Abstract: An actuator for a subterranean tool is releasably retained by a collet. The actuation system features opposing actuation pistons with ports communicating to the tubing. The spaced ports are sequentially straddled for initial setting and a subsequent release using a predetermined applied pressure. The applied pressure overcomes the retaining force of the collet and actuates a one of two opposed pistons to set the tool, which is preferably a liner hanger. Upon shifting the actuation tool to communication to another port leading to an actuating piston pushing in another direction with applied pressure releases the tool and re-latches a retaining collet. The tool can be set, released and repositioned for another cycle in the same trip in the hole.

Abstract: An actuator for a subterranean tool is releasably retained by a collet. The actuation system features opposing actuation pistons with ports communicating to the tubing. The spaced ports are sequentially straddled for initial setting and a subsequent release using a predetermined applied pressure. The applied pressure overcomes the retaining force of the collet and actuates a one of two opposed pistons to set the tool, which is preferably a liner hanger. Upon shifting the actuation tool to communication to another port leading to an actuating piston pushing in another direction with applied pressure releases the tool and re-latches a retaining collet. The tool can be set, released and repositioned for another cycle in the same trip in the hole.

Abstract: Parts that need to be retained against relative movement are held with at least one collet that is captured in a groove with sleeve that acts as a piston. The piston is exposed to tubing pressure on opposed ends to be in pressure balance despite variations of pressure in the tubing. When it is desired to allow relative part movement to actuate the tool, one of the ports to the piston is isolated from the other and pressure drives the piston in a downhole direction. This releases the collet and drives a sleeve in an opposite direction to actuate a tool. The parts can be optionally rotationally locked.

Abstract: Parts that need to be retained against relative movement are held with at least one collet that is captured in a groove with sleeve that acts as a piston. The piston is exposed to tubing pressure on opposed ends to be in pressure balance despite variations of pressure in the tubing. When it is desired to allow relative part movement to actuate the tool, one of the ports to the piston is isolated from the other and pressure drives the piston in a downhole direction. This releases the collet and drives a sleeve in an opposite direction to actuate a tool. The parts can be optionally rotationally locked.

Abstract: A sealing and gripping element for an expandable downhole tool features a ring supporting a sealing material with radially extending rings into the sealing material during run in. Expansion of the underlying ring brings the sealing material into contact with the surrounding tubular. It also forces the radially extending rings through the sealing material and into contact with the surrounding tubular. As a result the tips of the extending rings are blunted to create metal to metal seals on the surrounding tubular. Hardened inserts are also located within the sealing material for run in. Upon expansion of the underlying base ring, the inserts break through the sealing material and penetrate the surrounding tubular to enhance grip when high differential pressures are encountered.

Abstract: A sealing and gripping element for an expandable downhole tool features a ring supporting a sealing material with radially extending rings into the sealing material during run in. Expansion of the underlying ring brings the sealing material into contact with the surrounding tubular. It also forces the radially extending rings through the sealing material and into contact with the surrounding tubular. As a result the tips of the extending rings are blunted to create metal to metal seals on the surrounding tubular. Hardened inserts are also located within the sealing material for run in. Upon expansion of the underlying base ring, the inserts break through the sealing material and penetrate the surrounding tubular to enhance grip when high differential pressures are encountered.

Abstract: A liner cementing system and method provide for a landing collar 10 with a bypass passageway 45. Circulation port 62 in collar 10 permits initial circulation through the liner 17 until a pump down plug P1 is pumped therein to seal off circulation therethrough. An increase in pressure in the liner bore 51 acts on a piston 50 until shear ring 48 is sheared at a selected pressure. Cement 90 may then flow through the bypass passageway 45 into a cement shoe 104 and into an annulus 74 to cement the liner 17 in place. Pump down plug P2 seals off the bypass passageway 45 to stop flow into the annulus 74. The closing of circulation port 62, the opening of bypass port 53, and the closing of bypass port 53 produce pressure signals at the surface which may be used to analyze cement job success.

Abstract: A downhole connection is provided which allows downhole releasable coupling between a workstring and a wellbore tool. The downhole connection includes a pin connector affixed to the upper end of the wellbore tool, and a box connector which is part of a retrieving head affixed to the lower end of the workstring. The pin connector has a generally cylindrical exterior surface with two lugs which are laterally disposed and extend radially therefrom. The box connector has an interior cylindrical surface with two continuous combinations of grooves disposed therein to form a track, or pathway, for the two lugs disposed on the exterior surface of the pin connector to matingly engage within to couple the workstring to the wellbore tool. When the box connector and the pin connector are matingly engaged, both torque and axial force may be transmitted from the workstring to the wellbore tool for conveyance and manipulation of the wellbore tool.

Abstract: A tubular body containing a sleeve actuated safety valve is attachable to the top end of a hurricane plug. A running tool has a floating nut connection with the tubular body and a tubular extension on the running tool effects the opening of the safety valve while connected to the tubular body. After setting the hurricane plug, the running tool is disconnected from the tubular body by setdown weight, followed by rotation. A retrieving tool has an external threaded section which is threaded through an internal threaded section in the tubular body to engage the actuating sleeve for the safety valve, and effect the opening of the safety valve. Further rotation of the running tool engages the retrieving tool with the tubular body to effect the unsetting of the hurricane plug and permit the removal of the tubular body, hurricane plug and depending tool string from the well by the retrieving tool.

Abstract: A downhole packing mechanism for achieving sealed engagement with the bore of a well conduit comprises a mandrel positionable within a well by a tubing string. Surrounding the mandrel is a tubular body assemblage which is connectable to the mandrel for run-in purposes by a control dog and slot arrangement. An annular packing element surrounds the upper end of the tubular body assemblage and is compressed into sealing engagement with the well bore conduit by an upper slip assembly. A lower slip assembly surrounds the tubular body assemblage and is detachably engagable with the mandrel for setting by initial upward movement of the mandrel. Subsequent upward movement of the mandrel effects the upward movement of the upper slip assembly, the compression of the annular packing element into sealing engagement with the well conduit and the setting of the upper slip assembly. The device may be used as a packer, bridge plug, tubing hanger, or the like.

Abstract: A disconnect sub for a tubing conveyed perforating gun is shown which includes a tubular member and a sliding mandrel telescopingly received within the interior of the tubular member. A perforating gun is supported by the lower end of the sliding mandrel and the mandrel has an upper colleted end which is initially retained within the tubular member on an internal profile. A retaining sleeve has a lower extent which initially underlies the colleted end of the sliding mandrel within the tubular member. After firing the perforating gun, the sliding mandrel is released by draining an initially filled fluid chamber within the device and by locking the retaining sleeve out of engagement with the colleted end of the mandrel, thereby allowing the mandrel to slide from within the tubular member and fall away within the well bore.

Abstract: A firing head for a tubing conveyed perforating gun is shown which is operated by pressuring the interior of the tubing string. A sliding sleeve having a pressure responsive seal area changes position at a predetermined increase in tubing pressure. Movement of the sliding sleeve drains an initially filled, hydraulic cylinder within the interior of the tool. As the cylinder is drained, an associated fluid piston moves to occupy the evacuated chamber. The fluid piston is connected to a firing pin holder which releases the firing pin. Well annulus pressure acts through a port in the tool upon a pressure responsive seal area on the firing pin, thereby propelling the firing pin into a percussion detonator to fire the perforating gun.

Abstract: A firing head for a tubing conveyed perforating gun is shown which is operated by pressuring the interior of the tubing string. A sliding sleeve having a pressure responsive seal area changes position at a predetermined increase in tubing pressure. As the sleeve changes position, the production ports of the tool are first opened, allowing communication between the well annulus and the tubing interior. Movement of the sliding sleeve also drains an initially filled, hydraulic cylinder within the interior of the tool. As the cylinder is drained, an associated fluid piston moves to occupy the evacuated chamber. The fluid piston is connected to a firing pin holder which releases the firing pin, allowing the firing pin to contact a percussion detonator to fire the perforating gun.