Abstract: A downhole tool actuator includes, an inflatable member, a first portion on an uphole end of the inflatable member that is attachable to a first structure of a downhole tool, and a second portion on a downhole end of the inflatable member that is attachable to a second structure of the downhole tool. The actuator configured so that the second structure is movable relative to the first structure in response to movement of the second portion relative to the first portion in response to inflation of the inflatable member.

Abstract: A downhole seal includes a seal body; two or more pips extending in a direction from the seal body associated with an intended sealing surface, the two or more pips defining nonparallel facing surfaces when in a run in position.

Abstract: A downhole seal includes a seal body; a prominent pip having extending from the seal body; and one or more reduced prominence pips adjacent the prominent pip.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of elongating a setting time of a bridge plug or packer. The method includes, positioning the bridge plug or packer in a desired position within a wellbore, partially setting the bridge plug or packer with a first hydraulic pressure, controlling remotely a rate of application of a second hydraulic pressure, and completing the setting of the bridge plug or packer with the second hydraulic pressure, the second hydraulic pressure being greater than the first hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A downhole tool actuator includes, an inflatable member, a first portion on an uphole end of the inflatable member that is attachable to a first structure of a downhole tool, and a second portion on a downhole end of the inflatable member that is attachable to a second structure of the downhole tool. The actuator configured so that the second structure is movable relative to the first structure in response to movement of the second portion relative to the first portion in response to inflation of the inflatable member.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for use in downhole slickline strings to set wellbore inflatables comprises, in one specific embodiment, an upper mandrel, an upper piston, radially extendable slips, a release piston in sliding engagement with a release mandrel, and a lower housing in sliding engagement with a lower mandrel. Fluid entering a bore of the anchor assembly forces the upper piston downward and extends the anchors. Thereafter, the slickline is reciprocated to pump fluid down the bore of the anchor assembly into the inflatable to prevent premature release of the inflatable. As the inflatable inflates, the lower housing is pulled downward along the lower mandrel until the inflatable is fully inflated. At a predetermined pressure after inflation of the inflatable, the anchors are retracted by actuation of the release piston so that the anchor assembly can be retrieved.

Abstract: A system for forming a seal in a wellbore includes a slurry source, an expandable inflatable element, and a filter. The slurry may contain particles entrained in a fluid carrier. The filter may be configured to separate the particles from the fluid carrier to form a relatively solid body in the inflatable element. The system may include a pump configured to pressurize the slurry. The pump may flow the slurry from a surface location or from a location in the wellbore. The source may be a bailer configured to receive a pressurized fluid from the pump. The system may use a hydraulic disconnect that conveys the slurry from the source to the inflatable element. The hydraulic disconnect may be configured to disconnect the source from the inflatable element upon a predetermined pressure being reached in the inflatable element. The particles may be formed of a compressible material.

Abstract: Anchor assemblies for use in downhole slickline strings to set wellbore inflatables are disclosed. In one specific embodiment, an anchor assembly comprises an upper mandrel, an upper piston, radially extendable slips, a release piston in sliding engagement with a release mandrel, and a lower housing in sliding engagement with a lower mandrel. Fluid entering a bore of the anchor assembly forces the upper piston downward and extends the anchors. Thereafter, the slickline is reciprocated to pump fluid down the bore of the anchor assembly into the inflatable to prevent premature release of the inflatable. As the inflatable inflates, the lower housing is pulled downward along the lower mandrel until the inflatable is fully inflated. At a predetermined pressure after inflation of the inflatable, the anchors are retracted by actuation of the release piston so that the anchor assembly can be retrieved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of elongating a setting time of a bridge plug or packer. The method includes, positioning the bridge plug or packer in a desired position within a wellbore, partially setting the bridge plug or packer with a first hydraulic pressure, controlling remotely a rate of application of a second hydraulic pressure, and completing the setting of the bridge plug or packer with the second hydraulic pressure, the second hydraulic pressure being greater than the first hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A settable and unsettable seal arrangement includes a metal-to-metal seal element; a setting/releasing sleeve in operable communication with the seal element; a retraction ring fixedly attached to the setting/releasing sleeve; a load preservation and unsetting sleeve fixedly attached to the seal element; and a resilient member operably disposed between the setting/releasing sleeve and the load preservation and unsetting sleeve and method for setting and unsetting.

Abstract: A wellbore is at least partially obstructed with a partition or obstruction member. A fluid slurry of an aggregate mixture of particulate matter is pumped into the wellbore adjacent the partition or obstruction member. The aggregate mixture of particulate material contains at least one component of particulate material, and each of the at least one particulate material components has an average discrete particle dimension different from that of the other particulate material components. Fluid pressure then is applied to the aggregate material and fluid is drained from the aggregate material through a fluid drainage passage in the partition or obstruction member. The fluid pressure and drainage of fluid from the aggregate mixture combined to compact the aggregate mixture into a substantially solid, load-bearing, force-transferring, substantially fluid-impermeable plug member, which seals a first wellbore region from fluid flow communication with a second wellbore region.

Abstract: A wireline tool string is provided which includes a wireline conveyable fluid-pressurization device, an equalizing apparatus, a pressure extending device, a pull-release apparatus, and a fluid-pressure actuable wellbore tool. The wireline tool string may be utilized to lower the fluid-pressure actuable wellbore tool, such as a bridge plug, through tubing string to be actuated in the wellbore below the tubing string.

Abstract: A wellbore is at least partially obstructed with a partition or obstruction member. A fluid slurry of an aggregate mixture of particulate matter is pumped into the wellbore adjacent the partition or obstruction member. The aggregate mixture of particulate material contains at least one component of particulate material, and each of the at least one particulate material components has an average discrete particle dimension different from that of the other particulate material components. Fluid pressure then is applied to the aggregate material and fluid is drained from the aggregate material through a fluid drainage passage in the partition or obstruction member. The fluid pressure and drainage of fluid from the aggregate mixture combined to compact the aggregate mixture into a substantially solid, load-bearing, force-transferring, substantially fluid-impermeable plug member, which seals a first wellbore region from fluid flow communication with a second wellbore region.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in a wellbore for reducing the effects of pressure differential forces which act on settable wellbore tools suspended therein. The apparatus operates to provide a bypass fluid flow path through the settable wellbore tool for directing wellbore fluid through the settable wellbore tool in response to pressure differentials developed across the settable wellbore tool during outward radial expansion of the tool. The apparatus further includes mechanisms for maintaining the bypass fluid flow path in an open condition during at least an expansion mode of operation to diminish the effects of pressure differential developed across the settable wellbore tool. The apparatus also includes mechanisms for closing the bypass fluid flow path once a setting mode of operation is obtained.

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.