Abstract: A wellhead seal unit for sealing a subsea oil and/or gas well at the wellhead. The unit comprises a sleeve, sealingly engaged to the workstring and to which, blow out preventer rams can engage. The unit allows the workstring to be rotated and reciprocated within the wellbore without releasing the seal. Methods of cleaning the sealed well and performing an inflow test are described.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a cased or lined well bore (40), the tool including a barrier (36) arranged on an outer surface of the tool. The barrier may be of a resilient material so that it can be deformed on actuation to control the passage of fluid between the tool and the casing or liner. Fluid flow is thus selectively diverted through flow paths (22) in the tool. Embodiments are described for actuating the barrier by hydraulic means and for filtering the fluid within the flow paths.

Abstract: A wellhead seal unit for sealing a subsea oil and/or gas well at the wellhead. The unit comprises a sleeve, sealingly engaged to the workstring and to which, blow out preventer rams can engage. The unit allows the workstring to be rotated and reciprocated within the wellbore without releasing the seal. Methods of cleaning the sealed well and performing an inflow test are described.

Abstract: A disengageable downhole tool (10) for use in the oil and gas industry. The tool can be decoupled from a work string to allow further tools to be operated from the work string on being run deeper into a wel. The tool is then picked-up by the work string on retrieval from the well. In one embodiment a milling tool (28, 32)is described having a hex-drive system for operation of the tool from the work string with coupling and decoupling being achieved via shear pins (40) and a mating ledge and shoulder.

Abstract: A safety trip button (12) is described for a weight-set downhole tool. The button operates between the tool body (36) and a sleeve (34) of tho tool, locking them initially together. When the tool reaches a selected formation (44) in a well bore, the button engages the formation (44) which unlocks the body and sleeve. The button is kept in the unlocked position by virtue of the formation while the tool is set. The button prevents premature setting of the tool and finds application on weight set tools such as packers and circulation tools.

Abstract: A downhole tool (10) for use in the removal of burrs or other unwanted material from an inner surface of a pipeline, well casing or other tubular. The toll has a plurality of milling elements (32), which may be biased against the surface or retracted from the surface to disengage the toll from the tubular. A drop ball mechanism with a fluid by-pass is described for disengaging the milling elements.

Abstract: Apparatus which can collect loose debris, particularly ferrous debris, has a body 2 with upper 3 and lower 4 stabiliser sleeve. The body 2 has a one or more integral magnets or magnetic areas 5. In one embodiment the magnets are located in a first and second row on a split sleeve 6 and are covered by a protective stainless steel sleeve7. The apparatus may alternatively comprise magnetic scraper blades or a magnetic sub. The magnets are selectively activated. There is also described a method of trapping or retaining debris in a well bore.

Abstract: A down-hole tool comprises a generally tubular body for connection in a drill string, the body typically having an upper tubular member and a lower tubular member interconnected to be axially secured and relatively rotatable, and a frangible element securing the upper and lower members together rotationally and adapted to rupture at a predetermined load

Abstract: A cleanup tool is described for use in a wellbore, the tool having a body which defines flow passages which communicate with the venturi chamber, the venturi chamber itself communicating with a discharge passage for radially or near radially discharging jetted fluid for cleaning a well head or the like. The tool may further include or be associated with filtration devices, including a junk basket or filter screen.

Abstract: A down-hole tool 1 has a body of varying cross-sectional diameter to correspond with a stepped profile of a well bore, such as at the well head. The tool is provided with cleaning members, such as bristles, and fluid circulation paths terminating in radial outlets 11 for cleaning otherwise difficult formations or profiles.

Abstract: A down-hole tool for use in an oil or gas well is provided with detachable components that are held to a body or tool housing by longitudinal mechanical fasteners disposed in a generally radial orientation. The mechanical fasteners allow for the components to be quickly removed and refurbished or replaced, while also permitting radial movement or floating of the components during operation of the tool. A spring may be incorporated to bias the components in a radial outward direction during operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for setting inflatable packers in a well bore which includes the transporting of settable fluid from the surface with a work string or liner as it is run in the well. The invention therefore negates the requirement of having to pump cement or the like to precise locations down hole to the vicinity of the packers to be set.

Abstract: There is a provided a liner setting tool for running liner or casing into a well bore which comprises an elongate body for attachment to the casing or liner, but which allows for movement of the liner setting tool relative to the liner or casing. The elongate body has radial outlets which may be closed or open in alternative states, whereby these radial outlets may be used for circulating fluid in order to clean the well bore.

Abstract: A circulating tool for circulating fluid in a borehole comprising a tubular assembly having an axial through passage between an inlet and a first outlet, a second outlet extending generally transversely of the tubular assembly, and an obturating member moveable relative to the tubular assembly between a first position closing the second outlet and a second position at which the second outlet is open, wherein the obturating member is also moveable between an engaging position at which it is engaged with the tubular assembly and a non-engaging position at which it is not so engaged with the tubular assembly, and wherein when the obturating member is in the first position it may be in either the engaging position or the non-engaging position.

Abstract: A tool or sub for use in a well bore is adapted to manipulate the circulation path of fluid through a drill string or work string in which the tool is connected. The apparatus has a body member defining an axial flow path with one or more radial outlets that may be opened or closed by respective valve members in use.

Abstract: A down-hole tool is described for collecting loose debris particles in a well bore. The tool has a body connectable in a work string for actively diverting well fluid through the tool body with at least some of the diverted well fluid being filtered as it passes through the tool by a filter. In a preferred embodiment the tool also comprises a cleaning member, such as a wiper for wiping the casing or liner wall of the well and a trap for trapping filtered debris up stream of the filter.

Abstract: A well cleaning tool for cleaning the inside walls of a well casing has at least two types of cleaning members; for example it may have a row of scraper blades and a row of brushes. The tool may also include one or more rotatable stabilizers that serve to maintain contact of the tool with the internal casing walls. The tool provides for obtaining the benefits of different types of cleaning members from a single trip into a well bore.

Abstract: A downhole tool having selectively openable ports therein, the tool being actuable between a closed configuration in which the ports are closed, a primed configuration in which the ports are primed for opening, and an open configuration in which the ports are opened.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning the inside walls of a pipeline, well casing or other tubing, comprises a supporting structure upon which are supported one or more cleaning members, and retraction means for controllably retracting the cleaning members so as to avoid their contact with the aforesaid tubing when desired. The apparatus is also provided with a sleeve to effect contact between the retractable cleaning members and the pipeline, well casing or other tubing. Typically, the apparatus is provided in the form of a well cleanup tool.

Abstract: A tool for use in a well bore has a housing attachable to a work string or drill string wherein the housing supports a floating component that is free to move in the lateral or radial members relative to the housing within predetermined limits. The floating component is suitable for supporting active tool components such as wire bristles, scraper blades or other functional apparatus. Typically, the floating component is provided as a sleeve around the housing held within axial limits, while enabling radial movement.