Abstract: An above packer perforate, test and sample tool. The tool includes a tester valve which is positioned above a well packer and which has a bypass which provides communication between a well annulus above the packer and a firing mechanism for guns positioned below the packer. When the well annulus pressure is raised, the firing mechanism is triggered. The bypass may be closed prior to firing of the guns, and after perforation, a valve in the tester valve may be opened to flow a sample of well fluid into a sampling chamber located above the tester valve. A method of testing a well formation utilizing the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve valve well flow control device having a tubular nipple connectable in a well tubing string and side ports for flow into the nipple and a retrievable pack-off sleeve insertable into the nipple for closing the side ports, the sleeve including an equalizing port and J-slots for coacting with a guide lug in the nipple to position the sleeve at an equalizing position prior to retrieving the sleeve from the nipple to minimize the damage to seals around the retrievable sleeve.

Abstract: A separable fluid pressure activated firing mehanism for a perforating gun comprises a pressure-operated tubing valve, a packer, and a tubular housing assembly defining a plurality of fluid pressure chambers therein. The first chamber contains a light density, clean, compressible fluid which is subject to well annulus pressure above the packer to provide a reference pressure. A second chamber sealably mounts a piston-type firing pin, which is normally secured by a locked latch in an elevated position above a detonatable primer and the lower portion of said firing pin is exposed to the reference pressure. The latch is unlocked through the application of a predetermined annulus pressure above the packer to a locking piston which moves to unlock the latch and trap the reference pressure in the first chamber. A further increase in said annulus pressure opens the tubing valve.

Abstract: A method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing. The lower casing and upper casing are connected at a swivel joint so that only the upper casing is rotated while cementing. Inflatable packers and a plug are positioned at the lower casing to prevent entry of cement, while a port collar allows cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing.The invention is particularly useful when setting long lengths of casing and when completing highly deviated or horizontal wellbores. The method also allows an existing conventionally-completed well to be re-drilled and completed as a highly-deviated or horizontal well.

Abstract: Treating apparatus arranged to be positioned in well bores that includes a packer that is retrievable and resettable and that provides a spaced pair of sealing elements to isolate a zone in the well bore. A valve operable within the packer is moveable among positions wherein fluid can be circulated through the operations, an open position wherein the treating fluids can be injected into the zone to be treated, and a closed position wherein the selected zone can be sealed off.

Abstract: A well safety system with two surface controlled subsurface safety valves. The invention allows various alternatives for controlling injection into and production from a gas storage well. For maximum production, gas can flow from the underground storage reservoir to the well surface via a tubing string and the annulus between the tubing and well casing. The invention provides at least two alternative flow paths for injecting kill fluids into the well bore.

Abstract: A sleeve type valve useful in a well tubing string for controlling flow between the valve interior and exterior. An internal pressure balanced sleeve is releasably positioned to the valve body closing a flow port in the valve body wall to flow. The valve has an external pressure unbalanced sleeve also releasably positioned to close the port to flow. When the internal sleeve is moved to a position opening the port to flow, pressure may be increased in the valve interior to act through the port on the unbalanced sleeve, moving this sleeve to a position also opening the port to flow and permitting flow between the valve interior and exterior. The body has profiled grooving and a seal bore above the port and a seal bore below the port in which a locking mandrel may lock and seal, reclosing the port to flow.

Abstract: A bottom hole shut-in tool incorporating a ball and seat shut-off valve and a ball and seat pressure equalizing valve. The ball elements of the valves are formed of elastomeric material, which allows the ball elements to engage their seats in continuous annular sealing contact even when debris from the well is trapped between a ball and its seat or when a ball is not exactly aligned with its seat. This arrangement effectively seals off the pressure gauge used in conducting a pressure survey from fluid in the well tubing located above the shut-off valve.

Abstract: A bridge plug having upper and lower slips for anchoring the plug and an elastomeric packing element for sealing within a well casing. The bridge plug may be set either mechanically or through a wireline pressure setting assembly. The small outer diameter of the bridge plug allows for fast run in and the short design and material selection assures a quick drill-out. The lower cone adjacent the lower slip assembly is locked to prevent spinning of the plug during drill out. Pressure equalizing means are provided for equalizing the fluid pressure above and below the plug before drilling out the upper slips.

Abstract: Relatively rotatable inner and outer tubular bodies include ports for communicating a well string in which the bodies are connected with the well bore. A seal between the bodies surrounds the port in one of the bodies to control communication between the bodies and well bore when the bodies are rotated to align and misalign the ports. A restrainer engages the well bore to restrain one of the bodies while the other is rotated by the well string and a receptacle with a port between seals that engage the well bore is provided so that a treating fluid placed in the well string may be pumped down while the body ports are open to discharge well string fluid to the well bore and when the treating fluid reaches the bodies, the ports are closed so the treating fluid may be discharged through the receptacle ports into the well bore zone isolated between the seals on the receptacle.

Abstract: A string bypass for bypassing fluid around a packer as a testing string is lowered into or raised out of a well bore. The string bypass includes an outer case with an inner mandrel positioned therein such that an annular cavity is defined therebetween. A reciprocating piston is positioned in the annular cavity. The case and mandrel both define transverse holes therethrough, and the piston includes a transverse passageway which provides intercommunication between the holes when the piston is in an open position. A spring biases the piston toward the open position. A pump is used to inflate the packer, and, as the pump pressure gradually increases, a differential between the pump pressure and well annulus pressure acts against an annular area on the piston and overcomes the spring force so that the piston is moved to a sealed, closed position in which communication between the holes is prevented.

Abstract: A method for cementing a casing or a liner traversing earth formations comprising the supplemental injection of cement at a pressure greater than the pore pressure in the earth formations during a cementing operation to enchance the effectiveness of the cement integrity by maintaining hydrostatic pressure in an annulus between the pipe and the borehole at a location where the pore pressure of the earth formations is apt to impair the cement integrity in the annulus thereby preventing annular migration of gas or liquids in the cement seal between the earth formations and a liner or casing.

Abstract: A downhole tool apparatus includes a housing having an operating element disposed therein. An actuating piston is disposed in the housing and is operably associated with the operating element so that the operating element is operated in response to movement of the actuating piston relative to the housing. A packer is disposed about the housing for sealing between the housing and a well bore and for thereby defining an upper end of a sealed well annulus zone external of the housing. A compression passage is disposed through the housing and communicates a low pressure side of the actuating piston with the sealed well annulus zone exterior of the housing. A lower packer is longitudinally spaced from the upper packer defines a lower end of the sealed well annulus zone. The upper and lower packers are set to define the sealed well annulus zone and to define a trapped reference pressure therein equivalent to the hydrostatic pressure of well annulus fluid.

Abstract: This application discloses apparatus in which a body means having a bore therethrough connected as part of a tubing string is packed off within a well bore, and means including a passageway in the body means by-passes the packer to connect the annulus about the tubing string above and below the packer. The packer is expanded into engagement with the well bore upon release of a means for locking it in an inoperative position, and a means for so releasing the locking means includes a piston in the passageway which in responsive to control fluid supplied through a control line in the annulus which connects with the passageway. Upon release and setting of the packer, the piston is removed from the passageway and circulation of well fluid through the connecting means between the annulus above and below the packer is controlled by a safety valve which normally closes the passageway, but which is responsive to control fluid supplied thereto through the same control line.

Abstract: A retrievable well safety valve in a cased well system including a tubing string, a dual packer downhole around the tubing sealing with the casing and submersible pump in the tubing string below the packer.The safety valve controls flow of pumped fluids through the tubing to surface and directs gas flow into the casing annulus above the packer. When the safety valve is landed in cooperating tubing nipples above the packer, separated central annular flow passages are formed for pumped fluids and gas respectively.A ball valve in the central flow passage controls pumped fluid flow therethrough and an annular valve coupled to the ball valve controls gas flow from below the packer through the annular flow passage around and by the ball valve.When the ball valve is in the down and open position, the valve ball member engages a lower seat, which maintains the central and annular flow passages separate and prevents comingling flow of fluids and gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for annulus flow systems in which a safety valve controls flow adjacent the packer and the safety valve is operated by control of tubing pressure exerting an upward force on the valve operator and an urging device such as a weight string of tubing exerting a downward force on the operator. In one form the control valve is a foot valve below the packer which is automatically closed by removal of the actuator. In other forms the control valve is removable with the tubing string and a separate foot valve may be provided below the packer, if desired. The system may be designed to close the safety valve in direct response to a reduction in pressure in the well annulus, or it may be designed to reduce or increase tubing pressure and close the safety valve in response to any well condition sensed at the surface which would include a reduction in annulus flow pressure.

Abstract: A novel and improved method and means have been devised for releasably bridging or isolating formations in a well. The apparatus consists of a retrievable bridge plug which can be run down into a well to the desired setting depth and a packer assembly on the plug can then be activated to set the apparatus in position. After work has been performed, a retrieving tool is run into the well in order to engage the bridge plug for its removal. If sand or other foreign matter is present on top of the plug, a circulating medium may be employed to remove the foreign matter even as the retrieving tool is being lowered into engagement with the plug. The plug is designed such that pressure can be equalized on opposite sides of the plug as a preliminary to removal from the well by the retrieving tool.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved tool and method for effecting the washing of sand or particulates from casing perforations and channels in production formations in subterranean wells. The tool employed comprises an outer body suspended from a first tubing string and having vertically spaced seals in engagement with the casing wall above and below the set of casing perforations to be washed. Radial wash ports are provided in the outer body between the annular seals. An inner body, carried by a second tubing string is inserted within the first tubing string and outer body and effects a sealing engagement with the bore of the outer body at a location below the radial wash ports. Washing fluid is then introduced into the well through the annulus defined between the first and second tubing strings and the sand laden washing fluid is returned to the well surface through the bore of the inner body and the connected second tubing string.

Abstract: A crossover tool for use with concentric tubing strings. The apparatus disclosed provides the ability to treat and/or gravel pack a producing zone in a well, and is particularly suited for use in a multiple-zone well. The crossover tool may be locked in any one of three positions: a circulate mode, a closed test mode, or a closed bypass mode to facilitate movement of the tool within the well bore. All operation of the crossover tool is effected by reciprocation of the pipe string to which it is attached. Alternative embodiments are also disclosed which dispense with the closed test mode.

Abstract: A well test apparatus in which a by-pass sleeve valve lands in a previously set packer. A lock mandrel assembly lands in the sleeve valve and carries a transducer fitting. A transducer is releasably carried in the fitting. Well conditions such as pressure may be sensed by the transducer and recorded or transmitted to the surface. By manipulation of casing pressure, the by-pass valve may be opened and closed to flow the well at high production rates with the transducer in place.

Abstract: A single trip method of testing and treating a down hole formation in which conventional drill stem testing can be carried out followed by acidizing or other treatment of the formation without the need to remove the drill stem test string, the method employing a well tool in the operating tool string which allows reverse circulation to clean out the tool string following the initial drill stem test, allows the introduction of acidizing fluid into the formation and permits a second reverse circulation following acidizing and subsequent testing, the well tool being operative without the necessity for rotation of the tool string.

Abstract: A down-the-hole well tubing protective fluid system, with an injection valve in fluid communication with a ported nipple above a packer assembly, for introduction of protective fluid to the tubing bore. The system includes a concentric protective fluid flow path, extended for fluid flow to below the injection nose and through the bore of the packer, and packer tail pipe for introduction of protective fluid into the well-producing flow path below the packer, to provide protection for the packer assembly, inside and outside, below the packer seal, the injection nose, and the injection valve tail pipe. When the injection tail pipe nose is installed to extend below the lower end of the packer tail pipe, the turbulence caused by production fluid entering the tail pipe nose carries diluted chemical fluid mix up, and around, the outside of the packer tail pipe.

Abstract: A retrievable well safety valve in a cased well system including a tubing string, a dual packer downhole around the tubing sealing with the casing and submersible pump in the tubing string below the packer.The safety valve controls flow of pumped fluids through the tubing to surface and directs gas flow into the casing annulus above the packer. When the safety valve is landed in cooperating tubing nipples above the packer, separated central annular flow passages are formed for pumped fluids and gas respectively.A ball valve in the central flow passage controls pumped fluid flow therethrough and an annular valve coupled to the ball valve controls gas flow from below the packer through the annular flow passage around and by the ball valve.When the ball valve is in the down and open position, the valve ball member engages a lower seat, which maintains the central and annular flow passages separate and prevents comingling flow of fluids and gas.