Abstract: The present invention is to an internal sleeve slidably received within a tubular housing. The sleeve and outer housing have windows that selectively align. Movement of the sleeve within the housing is controlled by a ball passing through the interior of the sleeve to activate a ratchet that allows the sleeve to move a set amount under the influence of a spring. A split seat at a lower end of the housing traps after a set number of balls have passed through the housing. A number of similar tools can be used to provide openings at various points that include coordinated ratchet steps so that only one tool at a time opens for fracturing or other purposes. A reverse flow causes a ball to impinge upon the next higher ball seat and thereby opening the seat to provide a full bore flow passage through the tool.

Abstract: The present application is to a method of sequentially drilling a number of frac sleeves in a down hole well. The design enables the removal of fracture sleeve pistons from between treatment zones without requiring drilling or milling of the sleeve while allowing for full flow of fluids after treatment. A number of plugs or pistons having sequentially smaller central bores allows for balls to sequentially be inserted through the tool to selectively close off the pistons to isolate one zone from another. A release tool may inserted into the tool to engage and unthread the plugs to open up the inner diameter of the tool to allow greater production flow through the tool. The plugs may have mating tabs and holes so that as each plug is unthreaded it falls to the next plug and engages so that each plug may sequentially be unthreaded from the sleeve.

Abstract: A downhole window tool includes an internal sleeve slidably received within an outer housing. The sleeve and outer housing may have windows that selectively align or the sleeve may move out of alignment with the window to allow fluid passage through a window. Sleeve movement within the housing is controlled by inserting a dart or plug in the interior of the sleeve to allow pressure to act on the plug or dart to move the sleeve a set amount to open the lateral window. A shear pin or other device may be used to control the amount of force necessary to open the window and further ensure unintended opening of the lateral window. The use of the removable dart or plug both prevents unintentional forces from opening the window and increases the amount of throughput through the sleeve as compared to when valve structure is installed within the tool.

Abstract: A laminar flow tool is for channeling water, air or other fluids through a down drill pipe or tubing for pressurization of other tools or other purposes. The tool provides a flow divider having an 180 degree twist separating a driven fluid chamber from a buffer fluid pocket. Fluid in the tool is calmed as it travels and loses some of the spin (“turbulence”) inherent in the water or other fluid. A buffer pocket on one side absorbs shocks and stabilizes the driven side. Ports in the buffer side help equalize pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is to an internal sleeve slidably received within a tubular housing. The sleeve and outer housing have windows that selectively align. Movement of the sleeve within the housing is controlled by a ball passing through the interior of the sleeve to activate a ratchet that allows the sleeve to move a set amount under the influence of a spring. A split seat at a lower end of the housing traps after a set number of balls have passed through the housing. A number of similar tools can be used to provide openings at various points that include coordinated ratchet steps so that only one tool at a time opens for fracturing or other purposes.

Abstract: A central slant hub tool is provided which is capable of receiving tubing or a tool such as a drill from the surface and directing the tube or tool laterally outward using an exit line slant surface or directing the tube or tool downward to an area below the tool. In this way, the tool acts as a hub to communicate with both lateral branches and lower zones of the main casing. Fracture window tools may be installed in the lateral and lower branches to selectively open the bores for drilling, testing and/or production or may be sealed by a bridge plug or the like when not in use.

Abstract: The present invention is to a tool for testing various zones in a well without having to remove the drill string containing the tool(s) from the well. Each of the individual fracture test tool has an internal passage that can be blocked by a ball bearing to close off the passage. Increased fluid pressure on the internal passage causes a valve body defining the passage to move to open windows in the tool. A collet reset tool is insertable through the passage to pull the valve body back into the run in position to close the windows without requiring the tools be raised to the surface to reset the fracture test tools.

Abstract: The present application is to a method of sequentially drilling a number of frac sleeves in a down hole well. The design enables the removal of fracture sleeve pistons from between treatment zones without requiring drilling or milling of the sleeve while allowing for full flow of fluids after treatment. A number of plugs or pistons having sequentially smaller central bores allows for balls to sequentially be inserted through the tool to selectively close off the pistons to isolate one zone from another. A release tool may inserted into the tool to engage and unthread the plugs to open up the inner diameter of the tool to allow greater production flow through the tool. The plugs may have mating tabs and holes so that as each plug is unthreaded it falls to the next plug and engages so that each plug may sequentially be unthreaded from the sleeve.

Abstract: A laminar flow tool is for channeling water, air or other fluids through a down drill pipe or tubing for pressurization of other tools or other purposes. The tool provides a flow divider having an 180 degree twist separating a driven fluid chamber from a buffer fluid pocket. Fluid in the tool is calmed as it travels and loses some of the spin (“turbulence”) inherent in the water or other fluid. A buffer pocket on one side absorbs shocks and stabilizes the driven side. Ports in the buffer side help equalize pressure.

Abstract: A method of providing for a single trip removal of packer tools by providing a flapper valve in the upper packer tools which opens when pressure below the tool exceeds the pressure above the tool to allow the tools to be released and allowing flow up the center of the tubing. Additionally, the retrieval tool seals with the stinger tool during removal to allow flow downwardly around the released packer down to the next lower packer and up through the released packer to work only on the next lower packer. The method also contemplates that increased flow circulation will allow forced flow to clear the next lower stinger from sand and other debris to increase the chance of a successful mating of the retrieval tool to the stinger during removal.

Abstract: The present invention is to a pre-selected set of packer tools having J tools and on/off tools (“stingers” and “washovers”) with varying strokes and varying set and release directions to enable the operator to individually address the various packers. By increasing the amount of travel necessary to set and/or release the subsequent packer tools, it is possible to select which tool is being manipulated or operated upon.

Abstract: A method of anchoring a whipstock on the mill or drill body using an anchor extendible to engage an eyelet formed or provided on the whipstock to run in a mill and whipstock in one trip. The anchor is retractable into the body of the drill so that the drill can pass by the whipstock during lateral drilling and out the casing wall without interference. The anchor preferably is extended and retracted by hydraulic force controlled remotely by the operator. The anchor is preferably shaped to match and conform to the outer wall of the drill so that in the closed position, the anchor is contiguous with and does not extend beyond the outer diameter of the drill body. Part of the drill body is preferably removed to allow the anchor to nest within the space provided by the removal of the drill body.

Abstract: The present invention is to a pre-selected set of packer tools having J tools and on/off tools (“stingers” and “washovers”) with varying strokes and varying set and release directions to enable the operator to individually address the various packers. By increasing the amount of travel necessary to set and/or release the subsequent packer tools, it is possible to select which tool is being manipulated or operated upon.

Abstract: A method of anchoring a whipstock on the mill or drill body using an anchor extendible to engage an eyelet formed or provided on the whipstock to run in a mill and whipstock in one trip. The anchor is retractable into the body of the drill so that the drill can pass by the whipstock during lateral drilling and out the casing wall without interference. The anchor preferably is extended and retracted by hydraulic force controlled remotely by the operator. The anchor is preferably shaped to match and conform to the outer wall of the drill so that in the closed position, the anchor is contiguous with and does not extend beyond the outer diameter of the drill body. Part of the drill body is preferably removed to allow the anchor to nest within the space provided by the removal of the drill body.

Abstract: A method of providing for a single trip removal of packer tools by providing a flapper valve in the upper packer tools which opens when pressure below the tool exceeds the pressure above the tool to allow the tools to be released and allowing flow up the center of the tubing. Additionally, the retrieval tool seals with the stinger tool during removal to allow flow downwardly around the released packer down to the next lower packer and up through the released packer to work only on the next lower packer. The method also contemplates that increased flow circulation will allow forced flow to clear the next lower stinger from sand and other debris to increase the chance of a successful mating of the retrieval tool to the stinger during removal.

Abstract: A pre-milled window casing on a casing string for allowing a cutting tool inserted into said will to contact the earth through said hole provided in said casing. Portions of a casing section along a casing string have been removed to allow drilling outwardly from the casing string at desired depths along the well. Orientation tools are provided to properly orient the window in the direction of drilling. A whip stock with an orientation nipple is inserted and mated with an orientation slot contained in an orientation sub portion of the casing string to align the whipstock with the window. A drilling tool inserted through the casing is redirected by an upper slanted face of the whipstock through the window where a hole can be bored through the earth to a gas deposit.