Abstract: An apparatus can include a downhole tool having a fluid outlet connectable to a fluid inlet to define a flow path via a hollow interior of the tool, and a valve member capable of opening and constricting or closing the flow path. The apparatus further includes pipe within which a part of the tool is located, the tool being sealed with an interior of the pipe, preventing fluid flow in the pipe via the part of the tool. The pipe includes an openable valve for permitting flow of fluid from the pipe interior via another flow path interconnecting the pipe interior and outside. The valve is normally closed. When the valve member constricts or closes the first flow path, fluid pressure in the pipe increases to cause opening of the valve and venting of pressurized fluid from within the pipe to the outside via the second flow path.

Abstract: A downhole tool connection comprises (i) a tool intended for downhole use and including a connection section protruding therefrom in use in an uphole direction, the connection section supporting two or more first connectors spaced from one another and operatively connected to the tool; and (ii) a cable carrier moveable in an in-use downhole direction towards the connection section. The cable carrier supports (a) one or more cables and (b) two or more second connectors spaced from one another and operatively connected to at least one cable. Pairs of the first and second connectors are mutually connectable, on movement of the cable carrier towards the connection section to increase the proximity of the connectors of the pairs, in a manner effecting electrical transmission between the connectors of each pair. At least one pair of the connectors connects inductively, and at least one pair of the connectors connects conductively.

Abstract: A downhole tool connection comprises (i) a tool intended for downhole use and including a connection section protruding therefrom in use in an uphole direction, the connection section supporting two or more first connectors spaced from one another and operatively connected to the tool; and (ii) a cable carrier moveable in an in-use downhole direction towards the connection section. The cable carrier supports (a) one or more cables and (b) two or more second connectors spaced from one another and operatively connected to at least one cable . Pairs of the first and second connectors are mutually connectable, on movement of the cable carrier towards the connection section to increase the proximity of the connectors of the pairs, in a manner effecting electrical transmission between the connectors of each pair. At least one pair of the connectors connects inductively, and at least one pair of the connectors connects conductively.

Abstract: Logging tool communication apparatus (10), for carrying out a downhole communication method, comprises rotatable and/or longitudinally reciprocable drill pipe (12) including fixed or capable of being fixed in a co-rotative and/or co-reciprocable relationship at an in-use downhole end an in-use downhole logging tool (27). The logging tool (27) includes a movement sensor (33); and the apparatus (10) includes a motor, at a location remote from the logging tool (27), for causing rotation and/or reciprocation of the drill pipe (12) in a borehole or wellbore (18). The apparatus (10) includes one or more control elements for selectively controlling operation of the motor so as to cause selective rotation and/or reciprocation of the drill pipe (12) which causes movement of the logging tool (27), when fixed to the drill pipe (12), in a manner that is detectable by the movement sensor (33).

Abstract: A logging tool or sub (10) for downhole use comprises an elongate logging tool body (11); one or more moveable reaction members; and a locking member for the reaction members. At least one arm (12) at a first location is pivotably secured to the body (11) to be extensible therefrom and compressible towards the body (11); and at a second location spaced from the first location is pivotably secured to a locking member (18); and a stop member (22) fixed or fixable relative to the body (11). The locking member (18) defines a moveable end (19) remote from the second location and moveable relative to the arm (12) between at least a first position in which force tending to compress the arm (12) towards the body (11) causes the end (19) to move away from the stop member (22), and a second position in which force tending to compress the arm (12) towards the body (11) causes the stop member (22) to resist movement of the locking member (19) thereby preventing compression of the arm (12) towards the body (11).

Abstract: A logging tool or logging tool sub (10) for downhole use comprises an elongate cylindrical body (11) having supported thereby one or more movable landing extensions (12) that are movable between an extended position in which part of each said movable landing extension protrudes beyond the exterior of the cylindrical body (11) so as to define one or more exposed landing surfaces that are engageable with one or more landing surfaces (21) of a further component; and a retracted position in which each said movable landing extension (12) protrudes externally of the cylindrical body no further than the exterior thereof (11).

Abstract: A downhole seal element (10) comprises a cup portion (11) formed of or including a resiliently deformable material. The cup portion (11) extends between on the one hand a nose part (12) comprising an annulus intended for sealingly mounting the seal element on a mandrel (22) and on the other hand a skirt (13), the seal element flaring in shape between the nose part (12) and the skirt (13). The skirt includes extending therefrom away from the nose part (12) a plurality of elongate, flexible limbs (18) that are spaced at intervals about the skirt (13).

Abstract: A shock absorber (29) for downhole use comprises an elongate, hollow member defined by a series of mutually aligned, plastically deformable perforated members (38) having aligned perforations that define the hollowness of the elongate, hollow member that are spaced from one another in the direction of elongation by respective relatively rigid spacer members (39) that are secured to the perforated members. The elements of each pair of perforated members (38) of the series are so spaced from one another by one or more of the spacer members (39) such that on compression of the shock absorber (29) the perforated members (38) deform plastically to a lesser extent in regions at which the spacer members (39) are secured than at other regions. The arrangement of the perforated members (38) and the spacer members (39) causes compression to occur substantially parallel to the length of the shock absorber (29).

Abstract: Logging tool communication apparatus (10), for carrying out a downhole communication method, comprises rotatable and/or longitudinally reciprocable drill pipe (12) including fixed or capable of being fixed in a co-rotative and/or co-reciprocable relationship at an in-use downhole end an in-use downhole logging tool (27). The logging tool (27) includes a movement sensor (33); and the apparatus (10) includes a motor, at a location remote from the logging tool (27), for causing rotation and/or reciprocation of the drill pipe (12) in a borehole or wellbore (18). The apparatus (10) includes one or more control elements for selectively controlling operation of the motor so as to cause selective rotation and/or reciprocation of the drill pipe (12) which causes movement of the logging tool (27), when fixed to the drill pipe (12), in a manner that is detectable by the movement sensor (33).

Abstract: A logging tool or sub (10) for downhole use comprises an elongate logging tool body (11); one or more moveable reaction members; and a locking member for the reaction members. At least one arm (12) at a first location is pivotably secured to the body (11) to be extensible therefrom and compressible towards the body (11); and at a second location spaced from the first location is pivotably secured to a locking member (18); and a stop member (22) fixed or fixable relative to the body (11). The locking member (18) defines a moveable end (19) remote from the second location and moveable relative to the arm (12) between at least a first position in which force tending to compress the arm (12) towards the body (11) causes the end (19) to move away from the stop member (22), and a second position in which force tending to compress the arm (12) towards the body (11) causes the stop member (22) to resist movement of the locking member (19) thereby preventing compression of the arm (12) towards the body (11).

Abstract: A logging tool or logging tool sub (10) for downhole use comprises an elongate cylindrical body (11) having supported thereby one or more movable landing extensions(12) that are movable between an extended position in which part of each said movable landing extension protrudes beyond the exterior of the cylindrical body (11) so as to define one or more exposed landing surfaces that are engageable with one or more landing surfaces (21) of a further component; and a retracted position in which each said movable landing extension (12) protrudes externally of the cylindrical body no further than the exterior thereof (11).

Abstract: A shock absorber (29) for downhole use comprises an elongate, hollow member defined by a series of mutually aligned, plastically deformable perforated members (38) having aligned perforations that define the hollowness of the elongate, hollow member that are spaced from one another in the direction of elongation by respective relatively rigid spacer members (39) that are secured to the perforated members. The elements of each pair of perforated members (38) of the series are so spaced from one another by one or more of the spacer members (39) such that on compression of the shock absorber (29) the perforated members (38) deform plastically to a lesser extent in regions at which the spacer members (39) are secured than at other regions. The arrangement of the perforated members (38) and the spacer members (39) causes compression to occur substantially parallel to the length of the shock absorber (29).

Abstract: A downhole seal element (10) comprises a cup portion (11) formed of or including a resiliently deformable material. The cup portion (11) extends between on the one hand a nose part (12) comprising an annulus intended for sealingly mounting the seal element on a mandrel (22) and on the other hand a skirt (13), the seal element flaring in shape between the nose part (12) and the skirt (13). The skirt includes extending therefrom away from the nose part (12) a plurality of elongate, flexible limbs (18) that are spaced at intervals about the skirt (13).

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprises a drillpipe (11) defining a hollow, generally cylindrical interior having secured therein a valve member (12) that is moveable between an open position, permitting passage of an object through the valve (10), and a closed position preventing passage of fluids along the drillpipe (11). A resiliently contractile arm (17) interconnects the valve member (12) and the drillpipe (11) so as to urge the valve member (12) towards the closed position and such that when an object passes along the drillpipe (11) and engages the valve member (12) or the arm (17) the valve member (12) occupies the open position.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprises a drillpipe (11) defining a hollow, generally cylindrical interior having secured therein a valve member (12) that is moveable between an open position, permitting passage of an object through the valve (10), and a closed position preventing passage of fluids along the drillpipe (11). A resiliently contractile arm (17) interconnects the valve member (12) and the drillpipe (11) so as to urge the valve member (12) towards the closed position and such that when an object passes along the drillpipe (11) and engages the valve member (12) or the arm (17) the valve member (12) occupies the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deploying a so-called compact battery/memory logging tool, for acquiring data in deviated or horizontal wells in the oil and gas well data logging industry. A drillpipe assembly (10) includes a drillpipe (11) having secured at a downhole end thereof a delatching latching sub (12) containing an extendable running sub (13) supporting a battery/memory logging tool (14). The running sub (13) occupies an initial, retracted position during deployment of the drillpipe (11), whereby the logging tool (14) is protected within one or more drillpipe stands. The running sub is movable by a messenger (26) to a second, extended position in which its logging tool (14) protruding from the drillpipe (11). The drillpipe assembly may therefore be used to protect the logging tool (14) during running in operations; and then to extend the logging tool permit commencement of logging operations.

Abstract: In the oil and gas well data logging industry there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for deploying a so-called compact battery/memory logging tool, for acquiring data in deviated or horizontal wells.