Abstract: A sealing means for debris chambers of a debris extraction tool and a method for dismantling and handling a debris extraction toll using such sealing means are disclosed. The sealing means for a debris chamber for a debris extraction tool may include a cylindrical body sealed at one end and open at the other end. The open end may be connectable to an end of the debris chamber. The method for dismantling a debris extraction tool, wherein the debris extraction tool comprises a plurality of connected debris chambers, may use the sealing means and may include connecting the sealing means to the topmost debris chamber of the debris extraction tool.

Abstract: A downhole isolation valve for testing the integrity of a tubular within a wellbore includes a tubular body (12) with an axial through bore (14) having a reduced diameter portion (29) defining a valve seat (16) and a ledge (17); an inner sleeve (18), with a closed end (22) configured to seal within the valve seat, a shoulder (28) spaced from that closed end, and a radial outlet (24) positioned between the shoulder and the closed end; wherein in use the inner sleeve is selectively moveable within the bore at a predetermined pressure between a closed position, in which there is no flowpath through the bore, and an open position, in which the closed end is positioned beyond the valve seat to expose the radial outlet to the through bore beyond the valve seat and provide a flowpath through the bore of the outer tubular body.

Abstract: A downhole cleaning tool for cleaning a casing is provided with a diverter cup assembly (102) including a housing (126) and a resilient swab cup (105) slidably mounted on a tubular body (120) with an increased external diameter portion 128 defining at either end upper and lower limit stops (130, 132), and sized to make provision for a gap (136) which allows a sliding movement of the swab cup such that only one of limit stops (130, 132) engages to always pull the swab cup via optional bearings (134) at each extremity of the sliding travel according to whether the tool is being run in hole or pulled out of the hole. This means that the swab cup is not compressed into a squat oversize shape susceptible to contact damage, and is naturally drawn out to tend towards an elongate shape in either direction of tool motion.

Abstract: A pressurization tool comprises a body for connection to a tubular by box, and pin, and providing for flow of fluid by way of a throughbore of varying cross-section to form chambers. A lower chamber accommodates a spring that contacts a shoulder providing a reaction surface for compression of the spring under applied force. The chamber merges into intermediate chamber that accommodates a movable index sleeve that cooperates with an index pin inserted through the wall of the tool body. Associated with the upper part of the index sleeve is a valve seat assembly, positioned to abut the index sleeve and moveable therewith, said valve seat assembly being configured to receive a plug or ball, and in one unpressurised configuration, is located in a wider chamber that permits fluid flow around the assembly.

Abstract: Work string-mounted cleaning tool and a method of assembling such tools using a quick release for the cleaning element. Oblong pad element has a curved upper surface with slots to receive work surface segments. Opposite edge has a part-circular recess with part-circular peripheral lip around an upper edge of the recess. A retainer fastening component in the recess has a core with socket adapted to receive a driving tool. The retainer is sized to permit it to rotate when mounted within the recess. Roll pins are provided for use in locating the fastener component in predetermined rotational configurations in relation to the recess. Shear pin is provided to inhibit unintended rotation of the fastener component, and to lock the retainer for normal use of the cleaning tool. Shearing of the shear pin permits disassembly of the tool.

Abstract: A device for use in retrieving debris from a well, including an elongate body; a main bore extending part way along a length of the body; an opening towards a lower end of the body; a main fluid chamber in the body in fluid communication with the main bore; a flow restriction provided in the main bore, through which fluid flows from the main bore and into the main fluid chamber; at least one chamber outlet for directing fluid from the main fluid chamber into an annulus defined between the device and a well borehole wall; a return flow passage extending between the body opening and the main fluid chamber, for return flow of fluid from the annulus to the main fluid chamber, to facilitate retrieval of debris from the well; and at least one fluid exit, for flow of fluid out of the device.

Abstract: A method of drilling and cleaning a wellbore whilst rotating the drill string after full drilling depth is reached without running the drill string out the bore to install a clean up work string is disclosed wherein a drill string having a drill bit at one end includes at least one near bit selectively activatable cleaning tool (10, 11, 12) mounted within the length of the drill string, said cleaning tool having a cleaning member (18) adapted to be moved from a close fitting stowed configuration within a recess (17) to a deployed configuration upon a body of the tool, wherein the cleaning member has magnets (19, 43) for use in positioning thereof, and compact tools for scraping, milling and brushing with improved resistance to ingress of detritus, debris and formation particulates are disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaning tool (1) for use in cleaning ferrous material from a wellbore has a magnetic cleaning element (14) mounted to a tool body (2) within a slot (5) using a releasable concealed interference fit fastener assembly (15) comprising a fastener member having a head (16), and a shank (17) with a configured end (18) and a deformable fastener ring (20) adapted to fit closely over the shank, and a press-fit collar (21) adapted to deform the deformable fastener ring upon the configured end of the shank when assembled, and wherein the respective head and collar are each flanged to permit an interference fit with a corresponding contact surface of the tool body around said slot.

Abstract: A downhole debris recovery tool including a ported sub coupled to a debris sub, a suction tube disposed in the debris sub, and an annular jet pump sub disposed in the ported sub and fluidly connected to the suction tube is disclosed. A method of removing debris from a wellbore including the steps of lowering a downhole debris removal tool into the wellbore, the downhole debris removal tool having an annular jet pump sub, a mixing tube, a diffuser, and a suction tube, flowing a fluid through a bore of the annular jet pump sub, jetting the fluid from the annular jet pump sub into the mixing tube, displacing an initially static fluid in the mixing tube through the diffuser, thereby creating a vacuum effect in the suction tube to draw a debris-laden fluid into the downhole debris removal tool, and removing the tool downhole debris removal tool from the wellbore after a predetermined time interval is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning a liner top in a well bore. The tool includes cleaning elements, typically scrapers, which are arranged eccentrically to an axial bore through the tool. The elements are biased outwardly to contact an inner surface of a polished bore receptacle (PBR) at a position with a curvature to match the PBR and to present leading edges of each element when positioned at a surface of a neighbouring casing. The tool may further provide a top dress mill and act as a packer actuator sub. This provides a tool which performs a number of functions on a single trip in a well bore.

Abstract: A downhole flow control tool 1, includes a flow control member in the form of a sleeve 8, and comprises a main body 2 having a longitudinal internal bore 3 extending therethrough, an upper end 4 having a box section 6, and a lower end 5 with a pin section 7, which enable connection of the tool 1 into a work string. The flow control sleeve 8 is mounted for movement relative to the bore 3 between at least a closed and one of several open positions. The tool body 2 includes several flow ports extending through a wall of the body 2 and spaced around a circumference of the body 2. The tool provides multiple fluid flow control options for directing and splitting fluid flow for example during a drilling operation to clear settled cuttings by suitable location of the tool.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cleaning tool for use in cleaning ferrous material from a wellbore, a cleaning assembly comprising a plurality of such wellbore cleaning tools, and a method of cleaning ferrous materials from a wellbore. In one embodiment, a cleaning tool (12) is disclosed which comprises a tool main body (19) and a number of magnets (20) mounted for selective movement relative to the main body between deactivated and activated positions. When in the activated positions, the magnets serve for attracting ferrous material present in a wellbore (10), to collect such material during passage of the tool along the wellbore, so that the ferrous material may be returned to surface to thereby clean the wellbore.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow through a hollow body, uses a ball seat assembly (12) comprising a hollow body (14) defining a bore (16) and a ball seat (18) mounted said bore, the ball seat being moveable relative to the bore between an extended position in which the seat defines a restriction to passage of a ball (20) along the bore, and a retracted position spaced axially along the bore from the extended position and in which position passage of the ball along the bore is permitted. A subsequent reduction in the fluid pressure force acting on the ball seat facilitates movement of the seat from the extended position shown in the upper half of FIG. 1, to the retracted position shown in the lower half of the Figure, to permit passage of the ball through the bore to thereby re-open fluid flow through the bore.

Abstract: A ball valve seat (10) is disclosed which provides a temporary seal for a plug (40). The valve seat comprises a substantially cylindrical body (30) of a first volume, which defines a seating surface (34). A pressure differential is developed across the valve seat when the plug sealingly engages the seating surface. The body is formed of an elastic material which compresses from a first volume to a smaller second volume by application of a force on the plug, to provide a clearance which is greater than a plugging dimension of the plug, thus allowing passage of the plug downstream. After passage of the plug, the body returns to the first volume.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10), a seal assembly, an indexing arrangement, a downhole/circulation tool (12) incorporating a valve seat assembly, methods of controlling fluid flow and fluid circulation are described, wherein the valve assembly is used for controlling fluid flow by bringing a valve member (34) into sealing abutment with a deformable body (36) of the valve seat assembly, wherein at least one locking element in the form of a dog or key (38) mounted for movement relative to the body selectively between a retracted position, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an extended position, shown in FIG. 7 permits a good seal between the valve member and the valve body whilst ensuring that the valve member will not be prematurely or inadvertently blown through a bore (40) in the valve body, due, for example, to variations in well conditions such as temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily increasing fluid pressure at a specific location in a work string to perform an operation in an oil or gas well bore. Apparatus is provided which, in a first position provides fluid flow through the work string; in a second position provides the desired increase in fluid pressure to perform the operation in the well bore by dropping a ball (62) into the apparatus; and, by shearing pins (52) to move a sleeve (50) within the apparatus, provides a third position which returns fluid flow through the work string via bypass channels (26) created in the apparatus around the ball. Operation of a pressure activated near bit reamer in conjunction with the apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A releasable connector (10) for joining tubular members in a well bore. The connector (10) is a mating screwthread (38, 58) which is terminated on each member by abutting projections (24, 64), operating as a ratchet. This ensures torque is transmitted between the members in a uni-directionally manner so that make-up torque is never applied to the screwheads when torque is applied to the members. A running tool (12) and a method of setting a liner in a well bore is also described which incorporate the connector (10) so that the liner may be part of a drill string and is left cemented in place in the well, after drilling is complete.

Abstract: A downhole tool which includes a locking bar to allow movement of a sleeve within the tool over a pre-defined range. The range is defined by a recess arranged axially or circumferentially in the tool, in which the bar locates. Fluid can be vented from the recess to provide a hydraulic brake, to prevent premature shearing of any shear pins in the tool. A stabiliser, jetting and circulating tool is described including the locking bar together with applications when incorporated in a bottom hole assembly. The tool allows multiple operations to be performed on a single trip.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning a liner top in a well bore. The tool includes cleaning elements, typically scrapers, which are arranged eccentrically to an axial bore through the tool. The elements are biased outwardly to contact an inner surface of a polished bore receptacle (PBR) at a position with a curvature to match the PBR and to present leading edges of each element when positioned at a surface of a neighbouring casing. The tool may further provide a top dress mill and act as a packer actuator sub. This provides a tool which performs a number of functions on a single trip in a well bore.

Abstract: A cleaning tool and method of cleaning a liner top in a well bore. The tool includes cleaning elements, typically scrapers, which are arranged eccentrically to an axial bore through the tool. The elements are biased outwardly to contact an inner surface of a polished bore receptacle (PBR) at a position with a curvature to match the PBR and to present leading edges of each element when positioned at a surface of a neighboring casing. The tool may further provide a top dress mill and act as a packer actuator sub. This provides a tool which performs a number of functions on a single trip in a well bore.