Abstract: The present invention relates to downhole tools and methods of removing such tools from wellbores. More particularly, the present invention relates to downhole tools designed to be comprised of dissolvable materials or frangible materials and methods for dissolving or fragmenting such downhole tools in situ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to downhole tools and methods of removing such tools from wellbores. More particularly, the present invention relates to downhole tools designed to be comprised of dissolvable materials or frangible materials and methods for dissolving or fragmenting such downhole tools in situ.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for the hydraulic fracturing of multiple zones in a well bore. A stinger carries a plurality of packers into a well bore. Each packer is separably connected to each adjacent packer. As each packer is sequentially secured in the well bore, the stinger is withdrawn from the secured packer and the process is repeated as the remaining packers are sequentially secured and separated.

Abstract: A device and a method are provided for the hydraulic fracturing of multiple zones in a well bore. A stinger carries a plurality of packers into a well bore. Each packer is separably connected to each adjacent packer. As each packer is sequentially secured in the well bore, the stinger is withdrawn from the secured packer and the process is repeated as the remaining packers are sequentially secured and separated.

Abstract: A casing inflation packer for use in a casing string in a well bore. The apparatus includes a housing connected in the casing string. An inflatable packer portion on the housing sealingly engages the well bore when inflated. An inflation passageway is defined between a housing central opening and the packer. A rupture disc is initially disposed between the central opening and the inflation passageway for preventing communication therebetween. The rupture disc ruptures in response to a first predetermined pressure, thereby placing the central opening in communication with the packer through the inflation passageway. A slidable control valve is disposed in the inflation passageway and is initially shearably held in an open position. Upon application of a second predetermined pressure across the valve, the valve is moved to a closed position, thus preventing overinflation of the packer and also preventing deflation thereof.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal annular seal for use in downhole tools which may include annular elastomeric backup seals. In each embodiment, a sealing member has a pair of annular frusto-conical lips adapted for sealing engagement with a cylindrical sealing surface on a member of a downhole tool. The sealing member may be a separate component or an integral part of another member of the downhole tool. A seal energizing member may be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cementing tool for cementing multiple stages within a well. The assembly includes a housing assembly which defines one or more cementing ports. A first sleeve assembly is retained within the housing and is movable from a first position, where the sleeve covers the port, and thereby precludes fluid flow therethrough, to a second position wherein the sleeve opens the cementing port. The apparatus also includes a second sleeve assembly which is movable from a first position away from the cementing port to a second position wherein the sleeve assembly covers the port. The first sleeve is cooperatively configured with the housing assembly to provide engaging surfaces which resist rotation of the first sleeve relative to the housing. Additionally, the first sleeve and the second sleeve assembly are configured to limit relative rotation when the two pieces are longitudinally adjacent one another.

Abstract: A stage cementer and inflation packer apparatus. The apparatus comprises a mandrel with an external closing sleeve and an operating sleeve interlocked therewith. Below the operating sleeve is an opening sleeve. The opening sleeve is mechanically acutated by a pump-down plug in a plug-operated embodiment or by a differential pressure acting on the opening sleeve in a hydraulically operated embodiment, to actuate the opening sleeve to allow inflation of the packer element. A back check valve prevents the packer from deflating. After the packer is inflated, additional pressure is applied which ruptures a rupture disc to open a port to the well annulus above the set packer element. Cementing may be carried out through this port, and after the cementing operating, a plug engages the operating sleeve to move the operating sleeve in the external closure sleeve, thereby closing the cementing port.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which permit stage cementing within a well bore by means of a well tool which includes a cementer having cementing ports which may be responsively opened and closed by means of a knife gate valve. The knife gate valve is disposed within the housing between outer and inner cylindrical walls and being slidable therein between an open position, wherein the cementing port is open and fluid may be communicated therethrough, and a closed position, wherein the cementing port is closed thus blocking fluid communication through said port. The knife gate valve is further operationally associated with a driver assembly and trigger device adapted to receive a trigger signal and actuate the driver assembly in response thereto. In alternate exemplary embodiments, the trigger signal may comprise an acoustical, magnetic, electromagnetic wave, electrical or other suitable signal which is received by the trigger device.

Abstract: An improved cementing tool, and more particularly an improved stage packer collar, having a tubular housing with an inner passage defined longitudinally therethrough and having a radially outer surface. The housing also has a cementing port and a longitudinal slot, both of which are disposed through a wall thereof. An outer closure sleeve is slidably received about the outer surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between an open position wherein the cementing port is not covered by the closure sleeve and a closed position wherein the cementing port is closed by the closure sleeve. An inner operating sleeve is slidably received in the inner passage of the housing and slidable between a first and second position relative to the housing.

Abstract: A wedge lock ring apparatus includes an outer housing having a housing bore with a housing groove defined therein. The housing groove has at least one and preferably has upper and lower housing groove tapered sides. An inner sleeve has a cylindrical outer surface with a sleeve groove defined therein, and the sleeve groove has at least one and preferably has upper and lower sleeve groove tapered sides. A wedge lock ring is received in the housing groove and the sleeve groove and has ring tapered edges complementary to the housing groove tapered sides and sleeve groove tapered sides, such that the sleeve and housing are locked against relative rotation by wedged engagement with the lock ring.

Abstract: A packer apparatus, particularly a cup type casing packer shoe, includes a pressure-actuated closing sleeve and pressure-actuated pumpout seats. An upper pumpout seat moves with the closing sleeve in response to a first pressure so that the closing sleeve closes ports through which fluid is communicated to an annulus outside the apparatus. Both the upper pumpout seat and a lower pumpout seat and any intervening fluid are pumped out of the apparatus in response to a second, higher pressure so that the apparatus communicates with the well below the annulus without a drillout procedure having to be performed through the apparatus or a tubing string in which the apparatus is connected. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cementing tool includes a tubular housing having an inner passage defined longitudinally therethrough and having a radially outer surface. The housing also has a cementing port and a longitudinal slot both disposed through a wall thereof. An outer closure sleeve is slidably received about the outer surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between an open position wherein the cementing port is uncovered by the closure sleeve and a closed position wherein the cementing port is closed by the closure sleeve. An inner operating sleeve is slidably received in the housing and slidable between first and second positions relative to the housing. A pin extends radially through the slot and fixedly connects the operating sleeve and the closure sleeve together for common longitudinal movement relative to the housing. When cementing is completed, a cementing plug engages the operating sleeve and causes it to move the external closure sleeve downward thus closing the cementing port.

Abstract: A casing valve includes an outer housing with a sliding sleeve. First and second seals define a sealed annulus within the housing. A latch is disposed in the sealed annulus for latching the sliding sleeve in its first and second positions. The housing has a plurality of housing ports defined therein, and the sliding sleeve has a plurality of sleeve ports defined therein, all of which are initially blocked by disintegratable plugs. A third seal disposed between the sleeve and housing isolates the housing ports from the sleeve ports when the sleeve is in its first position relative to the housing. When the sleeve is moved to its second position relative to the housing it is aligned so that the sleeve ports are in registry with the housing ports. This alignment is achieved by a lug and groove which are also disposed in the sealed annulus of the casing valve.

Abstract: A cup type formation packer shoe is provided to be used in well cementing operations for cementing either casing or tubing in existing casing in a well bore. This packer shoe includes packer cups which are forced into sealing engagement with the existing casing by the cement being displaced into the annulus between the existing casing and the new casing. Further, the packer cups support the column of cement in the annulus preventing flow downwardly past the packer shoe.

Abstract: A well is completed by cementing a casing string in place in the well. A jetting tool assembly is run into the casing string on a tubing string. The jetting tool assembly engages a sliding sleeve of a casing valve and slides the sliding sleeve to an open position uncovering a plurality of housing ports in the casing valve housing in which the sleeve is received. Then, disintegratable plugs are hydraulically jetted from the housing ports to communicate a subsurface formation adjacent the casing valve with an interior of the casing string. Preferably, prior to opening the sleeve and hydraulically jetting the plugs, residual cement is drilled from the casing string, then further residual cement is hydraulically jetted from the casing valve, and then the casing valve is backwashed by reverse circulation.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve casing tool installed in a casing string comprising a housing, sliding sleeve, seal members and releasable retaining means to retain the sliding sleeve within the desired locations with the housing.

Abstract: A safety joint for use in a pipe string, particularly one incorporating testing tools, comprising a substantially tubular outer housing with an automatic J-slot cut into the interior surface thereof. A mandrel having a spline radially protruding therefrom along its upper longitudinal extent and a J-slot lug also protruding therefrom below the spline and to a greater radial extent is slidably contained within the housing and is initially prevented from sliding within it by a tension sleeve which is designed to part in response to a predetermined tensile force. To operate the safety joint, the pipe string is set down and right-hand torque applied, after which tension is applied to the pipe string until the tension sleeve parts, whereupon the mandrel moves upwardly with respect to the housing, the J-slot lug being constrained to follow the path of the J-slot. The right-hand torque and upward pipe string movement causes a mandrel retaining nut at the top of the housing to back off therefrom.

Abstract: A downhole tool inflatable packer assembly includes an upper packer shoe having a bypass mandrel connected thereto. A packer mandrel adapter has an upper end connected to a lower end of the bypass mandrel. A mandrel cover tube extends downwardly from the packer mandrel adapter. A packer mandrel has an upper portion connected to the packer mandrel adapter. A flow connector and a lower packer adapter are connected in that order below the packer mandrel. A packer flow tube has an upper end received in the bypass mandrel and a lower end received in the flow connector. An inflatable bladder has an upper end connected to the upper packer shoe and a lower end connected to a floating packer shoe which slidably engages the mandrel cover tube. A central flow passage, a packer bypass passage, and an inflation passage are disposed in the packer assembly.

Abstract: The downhole pump of the present invention includes a piston housing with a plurality of piston assemblies disposed in the piston housing. Each piston assembly includes a piston reciprocatingly disposed in a cylinder. A valve body is connected to the piston housing and includes a plurality of inlet poppet assemblies disposed therein. One of the inlet poppet assemblies is located below and communicated with each of the cylinders for controlling a fluid intake to the cylinders. A plurality of outlet poppet assemblies is also disposed in the valve body. One of the outlet poppet assemblies is located below and communicates with each of the cylinders for controlling a fluid discharge from the cylinders. A master outlet check valve assembly is located below and communicates with all of the outlet poppet assemblies for preventing discharge fluid from flowing back to the outlet poppet assemblies.