Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus in the form of a float shoe or collar for use in cementing a casing string within a well bore. The shoe or collar has blades extending therefrom for centering the shoe or collar, as well as the lower end of the casing string, within the well bore. The blades include jetting ports positioned therein for use in jetting the formation. In an alternative embodiment, the jetting ports are located between blades which are generally convoluted and extend circumferentially part-way around the perimeter of the apparatus.

Abstract: A swivel cementing head with manifold assembly. The assembly comprises a body connectable to a tool string, and a cementing manifold connectable to the cement source. The manifold is rotatably mounted on the body to provide continuous fluid communication between the manifold and body even when the body is rotating with respect to the manifold. The rotatable connection is provided by a mandrel extending from the body and the sleeve connected to the manifold. The mandrel defines a mandrel central opening therethrough and a transverse mandrel hole in communication with the mandrel opening, and the sleeve defines a transverse sleeve hole therethrough. The mandrel has a mandrel groove and an outwardly facing surface thereof adjacent to the mandrel hole, and the sleeve has a sleeve groove in an inwardly facing surface thereof adjacent to the sleeve hole.

Abstract: A sequential remote control plug release system allows actuation of plug release plungers and manifold valves associated with a cementing plug container only in a predetermined sequence. With regard to a plug container having two plugs, and thus two plug release plungers, and three manifold valves, the middle and upper manifold valves and the upper plug release plunger can be opened and retracted only in a predetermined sequence. This is implemented through interconnected actuation valves and sequencing valves contained in a housing which can be located remotely from the plug container. An improvement in plug release plungers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for cementing a casing string in a slant well includes a slant drilling rig including a slanted mast having a pair of spaced rails with an elevator spanning between the rails and reciprocable along a length thereof for reciprocating a casing string with the casing string lying generally between and parallel to the rails. The mast has an open generally upward facing side. A cement plug container apparatus has a cementing manifold and a release plunger assembly attached thereto and positioned about the container relative to each other such that an angle of substantially less than 180.degree., and most preferably approximately 980.degree., is defined therebetween. Thus, the container is substantially free of any radial protrusions outside of that angle and can lie generally flat within the confines of the space between the rails of the tilted mast.

Abstract: A sequential remote control plug release system allows actuation of plug release plungers and manifold valves associated with a cementing plug container only in a predetermined sequence. With regard to a plug container having two plugs, and thus two plug release plungers, and three manifold valves, the middle and upper manifold valves and the upper plug release plunger can be opened and retracted only in a predetermined sequence. This is implemented through interconnected actuation valves and sequencing valves contained in a housing which can be located remotely from the plug container. An improvement in plug release plungers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cementing head apparatus includes a container body having a body bore therethrough. Upper and lower releasing mechanisms are associated with the container body. The lower releasing mechanism has a cylindrical plunger extending into a bore of the container body. A spherical releasing ball rests upon the plunger of the lower releasing mechanism. The upper releasing mechanism is identically constructed and is associated with a releasing dart. Upper and lower ends of the container body have complementary male and female straight threads with associated O-ring seals defined therein. A lifting sub is directly connected to the upper thread and has a loading bore defined therethrough. A cap closes an upper end of the loading bore of the lifting sub. A swivel is directly connected to the straight thread at the lower end of the container body.

Abstract: A cement head and casing assembly includes a cement head body having a cement passage defined therethrough. The body is mounted on the well casing and has a lower portion extending down into the casing, with an upper portion extending a relatively short distance above an upper end of the casing. A cement plug is closely received within a bore of the casing below the upper end thereof. The cement plug is releasably connected to the lower portion of the cement head body so that the plug is suspended from the lower portion of the cement head body within the casing. The cement plug has a plug passage defined therethrough which is communicated with a cement passage in the cement head body so that cement can be pumped down through the cement head body and the cement plug into the casing. The passage through the cement plug can be closed and the cement plug can be released from the cement plug body after the cement has been pumped into the casing.

Abstract: An automatic fill-up floating apparatus usable in a float collar or a float shoe in a casing string. The apparatus includes a housing having a back check valve positioned therein. A spring biases the valve toward a closed position. A filling body is disposed across an opening at a lower end of the housing and includes a flow passage therethrough. The filling body is shearably pinned to a valve stem extending from the valve and has a holding position in which the valve is held in an open position. A resilient washer is annularly positioned around the valve stem and above the filling body. The washer is free to move upwardly in response to upward movement of flow through the flow passage in the filling body as the casing string is lowered into a well. The floating apparatus may be tripped by pumping fluid downwardly through the casing strings such that the washer is forced against the filling body, sealingly covering the flow passage therethrough.

Abstract: A valve seal assembly for use in well cementing equipment in well cementing operations and the like having an elastomeric seal positively, mechanically retained on the valve body head so that movement of the elastomeric seal on the valve body stem and with respect to the valve body head is prevented.

Abstract: A grout distribution system for grouting the interior of a piling driven through a jacket leg of a marine platform or grouting the interior of a similar cylindrical structure.

Abstract: A pile wiper assembly for use on the jacket leg or pile sleeve of a marine platform comprising a pile wiper member and pair of annular plates for retaining the same on the jacket leg or pile sleeve, the pile wiper member comprising an elastomeric member having first reinforcing means throughout, second reinforcing means extending from the peripheral portion into the sealing portion terminating at substantially the diameter of the pile inserted therethrough and, if desired, third reinforcing means extending from the peripheral portion into the sealing portion terminating intermediate the diameter of the pile inserted therethrough and the internal diameter of the annular flat plates.