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 locking mandrel including a pumpdown piston and flow control means in which a dog expander engages a shoulder in a landing nipple and is moved to dog expanded position to lock the locking mandrel in the landing nipple and in which the locking mandrel may be released from the landing nipple by moving the body thereof either upward or downward to shift the expander from under the dogs to permit them to retract and release the landing nipple.

Abstract: Downhole surge tool for completion and/or reworking of fluid-bearing wells, adapted to connection with the downhole end of a dry tubing string, the tool being actuated to provide an instantaneous full opening into the tubing of surging fluids and particulate matter inwardly from the formation and upwardly into the tubing. The downhole surge tool is characterized by its non-jammable assemblage, wherein its surge plug may not be completely reinserted upon the influence of a powerful or overwhelming backsurge. The tool includes a tubular nipple, ejectable surge plug, operably inserted into the nipple and an optional catcher sub, the plug including a positive ejection assembly which is actuated upon partial ejection of the plug, permitting limited re-entry only of the plug into the nipple. A seal is provided between the plug and the nipple, the seal being disposed above pressure relief ports within the surge plug.

Abstract: A well tool or bridge plug for blocking fluid communication through well tubing. The present invention allows a fixed volume of liquid to be trapped within the well tubing while installing the plug. A piston means is releasably secured within the bridge plug. The piston means can slide relative to the housing of the bridge plug to compensate for any liquid displaced by inserting the bridge plug into the well tubing. The present invention is particularly adapted for use in through the flow line (TFL) or pumpdown well completions. However, the present invention could be used with wireline equipment.

Abstract: An underwater Christmas tree for controlling flow from an offshore well is disclosed as having a master valve which is controlled by fluid pressure within a flow-line extending from a production bore of the tree, and means for receiving and releasably retaining a TFL tool in the production bore intermediate the location at which control pressure is sensed and the intersection of the production bore with an auxiliary bore of the tree through which wireline tools are run. Since the TFL tool limits flow therepast, flowline pressure may be maintained at a level necessary to maintain the master valve open independently of fluid pressure within the auxiliary bore.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for locating well equipment at preselected locations within a well's tubing string. Positioned within the tubing string are a plurality of series of locating nipples. A locating tool runs through the tubing string. The locating tool may pass through at least one entire series of locating nipples without engaging any one nipple and subsequently engage a selected locating nipple in another series of locating nipples. This abstract is neither intended to define the scope of the invention, which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting in any way.

Abstract: In order to accurately place a charge of chemical in an old or established oil well or the like, tubing with a seating nipple affixed to its lower end is ran to the desired depth of placement, the charge of chemical is introduced into the tubing, and a spot valve according to the invention is placed into the tubing and pumped downhole until it is rammed home against the seating nipple, thereby expelling the chemical at the desired position in the well. The tubing is subsequently pulled upwardly for a few lengths, and the spot valve is then retrieved with a fishing tool. The spot valve includes a ball valve which is first held closed by a shear pin. The pin shears upon sufficient pull of the fishing tool to open the ball valve whereby the pressure is released across the ball permitting the spot valve to be retrieved with the fishing tool. After the spot valve is pulled, the remaining tubing is withdrawn from the well.

Abstract: A surface-controlled subsurface safety valve apparatus and method of utilizing the safety valve to 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: An improvement in a pump-down tool for use in sand washing operations is provided. The pump-down tool includes a tubular member having a locomotive member positioned thereabout and a fluid passageway positioned therethrough and a sand washing tool positioned in fluid communication with the lower end of the tubular member as positioned for use. The well has positioned therein a first and second tubing member with the first and second tubing members being in fluid communication at a junction near their lower ends so that the pump-down tool may be urged along the length of the first tubing member toward the junction by pumping fluid sequentially through the first tubing member, the junction and the second tubing member. The tool is recovered by pumping fluid in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for running, setting and anchoring a liner in a well bore casing, said apparatus being connectable to a tubular member extendible to the top of the well. The apparatus comprises an inner longitudinally extending body with an outer longitudinally extending body being around the inner body. Connection means on one of said inner and outer bodies are provided for connection of a liner extending below the apparatus. Expander means are carried on one of the inner and outer bodies, with gripping means being carried on the other of the inner and outer bodies. The gripping means are engagable with the expander means such that the gripping means are shifted into gripping engagement with the casing. A manipulatable tubular running tool is releasably secured to the inner and outer bodies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cementing well conduits in a well which is particularly advantageous when used in cementing wells having a subsea wellhead.

Abstract: In pump-down tools for use in well maintenance operations wherein fluids are injected into a well and wherein the tool includes a tubular member having locomotives positioned thereabout and a fluid passageway positioned therethrough and is connected to a fluid injection member positioned in fluid communication with the fluid passageway and the well; the well being equipped with a first tubing member and a second tubing member which are in fluid communication near their lower ends so that the tool is readily moved through the first tubing member by pumping fluid sequentially through the first tubing member, the junction between the first and second tubing member and the second tubing member and is moved in the opposite direction by reverse circulation, an improvement comprising positioning on the tubular member above the locomotives a sealing ring which is releasably maintained in position at a suitable angle from the axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a desired operation in a selected mandrel in a well. The apparatus includes a running assembly with selector stop means and operating tool means. The running assembly is run in the tubing string until the selector stop means positively locates it with respect to the selected mandrel. The operating tool means can then be manipulated to perform the desired operation in the selected mandrel. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

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: Cementing plug launching apparatus for use in cementing a casing string in a well in which a casing closure is releasably attached to the upper end of the casing string, the closure having a cement conduit opening therethrough and in which a cementing plug is releasably supported below the closure by the cement conduit, the plug being separable from the cement conduit upon introduction of a ball into the cement flowing into the casing through the conduit.

Abstract: A pump-down assembly for positioning and retrieving subsurface well equipment in a side pocket mandrel. The assembly is articulated to permit it to move through tubing curves and includes positioning and orienting means. Spring loaded latches in the positioning means mate only with correspondingly configured mandrel recesses so that the assembly can be stopped at the desired subsurface location. Guide surfaces in the orienting means rotate the assembly to the proper position relative to the mandrel side pocket. Placement and retrieval operations of the assembly are controlled by the selective application of hydraulic pressure to the well.