Abstract: Apparatus and methods for webserver-based well instrumentation, logging, monitoring and control provide convenience and economy in well site and off-site operations. In a described embodiment, a well tool includes a webserver connected to a sensor and an actuator of the tool. In response to a condition sensed by the sensor, a person utilizing a network to access a web page supported by the webserver at a remote location may operate the actuator to control operation of the well tool.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a device in a well, according to which a sensor is embedded in the device for sensing a condition of the device, and outputting a signal in response to the condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for webserver-based well instrumentation, logging, monitoring and control provide convenience and economy in well site and off-site operations. In a described embodiment, a well tool includes a webserver connected to a sensor and an actuator of the tool. In response to a condition sensed by the sensor, a person utilizing a network to access a web page supported by the webserver at a remote location may operate the actuator to control operation of the well tool.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing an open-hole well and obtaining a fluid sample therefrom. The apparatus comprises a compression packer on a drill pipe. Disposed in the drill pipe is a housing, defining a surge chamber therein, and a closure valve in communication with the surge chamber. A fluid sampler is in communication with the surge chamber. In operation, the packer is placed in a set position by setting down weight. The closure valve is pressure actuated so that fluid is flowed from a formation or zone of interest into the surge chamber and then into the sampler. By opening a housing valve at an upper end of the surge chamber, formation fluid may be forced back into the formation or zone of interest by a bull-heading operation. In a preferred embodiment, the packer and drill pipe are disconnectable from the remainder of the apparatus, and the packer is drillable.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing and sampling open-hole oil and gas wells. The apparatus includes a packer, a surge chamber, a closure valve which may be opened to flow fluid into the surge chamber, and a sampler. The surge chamber may be one of a pair of surge chambers, and the closure valve may be one of a pair of closure valves so that two surges may be carried out prior to obtaining a fluid sample in the sampler. In operation, the packer is placed in a set position by setting down weight. The closure valves are also actuated when weight is set down. The first closure valve has a first predetermined time delay before opening so that the packer may be set, and the second closure valve has a second predetermined time delay so that the packer may be set and the first closure valve opened before a fluid sample is captured. By opening a vent tool at an upper end of the uppermost surge chamber, formation fluid may be forced back into the formation or zone of interest by a bull-heading operation.

Abstract: A downhole shut-in tool includes in one aspect a pilot valve which when opened places a differential pressure across a piston which in turn operably engages a shut-in valve element to close the shut-in tool. An electronic timer assembly and electric drive motor are provided for controlling the action of the pilot valve. The drive motor is controlled by a load sensor which senses that the motor has stalled when an actuator engages a movement limiting abutment. In another aspect a pilot value is provided which can selectively communicate the pressure differential across the piston so as to repeatedly open and close the shut-in valve element. Efficient methods of drawdown and buildup testing using such an automated multiple operating shut-in tool are provided. Associated automated sampling tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for testing a subterranean formation. The inventive apparatus comprises an internal-external differential pressure operated circulation tool, an external pressure operated drill stem testing tool, and an external pressure operated formation testing tool. The drill stem testing tool is positioned in the inventive apparatus beneath the circulation tool and the formation testing tool is positioned in the apparatus beneath the drill stem testing tool. In the method of the present invention, a testing string comprising the inventive apparatus is run into a well bore.

Abstract: A downhole shut-in tool includes in one aspect a pilot valve which when opened places a differential pressure across a piston which in turn operably engages a shut-in valve element to close the shut-in tool. An electronic timer assembly and electric drive motor are provided for controlling the action of the pilot valve. The drive motor is controlled by a load sensor which senses that the motor has stalled when an actuator engages a movement limiting abutment. In another aspect a pilot valve is provided which can selectively communicate the pressure differential across the piston so as to repeatedly open and close the shut-in valve element. Efficient methods of drawdown and buildup testing using such an automated multiple operating shut-in tool are provided. Associated automated sampling tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole shut-in tool includes in one aspect a pilot valve which when opened places a differential pressure across a piston which in turn operably engages a shut-in valve element to close the shut-in tool. An electronic timer assembly and electric drive motor are provided for controlling the action of the pilot valve. The drive motor is controlled by a load sensor which senses that the motor has stalled when an actuator engages a movement limiting abutment. In another aspect a pilot valve is provided which can selectively communicate the pressure differential across the piston so as to repeatedly open and close the shut-in valve element. Efficient methods of drawdown and buildup testing using such an automated multiple operating shut-in tool are provided. Associated automated sampling tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a multiple sample annulus pressure responsive sampler which allows the collection of samples at different time intervals and at different depth intervals in a wellbore. In one embodiment, the tool contains cylindrical housing means, a power piston, means for biasing the power piston, an oil case, an air case, valve means, valve activation means, and means for sampling the well fluid. In a second embodiment, the valve activating means includes energizing means for energizing an electric motor. In a third embodiment, a rupture disc is used in order to axially move the power piston.

Abstract: An electric coupling for two electric circuits in a well includes an electric contact and a contact receiver connected to respective ones of the circuits so that a contact/receiver pair is formed when the contact and receiver are moved together The receiver is sealed by a sealing member. The sealing member is disposed so that it is penetrated by the contact when the contact and receiver are moved together. A coupling including two such pairs is preferably used to connect two electric wires in the well to form a current conductive loop linking two electric coils. One of the coils is adapted to be moved in the well relative to the other coil which is adapted to be fixed in the well. In a preferred embodiment, one coil is on a wireline tool and the other coil is on a downhole tool.

Abstract: A downhole shut-in tool includes in one aspect a pilot valve which when opened places a differential pressure across a piston which in turn operably engages a shut-in valve element to close the shut-in tool. An electronic timer assembly and electric drive motor are provided for controlling the action of the pilot valve. The drive motor is controlled by a load sensor which senses that the motor has stalled when an actuator engages a movement limiting abutment. In another aspect a pilot valve is provided which can selectively communicate the pressure differential across the piston so as to repeatedly open and close the shut-in valve element. Efficient methods of drawdown and buildup testing using such an automated multiple operating shut-in tool are provided. Associated automated sampling tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus includes an operating mechanism and a hydraulic timer. The hydraulic timer is operably associated with the operating mechanism for providing a time delay prior to operation of the operating mechanism. The hydraulic timer includes a fluid flow restriction and a spring biased piston which pushes a predetermined volume of hydraulic fluid through the fluid flow restriction.

Abstract: A sampler apparatus for use in a well includes a housing having a full opening bore therethrough. A first removable sample chamber for trapping a well fluid sample is removably disposed in the housing in a location such as to avoid restricting the full opening bore regardless of whether the sample chamber is in an open or closed position. Preferably a plurality of such sample chambers are provided.

Abstract: A packer bypass for use between a pump and packer in a testing string for venting said pump and packer to a well annulus after completion of a testing operation. The packer bypass comprises a case with an inner flow tube disposed therein such that an annular passageway is defined therebetween. A piston having a lower portion is reciprocably disposed in the annular passageway. A plurality of latching fingers are pivotally mounted to the lower end of the piston and biased towards a latching position. A bypassing mandrel is reciprocably disposed in the annular passageway below the piston and has an open position for bypassing pump pressure thereabove and packer pressure therebelow to the well annulus and also has a closed position in which bypassing is prevented. The mandrel may be raised from the closed position to the open position by lowering the piston and engaging the latching fingers with a flange on the mandrel.

Abstract: A downhole inflatable packer pump for use in a testing string. The pump includes an upper mandrel rotatably disposed in a case. The upper mandrel includes a pump cam with a cam slot thereon. A piston cavity is defined between the case and inner mandrel in which a single, sleeve-type piston is reciprocably disposed. A cam roller on the piston engages the cam slot, and as the inner mandrel rotates, the piston is reciprocated. A diaphragm sealingly separates the piston chamber from a pumping chamber. Inlet and outlet check valves with annular resilient lips allow fluid flow into the pumping chamber from the well annulus and out of the pumping chamber into an outlet chamber in communication with the lower portion of the testing string. The piston chamber is filled with a lubricating oil, and pumping action of the reciprocating pump piston causes movement of the oil which is transmitted to the pumping chamber through the diaphragm.

Abstract: A slip joint for use in a well string and having a removable torque transmitting key. The slip joint includes an outer female mandrel having a central opening therethrough in which is slidingly positioned a male mandrel, also defining a central opening therethrough. In one embodiment, the male mandrel defines at least one longitudinal slot therein and the female mandrel defines a transverse opening therethrough adjacent the slot. The torque transmitting key is positioned in the transverse opening and extends into the slot. In the second embodiment, the inner mandrel includes a flat surface thereon and the outer mandrel has a longitudinal slot therein adjacent the flat surface. The key includes a ring portion having a flat surface therein engageable with a flat surface on the male mandrel and a lug portion extending from the ring portion into the slot.

Abstract: An annulus pressure responsive tester valve includes a tool housing having a flow passage disposed therethrough. A ball valve is disposed in the flow passage and rotatable between closed and open positions. An actuating mandrel is operably connected to the ball valve. An annular power piston is disposed within the housing and reciprocates relative to the housing in response to changes in well annulus pressure. A lug and slot ratchet assembly operably connects the ball valve with the power piston for moving the ball valve between its closed and open positions in response to movement of the power piston within the housing.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus has a housing with a compression chamber defined therein. A fill passage is disposed through the housing for placing the compression chamber in open flow fluid communication with a well annulus so that well fluid may flow into the compression chamber as the apparatus is lowered into a well. An isolation valve selectively closes the fill passage to trap well fluid in the compression chamber. An operating element is operated by the actuating piston slidably disposed in the housing. A first side of the actuating piston is in fluid pressure communication with the compression chamber so that a volume of the compression chamber is decreased when the actuating piston moves between a first and second position thereof relative to the housing.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus has a housing with a compression chamber defined therein. A fill passage is disposed through the housing for placing the compression chamber in open flow fluid communication with a well annulus exterior of the housing so that well fluid may flow into the compression chamber as the apparatus is lowered into a well. An isolation valve is provided for selectively closing the fill passage and thereby trapping well fluid in the compression chamber. An operating element is disposed in the housing. An actuating piston is slidably disposed in the housing and is operably associated with the operating element for operating the same in response to movement of the actuating piston relative to the housing. The actuating piston and housing are so arranged and constructed that movement of the actuating piston relative to the housing changes the volume of the compression chamber and of any well fluid trapped therein.