Abstract: A downhole sealing apparatus having a sealing assembly with one or more seal elements configured to engage a bore wall or bore-lining tubular wall to seal an annulus between the apparatus and the wall or tubular wall. A bypass arrangement is configured to provide selective bypass of the sealing assembly and the sealing apparatus is reconfigurable between a first configuration permitting bypass of the sealing assembly and a second configuration in which the bypass arrangement prevents or restricts bypass of the sealing assembly. A downhole method provides the downhole sealing apparatus within a bore hole, with the downhole sealing apparatus reconfigured from the first configuration in which the bypass arrangement permits bypass of the sealing assembly to a second configuration in which the bypass arrangement prevents or restricts bypass of the sealing assembly.

Abstract: A downhole sealing apparatus having a sealing assembly with one or more seal elements configured to engage a bore wall or bore-lining tubular wall to seal an annulus between the apparatus and the wall or tubular wall. A bypass arrangement is configured to provide selective bypass of the sealing assembly and the sealing apparatus is reconfigurable between a first configuration permitting bypass of the sealing assembly and a second configuration in which the bypass arrangement prevents or restricts bypass of the sealing assembly. A downhole method provides the downhole sealing apparatus within a bore hole, with the downhole sealing apparatus reconfigured from the first configuration in which the bypass arrangement permits bypass of the sealing assembly to a second configuration in which the bypass arrangement prevents or restricts bypass of the sealing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for connecting elongate components (6, 8), the apparatus (1) comprising a pair of tong units (2, 4) for receiving and gripping respective elongate components (6, 8) and connecting the elongate components (6, 8) end-to-end, wherein at least one of the tong units (2, 4) is adapted to rotate the gripped elongate component (6, 8); wherein each of the first and second tong units (2, 4) defines a central opening (10, 12) where the respective elongate component (6, 8) is gripped, the central opening (10, 12) having a substantially horizontal central axis (14) and a side access (16, 18) opening for inserting the elongate component (6, 8) into the central opening (10, 12) radially relative to the central axis (14); wherein the tong units (2, 4) are spaced apart substantially horizontally so that the elongate components (6, 8) to be connected are inserted and gripped in the tong units (2, 4) in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A downhole actuator or valve for inclusion in a downhole drill string used in a well includes an obstructing member, such as a piston, moveable between: a first position and a second position; and a retaining member, such as a ball, moveable between: a retaining position which retains the obstructing member in the first position; and, a release position which does not retain the obstructing member in the first position and/or allows or causes the obstructing member to move to the second position. The retaining member is moved in use between the retaining position and release position at least in part by centrifugal forces caused by rotation of the entire drill string within which the downhole actuator/valve is included. Thus, at least some control of the actuation of the downhole actuator/valve may be afforded by rotation thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for connecting elongate components (6, 8), the apparatus (1) comprising a pair of tong units (2, 4) for receiving and gripping respective elongate components (6, 8) and connecting the elongate components (6, 8) end-to-end, wherein at least one of the tong units (2, 4) is adapted to rotate the gripped elongate component (6, 8); wherein each of the first and second tong units (2, 4) defines a central opening (10, 12) where the respective elongate component (6, 8) is gripped, the central opening (10, 12) having a substantially horizontal central axis (14) and a side access (16, 18) opening for inserting the elongate component (6, 8) into the central opening (10, 12) radially relative to the central axis (14); wherein the tong units (2, 4) are spaced apart substantially horizontally so that the elongate components (6, 8) to be connected are inserted and gripped in the tong units (2, 4) in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: An actuator or valve for use in a well comprising: an obstructing member, such as a piston, moveable between: a first position and a second position; and a retaining member, such as a ball, moveable between: a retaining position which retains the obstructing member in the first position; and, a release position which does not retain the obstructing member in the first position and/or allows or causes the obstructing member to move to the second position; wherein the retaining member is adapted to move in use, from one of the retaining position and release position to the other of the retaining position and release position, at least in part, by centrifugal forces caused by rotation of the actuator/valve. Thus at least some control of the actuation of the actuator/valve may be afforded by rotation thereof. In preferred embodiments some control is also afforded by fluid flow contacting the actuator/valve.