Abstract: A manifold arrangement for use with a top drive power unit to enable fluid circulation to be conducted to a well string for well bore conditioning to be effected with cementing plugs in place in the manifold arrangement and for conducting a pumpable substance such as cement to the well string without first circulating it through the top drive power unit.

Abstract: A TFL assembly is disclosed for use in a dual diameter flow-line/riser system which includes a small diameter flow-line section and a large diameter riser section. The assembly comprises a pig fitting in the small diameter flow-line section and a pig catching tool fitting in the large diameter riser section. The pig catching tool comprises a central opening which is sealed off by the pig upon joining said pig and tool after entry of the pig from the small diameter flow-line section into the large diameter riser section.

Abstract: The plug set of the present invention comprises an upper plug having a non-rotation insert retained therein and a lower plug having longitudinal splines therein and a non-rotation insert on the bottom thereof.

Abstract: A sub-surface release plug assembly for use in cementing an outer casing annulus around a well casing. The assembly includes a top plug releasably connected to a drill string by a collet mechanism and including a swivel connector and a vent thereabove. A sleeve assembly extends through the top plug and a bottom plug is releasably attached thereto. A vent is provided in the sleeve assembly between the top and bottom plugs, and this vent may be closed prior to releasing the bottom plug. The construction of the inner sleeve assembly provides that no high pressure from the drill string is applied to inner portions of either the top or bottom plugs. Thus, the plugs may be made of relatively soft, easily drillable material, even including plastic. When the lower plug is released and pumped to the bottom of the well casing, additional pressure opens a valve so that a flow passageway is provided therethrough.

Abstract: An adjustable cement head manifold connector including a first union having a passageway therethrough operably connected for a fluidtight connection with a cement head, a second union having a passageway therethrough having an end for operably connecting it in a fluidtight manner to a cement head, components for slidably connecting the first union and the second union in a fluidtight manner. The components for slidably connecting including a mandrel having one end fixed to one of the unions and slidably engaged with the other. The fixed end of the mandrel is preferably held with a combination of a sleeve surrounding the mandrel acting in conjunction with a nut which operatively engages and presses the mandrel against the seat at the opening of the union. The end of the mandrel which is slidably engaged utilizes a sleeve nut and O-ring arrnagement for fluidtight engagement against the mandrel.

Abstract: A wiper for a wellbore plug which is rigid for breaking off breakaway members and wellbore plug having a first wiper flexible enough to bypass breakaway members and a second wiper rigid enough for breaking off the bypassed members.

Abstract: A device for making measurements and interventions during fluid production or injection in a well passing through a geological formation is provided in tubing located in the well. The device has a propulsion position in the production tubing and a measuring or intervention position and comprises means supporting sealing members which are adapted on the one hand for uncovering an opening allowing fluid to flow along the tubing and an extension in said measuring or intervention position of the device and on the other for closing said opening in said propulsion position.

Abstract: A cementing tool assembly comprises a float collar, a cementing plug, and a wiper plug having interconnecting locking ends. The cementing tool assembly is non rotatable in the casing and includes internal frangible cutters which are breakable in compression to aid the shredding of the cementing tool assembly upon completion of the cementing operation.

Abstract: A wellbore plug having a wiper disposed in inverted position which, in one embodiment, reinforces a conventionally disposed wiper of the plug. A plug wiper is provided which has a conventional cone-shaped portion and an opposing reinforcing portion, cone-shaped or otherwise. A plug wiper is provided which has no threads for mating with other parts of the plug, but which has a hollow recess for emplacing the wiper on a plug shaft.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved remote cement plug launching system including guide tube means associated with the cementing plugs, which guide tube means are adapted to guide plug release darts to seats in said plugs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for introducing and removing TFL tools from a subsea wellhead assembly. The apparatus includes an elongate member adapted to hold at least one TFL tool, docking hubs for aligning the elongate member with the wellhead, a clamping mechanism or the like for engaging the elongate member with the wellhead and a circulation for circulating fluid within the elongate member and the wellhead to transport the TFL tool between the elongate member and the wellhead. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes at least two elongate members and a diverter located between the elongate members and the clamping mechanism. The diverter permits alternate fluid communication between each elongate member and the wellhead assembly.

Abstract: In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, an improved pig is set forth. The preferred version includes a body with a hollow cavity filled with foam. The body supports a number of encircling ribs for wiping the inside pipe surface. The internal foam filled cavity is exposed to pipeline pressure which enters through a constricted opening at the rear. In the event of a pressure surge, the fluid enters the pig with a pressure wave front, the pressure wave front being slowly propagated through the foam body. As the retarded pressure wave front moves through the body, the pig has sufficient time to move. Failure to incorporate this retardation of the propagated pressure wave front risks blowing out the nose of the pig.

Abstract: A device for use during operation of a borehole survey probe or the like. The device is attachable to a flexible cable which in turn is connected to the survey probe, and the device includes an outer sealing or swab member and an interior valve. The valve and sealing member cooperate during pumping of the survey probe down through a conduit, and the valve opens during retrieval of the survey probe so that fluid in the conduit passes through the device as the survey probe is removed.

Abstract: Mechanism for achieving the radial expansion of an annular elastomeric pack-off unit between the bore of a casing and the exterior of a liner, comprises a tubular sealing assembly threadably connected between the liner and the hanger and defining two inwardly projecting annular seals, an annular fluid pressure chamber, and radially disposed fluid inlet ports for the fluid pressure chamber located between the two inwardly projecting annular seals. An annular piston mounted in the annular pressure chamber effects the compressible expansion of an annular elastomeric seal element. A tubing extension of the work string is provided which may be selectively moved into sealing relationship with either or both of the internally projecting annular seals. During the cementing operation, the tubing extension engages both annular seals.

Abstract: A shuttle assembly is provided which includes a spring cleaning element secured at each end to mounting members which are freely slideable on a longitudinal axial rod. The rod is longer than the cleaning element in its normal extended position so that the cleaning element can shuttle back and forth on the rod. Stop members are secured to the end portions of the rod. When either rod end engages a capturing device at the end of a heat exchanger tube, inertia causes the cleaning element to slide forwardly until the adjacent mounting member tappingly engages the adjacent stop member of the assembly, causng undesirable material on the cleaning element to drop off. The mounting members are of a lesser O.D. (Outside Diameter) than the I.D. (Inside Diameter) of the pipe and are also of a lesser O.D. than the O.D. of the normally extended cleaning element. The O.D. of the cleaning element is such as to allow for transverse rattling engagement with the inner tube wall during shuttling.

Abstract: A pumpdown system in which the pistons providing for movement of the train into and out of the well do not travel down into the tubing below the wellhead and are connected to tools through reach rods extending down into the tubing. The cathead effect resulting from working around the loop with pistons is minimized by guides which substantially center the pistons in the loop and in the preferred form by the use of straight sections of the loop.

Abstract: A free piston rabbit for an oil and gas well having gas seal and rotation features which improve its operation, reliability and durability. Circumferential grooves on the body of the rabbit have a turbulence-inducing configuration which improves their gas-sealing capacity while helically oriented slots develop rotation of the body of the rabbit to reduce the risk that the rabbit will become lodged in the production pipe and to improve its sealing capacity by hydrodynamic fluid action.

Abstract: An improved swabbing cup construction for use on the mandrel of a swabbing tool for clearing liquids and particulate matter, and initiating the flow of oil, from an oil well pipe. The improved cup construction is manually adjustable on the mandrel to compensate for wear of the cup to greatly increase the life of the cup and to substantially facilitate the swabbing procedure for an oil well pipe. The method comprises the steps of observing the wear of the swabbing cup and of manually increasing the outer diameter of the swabbing cup while it is on the mandrel and during swabbing operations of said oil well pipe.

Abstract: An improved pipe wiper and cup therefor having at least one cup-like wiper lip which is strengthened by a plurality of radial webs which tend to keep the wiper lip from turning wrong side out, the wiper lip also having a plurality of external annular ridges whose diameters correspond to conventional pipe sizes so that the lip can be trimmed to proper size before use leaving an external ridge on the outer edge of the lip to enhance the wiping efficiency of the lip.

Abstract: A pump plug for use in through-the-flowline well operations, including a sleeve provided with annular sealing fins, which fins are flexible in both directions of the central axis of the sleeve. Support means are mounted on the sleeve for supporting the sealing fins in each of the flexed positions thereof.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.

Abstract: A packer nose assembly for pumping downhole equipment of the free type into and out of boreholes. The assembly includes a mandrel having a lower end portion attachable to the downhole equipment and an upper end portion terminating in the form of a fishing neck. One or more packers are slidably received in a telescoping manner upon the mandrel and anchored into position by spaced sleeves which are likewise slidably received upon the mandrel. The packer is cylindrical in form and includes a plurality of spaced fins formed about the exterior thereof with each fin being circumferentially disposed about and radiating from the body portion. The fins taper in thickness in an outward direction from the body portion.

Abstract: A cementing head apparatus is disclosed, for injecting a cementing plug into a well casing. The basic apparatus is made up of a head unit, manifold unit, and a tubular mandrel slidable within the manifold unit. Prior to injecting cement into the well casing, the cementing plug is mounted in the head unit and held in place by a shearable O-ring. During the cementing operation, part of the slurry stream flows through the head unit below the cementing plug, and part of the slurry collects in a "head" space above the plug. This arrangement provides an equal pressure force on both sides of the plug, to prevent premature injection of the plug into the well casing. When the desired amount of cement has been pumped, the mandrel is moved to a position which cuts off the cement flow and diverts another fluid only into the space above the plug. The resulting pressure above the plug shears the O-ring and allows the plug to follow the slurry down the well casing.

Abstract: A piston for use as a TFL locomotive or well swab having a seal unit forming a fluid seal between the piston and the inner wall of a flow conductor or tubing string. The seal unit comprising at least one annular fin or lip extending radially from the piston. The annular fin or lip having an exterior portion formed from elastomeric material which is deformable to seal with the flow conductor and an interior portion formed from elastomeric material molded on wire mesh. The interior portion providing increased wear resistance and strength for the annular lip. In one version, the piston carries several individual seal units each having an annular lip.

Abstract: An improved pump down wipe plug has at least one tooth protruding from its bottom surface capable of engaging, denting and penetrating the surface on which the plug comes in contact within the well. An improved process of cementing and drilling through a plug comprises inserting a pump down wipe plug having at least one tooth protruding from its bottom surface at the interface of wet cement and another fluid within the well, pumping the wet cement and the plug into position so that the tooth engages, dents and penetrates the surface below it, then when the cement has set, lowering a drill bit onto the plug and drilling the plug, the tooth or teeth retarding the tendency of the plug to rotate over the surface with which it is in contact thereby enhancing the drilling action of the drilling bit.

Abstract: A cementing/plug drilling apparatus consists of a flat plate slightly less in maximum diameter than the pipe in which it will pass having at least one protrusion or tooth on both faces, the tooth being strong enough and sharp enough to engage, dent and penetrate a cement surface and a pump down wipe plug and, the plate having an opening on each face in fluid communication with each other through a fluid passage. An improved process of cementing and drilling through a pump down wipe plug comprises placing a plate having teeth on both faces between a pump down wipe plug and the surface that the bottom of the plug contacts during the cementing process, so that when the drill bit contacts the plug the teeth on the top of the plate engage and hold the plug and the teeth on the bottom of the plate engage and hold the surface on which they are in contact, thereby retarding the tendency of the plug to slide over the surface below it and enhancing the drilling action of the drill bit.

Abstract: An improved well shoe or collar has at least one tooth protruding from the top of the cement shoulder of the shoe or collar capable of engaging, denting and penetrating a pump down wipe plug and retarding the tendency of the plug to rotate when engaged by a drilling bit, thereby enhancing the drilling action of a drill bit on a pump down wipe plug. An improved process of cementing within a well and drilling through a plug comprises inserting a pump down wipe plug at the interface of a fluid and wet cement, pumping the plug down the well until it comes into contact with a shoulder of a shoe or collar having at least one protrusion extending from the surface of the shoulder capable of engaging, denting and penetrating the plug, subsequently after the cement has set, lowering a drill bit onto the top of the plug, the protrusion retarding the tendency of the plug to rotate with the rotating action of the drill bit and enhancing the drilling action of the bit.

Abstract: A through the flowline or "TFL" tool selector has a base provided with a number of spaced flowline ports and a diverter tube shiftably mounted in a housing for selective communication with the flowline ports. The diverter tube is actuated by a reciprocable and rotatable piston and cam drive which shifts the diverter tube progressively from one flowline port to another. The piston is shiftable in a cylinder to which pressure fluid is supplied and then exhausted to effect actuation of the cam drive.

Abstract: A multipurpose pig for treating the interior of pipes or for conveying material through a pipeline constructed of a main body portion having a length approximately one and one-half times its diameter with one end of the body portion being cup-shaped and including flanges extending outwardly therefrom. The other end of the main body includes a hub with a central opening therethrough for securing a plurality of cutting blade elements to the hub for cleaning the interior of pipelines with the passage of the multipurpose pig therethrough. The main body portion further includes a plurality of sealing elements extending from the hub to the cup-shaped flange with the diameter of the plurality of sealing elements and said flange being approximately equal.

Abstract: A seal unit for movement through a flow conductor for pumpdown piston or well swab service, including a mandrel body, a seal element mounting sleeve disposed for limited travel on the body, and elastic annular seal means secured on the mounting sleeve to seal with the flow conductor wall in response to a first fluid differential across the unit and to permit controlled bypass and load transfer under a second higher differential. The seal means includes spaced annular lips or fins and an annular choke ring which is expanded by limited sleeve movement in response to a fluid pressure differential load applied across the fins. When the pressure differential across the fins exceeds a predetermined value, the sleeve expands the choke ring which assumes a major portion of the pressure differential load relieving the fins to reduce fin wear. As a pumpdown piston, the unit is pumped along a flow conductor to drive a tool train by fluid flow in a direction from the fins toward the choke ring.

Abstract: The specification discloses a pipeline pig comprising an elongated cylindrical member having a front end and a rear end; a plurality of spaced annular flexible rings circumscribing the member and extending radially outward from the member for contacting the inside wall of the pipeline; and an elongated central aperture extending from the rear end of the member to a point beyond its midpoint and near the front end thereof for receiving fluid pressure to facilitate movement of the pig through a pipeline.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve in through-the-flowline serviced wells. Both the valve frame and valve operator are provided with ball and socket universal joints to enable passage of the safety valve past restrictions in the flowline resulting from bends and curves in the flowline by flexing the safety valve in moving to and from the subsurface operating location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pumpdown tool for a well, the tool including a housing having a circumferentially extending seal on its outer surface and having a circumferential centralizer to protect the seal while the tool is being run in the well tubing.

Abstract: Wireline apparatus and method for measuring pressure downhole in well tubing comprising a main plug body which seats in a seating nipple forming part of the tubing, a pressure gauge in communication with the tubing below the main plug body, and means for equalizing the tubing pressure above and below the seated main plug body so that the apparatus may be removed from the well.