Abstract: A high pressure connector for engagement with a hydraulic conduit for use in high pressure conditions such as downhole in a wellbore. A housing for receiving a conduit end is attachable to a primary retainer. A primary seal and a second seal are positioned between the primary retainer and the housing to provide redundant sealing capabilities. A secondary retainer holds a third seal against the primary retainer. The third seal provides redundant sealing capability and further provides a secondary gripping connection along the conduit length. The secondary gripping connection provides greater tensile strength and reduces the impact of conduit vibration. A test apparatus can be adapted to test the primary seal and the second and third seals before the connector is installed downhole in the well or other high pressure environment.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus for sealing a space downhole in a wellbore. The apparatus has an expandable body having a hollow interior for defining an open flow path. A deformable material within the hollow body interior partially obstructs the flow path when the body is run into the wellbore, and the deformable material is displaceable to expand the body into the downhole space and to open the body flow path. Such material can be displaced with a setting tool or with mechanical movement of the body components. A second body section can be moved relative to a first body section to displace the deformable material from the body interior. The second body section can initially be discontinuous with the first body section to permit installation through narrow wellbore spaces and can be connected downhole to create a unitary body structure.

Abstract: A high expansion slip system for anchoring a tool to a downhole wellbore surface. A slip is initially retained within the interior volume of a tool body for installation downhole in the wellbore. The slip has an inclined surface which moves the slip radially outwardly when the slip is move axially along a longitudinal axis through the tool body. Two opposing slips can be operated to center the tool body within the wellbore, and the setting of the two slips can be synchronized to control the tool body position and setting force on each slip. After the slips have been moved from the interior space to engage the wellbore surface, the hollow interior space within the tool body is unobstructed to open an unobstructed flow path for passage of fluids or well tools.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus and associated methods of using provide enhanced longevity and reliability without requiring complex mechanisms. In a described embodiment, a choke for use within a subterranean well has a choke member set which may be opened by manipulation of an inner tubular cage. The inner cage is displaced from within an outer sleeve, which restricts fluid flow through ports formed through a sidewall portion of the inner cage. As the inner cage is progressively withdrawn from within the sleeve, the fluid flow through the ports is decreasingly restricted by the sleeve.

Abstract: A packer for sealing a space downhole in a well. The packer includes a deformable sheath having a body and first and second ends for defining an interior volume proximate to a tool surface. A material located within the interior volume is deformable, when the sheath second end is moved toward the sheath first end, to move the deformable sheath into the downhole space. The sheath can function as a sealing element or a backup element, and can be applied to different structures and tool configurations downhole in a wellbore. One or more deformation surfaces can selectively contact the sheath body to shape the deformation of the sheath body during the setting process.

Abstract: A packer for sealing a space downhole in a well. The packer includes a deformable sheath having a body and first and second ends for defining an interior volume proximate to a tool surface. A material located within the interior volume is deformable, when the sheath second end is moved toward the sheath first end, to move the deformable sheath into the downhole space. The sheath can function as a sealing element or a backup element, and can be applied to different structures and tool configurations downhole in a wellbore. For example, the packer can be applied to plugs, to through tubing mandrals, and to other well tools in open hole or in cased wellbore configurations. The packer resists damage to the seal elements, provides confirmation of the packer setting force, and is less expensive than conventional packer designs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively restricting fluid flow in a well or well conduit. A dissolvable core material is positioned in the well and is isolated from the well fluids with an inpermeable sheath. The sheath is punctured with a control mechanism or other device so that the sheath is breached. The fluid dissolves the core material and permits fluid flow through the well or well conduit. The sheath can be punctured by pressurizing the well fluid, or by controlling the fluid pressure to activate a pressure sensitive control mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-bore packer that has an annularly shaped sealing element. The assembly has a series of strings that run continuously so that they can be supported from the surface. At least one hub segment straddles the strings and is sealed in between. The entire assembly features one of the hubs with a sealing element. The outer sealing element, when compressed, seals against a casing or wellbore as well as against one of the hubs through which the strings extend. A greater effective piston area allows setting with surface pressures below 2500 psig. A provision is made in the assembly of hubs to provide for an operating mechanism to compress the outer seal between the casing and the hub, by increasing the applied sealing forces on the outer seal, should well conditions apply greater differential pressures, in either direction, to the outer seal than the original setting pressure used.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is a retrievable packer which provides for release between a mandrel and a packing element support structure by virtue of a rotational movement The apparatus is configured so that the packer can be set by letting up on a tubing string or, in some applications where sufficient weight is unavailable, by pulling up on the tubing string. The slips feature a locking mechanism to secure the packing element against the wellbore W. A release mechanism is provided to defeat the lock mechanism and to act upon the slips to draw them inwardly so the apparatus can be removed from the wellbore W.

Abstract: A packer for a subterranean well conduit providing an electrical conduit bypass comprises a top sub having a first eccentric bore connectable between a tubing string and a mandrel and a second eccentric passage sealingly receiving an electrical conduit. A tubular body assembly is shearably connected to the top sub and mounts an annular packing element, an annular cylinder and piston unit and an annular slip and cone assemblage in axially stacked, abutting relationship. A support block secured to the lower end of the mandrel supports the electrical conduit and secures the lower cone against relative movement so that extension of said cylinder and piston effects setting of the packer. Upward movement of the top sub effects unsetting and retrieval of the packer.