Abstract: A connector has an upper end for connection into the upper part of a drill string. The connector has an outer member that slides over an inner member, the outer member and the inner member having a locked position and an unlocked position. A latch assembly in the connector places the inner member and the outer member in the unlocked position in response to hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the connector. A ball valve assembly has an upper portion for connection with a lower end of the connector and a lower portion for connection into a lower part of the drill string. A ball valve element actuator in the ball valve assembly rotates a ball valve element to the closed position in response to the upper portion of the ball valve assembly moving downward relative to the lower portion of the ball valve assembly.

Abstract: A jar assembly for use downhole includes a housing, a piston assembly slidable within and selectively coupled to the housing, a mandrel assembly coupled on a lower end of the piston assembly, and an anvil coupled to an end of the mandrel assembly opposite the piston assembly. The jar assembly is deployed in a wellbore by a conveyance means that couples with the housing. A hydraulic circuit in the piston assembly activates a latch for decoupling the piston assembly from the housing; when decoupled, the housing slides downward and impacts the anvil to generate a jarring force. The jar assembly is re-cocked by raising it with the conveyance means.

Abstract: A connector has an upper end for connection into the upper part of a drill string. The connector has an outer member that slides over an inner member, the outer member and the inner member having a locked position and an unlocked position. A latch assembly in the connector places the inner member and the outer member in the unlocked position in response to hydraulic fluid pressure applied to the connector. A ball valve assembly has an upper portion for connection with a lower end of the connector and a lower portion for connection into a lower part of the drill string. A ball valve element actuator in the ball valve assembly rotates a ball valve element to the closed position in response to the upper portion of the ball valve assembly moving downward relative to the lower portion of the ball valve assembly.

Abstract: A jar assembly for use downhole includes a housing, a piston assembly slidable within and selectively coupled to the housing, a mandrel assembly coupled on a lower end of the piston assembly, and an anvil coupled to an end of the mandrel assembly opposite the piston assembly. The jar assembly is deployed in a wellbore by a conveyance means that couples with the housing. A hydraulic circuit in the piston assembly activates a latch for decoupling the piston assembly from the housing; when decoupled, the housing slides downward and impacts the anvil to generate a jarring force. The jar assembly is re-cocked by raising it with the conveyance means.

Abstract: A load testing device is provided, comprising a main beam and a pair of load testing assemblies operatively connected to the main beam. Each of the load testing assemblies includes a load applying member having a first ball at its terminal end; a spreader plate pivotally attached to the first ball to establish a first ball and socket joint enabling three rotational degrees of freedom about the first ball; a bracket pivotally connected to the spreader plate, wherein the bracket further includes a second ball extending toward the main beam; an adjustment beam pivotally attached to the second ball to establish a second ball and socket joint, and wherein the adjustment beam is slidably disposed relative to the main beam and lockable in one or more predetermined positions.

Abstract: The segmented ball seat valve is an annular communication valve normally installed in a string of pipe that is to be deployed to a depth within a well. The segmented ball seat valve provides communication between the inside of the pipe and the well bore or casing through open ports. The segmented ball seat valve can be closed to shut off communication by dropping/pumping a ball to the segmented ball seat valve and applying pressure to close the valve. The application of pressure causes the ball seat assembly to move downward into an enlarged portion of the bore. The segments of the seat assembly move outward in the enlarged area to permit passage of the ball.

Abstract: A load testing device is provided, comprising a main beam and a pair of load testing assemblies operatively connected to the main beam. Each of the load testing assemblies includes a load applying member having a first ball at its terminal end; a spreader plate pivotally attached to the first ball to establish a first ball and socket joint enabling three rotational degrees of freedom about the first ball; a bracket pivotally connected to the spreader plate, wherein the bracket further includes a second ball extending toward the main beam; an adjustment beam pivotally attached to the second ball to establish a second ball and socket joint, and wherein the adjustment beam is slidably disposed relative to the main beam and lockable in one or more predetermined positions.

Abstract: The segmented ball seat valve is an annular communication valve normally installed in a string of pipe that is to be deployed to a depth within a well. The segmented ball seat valve provides communication between the inside of the pipe and the well bore or casing through open ports. The segmented ball seat valve can be closed to shut off communication by dropping/pumping a ball to the segmented ball seat valve and applying pressure to close the valve. The application of pressure causes the ball seat assembly to move downward into an enlarged portion of the bore. The segments of the seat assembly move outward in the enlarged area to permit passage of the ball.

Abstract: A torque absorber is disposed on a drill string near the motor. The torque absorber automatically adjusts the weight on a drill bit and reduces the likelihood of motor stall caused by resistance to drill bit rotation. The torque absorber includes an upper unit assembly and a lower unit assembly. The upper unit assembly includes a top sub and a ball body. The lower unit assembly includes a bottom sub, a lead screw, and a ball retainer. The components of the lower unit assembly are free to rotate as a result of motor back torque, which is in a direction opposite of the direction of rotation of the drill bit during normal drilling. The upper unit assembly will remain stationary while the components of the lower unit assembly rotate in this opposite direction. A spring applies a force on the lead screw.

Abstract: A torque absorber is disposed on a drill string near the motor. The torque absorber automatically adjusts the weight on a drill bit and reduces the likelihood of motor stall caused by resistance to drill bit rotation. The torque absorber includes an upper unit assembly and a lower unit assembly. The upper unit assembly includes a top sub and a ball body. The lower unit assembly includes a bottom sub, a lead screw, and a ball retainer. The components of the lower unit assembly are free to rotate as a result of motor back torque, which is in a direction opposite of the direction of rotation of the drill bit during normal drilling. The upper unit assembly will remain stationary while the components of the lower unit assembly rotate in this opposite direction. A spring applies a force on the lead screw, causing the lower unit assembly to rotate back downward once the motor back torque reduces.

Abstract: A fishing jar is placed in a work string for delivering blows to a stuck object in a well. This fishing jar utilizes energy stored in the work string for delivering the blow, rather than having a main spring of its own. The fishing jar uses hydraulic pressure to move a piston member. The piston member engages a firing member when it reaches one end of its stroke. The directional valve then directs fluid to the other side of the piston to cause the piston to move in the opposite direction. When it starts to move in the opposite direction, the firing member will provide a restrictive load against that movement. Once the pressure builds to a high enough level, it will move the housing relative to the piston, which is restricted from movement by the firing member. When the housing moves, it elastically deforms the work string, storing energy in the work string. The firing member will release the housing once the housing reaches the end of its stroke.

Abstract: A fishing jar is placed in a work string for delivering blows to a stuck object in a well. This fishing jar utilizes energy stored in the work string for delivering the blow, rather than having a main spring of its own. The fishing jar uses hydraulic pressure to move a piston member. The piston member engages a firing member when it reaches one end of its stroke. The directional valve then directs fluid to the other side of the piston to cause the piston to move in the opposite direction. When it starts to move in the opposite direction, the firing member will provide a restrictive load against that movement. Once the pressure builds to a high enough level, it will move the housing relative to the piston, which is restricted from movement by the firing member. When the housing moves, it elastically deforms the work string, storing energy in the work string. The firing member will release the housing once the housing reaches the end of its stroke.

Abstract: A fishing jar is placed in a work string for delivering blows to a stuck object in a well. This fishing jar utilizes energy stored in the work string for delivering the blow, rather than having a main spring of its own. The fishing jar uses hydraulic pressure to move a piston member. The piston member engages a firing member when it reaches one end of its stroke. The directional valve then directs fluid to the other side of the piston to cause the piston to move in the opposite direction. When it starts to move in the opposite direction, the firing member will provide a restrictive load against that movement. Once the pressure builds to a high enough level, it will move the housing relative to the piston, which is restricted from movement by the firing member. When the housing moves, it elastically deforms the work string, storing energy in the work string. The firing member will release the housing once the housing reaches the end of its stroke.