatable relative to the positioning tool and the well tool. The jetting tool hydraulically jets the well tool as the jetting tool is rotated relative thereto.

Abstract: A casing valve includes an outer housing with a sliding sleeve. First and second seals define a sealed annulus within the housing. A latch is disposed in the sealed annulus for latching the sliding sleeve in its first and second positions. The housing has a plurality of housing ports defined therein, and the sliding sleeve has a plurality of sleeve ports defined therein, all of which are initially blocked by disintegratable plugs. A third seal disposed between the sleeve and housing isolates the housing ports from the sleeve ports when the sleeve is in its first position relative to the housing. When the sleeve is moved to its second position relative to the housing it is aligned so that the sleeve ports are in registry with the housing ports. This alignment is achieved by a lug and groove which are also disposed in the sealed annulus of the casing valve.

Abstract: A positioning tool apparatus for positioning a sliding member of a well tool includes a drag assembly having a longitudinal passageway defined therethrough. An inner mandrel is disposed through the longitudinal passageway of the drag assembly and is longitudinally movable relative to the drag assembly. An operating assembly is provided for selectively operably engaging the sliding member of the well tool in response to longitudinally reciprocating motion of the inner mandrel relative to the drag assembly.

Abstract: A well is completed by cementing a casing string in place in the well. A jetting tool assembly is run into the casing string on a tubing string. The jetting tool assembly engages a sliding sleeve of a casing valve and slides the sliding sleeve to an open position uncovering a plurality of housing ports in the casing valve housing in which the sleeve is received. Then, disintegratable plugs are hydraulically jetted from the housing ports to communicate a subsurface formation adjacent the casing valve with an interior of the casing string. Preferably, prior to opening the sleeve and hydraulically jetting the plugs, residual cement is drilled from the casing string, then further residual cement is hydraulically jetted from the casing valve, and then the casing valve is backwashed by reverse circulation.

Abstract: A cement head and casing assembly includes a cement head body having a cement passage defined therethrough. The body is mounted on the well casing and has a lower portion extending down into the casing, with an upper portion extending a relatively short distance above an upper end of the casing. A cement plug is closely received within a bore of the casing below the upper end thereof. The cement plug is releasably connected to the lower portion of the cement head body so that the plug is suspended from the lower portion of the cement head body within the casing. The cement plug has a plug passage defined therethrough which is communicated with a cement passage in the cement head body so that cement can be pumped down through the cement head body and the cement plug into the casing. The passage through the cement plug can be closed and the cement plug can be released from the cement plug body after the cement has been pumped into the casing.

Abstract: Surface packer and method for using the same. An annular body is mounted on the upper end of a string of casing which extends above a drilling rig platform. An annular seal is received within the body at the upper end thereof and may be sealed against the radially outer surface of a string of drill pipe which is lowered therethrough into the casing. A radial circulation port is formed in the body beneath the annular seal. In a cementing operation, a string of drill pipe is lowered in the casing to the lower end thereof and the annular seal is sealed thereagainst. The pipe-casing annulus is pressurized and cement is pumped into the drill pipe for cementing the casing into the well bore. In one embodiment, the annular seal is of the inflatable type which permits vertical and rotational manipulation of the pipe string while maintaining the seal thereagainst.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a well bore annulus. A mandrel includes non-elastomeric packer elements disposed thereabout. A first annular piston is received about the mandrel and is slidable upwardly against the packer elements to seal the same in a well bore. A bi-directional slip assembly is disposed about the lower portion of the mandrel and a second annular piston is slidable along the mandrel above the slip assembly for setting the same in response to downward piston action. The mandrel includes a pair of bores for communicating internal mandrel pressure to both pistons. An increase in mandrel pressure causes the first piston to move upwardly thereby sealing the packer elements in the bore and causes the second piston to move downwardly thereby setting the slips.

Abstract: A double-grip screen hanger apparatus providing compensation for thermal expansion as a result of heat, such as is present in steam flood or steam injection wells. The screen hanger includes an inner mandrel adapted for attachment to a liner screen. A packer portion is disposed around the inner mandrel, and opposed upper and lower slip assemblies are positioned above and below the packer portion, respectively. The slip assemblies and packer portion are shearably attached to the inner mandrel. Setting of the slips and packer is accomplished by a hydraulic actuator and a running tool attached to the tool string. Downward force applied on the mandrel shears the shearing attachments, thus setting the slips and the packer portion. After setting, the slips locate the packer, and the mandrel is relatively free to longitudinally move within the packer and slips due to thermal expansion.

Abstract: An isolation gravel packer includes a housing which has a stinger receptacle disposed therein. The stinger receptacle has an open upper end and an inner cylindrical seal bore. The inner cylindrical seal bore sealingly receives a concentric inner tubing string therein for delivering a treatment fluid thereto. A treatment fluid passage is disposed laterally through the housing for communicating an interior of the stinger receptacle at an elevation below the seal bore with the well zone to be treated. First and second external seals are disposed on an exterior of the housing above and below the treatment fluid passage, respectively, for sealing between the housing and a liner bore. The housing also includes a combination bypass passage and return fluid passage disposed therein which is isolated from the treatment fluid passage. Treatment fluid is flowed from a surface location down through the concentric inner tubing string, then through the treatment fluid passage to the well zone.

Abstract: A pressure-assisted dynamic seal mechanism for sealing two relatively movable members within a tubing string in a well includes a primary seal member having a first cross-sectional area positioned for sealing engagement between the two relatively movable members. The primary seal is pressure-assisted by a back-up seal mechanism comprising a second seal member having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the primary seal member and a third seal member having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the second seal member. The pressures which act directly across the primary seal member also act in the same direction across the third seal member, whereas these pressures act in an opposite direction across the second seal member.

Abstract: A system is provided for gravel-packing a zone of a well. An operating string of the system includes a liner hanger setting tool. A liner string is concentrically disposed about the operating string and has its upper end detachably connected to a lower end of the liner hanger setting tool. The liner hanger setting tool includes a rotatable ball valve disposed in a housing bore thereof. The liner string and operating string are lowered together on an outer drill pipe string into the well until a liner hanger of the liner string is located at a desired location. Then the liner hanger is set within the well at a desired location in response to an increase in pressure within the outer tubing string. Then the ball valve of the liner hanger setting tool is opened in response to an increase in pressure within a well annulus.