Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for isolating a zone of a well bore from a portion of the well bore located above the zone, to prevent communication between the zone and the portion of the well bore located thereabove.

Abstract: A method for protecting a well formation during gravel packing in which a back pressure valve is held off of its seat while gravel is being placed in the well, is automatically closed as the wash pipe is removed from the screen and in which the valve is returned to open position by a force exerted from above, either hydraulic or mechanical.A valve is held open by a prop-out which is removable to permit the valve to swing to closed position and thereafter the valve is again opened in response to mechanical or hydraulic force from above.

Abstract: A tubular member, to be a segment of the casing string, is provided with a polished bore at its upper end and a locking profile at its lower end. The locking profile includes a bearing shoulder and internal left hand threads for coaction with a latching mechanism. Another tubular member, to be a segment of the production tubing, has groups of circumferentially separated flutes to (1) maintain concentricity of the tubing segment, (2) provide axial flow passages between the segments, and (3) provide support for components of the tubing segment. A tubular packing mandrel, mounted on flutes, carries external annular packing for sealing engagement with the polished bore. The lower end of the packing mandrel defines an annular valve seat; and a tubular valve closure member, mounted in sliding, sealing relation on the tubing segment, has a coacting upward facing valve seat. A valve spring urges closure of the valve closure member.

Abstract: A packer assembly for a cable-suspended well pumping system comprises a cylindrical housing carrying an external sealing sleeve of resilient material and a series of axially movable radially expandable slips for gripping a well casing. The slips are operated by liquid pressure developed upon initiation of a downwell pumping operation, by movement of a tubular piston within the housing which is connected to the slips through openings in the housing wall. Further, the slips abut a collar attached to one end of the sealing sleeve so that axial movement of the slips also causes the sealing sleeve to be axially compressed and radially expanded into engagement with the well casing. After pumping is terminated, the slips and seal can be disengaged from the well casing simply by raising the assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sequentially treating two vertically separated zones in a well bore, utilizing a packer having a fluid passageway therethrough set between the zones, a pressure shearable plug at the lower end of the packer, and a retrievable fluid plug at the upper end of the packer. Once the packer, with the shear plug on its lower end, is set in the well bore between the two zones, the retrievable plug is placed in the upper end of the packer to isolate the shear plug from well pressure in the upper zone, and the desired treating steps are performed on the upper zone. The retrievable fluid plug is then removed and tubing run to the packer to establish communication with the shearable fluid plug. The shearable plug permits static pressure testing of the tubing string and seals before communication is established with the lower zone, and then may be removed by elevating fluid pressure to sufficiently shear the plug.

Abstract: An upstanding valve body assembly is provided defining a center axis and includes radially expandable and retractable slips. The assembly includes a slip actuator rotatable relative to the remainder of the assembly about the center axis for expansion and retraction of the slips responsive to rotation of the slip actuator in opposite directions. A suspension member projects above the actuator and is threadedly engaged therewith for threaded shifting relative thereto along the axis. The suspension member is threadedly disengageable and engageable with the actuator portion upon rotation relative thereto in first and second directions, respectively.

Abstract: A system for cleaning perforations in a well bore where the perforations are located below a packer means on a production tubing. A tool on a string of pipe has packer means for sealing off the cross-section of the production tubing and the pressure in the annulus between the string of pipe and production tubing is reduced. The tool has a bypass passage across the packer means which opens upon the reaching of a predetermined pressure across the packer means and the high volume pressure from the earth formations suddenly flows through the tool and cleaning of the perforations is effected.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the selective disengagement of a fluid transmission conduit which is insertable through a second conduit for communication to a zone within a well bore, and for control of fluid transmission from the zone upon disengagement of the fluid transmission conduit. The apparatus defines a sealing means, usually a packer assembly, which communicates with the interior of the fluid transmission conduit for isolating an annular area between the fluid transmission conduit and the second conduit and above the zone. Valve means carried by the fluid transmission conduit and communicating with the sealing means is manipulatable between open and closed positions for selective isolation of fluid flow through the sealing means to the fluid transmission conduit.

Abstract: A well packer and depending foot valve are landed in a well. A landing nipple depends from the foot valve. A tubing string sealingly engages the packer and includes a circulating valve. A transducer-valve fitting may be run with the packer foot valve assembly or it may be run at a later time and landed in the landing nipple. The foot valve is operated by an actuator which is positioned above the packer and is exposed to the casing tubing annulus as well as tubing pressure. The circulating valve is also exposed to casing-tubing and tubing pressure. The foot valve is controlled by the differential in pressures as is the circulating valve. A transducer may be landed in the transducer fitting and by selectively opening and closing the foot valve data may be taken from the well during both flow and non-flow conditions.

Abstract: A well tool assembly is provided which is adapted to be set within a well bore. The assembly comprises a main body having a main passage. Means on the main body are provided for securing the main body within the well bore. An expendable plug is provided and housed within the passage to prevent flow of fluid therethrough. The plug assembly comprises a top sub, a longitudinally extending mandrel and piston means. First disengaging means are provided for selectively securing the top sub to the piston means or the mandrel. Second disengaging means are provided for selectively securing the top sub to the other of the piston means and the mandrel. Seal means are located on the plug assembly for prevention of fluid transmission thereacross.

Abstract: A bridge plug having an ejectable plug assembly means in the bore thereof and means for catching the ejectable plug assembly means.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating or completing wells to provide surface controlled subsurface safety systems in the wells, whether at the time of original completion or when the well is reworked or re-equipped. A method and apparatus is provided for installing receptacles at the upper ends of one or more lower well flow conductors left in place in the well below the surface for receiving the lower ends of corresponding upper flow conductor sections having surface controlled subsurface safety valves connected therein for controlling undesired flow from the well through said lower flow conductors in the event of an emergency, disaster or accident damaging the surface flow controlling system or threatening the integrity thereof. A hanger or packer may be installed in the well casing below the surface for supporting the upper ends of the lower flow conductor or conductors therebelow and providing means for connecting receptacles at the upper ends of said lower flow conductors above such hanger or packer.

Abstract: Packer for use in the disposal of abrasive fluids and well debris from a well drilling operation comprising: a packer mandrel; an upper slip support slidable on the packer mandrel; an upper slip wedge installed on the packer mandrel; a first plurality of slips; an elastomeric packer assembly installed on the packer mandrel; a lower slip wedge installed on the packer mandrel; a lower slip support; a second plurality of slips; a valve cage having a valve stem guide retained within the bore of the lower slip support; and a valve means having a stem slidable within the valve stem guide of the valve cage, the valve means being operable between a first position preventing and a second position allowing the flow of abrasive fluid and well debris through the bore of the lower slip support.

Abstract: A well tool is provided which is adaptable to be moved longitudinally within a well conduit. The tool contains normally retracted slip elements which are manipulated into engagement with the conduit by expander elements. An elastomeric packing element, of known construction, is expandable exteriorly around the well tool and is adapted to selectively seal with the well conduit. Booster means are provided for transmitting the compressive force defined by differential pressure acting across the packing element when the slips are in expanded position against the conduit and the packing element is sealed with the well conduit, such that the packing element is maintained in sealing relationship with the well conduit.

Abstract: A tubular one-way closure for injecting a material, particularly synthetic plastic foam material, into a hole has a throttle channel through which the material is to be injected, and a central tube rotatable about its axis and movable in its axial direction. The closure also comprises an expandable anchoring member actuated by said central tube so as to anchor said closure in said hole while being expanded, and an elastic sealing member also actuated by said central tube so as to seal said hole after anchoring of the same.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating or completing wells to provide surface controlled subsurface safety systems in the wells, whether at the time of original completion or when the well is reworked or reequipped. A method and apparatus is provided for installing receptacles at the upper ends of one or more lower well flow conductors left in place in the well below the surface for receiving the lower ends of corresponding upper flow conductor sections having surface controlled subsurface safety valves connected therein for controlling undesired flow from the well through said lower flow conductors in the event of an emergency, disaster or accident damaging the surface flow controlling system or threatening the integrity thereof. A hanger or packer may be installed in the well casing below the surface for supporting the upper ends of the lower flow conductor or conductors therebelow and providing means for connecting receptacles at the upper ends of said lower flow conductors above such hanger or packer.

Abstract: A tool for testing conditions at a specific depth in a well is run into the well on a wire line. The tool includes a stem having sealing rings around its outer surface adapted to seal against the inner wall of a locking assembly mounted on the lower end of a locking mandrel landed in a landing nipple in tubing in the well. The stem is locked in the locking assembly by dogs that move radially from a locking position preventing movement of the stem to a nonlocking position permitting pulling of the stem from the locking mandrel. The locking assembly includes an adapter that allows a single size stem to be used with a locking mandrel of any size.

Abstract: A tool for testing conditions at a specific depth in a well is run into the well on a wire line and set in a locking mandrel which in turn is set in a landing nipple in tubing string in the well. The tool is adapted to seal against the wall of the central bore through the locking mandrel and is locked in position by engagement of locking dogs on the tool in a recess in the fishing neck of the locking mandrel. The locking dogs are in a sleeve which surrounds and is slidable longitudinally along the body of the tool. On lifting the tool with a wire line to cause upward movement of the body relative to the sleeve, pressure release ports are moved to a communicating position and the locking dogs are withdrawn to disengage the locking mandrel to permit retrieval of the tool. The tool is of particular value in measuring the pressure or temperature in the well at a specific depth but is suitable for a wide variety of uses in which it is necessary to isolate temporarily a portion of the well.

Abstract: A stroke actuated well testing tool carried by a tubing string and including a packer, radial ports for maximum internal flow past the packer, and a valve controlling flow through the tubing string; the tool further including radial port control assemblies which are relatively movable axially, when the packer and tool are set, to close the radial ports, and valve control assemblies which are relatively movable to open and close the valve; the radial port control assemblies including a fluid flow restrictor to provide a time delay thereby to permit relative movement of the valve control assemblies without operation of the port control assemblies; the tool further including at least one annular sample collecting pressure resistant chamber occupying an open position for receiving well samples when the packer is set and a closed position when the tool is being pulled out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incrementally treating a section of an earth formation around a well to improve fluid flow into the well.

Abstract: A device for converting a well packer to a bridge plug for closing off flow along a well bore to isolate adjacent portions of the well bore on opposite sides of the packer, including a tubular sub connectible on the lower end of a well packer and a frangible closure plate supported in sealed relationship in the sub across the bore of the packer for closing off flow through the packer. The frangible plate is installed in the packer at the surface prior to setting the packer in the well bore and thereafter is destroyed without removal of the packer from the well bore to establish communication through the packer. The plate is insulated against vibration, withstands high hydraulic loads from both sides while fragmenting responsive to very low mechanical loads, and expends in small pieces to give a full bore opening without obstruction.

Abstract: A packer actuated vent assembly comprising a packer device settable by reciprocal movement of a mandrel, a valve actuator in the form of a barrel attached to the packer body, and a mandrel extension having a valve means thereon attached to the packer mandrel. The valve means is engaged by a stop member located on the barrel and is moved to the venting position when the packer mandrel is properly manipulated to seat the packer.