Abstract: A circulation mechanism in a subsea assembly is selectively actuated to allow fluid communication between the riser annulus and tubing string to immediately kill the well using heavy-weight fluid in the riser annulus; perform well control operations by adjusting the weight or other properties of fluid in the tubing string or riser annulus; and/or to circulate the riser of a deep-water well undergoing well testing or intervention.

Abstract: A circulation mechanism in a subsea assembly is selectively actuated to allow fluid communication between the riser annulus and tubing string to immediately kill the well using heavy-weight fluid in the riser annulus; perform well control operations by adjusting the weight or other properties of fluid in the tubing string or riser annulus; and/or to circulate the riser of a deep-water well undergoing well testing or intervention.

Abstract: A system for mixing a formation fluid sample obtained in a downhole sampling chamber. The system includes a mixing element disposed in the downhole sampling chamber. A support stand is operable to receive the downhole sampling chamber. A magnetic field generator is operably associated with the downhole sampling chamber such that when the magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field, the mixing element moves through the formation fluid sample responsive to the magnetic field, thereby mixing the formation fluid sample.

Abstract: A system for mixing a formation fluid sample obtained in a downhole sampling chamber. The system includes a mixing element disposed in the downhole sampling chamber. A support stand is operable to receive the downhole sampling chamber. A magnetic field generator is operably associated with the downhole sampling chamber such that when the magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field, the mixing element moves through the formation fluid sample responsive to the magnetic field, thereby mixing the formation fluid sample.

Abstract: A fiber optic differential pressure sensor. In a described embodiment, a differential pressure sensor system for use in a subterranean well includes a fluid property sensing housing having a flow passage formed therethrough. A differential pressure sensor has an optical fiber extending in a wall having a first side and a second side, each of the first and second sides being exposed to pressure in the flow passage.

Abstract: A fiber optic differential pressure sensor. In a described embodiment, a differential pressure sensor system for use in a subterranean well includes a fluid property sensing housing having a flow passage formed therethrough. A differential pressure sensor has an optical fiber extending in a wall having a first side and a second side, each of the first and second sides being exposed to pressure in the flow passage.

Abstract: A control system for applying power to a solenoid operated valve in a well completion within a borehole. The control system includes a programmable power supply for selectively applying electric power to a solenoid coil of the valve. The control system operates to apply a higher value of current to the solenoid to open the valve and a second lower value of current to maintain the operation of the solenoid in an open state and also to interrupt all current to the solenoid to close the valve. A timer controls the length of time the higher current value can be applied to the solenoid if the valve does not open and the length of delay time which must be included before again attempting to open the valve. The control system continuously monitors the state of actuation of the valve by means of an inductance monitor for determining the position of the armature of the solenoid and, thus, the state of the valve.

Abstract: A system for the inspection of a well borehole and the formation around the borehole. The system includes a pair of concentric reeled tubings for injecting a pair of fluids into a wellbore through a wellhead, one of said fluids being an optically transparent or acoustically homogenous fluid which forms a slug of said fluid around an optical sensor which transmits signals indicative of well conditions to the surface. The other of said fluids is used to perform functions with respect to said sensor such as cooling said sensor or protect it from a corrosive environment. In addition, a fiberoptic cable construction in combination with the reel tubing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve system for petroleum production wells including a solenoid operated valve securable in a well bore connected to the lower end of a tubing string extending to the surface. The valve of the system includes an outer housing, an inner wall defining a flow passageway therethrough and an annular cavity therebetween for receiving the solenoid coil and associated electrical components. The spaces in the annular cavity surrounding the solenoid coil and components is filled with an electrically insulative filler material to protect the electrical elements from borehole fluids. The solenoid operated valve has an operator tube formed of tubular sections of different magnetic characteristics so that the valve is opened against a biasing spring by a high current flow and held open by a current flow of a lower value. The valve solenoid is operable by either AC or DC current.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve system for petroleum production wells including a solenoid operated valve securable in a well bore connected to the lower end of a tubing string extending to the surface. The valve of the system includes an outer housing, an inner wall defining a flow passageawy therethrough and an annular cavity therebetween for receiving the solenoid coil and associated electrical components. The spaces in the annular cavity surrounding the solenoid coil and components is filled with an electrically insulative filler material to protect the electrical elements from borehole fluids. The solenoid operated valve has an operator tube formed of tubular sections of different magnetic characteristics so that the valve is opened against a biasing spring by a high current flow and held open by a current flow of a lower value. The valve solenoid is operable by either AC or DC current.

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve system for petroleum production wells including a solenoid operated valve securable in a well bore connected in electrically insulated relation with the lower end of a tubing string extending to the surface and a tubing string below the valve to a well packer and an electric circuit from a control system at the surface through the tubing string to the valve and back to the surface in the casing the tubing and casing serving as the electrical conductors for opening the valve and monitoring the valve position. The solenoid operated valve has an operator tube formed of tubular sections of different magnetic characteristics so that the valve is opened against a biasing spring by a high current flow and held open by a current flow of a lower value. The valve solenoid is operable by either AC or DC current.

Abstract: A power supply and control arrangement for a submersible pump and solenoid operated safety valve system. A surface control unit is connected to a downhole control unit by a three conductor cable. A single phase 400 Hz signal from the surface unit is rectified downhole and operates the solenoid to open the safety valve but is too high a frequency to affect the pump motor. A downhole detector senses full open condition of the safety valve and sends a signal to the surface where it is received by a monitor. The monitor interrupts the 400 Hz signal and applies a three phase 60 Hz signal to all three conductors of the cable to operate the pump motor and be rectified downhole to hold the solenoid and safety valve open. Loss of the valve open signal by the monitor interrupts the 60 Hz signal and disables the system until it is reset.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ball valve structure and a well safety valve utilizing the improved ball valve. The improved valve includes a metal seat member having a resilient section and control arms, which may be positioned to initially sealingly engage the seat with the ball and to compress the seat resilient section to control the force sealingly engaging the seat with the metal ball and thereby limit frictional forces opposing opening rotational forces when pushing on the seat to open the valve. The control arms are positioned by rings threaded on the seat above the control arms and below a shoulder in each arm. When the seat is moved down to open the ball valve, opening rotational forces are imparted to the valve ball through both the seat and control arms. The well safety valve utilizing the improved ball valve structure includes an annular metal valve and means increasing the force sealingly engaging the seat with the valve ball as pressure below the closed ball valve increases.

Abstract: A hydraulically set retrievable well packer, with dual mandrels connectable into well tubing, for sealing the tubing to and anchoring the packer body in well casing utilizing a unique C-ring slip anchoring system. The mandrels are slidably connected for limited longitudinal movement in the packer body, which eliminates tubing spacing-out and temperature length change problems. There is a separate mandrel through the packer body for conducting flow from the casing annulus below the set packer. An internal lock system is provided to retain the packer in set position. If tubing parts above the set packer, the mandrels are supported and metal-to-metal sealed in the packer preventing tubing below the packer from falling. The packer may be retrieved by cutting one or both mandrels above the packing elements and picking up to release an internal connector which allows the slips and packing element to retract and the packer to be retrieved from the well.

Abstract: A hydraulically set retrievable well packer, with dual mandrels connectable into well tubing, for sealing the tubing to and anchoring the packer body in well casing utilizing a unique c-ring slip system. The mandrels are slidably connected for limited longitudinal movement in the packer body, which eliminates tubing spacing-out and temperature length change problems. There is a separate mandrel through the packer body for conducting flow from the casing annulus below the set packer. An internal lock system is provided to retain the packer in set position. If tubing parts above the set packer, the mandrels are supported and metal-to-metal sealed in the packer preventing tubing below the packer from falling. The packer may be retrieved by cutting one or both mandrels above the packing elements and picking up to release an internal connector which allows the slips and packing element to retract and the packer to be retrieved from the well.

Abstract: A well packer which is anchored downhole within the bore of a casing string by opposing slips. The well packer is hydraulically set. One embodiment of the invention allows the packer to be released from its downhole location by cutting the packer mandrels below the packing elements. The invention is particularly adapted for use with a dual string well packer. However, the anchoring and releasing mechanism of the present invention can be readily adapted for use with a single string well packer. Use of the present invention with a dual string packer is particularly desirable because it allows combining the features of hydraulic setting downhole, opposing slips for better resistance to differential pressure in either direction, and selective releasing of the packer from the downhole location.