Abstract: A device for use with a retrievable bridge plug (30) comprising an upper packer element (3) and a lower packer element (11). The upper element (3) is connected to an upper link (6), which can rotate around a first pin (5). Upper link (6) is rotatably connected to a lower link (8) by a second pin (7). Lower link (8) can rotate around a third pin (9). An angle (&agr;) is formed between the longitudinal axis of the bridge plug and a line extending through the first pin (5) and the second pin (7), and correspondingly through the second pin (7) and the third pin (9), which is greater than zero when upper link (6) and lower link (8) is drawn. Upper link (6) and lower link (8) are arranged for, at setting, to expand radially by compression of upper packer bracket (3) against lower bracket (12), for forming a mechanical barrier for upper packer element (3) and lower packer element (11).

Abstract: A high-load slip system allows better transmission of loads from the slips to the body. The cone comprises longitudinal slots and the body comprises tabs which are disposed in those slots. The load is transferred from the slips to the cone and into the tabs which reside in the slots. The arrangement can be configured to share the load between the tabs extending from the body and the actual body itself after a small amount of collapse on the cone, leaving the body to support the cone, both through the tabs and on the outside diameter.

Abstract: A composite packer or bridge plug includes substantially all nonmetallic components. The design allows the setting tool metallic components to be retrieved after the bridge plug is set. The slips contain flats with mating flats on the cones which extend to one end of the cones and guides for the slips to facilitate proper slip movement into engagement with the wellbore. A lock ring rides on the nonmetallic mandrel and secures the set, using a buttress-type thread to engage into the mandrel body. Alternative designs are revealed for backup to the sealing elements to prevent extrusion. In one design, split rings are axially compressed so that they grow in radial dimension to act as extrusion barriers. In another design, tapered scored rings are rotationally locked against each other and are axially compressed so that they bend into contact with the wellbore to act as extrusion barriers. Axial travel to obtain an extrusion barrier is minimized.

Abstract: The present invention is a surge anchor mechanism which includes a main body, lower unit slidable in relation to the main body, and slip members. The slip members have at least one inclined end surface. The lower unit has an inclined surface forming a frustoconical shape wherein the slope of the surface complements the inclined end surface of the slip member. The lower unit is aligned along the axis of the main body and movable in relation to the main body along this axis. The slip members are biased towards the lower unit and movable transversely in relation to the axis of the lower unit. As a surge occurs in the well, the lower unit and the main body are forced towards each other. This causes the inclined surface of the lower unit to cooperate with and move along the corresponding inclined surface of the slip member forcing the slip member outward from the lower unit and into engagement with the well casing.

Abstract: A bridge plug (1) for use in a casing (7), for example in oil and/or gas wells, comprising a packing element (2) of a resilient material is disclosed. The packing element (2) is adapted for at impact from a running tool to expand from a first diameter, to a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter which corresponds to the inner diameter of the casing that is to be sealed. The packing element (2) is divided in zones forming at least one expandable sealing packing element (34, 35) and at least one expandable support packing element (31, 32, 33), where the support packing elements (31, 32, 33) are expandable to a smaller diameter than the sealing packing elements (34, 35). The bridge plug (1) is further comprised of an anchoring means (3) that is provided for holding the bridge plug (1) in its place in the casing by a friction surface (28) that is pressed radially against the casing (7).

Abstract: A packer is provided which reduces the number of components required in a retrievable packer. The packer is compact in size, and convenient and economical in use. In a described embodiment, the packer includes seal carrying and gripping assemblies mounted on a mandrel. Axial compression of the assemblies causes a seal and grip structures carried on the assemblies to radially outwardly deflect. Each of the assemblies may be integrally formed, thereby further reducing the number of components needed to construct the packer. Each of the assemblies is usable separately on the mandrel to produce apparatus which only grippingly engage or only sealingly engage a tubular member in a well. The packer or similar apparatus is retrieved by releasing the force axially compressing the assemblies.

Abstract: An improved cage slip system is disclosed. The cage is constructed so that the cones which actuate the slips extend into the cage openings. The radial extension of the slips is limited so as to retain them if they are extended in an unsupported situation. The cones have a maximum outside dimension equal to the outside dimension of the cage so as to increase the rating of the slips by increasing the bearing area of the cones on the slips. The beneficial features of the cage design are retained while a greater degree of radial expansion of the slips is possible allowing minimization of tool inventory for situations where a lighter wall casing requires further slip extension.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for anchoring within tubular structures and releasing therefrom. A packer capable of withstanding very large combined loads and differential pressures is provided with multiple dual slips. The packer uniquely distributes forces resulting from the loads and differential pressures among its slips, thereby minimizing damage to the tubular structure. In addition, the packer includes a debris barrier and a release device which permit convenient retrieval of the packer.

Abstract: A packer for use in subterranean wellbores provides efficient utilization of its cross-sectional area with mechanisms therein for anchoring, sealing, and torquing through the packer. In a preferred embodiment, a retrievable packer has a tubular mandrel, rubbers disposed on the mandrel, upper and lower compression members axially straddling the rubbers, a barrel-type casing slip, upper and lower wedges axially straddling the casing slip, a release mechanism, and a series of threaded load-distributing components which help to prevent collapse of the mandrel.

Abstract: A connection for coiled tubing is disclosed which has a feature built into it for resistance to torque transmitted from rotating equipment, such as a downhole motor. The connection fits up inside the coiled tubing and has a variety of rotational locks, along with a unique slip design to facilitate the resistance in the connection to applied torque from mud motors or other downhole equipment.

Abstract: A packer is provided which reduces the number of components required in a retrievable packer. The packer is compact in size, and convenient and economical in use. In a described embodiment, the packer includes seal carrying and gripping assemblies mounted on a mandrel. Axial compression of the assemblies causes a seal and grip structures carried on the assemblies to radially outwardly deflect. Each of the assemblies may be integrally formed, thereby further reducing the number of components needed to construct the packer. Each of the assemblies is usable separately on the mandrel to produce apparatus which only grippingly engage or only sealingly engage a tubular member in a well. The packer or similar apparatus is retrieved by releasing the force axially compressing the assemblies.

Abstract: A slip element installable about a downhole tool apparatus for use in anchoring a downhole tool in a wellbore. The slip element has at least one slip button made of a metallic-ceramic composite material comprising an effective percentage by weight of a preselected titanium compound. The composite makes the slip button resistant to chipping upon setting but has favorable drillability characteristics upon drilling the downhole tool from a wellbore. The slip element may include at least one slip element made of a non-metallic material such as a laminated nonmetallic composite material. Preferably at least one slip button is made of a metallic-ceramic composite material comprising less than about 75 percent by weight of titanium carbide having a density ranging between about 5 to 7 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the slip button is cylindrically shaped and is installed in at least one slip element at a preselected angle and extends outwardly at a preselected distance from a face of the slip element.

Abstract: A thru-tubing gravel packing operation utilizing inflatable packing elements and a flow cross-over assembly which selectively opens flow ports for effecting steps in the gravel packing operation and which further provides concentric flow paths through the cross-over assembly for transmitting fluid pressure to valving means and the interior of the packing element or elements to move them to set and sealed condition, whereby the outer diameter of the inflatable element in the sealed condition may preferably expand to at least twice the outer diameter of such element in the initial or run-in condition, for the sequential setting thereof while also transmitting a variation in the pressured fluid to actuate a valve for circulation of the gravel packing fluid exterior of the assembly and for permitting return of fluids through the assembly without the gravel.

Abstract: Completion method for avoiding formation impairment in the completion of a wellbore by anchoring and activating a plug at a selected position in the wellbore to seal off a selected portion of the wellbore from other portions of the wellbore. The plug is positioned at the selected position in the wellbore and anchored at that position. A seal in the plug is then activated such that fluid cannot pass the plug. Other parts of the wellbore can then be operated at different pressures than the isolated part of the wellbore without impairment of the formation resulting from the loss of well fluids into the formation.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, improved retention of the packer in the wellbore is achieved by use of an inventive slip and wedge system, wherein the cones on the wedges are spaced a progressively slightly greater distance apart from their corresponding slip cones, from the centermost slip cone to the outermost slip cone. This forces the center of the slip to be loaded first. As greater forces are exerted on the wedges from end to end, the wedge will deform slightly and the next cone of the wedge will make contact with its matching portion of slip. Thereby, as the wedges are loaded higher and higher, more wedge cones come into bearing contact with the slip. Further, a barrel slip is used, to provide a uniform circumferential distribution of forces. This design effectively allows initial setting of the packer with very little slip tooth contact area. This permits the slip to quickly get a good grip into the casing wall.

Abstract: A packer for use in subterranean wellbores provides efficient utilization of its cross-sectional area with mechanisms therein for anchoring, sealing, and torquing through the packer. In a preferred embodiment, a retrievable packer has a tubular mandrel, rubbers disposed on the mandrel, upper and lower compression members axially straddling the rubbers, a barrel-type casing slip, upper and lower wedges axially straddling the casing slip, a release mechanism, and a series of threaded load-distributing components which help to prevent collapse of the mandrel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus particularly suitable for tools having a center mandrel, a plurality of slip segments disposed in an initial position around the mandrel and requiring a retaining means for holding the slip segments in an initial position prior to setting the tool downhole. The subject retaining system is characterized by at least one frangible retaining band extending at least partially around the slips and at least one elastic O-ring extending at least partially around the slips. Preferably the retaining band is non-metallic and both the retaining band and the elastic O-ring reside in a common groove formed in the outer face of each slip. The groove further preferably has an L-shape due to an under cut in the groove to form a lip extending over the retaining band. Hardened inserts may be molded into the slips. The inserts may be metallic, such as hardened steel, or non-metallic, such as a ceramic material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slip design with substantially longitudinally oriented wickers, which can be used alone or in combination with transversely oriented wickers, to secure a downhole tool, such as a bridge plug or packer, against rotational forces, such as those imparted from a whipstock, as well as longitudinal forces, such as those ultimately delivered by pressure fluctuations from uphole or downhole. The longitudinally oriented wickers are further cammed against the casing since any imparted torque on the packer body contacts a corner or edge of the slip, imparting to it a camming action making it dig further into the casing surface.

Abstract: An external casing packer 10 is provided for positioning downhole along a tubular string in a well. Packer 10 includes a mandrel 12, an elastomeric sealing element 14, and an inflation chamber 26 for inflating the sealing element into sealing engagement with the sidewall of the well. Upper collar 22 and a lower collar 24 positioned axially above and below the sealing element, respectively, and an upper end sleeve 40 and a lower end sleeve 62 of the sealing element are mechanically interconnected. One or more anti-rotational keys 44 rotational interconnect a collar with a respective sleeve. A circumferential groove 52 may be provided in the outer surface of the collar, and a similar circumferential groove 54 provided in the inner surface of the end sleeve. A retaining wire 46 may be passed through a hole 56 in the end sleeve and into the grooves to axially interconnect the collar with the end sleeve.

Abstract: A packer or bridge plug design is revealed that has a lock mechanism involving the interengagement of teeth. The meshing of the teeth holds the set of the sealing elements and slips of the packer or bridge plug. Release is accomplished by an application of weight which, due to relative movement of parts, allows the stress applied to the slips and sealing element to be relieved with the interengaging teeth of the lock mechanism still in place. Upon stress relief as to the slips and sealing elements, further movement cams the locking member in a manner so as to separate the interengagement of the teeth, thus completing the release. The stress-relief mechanism and the lock mechanism are part of a compact assembly which is preferably mounted above the packer or bridge plug for easy access. A pressure equalization technique involves discrete operation of an equalizing sleeve followed by at least one opposed motion before a release sleeve can be tagged for removing the plug.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, the packer is purpose-designed as a cut-to-release packer. That is, this retrievable packer has no built-in release mechanism. An internal cinch slip is used to retain the packer in its set position and thereby prevent the accidental release of the packer. The only way it can be released is by severing the mandrel. The cut point is opportunely designed so that the mandrel is severed in a precise location such that not only is the packer released, but all the packer and tail pipe are then retrievable as a unit. The primary advantage of a cut-to-release packer is that it can withstand extreme tubing loads occurring during production and stimulation.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, improved retention of the packer in the wellbore is achieved by use of an inventive slip/wedge system, wherein the cones on the wedges are spaced a progressively slightly greater distance apart from their corresponding slip cones, from the centermost slip cone to the outermost slip cone. This forces the center of the slip to be loaded first. As greater forces are exerted on the wedges from end to end, the wedge will deform slightly and the next cone of the wedge will make contact with its matching portion of slip. Thereby, as the wedges are loaded higher and higher, more wedge cones come into bearing contact with the slip. Further, a barrel slip is used, to provide a uniform circumferential distribution of forces. This design effectively allows initial setting of the packer with very little slip tooth contact area. This permits the slip to quickly get a good grip into the casing wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seal-sub packer assembly which is formed by a two-mandrel packer and a setting tool which positions the packer within the casing. A lower mandrel of the packer is provided with internal threads for engagement with the setting tool, thereby preventing premature setting of the packer. The exterior surface of the lower mandrel carries one or more sealing members which are compressed and forced to expand horizontally when the upper mandrel slides downwardly, shearing shear screws in response to a downward force acting on the setting tool. In an alternative embodiment, a liner hanger is secured to the lower mandrel, the liner hanger carrying an annular band with an inverted J-shaped slot through which a pin extends. When the body of the packer assembly is rotated in a predetermined direction, the guide pin extending through the J-slot resists premature setting of the packer.

Abstract: A bridge plug assembly 10 contracts radially inwardly to pass through tubing string T and then expands radially outwardly in response to axially compressive forces to set within a casing string C. Upper and lower independently moveable slips 52 and 54 of the anchor mechanism 12 engage casing C. The packoff mechanism 14 includes a plurality of upper sealing members 160, 162, 164 and a plurality of lower sealing members 166, 168, 170 having varying elasticity such that at least some of the sealing members overlap other sealing members when the bridge plug 10 is compression set in the casing C. The bridge plug assembly 10 is retained in a contracted position for passing downwardly through tubing T, then expanded for sealing engagement with casing C. The bridge plug 10 may be run-in with a setting tool ST and may be subsequently released by a releasing tool RT to drop within the well.

Abstract: There is disclosed a running tool for running and setting and then releasing from a well packer of the type having a main body and a setting sleeve vertically shiftable on the main body to set the packer. The setting tool includes a mandrel carrying a latch having left-hand threads for engaging left-hand threads on the body of the packer as well as teeth adapted to engage in notches in the upper end of the packer body to prevent right-hand rotation of the setting tool with respect to the packer as the packer is run on the setting tool into the well bore. When the packer is at the desired level, fluid pressure in the setting tool lowers the setting sleeve to set the packer and releases the setting tool from connection to the packer so that it may be retrieved.

Abstract: A resilient sealing element is adapted for connection to a well tool, with an integral anchoring device, such as a slip, embedded therein. When compressive forces are applied thereto the sealing element compresses and moves its outside diameter and the slip into sealable engagement with the inside wall of a well tubing or casing. Releasing the sealing and anchoring element is accomplished by applying tension to a wire which passes longitudinally therethrough to cause retraction of the slip.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus including, but not limited to, packers and bridge plugs which more fully utilize highly stressed non-metallic components, including slips, slip wedges, and packer element retaining shoes than prior tools. The non-metallic packer element retaining shoes of the present invention are preferably made of separate shoe segments initially held in place by at least one retaining band. Such non-metallic packer element shoes do away with troublesome prior art metallic shoes and backups which tended to spin upon each other or about the mandrel while milling or drilling the tool out of a wellbore. Therefore, the subject invention increases the ability to drill or mill downhole tools out of a well bore in less time than it would take with using conventional or non-conventional drilling or milling techniques or equipment.

Abstract: A torque-resistant hydraulically settable packer is coaxially positionable within a subterranean well flow conductor and has a tubular body that carries a circumferentially spaced series of radially outwardly movable slip anchors having, on outer side surfaces thereof, gripping teeth with lengths that are sloped relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular and to a plane perpendicular. Inner side surfaces of the slip anchors are engaged by circumferentially spaced flat outer side surface areas formed on the facing frustroconical ends of an opposed pair of annular setting wedge members coaxially carried by the tubular body and being axially drivable to radially outwardly shift the slip anchors to their setting positions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a retrievable bridge plug for use in down-hole casing or tubing conduit. A problem exists in known plugs, namely slippage thereof within the casing resulting in breakage of a seal therebetween. The present invention provides a plug which can be set by urging outermost and innermost cylindrical members relative to one another in their longitudinal directions in so doing anchoring slips 19a, 19b and locating a packing element 11a, 11b on an inner surface of the casing, biasing means 30a, 30b providing a predetermined force to the packing element 11a, 11b greater than that required to provide a seal whereby the plug is retained within the casing.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and pressure conditions, improved sealing is provided by a seal element prop surface which is radially offset with respect to the seal element support surface of the packer body mandrel. At least one seal element is supported on the elevated prop surface and is subjected to a radial squeeze in the set configuration, even though the lowermost seal element may be subject to longitudinal separation. The split level seal element support arrangement provides an annular pocket into which the seal elements can be retracted upon release and retrieval of the packer, thereby providing clearance for unobstructed retrieval. Upon release of the packer, a retainer collar is shifted away from a lower metal backup shoe, thereby providing an annular pocket into which the metal backup shoe is deflected, so that it does not obstruct the drift clearance as the packer is retrieved.

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: A downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic components. The non-metallic components may include but are not limited to the center mandrel having an unmachined, molded central opening therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, a sliding valve is disposed on an outer surface of the center mandrel for opening and closing a valve port. An overshot is used to selectively actuate the sliding valve. Methods of installation and drilling out of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A locking system which includes landing nipples connectable in a well flow conduit and a lock mandrel to which well flow control devices are connectable. The landing nipples have an unrestricted full bore flow passage with a locking groove and profiled locating recesses with one square shoulder in the flow passage. The lock mandrel may be lowered through full bore landing nipples to automatically locate in the full bore landing nipple in which the lock mandrel is to be operated to lock and expand a seal system to sealingly engage the landing nipple. The lock mandrel utilizes locking lugs engageable in the landing nipple locking grooves. The automatic locator device has locating keys with one or two square shoulders, which locate the lock mandrel in a landing nipple. After operating, the lock mandrel is releasably retained locked and sealed in the landing nipple. The lock mandrel may be operated to disengage the landing nipple and permit the seal system to retract for retrieval from the landing nipple.

Abstract: A well connector connectable to the outside of coil tubing for coupling the tubing to another member. The connector includes a tubular body externally enclosing the end of the coil tubing and a second end for connection to another member. A slip housing is threadably connected to the first end of the body and encloses slips between the body and the housing for gripping the outside of coil tubing. The body includes a thermally compensated packing element and a threaded actuation energizer is provided threadably engaging the body, separate from the slip actuation, for energizing the packer element into a seating engagement with the exterior of the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A retrievable packer is provided for wireline setting and tubing retrieval. A circumferentially extending shear member releases the retrievable packer from the wireline once the retrievable packer is set. A positive locking member releasably locks the upper and lower slips to the mandrel as they are wedged into gripping engagement with the casing string. The positive locking member includes a body lock ring which locks the upper slip assembly in a ratcheting engagement with the packer mandrel, and a J-latch which releasably secures the lower slip assembly to the mandrel.

Abstract: A latching device to be used with a cement squeeze packer and a stinger is disclosed. The latching device enables an operator at the surface of an oil or gas well to open and close the squeeze packer valve without the risk of pulling the stinger out of the packer. The latch assembly is installed on the stinger assembly and is provided with a plurality of radially flexible fingers that engage the uphole end of the packer mandrel. Preferably, a series of ribs on both the latch and the uphole end of the mandrel are engaged when the stinger assembly descends into the hole and the stinger enters the packer. These ribs prevent the stinger from coming out of the packer until a predetermined tensile force is applied.

Abstract: A locking apparatus which includes a rupture disc, prevents a packer from setting while being lowered into a wellbore. When the rupture disc ruptures, the packer can then set. The locking apparatus includes a locking sleeve for holding a locking dog into a locking recess in a mandrel. A drag block is locked to the mandrel as long as the locking dog is held into the locking recess of the mandrel. A packer connected to the mandrel is prevented from setting as long as the drag block is locked to the mandrel. Pressure in an annulus around the locking sleeve increases until it exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure value. When the annulus pressure exceeds the threshold pressure value, a rupture disc in the locking sleeve ruptures thereby allowing the annulus pressure to enter a chamber and move the locking sleeve away from the locking dog. When the locking sleeve moves away from the locking dog, any subsequent longitudinal movement of the mandrel moves the locking dog out of its locking recess.

Abstract: In a retrievable packer adapted for service under high temperature and high pressure operating conditions, improved sealing is provided by a seal element prop surface which is radially offset with respect to the seal element support surface of the packer body mandrel. At least one seal element is supported on the elevated prop surface and is subjected to a radial squeeze in the set configuration, even though the lowermost outside seal element may be subject to longitudinal separation. The split level seal element support arrangement provides an annular pocket into which the seal elements can be retracted upon release and retrieval of the packer, thereby providing clearance for unobstructed retrieval. Upon release of the packer, a retainer collar is shifted away from a metal backup shoe, thereby providing an annular pocket into which the metal backup shoe is deflected, so that it does not obstruct the drift clearance as the packer is retrieved.

Abstract: A well packer for engaging and sealing against the inside of a conduit having a mandrel, friction blocks, slips, and a packer seal. The friction blocks are supported by the mandrel and positioned parallel to the slips providing a short inexpensive packer. The packer can be quickly and easily converted to be either a mechanical set bi-directional packer, a compression set well packer, or a tension set packer.

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 downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic components. The material may include engineering grade plastics. The nonmetallic components may include but are not limited to the center mandrel, slips, slip wedges, slip supports and housings, spacer rings, valve housings and valve components. Methods of drilling out the apparatus without significant variations in the drilling speed and weight applied to the drill bit may be employed. Alternative drill bit types, such as polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits may also be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for casing a well. The inventive apparatus comprises: an outer casing; an inner casing positionable inside the outer casing; and a squeeze packer assembly incorporatable in the inner casing. The squeeze packer assembly is mechanically operable for sealing the annulus between the inner casing and the outer casing.The present invention also provides a method of installing an inner casing inside an outer casing. The inventive method comprises the steps of: (a) incorporating a mechanically operable squeeze packer assembly in the inner casing and (b) inserting the inner casing into the outer casing.

Abstract: A well packer isolation system (10) for use in hostile, corrosive environments is disclosed that comprises packer top sub (20), packer mandrel (22), setting sleeve (24), top slip support (26), slip (28), wedge (30), packer elements (32A, 32B, 32C), packer bottom sub (34), and shear pins (36, 38, 40, 42). As packer system (10) is run into an existing polished bore receptacle (12) using running tool (14), bottom sub (34) no-goes against PBR adapter sub (76). When sufficient setting pressure is exerted on setting sleeve (24) by running tool (14), shear pins (36, 38, 40) are sheared, packer elements (32A, 32B, 32C) are longitudinally compressed and radially expanded, and slip (28) engages inside wall (56) of PBR (12). Running tool (14) is withdrawn after packer system (10) is set by upwardly shearing shear pins (42).

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus and methods of drilling the apparatus. The apparatus may include, but is not limited to, packers and bridge plugs utilizing non-metallic slip components. The non-metallic material may include engineering grade plastics. In one embodiment, the slips are separate and held in place in an initial position around the slip wedge by a retainer ring. In another embodiment, the slips are integrally formed with a ring portion which holds the slips in the initial position around the wedge; in this embodiment, the ring portion is made of a fracturable non-metallic material which fractures during a setting operation to separate the slips. Methods of drilling out the apparatus without significant variations in the drilling speed and weight applied to the drill bit may be employed. Alternative drill bit types, such as polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits may also be used.

Abstract: There is disclosed a well packer for use in closing off the annulus between a casing string in which the packer is connected and a well bore into which the casing string is lowered. The packer includes a mandrel connected as part of the casing string, a sleeve of elastomeric material surrounding an intermediate portion of the mandrel and adapted to be inflated into engagement with the well bore, and relatively short, substantially rigid but flexible, overlapping strips disposed about only upper and lower portions of the sleeve for expansion therewith into engagement with the well bore.

Abstract: A releasable boring mechanism for releasably securing a tool downhole in a well includes upper and lower sets of slip expandable radially outward from retracted positions into extended positions for engagement with the inside wall of a well casing when a mandrel attached to a tubing string casing, the anchoring mechanism is lifted to wedge upper and lower frustoconical heads between the mandrel and the slips. In releasing the slips from the well casing, the lower edge of a window in an upper slip cage first engages a primary release shoulder on the bottom of a first to release one of the slips to lift such slip through the application of compression forces from the casing well.

Abstract: A packer slip has multiple anchor studs which are press fit in an interference union onto a slip plate constructed of a corrosion resistant alloy material. The anchor studs are located on the slip plate in such a manner as to distribute applied load forces evenly onto the well casing. The anchor studs have ribs formed by longitudinal serrations, with the stud body and ribs being truncated along a planar face, thereby producing a cutting edge for penetrating and gripping a well casing, which is also constructed of corrosion resistant alloy material. The ribs are separated circumferentially by longitudinal grooves formed in the main body portion of each stud. According to this arrangement, the grooves provide flow space for rib material which flows in response to compression forces arising as a press-fit interference union is produced.

Abstract: A multi-string packer for anchoring two or more non-concentric through tubes inside a larger pipe or casing (e.g. in an oil well). The packer can be deployed downhole, set, unset, and reset at least once without being withdrawn to the surface, despite the shearing of shear elements on each such operation. A lost-motion mechanism isolates the shear elements for the first packer resetting (the second setting) from packer-setting shear forces applied to the shear elements for the first packer setting, to preserve the second setting shear elements until the packer is actually required to be set for a second time. Similarly, another lost-motion mechanism isolates to shear elements for the second packer unsetting from the packer-unsetting shear forces applied to the shear elements for the first packet unsetting, to preserve the second unsetting shear elements until the packer is actually required to be unset for a second time.

Abstract: A well tool includes a whipstock in conjunction with an inflatable packer for use in the open hole. A pivotal joint between the whipstock and packer allows the whipstock to pivot relative to the packer and springs bias the whipstock into an angled relation relative to the packer. A setting tool connects the whipstock and packer in a rigid straight line position while the tool is being run into the hole. Drilling fluid can be circulated through the tool. When the packer is set and the setting tool is removed, the whipstock pivots relative to the packer against the side of the open hole. This allows the hole to be sidetracked from the low side of the hole.

Abstract: A single bore packer is modified by a dual flow seal unit for gas lift completion. This permits the operator to inject lift gas into the upper casing annulus at the well head, bypass the hanger packer and conduct the lift gas into the suspended production tubing below the fluid level. The dual flow seal assembly is sealed internally against the packer mandrel, with the lift gas being conducted through a bypass flow passage between the seal mandrel and the packer mandrel, and being discharged into the lower casing annulus through a discharge port formed through the packer mandrel below the packer seal element package. The hang weight load of the production tubing is decoupled with respect to the packer seal elements by a set of internal ratchet slips which transfers the hang weight load from the packer mandrel onto the anchor slips and well casing at a location below the seal element package.