Abstract: A special service mail form constructed of a sheet of paper and a backing sheet adapted to simplex printing so as to allow use of the special service mail form is a self-help, kiosk. The sheet of paper is divided into two sections by a line of weakness. The first section provides a return post card having printed indicia on the front surface associated with special service mailers such as PS Form 3811. The second section includes two adhesive backed removable labels. Return address information is printed onto one of these two labels. To assemble a special services mailer, the return address label is removed from the remainder of the sheet of paper and applied to the appropriate area on the back of the return post card. The backing sheet is attached to a back surface of the sheet of paper to protect the adhesive applied to the back of the labels from exposure prior to their detachment from the remainder of the sheet of paper.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for pulling or inserting jointed pipe sections (18) having upset ends (20) within a well utilizing a coiled tubing injector (26). The coiled tubing injector (26) has a pair of opposed endless chains (50, 52) including gripper blocks (58) for gripping the pipe sections (18). An axial gap (G) is provided in chains (50, 52) between adjacent gripper blocks (58) to receive the upset ends (20). To align accurately upset ends (20) with gap (G), a sensing mechanism (100, FIGS. 11 and 12) is provided to sense the location of upset end (20) and a sensing mechanism (110, 112, FIGS. 13 and 14) is provided to sense the location of gap (G). An operator in response to signals from the sensors accurately aligns upset ends (20) with gap (G).

Abstract: A downhole tool (12) connected to the lower end of a coiled tubing string (14). A wireline cable (16) extends downwardly through the coiled tubing string (14) and through the center of the tool (12) to define an annulus between the cable (16) and the outer housing (66). Annular valves (98, 100) control annulus fluid flow. A clamping device (26) releasably secures the wireline cable (16). The disconnect for the downhole tool (12) comprises an electrically activated fluid pressure mechanism for releasing disconnect dogs or latches (116, FIG. 1H) carried by an upper tool portion (12A) and releasably securing a lower tool portion (12B). The fluid actuated mechanism is activated by an electrical solenoid valve (124) to permit actuation of a disconnect piston (148) by communicating pressurized hydraulic fluid in a reservoir (168) through fluid passages 170, 158 to a piston fluid chamber (156).

Abstract: A latch is adapted to be connected to a tubing string and will snap into a packer disposed in a wellbore. A predetermined first number of pounds is required to snap the latch into the packer and a predetermined second number of pounds, greater than the first number, is required to pull the latch out of the packer in the wellbore. In order to maintain constant the first and second number of pounds, the latch has the following special characteristics. The latch has a plurality of flanges separated, respectively, by a plurality of gaps, that snap into the packer, each flange having external threads disposed around its periphery, each thread including an engaging surface and a disengaging surface, an angle between the surface of each disengaging thread relative to a vertical being in a range from 20 to 28 degrees. An elastomeric barrier occupies the gap between adjacent ones of the flanges.

Abstract: An inflatable packer used in a well and having a mandrel carrying upper and lower heads, a normally retracted inflatable packer element including an inner elastomer bladder and an outer expansible armor or carcass, the ends of the packer element being anchored to respective heads, and in one embodiment a hydraulically operable system that applies restraining force to the heads which controls the shape and deployment of the packer element during inflation and prevents entrapment of fluid bubbles outside the element and the formation of Z-folds in the bladder. In other embodiments the restraining force is supplied by a stack of disc springs, by frictional engagement between parts, by a shearing action of materials, by swaging a sleeve member, and by axially crushing a sleeve member.

Abstract: An inflatable packer assembly used in well service work and having a mandrel that carries a normally retracted inflatable packer unit. The unit includes an inner elastomer bladder surrounded by a reinforcement. To control the shape of the unit during inflation and thereby prevent the formation of Z-folds in the bladder, its axial stiffness is preferentially increased relative to its circumferential or hoop stiffness by devices such as carbon fibers or fiberglass tape.

Abstract: A gravel packer and service tool combination for use in subterranean wells operates sequentially to lock and seal the packer in the well at a producing formation, release a mechanical connection between the packer and service tool, and open a passage through which gravel packing can be performed. Each operational step can be performed in primary and secondary fluid pressure-responsive modes of operation. The secondary mode of operation can be employed in the event the primary mode of operation fails.