Abstract: A slip mechanism is provided to effect the anchoring of an inner tubular conduit to the inner wall of a larger surrounding tubular conduit such as the casing of the well. Two annular cam elements are disposed in axial alignment for slidable movements on the inner tube. Such cam elements have a plurality of peripherally spaced, axially extending, slots formed in their peripheries. A set of first slip members are radially slidably disposed in a portion of the axial slots and a set of second slip members are radially slidably disposed in the remainder of the axial slots. The slips are provided with an inclined cam surface which cooperates with a correspondingly shaped surface provided in the slot receiving that portion in the cam element. The slips have external teeth and may be of identical configuration, but are reversed when inserted into oppositely extending slots provided in separate cam elements.

Abstract: A double grip well bore packer run into a well casing on a pipe string has actuator means responsive to hydrostatic or applied fluid pressure to set anchor slips and deform a packing into engagement with the casing, and the setting force is locked into the packing. Pressure differential from below the packer actuates hold-down elements into engagement with the casing. A shearable member is sheared by a shear piston which is normally pressure balanced but rendered unbalanced when a releasing tool is seated in the packer and operated so that fluid pressure can act on the shear piston and release the packer for retrieval from the well casing.

Abstract: A retrievable double grip well packer having an elongated tubular body, longitudinally spaced, upwardly holding and downwardly holding expander and slip mechanisms and an intermediate, elastomeric deformable packing which are sequentially expanded into anchoring and sealing engagement with the well casing upon relative longitudinal movement between the body and the upwardly holding and downwardly holding slip and cone mechanisms. The body is locked in position holding the packer set and anchored. The downwardly holding slip and cone mechanism is connected to the body by a releasable connection and the elastomeric packing is supported by a telescopic sleeve which enables the slip and cone mechanism to be easily released from the casing. The body and the upwardly holding slip and cone mechanism are constructed to enable the packer to be run on pipe and mechanically actuated by shifting the body relative to casing engaging friction means which effects expansion of the slip and cone mechanisms and the packing.

Abstract: A hanger for supporting dual tubing strings in a well casing from hanger mandrels which can swivel to facilitate threadedly connecting each mandrel to its associated tubing string. The hanger includes an orienting sleeve for receiving safety shut-off valves, the sleeve being adapted to swivel with respect to the rest of the hanger, making it easier to assemble the hanger onto the running and setting tool used for setting the hanger in the casing.

Abstract: Well control valve to be installed in a tubing string for use in killing a well through use of fluid under pressure pumped down through the annulus surrounding the tubing string. When the annulus pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the valve is opened to permit the kill fluid to flow into and through the tubing string into the producing formation. The valve contains spaced upper and lower closure members or rupturable discs defining an atmospheric chamber therebetween. The upstream side of the upper disc is subject to the normal hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the annulus, and also to an increase in the pressure of the annulus fluid above normal hydrostatic pressure, but its downstream side is subjected initially to the atmospheric pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A retrievable packer is lowered into a well casing on a tubular string, the packer having expanders and coengageable slips expandable outwardly by fluid pressure into anchoring engagement with the well casing to prevent packer movement in both upward and downward directions. After the slips are set, the packing assembly for the packer is expanded by fluid pressure into sealing engagement with the well casing. Differential pressure in the tubing-casing annulus above the packing assembly, operates over booster areas to increase the pack-off force of the packing elements of the packing assembly against the casing to insure against leakage, providing a self-energizing system, the pack-off force on the packing elements being trapped to prevent its subsequent dimunition. Forces applied to the tubing string, either tensile or compressive, are transmitted directly to the slips and into the casing without passing through the packing, thereby having no effect on the latter.

Abstract: Well control valve to be installed in a tubing string for use in killing a well through use of fluid under pressure pumped down through the annulus surrounding the tubing string. When the annulus pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the valve is opened to permit the kill fluid to flow into and through the tubing string into the producing formation. The valve contains a closure member or disc, the upstream side of which is subject to the normal hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the annulus, and also to an increase in the pressure of the annulus fluid above normal hydrostatic pressure, but its downstream side is subjected to atmospheric pressure initially. Accordingly, the closure member can be placed in its opened condition, as by rupturing it, when subjected to a predetermined increase in annulus pressure above the normal hydrostatic pressure, allowing the annulus kill fluid to flow into and through the tubing string to the producing formation.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve for wells has a ball valve supported for rotation between open and closed positions in response to control fluid pressure supplied from the top of the well and a spring which overcomes the hydrostatic pressure of the control fluid. The ball is split and has a pressure equalizing flow passage through a ball cap initially opened before the ball is rotated, the ball valve base including a screen to preclude entry of large particles. An adjustable connection in the valve support and housing structure enables adjustment to compensate for tolerances and effect snug engagement of the ball cap with its seat. Control fluid pressure enters the pressure responsive region through a balanced sleeve. An internal spring guide has a seat adjustable relative to the valve housing to provide a smooth continuous bore when the valve is open.