Abstract: A hydraulic setting tool for packers capable of mechanically setting the packer and opening a valve in the packer in one trip. The tool comprises an outer sleeve and an inner mandrel coaxially disposed within the outer sleeve and adapted to move axially relative to the outer sleeve. The tool further comprises three locking mechnisms that unlock under different fluid pressure loads. Two of the locking mechanisms lock the inner mandrel to the outer sleeve in a run-in position. Once a sufficient fluid pressure has been reached to unlock both of these locking mechanisms, the inner mandrel moves upward relative to the outer sleeve to set the packer. A spring forces the inner mandrel into a third position relative to the outer sleeve, which is maintained by the third locking mechanism. This third position is used to open the packer valve.

Abstract: A low pressure, high temperature composite bridge plug. The bridge plug comprises a mandrel with a plurality of slips disposed therearound. A wedge is initially attached to said mandrel and in planar contact with the slips for forcing the slips radially outwardly into gripping engagement with a wellbore. An elastomeric sealing element is disposed on the mandrel and compressed between the wedge and a shoulder on the mandrel to expand the packing element radially outward into sealing engagement with the wellbore. A plurality of ratchets retained in a ratchet body grippingly engage the mandrel to prevent the plug from unsetting. The mandrel, slips, wedge and ratchet body are preferably made of non-metallic, composite materials for easy drilling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drill string diverter apparatus for reducing surge pressure when lowering a liner into a partially cased wellbore. The diverter apparatus is connected in a pipe string above a liner being lowered into a wellbore. The diverter apparatus includes a tubular housing with ports defined therethrough to communicate and redirect fluids received in the liner to the annulus between the diverter apparatus and casing previously set in the wellbore. The diverter apparatus has an open position whereby the ports are open and communication is established and a closed position whereby flow through the ports is prevented. A sliding sleeve is disposed about an outer surface of the tubular housing and engages the casing. The sleeve moves vertically relative to the tubular housing once the diverter apparatus has been lowered into the casing to selectively open and close the flow ports. A J-slot means is provided for locking the diverter apparatus in its closed position.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus and method for limiting the extrusion of packer element seals of packers and bridge plugs which utilize segmented packer retaining shoes when such tools are of larger diameters, or when used at elevated differential pressures or elevated temperatures. Preferably the segmented packer shoes incorporate a plurality of gap-bridging disks to limit if not eliminate unwanted extrusion of the packer elements upon setting of the tool. By making the packer element shoes and disks of non-metallic material, the subject invention increases the ability to drill or mill downhole tools out of a well bore in less time than it would take with using conventional or non-conventional drilling or milling techniques or equipment while providing enhanced high temperature and high pressure performance, especially in larger nominal outside diameter downhole tools.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting tool for setting a packer with a sliding valve therein in an operating position in a well bore. The setting tool comprises an outer housing portion slidably disposed with respect to an inner mandrel portion. A piston is connected to the outer housing portion and slidable with respect to the inner portion. The piston is responsive to tubing pressure for setting the packer. A locking dog is provided for locking said piston against further movement after setting of the packer. An actuating mandrel forms a part of the inner mandrel portion and is adapted for engaging a valve in the packer. Longitudinal movement of the tool string allows selective opening and closing of the valve in the packer.

Abstract: A wireline set baffle for positioning in a well casing after the well casing has already been placed in a wellbore. The apparatus comprises a baffle and a setting or running tool engaged with the baffle and adapted for positioning the baffle at a predetermined location in the wellbore. In one embodiment, a lock ring may be used to lock the baffle to the casing at a predetermined location, and in another embodiment, collet fingers on the baffle may be used to engage the casing. The lock ring may be initially held in a non-engaging position by a lock ring retainer or shear pins. The collet fingers may be initially held in a non-engaging position by a cover which is disengaged from the collet fingers by a blasting cap. Engagement may be with an inner surface of the casing or a recess defined at a casing joint. A method of using the wireline set baffle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic components. The non-metallic components may include but are not limited to the center mandrel having an unmachined, molded central opening therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, a sliding valve is disposed on an outer surface of the center mandrel for opening and closing a valve port. An overshot is used to selectively actuate the sliding valve. Methods of installation and drilling out of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic components. The material may include engineering grade plastics. The nonmetallic components may include but are not limited to the center mandrel, slips, slip wedges, slip supports and housings, spacer rings, valve housings and valve components. Methods of drilling out the apparatus without significant variations in the drilling speed and weight applied to the drill bit may be employed. Alternative drill bit types, such as polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits may also be used.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic slip components. The non-metallic material may include engineering grade plastics. In one embodiment, the slips are separate and held in place in an initial position around the slip wedge by a retainer ring. In another embodiment, the slips are integrally formed with a ring portion which holds the slips in the initial position around the wedge; in this embodiment, the ring portion is made of a fracturable non-metallic material which fractures during a setting operation to separate the slips. Methods of drilling out the apparatus without significant variations in the drilling speed and weight applied to the drill bit may be employed. Alternative drill bit types, such as polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits may also be used.

Abstract: A tool and method for use with a drill string or the like in capturing an object in a cavity, such as subterranean borehole, include a mandrel, object engaging apparatus for latching the mandrel to the object as the tool is moved into the borehole, and string engaging apparatus for keeping the mandrel latched to the drill string as the mandrel is moved into the borehole and for unlatching the mandrel from the drill string when the drill string is rotated in a first direction with the mandrel latched to the object. A washover pipe and mill, which are connected to the drill string, may be moved into contact with the object after the mandrel is unlatched from the drill string for milling through the object. A ratchet allows the mill to move toward the object relative to the mandrel and prevents the mill from moving away from the object relative to the mandrel. The ratchet allows the mill to move away from the object when the drill string is rotated in the first direction and lifted relative to the mandrel.

Abstract: An easily drillable production packer for use in testing, treating and squeeze cementing operations in wells which may be easily converted by securing an appropriate baffle, profile, valve assembly or plug assembly to the lower end of the mandrel thereof.

Abstract: A full opening subsurface control valve for use in subsurface closure of a well annulus. The valve includes a body with a sleeve reciprocably disposed in the valve body. The body is releasably attached to an upper tool string portion, and the sleeve is attached to a lower tool string portion. An actuator arm, mounted on the body and stationary with respect thereto, engages a ball valve element. When the body and sleeve are in a relatively converged position, the ball valve element is in a closed position. When the body and sleeve are in a relatively extended position, the ball valve is in an open position, such that the ball valve element, body and sleeve define a substantially unobstructed flow passage through the valve. A spring is utilized for relatively biasing the body and sleeve toward the converged position. The weight of the lower tool string portion overcomes the spring force such that the valve is maintained in an open position as it is longitudinally positioned in the well bore.

Abstract: A circulation valve includes a cylindrical housing having an open bore therethrough and a circulating port through a wall thereof. A valve mandrel is slidably received in the housing and movable from a closed position closing the circulating port to an open position opening the circulating port. The circulating port is in fluid communication through an inner bore of the valve mandrel with the open bore of the housing above the valve mandrel when the valve mandrel is in its open position. A shear pin initially retains the valve mandrel in its closed position. A spring moves the valve mandrel to its open position upon shearing of the shear pin.

Abstract: A reverse circulation valve includes a cylindrical housing having an open longitudinal passageway disposed therethrough and a circulating port and a power port disposed through a wall thereof. A valve mandrel is slidably received in the housing and movable from a closed position closing the circulating port to an open position opening the circulating port. The valve mandrel includes an annular piston received in the housing for moving the valve mandrel from its closed position to its open position. The power port communicates the piston with a pressure exterior of the housing. A frangible restraining structure is located between the valve mandrel and the cylindrical housing for restraining movement of the valve mandrel from its closed position to its open position until the pressure exterior of the housing exceeds a predetermined value, and for frangibly releasing the valve mandrel when said pressure exterior of the housing exceeds said predetermined value.

Abstract: A testing apparatus for use in an oil well includes an improved circulation valve having a cylindrical housing with an open bore therethrough and a circulating port through a wall thereof. A valve mandrel is slidably received in the housing and movable from a closed position closing said circulating portion to an open position opening said circulating port. A shear pin is provided between the valve mandrel and the cylindrical housing and initially retains the valve mandrel in its closed position. The valve mandrel is arranged and constructed for engagement with a power mandrel of the testing apparatus upon movement of the power mandrel in a first direction so that said valve mandrel is forced in said first direction by engagement with said power mandrel and said shear pin is sheared to release the valve mandrel from its closed position. A biasing spring is provided for aiding movement of the valve mandrel to its open position upon shearing of the shear pin.