Abstract: An electric motor-actuated tractor (e-Tractor) apparatus and method for use in downhole operations. The apparatus includes a power subassembly, a tractor subassembly and one or more gripper subassemblies and can be: run in a single or multiple e-Tractor configuration; run in either intermittent-motion tractoring mode or continuous-motion tractoring mode with the ability to switch between the two modes; used to generate both distal and proximal longitudinal forces to move the run-in string into or out of the wellbore; repeatedly activated and deactivated without run-in string manipulation or hydraulic pressure; and combined with tensiometer and other sensor package options to provide real-time data to the surface to optimize tractoring operations. The apparatus and method are well-suited for application in an c-coil conveyed workover or completion system, and for use in extended reach laterals in horizontal wells.

Abstract: An electric motor-actuated packer and/or anchor (EMAP/A) apparatus and method for use in downhole operations. The apparatus includes a packer subassembly and/or a slip subassembly and can be: set in a packer and anchor mode; set in an anchor-only mode without energizing the packer elements; repeatedly set and unset without run-in string manipulation; run in a multiple, or redundant, configuration within a given tool string, with each EMAP/A apparatus capable of being set/unset independently of the others; and combined within a tool string in a straddle packer configuration, with inverted and non-inverted EMAP/As providing the ability to isolate an interval of interest from both above and below the interval. Among other uses, the apparatus and method are well suited for application in a single-trip, e-coil conveyed completion system, and particularly one providing for radial hydraulic jetting.

Abstract: A ported casing collar. The ported casing collar comprises a tubular body defining an outer sleeve. At least first and second portals are placed along the outer sleeve. The casing collar also comprises an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve defines a cylindrical body rotatably residing within the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve contains a plurality of inner portals. A control slot is provided along an outer diameter of the inner sleeve. In addition, a pair of torque pins are provided, configured to ride along the control slot in order to place selected inner portals of the inner sleeve with the first and second portals of the outer sleeve. Preferably, the setting tool is a whipstock configured to receive a jetting hose and connected jetting nozzle. A method of accessing a rock matrix in a subsurface formation is also provided.

Abstract: A method for avoiding a frac hit with an offset parent wellbore during a formation stimulation operation. The method includes providing a child wellbore within a hydrocarbon-producing field. The method also includes forming lateral boreholes off of a horizontal leg of the child wellbore at a first casing exit location. The method also includes conducting a formation stimulation operation at the first casing exit location through the lateral boreholes, as a first stage. The method additionally includes monitoring field data in a hydrocarbon-producing field associated with the child wellbore during the formation stimulation operation. The method then includes forming lateral boreholes off of the horizontal leg at a second casing exit location longitudinally offset from the first casing exit location along the horizontal leg. An orientation of the lateral boreholes at the second casing exit location relative to the horizontal leg is determined based on the field data.

Abstract: A ported casing collar. The ported casing collar comprises a tubular body defining an outer sleeve. At least first and second portals are placed along the outer sleeve. The casing collar also comprises an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve defines a cylindrical body rotatably residing within the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve contains a plurality of inner portals. A control slot is provided along an outer diameter of the inner sleeve. In addition, a pair of torque pins are provided, configured to ride along the control slot in order to place selected inner portals of the inner sleeve with the first and second portals of the outer sleeve. Preferably, the setting tool is a whipstock configured to receive a jetting hose and connected jetting nozzle. A method of accessing a rock matrix in a subsurface formation is also provided.

Abstract: A method for avoiding a frac hit during a formation stimulation operation. The method includes providing a child wellbore within a hydrocarbon-producing field. The method also includes identifying a parent wellbore within the hydrocarbon-producing field. The method also includes conveying a hydraulic jetting assembly into the child wellbore on a working string. The method additionally includes setting a whipstock in the wellbore at a first casing exit location. The method then includes injecting hydraulic jetting fluid through a jetting hose and connected jetting nozzle while advancing the nozzle through against a face of the whipstock, and through a first window. The nozzle advances into the surrounding rock matrix, thereby forming a lateral borehole that extends away from the wellbore. The method also includes controlling (i) a distance of the lateral borehole from the child wellbore, (ii) a direction of the lateral borehole from the child wellbore, or (iii) both prior to hydraulic fracturing.

Abstract: A running tool includes subassemblies which release the running tool from the liner hanger in response to application of alternating tensile and compressive forces after application of left-hand torque. A running tool includes subassemblies which set the liner hanger in response to left-hand torque followed by increased pressure, and in response to increased pressure without prior left-hand torque being applied. A running tool includes threaded connections, without torque transmitted through the running tool being transmitted by the threaded connections. A method of setting a liner hanger includes applying a compressive force to the running tool; then applying left-hand torque to the running tool; and then applying a tensile force to the running tool. A method of releasing a liner hanger includes applying left-hand torque to the running tool; and then releasing the running tool from the liner hanger by applying a tensile force to the running tool.

Abstract: A running tool includes subassemblies which release the running tool from the liner hanger in response to application of alternating tensile and compressive forces after application of left-hand torque. A running tool includes subassemblies which set the liner hanger in response to left-hand torque followed by increased pressure, and in response to increased pressure without prior left-hand torque being applied. A running tool includes threaded connections, without torque transmitted through the running tool being transmitted by the threaded connections. A method of setting a liner hanger includes applying a compressive force to the running tool; then applying left-hand torque to the running tool; and then applying a tensile force to the running tool. A method of releasing a liner hanger includes applying left-hand torque to the running tool; and then releasing the running tool from the liner hanger by applying a tensile force to the running tool.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a wellbore casing (100). An opening (115) in a wellbore casing (100) is located using a logging tool (310). An expandable tubular member (370) is then positioned in opposition to the opening (115) in the wellbore casing (100). The expandable tubular member (370) is then radially expanded into intimate contact with the wellbore casing (100).

Abstract: An object to be displaced in an oil or gas well includes a body that is movable through a conduit of an oil or gas well and an electrical circuit that is connected to the body. The electrical circuit can include an active or passive radio frequency identification tag, at least the passive type of which is responsive to an externally generated alternating current electromagnetic signal such that the electrical circuit transmits a responsive signal for reception outside the object as the object moves through the conduit. A detector apparatus for an oil or gas well generally comprises: a body movable through a conduit of an oil or gas well; an electrical circuit connected to the body, the electrical circuit for transmitting an electromagnetic signal for reception away from the body as the body moves through the conduit; and a receiver disposed relative to the conduit and the body to receive the electromagnetic signal from the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A cementing head is provided for introduction and separation of fluids in a well. The cementing head comprises a plug container having upper and lower fluid inlets oriented tangent to the bore of the plug container. The upper inlet is located below the upper end of the plug so that a compact manifold can be used therewith. The compact manifold includes first and second discharge tees which may be connected by a one-piece coupling such that rotation of the coupling in one direction causes the discharge tees to seal against a spacer therebetween and rotation in a second direction causes the discharge tees to move apart from one another. A coupling for quick coupling of the plug container to a casing collar is also provided. The coupling apparatus comprises a locking clamp having pivotally connected arcuate clamp portions. Each arcuate clamp portion engages a lower end of a casing collar. A threaded adjustment is provided for increasing an initial compression of a seal against the upper end of the casing collar.

Abstract: A cementing head is provided for introduction and separation of fluids in a well. The cementing head comprises a plug container having upper and lower fluid inlets oriented tangent to the bore of the plug container. The upper inlet is located below the upper end of the plug so that a compact manifold can be used therewith. The compact manifold includes first and second discharge tees which may be connected by a one-piece coupling such that rotation of the coupling in one direction causes the discharge tees to seal against a spacer therebetween and rotation in a second direction causes the discharge tees to move apart from one another. A coupling for quick coupling of the plug container to a casing collar is also provided. The coupling apparatus comprises a locking clamp having pivotally connected arcuate clamp portions. Each arcuate clamp portion engages a lower end of a casing collar. A threaded adjustment is provided for increasing an initial compression of a seal against the upper end of the casing collar.

Abstract: A cementing head is provided for introduction and separation of fluids in a well. The cementing head comprises a plug container having upper and lower fluid inlets oriented tangent to the bore of the plug container. The upper inlet is located below the upper end of the plug so that a compact manifold can be used therewith. The compact manifold includes first and second discharge tees which may be connected by a one-piece coupling such that rotation of the coupling in one direction causes the discharge tees to seal against a spacer therebetween and rotation in a second direction causes the discharge tees to move apart from one another. A coupling for quick coupling of the plug container to a casing collar is also provided. The coupling apparatus comprises a locking clamp having pivotally connected arcuate clamp portions. Each arcuate clamp portion engages a lower end of a casing collar. A threaded adjustment is provided for increasing an initial compression of a seal against the upper end of the casing collar.

Abstract: A cementing head is provided for introduction and separation of fluids in a well. The cementing head comprises a plug container having upper and lower fluid inlets oriented tangent to the bore of the plug container. The upper inlet is located below the upper end of the plug so that a compact manifold can be used therewith. The compact manifold includes first and second discharge tees which may be connected by a one-piece coupling such that rotation of the coupling in one direction causes the discharge tees to seal against a spacer therebetween and rotation in a second direction causes the discharge tees to move apart from one another. A coupling for quick coupling of the plug container to a casing collar is also provided. The coupling apparatus comprises a locking clamp having pivotally connected arcuate clamp portions. Each arcuate clamp portion engages a lower end of a casing collar. A threaded adjustment is provided for increasing an initial compression of a seal against the upper end of the casing collar.

Abstract: A cementing head is provided for introduction and separation of fluids in a well. The cementing head comprises a plug container having upper and lower fluid inlets oriented tangent to the bore of the plug container. The upper inlet is located below the upper end of the plug so that a compact manifold can be used therewith. The compact manifold includes first and second discharge tees which may be connected by a one-piece coupling such that rotation of the coupling in one direction causes the discharge tees to seal against a spacer therebetween and rotation in a second direction causes the discharge tees to move apart from one another. A coupling for quick coupling of the plug container to a casing collar is also provided. The coupling apparatus comprises a locking clamp having pivotally connected arcuate clamp portions. Each arcuate clamp portion engages a lower end of a casing collar. A threaded adjustment is provided for increasing an initial compression of a seal against the upper end of the casing collar.

Abstract: A circulating nipple used to circulate fluid through well casing while running the casing into a well. The circulating nipple has a body portion and an elongated neck portion. The elongated neck portion is adapted for engagement with a pipe wrench for making the nipple up on the casing string. The body defines one or more holes therethrough adapted for receiving a handle or operating bar therein. The operating bar may be used as an alternative to, or in addition to, the use of the pipe wrench for making the nipple up on the casing string. Methods of running casing using the circulating nipple are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circulating nipple used to circulate fluid through well casing while running the casing into a well. The circulating nipple has a body portion and an elongated neck portion. The elongated neck portion is adapted for engagement with a pipe wrench for making the nipple up on the casing string. The body defines one or more holes therethrough adapted for receiving a handle or operating bar therein. The operating bar may be used as an alternative to, or in addition to, the use of the pipe wrench for making the nipple up on the casing string. Methods of running casing using the circulating nipple are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retract clamp apparatus is provided for supporting a work piece on a fixture. The apparatus includes a body that is secured to the support surface of the fixture, and an arm received in the bore and presenting an outer end adapted to engage the work piece. A piston within the body shifts the arm between a retracted position and an extended position, and the arm is supported for longitudinal movement with the piston and for pivotal movement about a pivot axis that is transverse to the central axis defined by the bore. The body includes structure for preventing the arm from pivoting relative to the body in the retracted position and for permitting limited pivoting of the arm about the pivot axis when the arm is shifted longitudinally a predetermined distance toward the extended position.

Abstract: A high pressure well cementing plug assembly for use in a pipe during the cementing of the pipe in a well bore is provided by the present invention. The assembly basically comprises top and bottom cementing plugs which include high strength inner tubes for supporting high differential pressures exerted on the plugs. The bottom end of the inner tube of the bottom plug is adapted to supportingly engage a float shoe or the like upon landing. Also, the bottom end of the inner tube of the top plug and the top end of the inner tube of the bottom plug are adapted to supportingly engage each other when the top plug lands on the bottom plug. The high strength inner tubes support high pressure differentials exerted on the plugs and prevent the plugs from collapsing or otherwise being damaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved casing filling and circulating apparatus for running a casing string into a well bore using a drilling rig casing elevator and related equipment. The casing filling and circulating apparatus includes a flow passage therethrough and a check valve disposed within the flow passage for preventing spillage and for preventing fluid back-flow through the apparatus when the casing string is being lowered into a well bore. Additionally, the filling and circulating apparatus includes a pressure relief seal means which relieves pressure from the casing prior to when the filling and circulating apparatus is disconnected therefrom by back-flow through the apparatus thereby preventing spillage of fluid. Methods of using the casing filling and circulating apparatus are also provided.