Abstract: A well anchor having a body with a mandrel movably extending therethrough with first and second slips connected to the mandrel. Each of the slips includes a wedge surface and the wedge surfaces engage each other whereby movement of the first and second slips toward each other will expand the slips outwardly. The wedge surfaces are at an angle to and extend across the longitudinal axis of the body for maximizing expansion.

Abstract: An emergency downhole disconnect tool for use in a drilling well conduit having hydraulic pressure activated and electricity activated means for disconnecting the tool from the drilling assembly by disconnecting telescoping first and second releasably connected parts.

Abstract: A subsurface well safety valve having a flow tube telescopically movable in the housing for controlling movement of a valve closure member. A piston and cylinder assembly actuates the flow tube and it is in communication with hydraulic control fluid on one side and a gas biasing chamber on a second side and includes a biasing spring acting on the flow tube to close the valve. A second piston is telescopically positioned in the first piston with two different sized sealing areas, one of which is exposed to hydraulic fluid and the second of which is exposed to the gas chamber. In the event of loss of gas pressure, the second piston will separate from the first piston causing hydraulic pressure equalization and failsafe closure of the valve.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated subsurface well safety valve having a first hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly for normally actuating a flow tube and controlling the opening and closing of the valve. A second lock-out piston and cylinder assembly is provided for holding the valve in the open position and a hydraulically actuated release mechanism engages the lock-out for releasing the lock-out and allowing the valve to close. A releasable and engagable latch mechanism in the second assembly releasably holds the second assembly inactive but can be overcome and reengaged for multiple operations.

Abstract: A slip mechanism for anchoring a well tool in a well conduit. A first cylindrical wedge member having on its outer surface a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves, preferably forming a helix in which the grooves include an outwardly tapered side. A second cylindrical shaped slip member having a plurality of slips is positioned outside of the first member and includes a plurality of teeth on its outer surface and includes ridges mating with and coacting with the grooves on the first member. The ridges include a tapered side coacting with the tapered sides of said first member for providing radial displacement of the slip when the wedge member and slip member are moved axially to each other.

Abstract: A release mechanism for use in a well tool that requires a hydraulic piston area to be equalized with a minimum force. A valve seat and valve element are positioned in a fluid passageway for actuating the assembly. A rod having a first and second section is connected to the assembly and movable for moving the second section into the valve seat. The second section has a smaller cross-sectional area and smaller length than the first section. The area of the valve seat is less than the cross-sectional area of first section but larger than the second section. The release mechanism allows the sealing area to be reduced without reducing the strength of the rod.

Abstract: A subsurface well safety valve having two control lines which run from the well surface to first and second piston and cylinder assemblies for controlling the valve. The first of the assemblies is connected to a flow tube for operating the valve but the second assembly is disconnected from the flow tube. When a failure occurs in the primary control system, the first assembly is disconnected from the flow tube and the second piston and cylinder assembly is connected to the flow tube to operate the safety valve.