Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element; an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal from a pump tool passing through an interior of the impervious body.

Abstract: A method of removing a corrodible downhole article having a surface coating includes eroding the surface coating by physical abrasion, chemical etching, or a combination of physical abrasion and chemical etching, the surface coating comprising a metallic layer of a metal resistant to corrosion by a corrosive material.

Abstract: A tripping ball including two or more dissolution resistant parts of a ball and an adherent dissolvable material binding the two or more parts of the ball together. A method for making a tripping ball is also included.

Abstract: An insert for a downhole plug for use in a wellbore is provided. The insert can include a body having a bore formed at least partially therethrough. One or more threads can be disposed on an outer surface of the body and adapted to threadably engage an inner surface of the plug proximate a first end of the plug. One or more shearable threads can be disposed on an inner surface of the body. The one or more shearable threads can be adapted to threadably engage a setting tool that enters the plug through the first end thereof and to deform to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined force that is less than a force required to deform the one or more threads disposed on the outer surface of the body. At least one impediment can be disposed within the body.

Abstract: A tubular seating system includes a seat disposed at a deformable first tubular which is sealable with a plug such that pressure is buildable thereagainst. A second tubular in operable communication with the deformable first tubular defining a support cavity therebetween is configured such that pressure within the support cavity provides support to the seat.

Abstract: An activation-device launching system, mounted on a cementing head, allows the deployment of a combination of darts, balls, bombs, canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A valve controls the flow of process fluid, and holds an activation device in place until it is time for launching. The valve also has a hollow axle through which balls may be launched into the process-fluid stream at any time.

Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a tubular member having an inner wall surface defining a bore and a seat in sliding engagement with the inner wall surface. Operatively associated with the seat is a plug element support member having an expanded position when the apparatus is in a run-in position and a contracted position when the apparatus is in a set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the seat which in turn moves the plug element support member from the expanded position to the contracted position, thereby providing support to the plug member landed on the seat.

Abstract: Seats for receiving a plug member comprise a tubular member having a seat disposed therein and a fluid flow reduction member that reduces the velocity of the fluid flowing through the tubular member as it approaches the seat so as to reduce the impact of the plug member landing on the seat. The fluid flow reduction member may be disposed on a fluid flow reduction device, such as on an inner wall surface of a sleeved insert, or formed in the inner wall surface of the tubular member. The fluid reduction member can comprise one or more longitudinal channels, one or more apertures, or one or more curved-shaped grooves disposed either on the inner wall surface of the tubular member or on a fluid flow reduction device, such as on an inner wall surface of a sleeved insert disposed within the tubular member.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a frac ball comprising three orthogonal axes x, y, and z; wherein the frac ball has approximately equal strength in each direction of the three axes x, y, and z. In an embodiment, the frac ball comprises a resin. In an embodiment, the frac ball comprises glass fibers or carbon fibers or both. In an embodiment, the frac ball comprises an equal amount of glass fibers in each direction of the x, y, and z axes. In an embodiment, the frac ball comprises glass fibers in the x and y axes and carbon fibers in the z axis. In an embodiment, the frac ball comprises no interlaminar layers. In an embodiment, the frac ball has different diameters. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using such frac balls.

Abstract: A composition for a ball that disintegrates, dissolves, delaminates or otherwise experiences a significant degradation of its physical properties over time in the presence of hydrocarbons and formation heat. The ball may be used in methods and apparatus for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean zone in a wellbore.

Abstract: Year 2010 showed us that the oil/gas industry was not prepared to shut down in few days a high pressure oil/gas well. The Gulf of Mexico was polluted by thousands of barrels of oil that were leaking from a high pressure well. The environment damage was humongous as well as the economical loses. Here, I am presenting a method to shut down a high pressure oil/gas well in matter of days rather than in months. This method keeps the well integrity. This method is effective even if the well integrity was compromised.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a string that extends into a well and a tool that is disposed in the string. The tool is adapted to form a seat to catch an object communicated to the tool via a passageway of the string in response to the tool being perforated.

Abstract: An injector spool supports a plurality of ball injector assemblies having respective ball cartridges adapted to load one frac ball at a time into a ball chamber of a ball launcher of the respective ball injector assemblies to provide a low profile, high capacity ball injector.

Abstract: A plug for isolating a wellbore. The plug can include a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is formed from one or more composite materials and adapted to receive a setting tool through the first end thereof, at least one malleable element disposed about the body, at least one slip disposed about the body, at least one conical member disposed about the body, and one or more shearable threads disposed on an inner surface of the body, adjacent the second end thereof, wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to receive at least a portion of a setting tool that enters the body through the first end thereof, and wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to engage the setting tool when disposed through the body and adapted to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force.

Abstract: A plug for isolating a wellbore. The plug can include a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is formed from one or more composite materials and adapted to receive a setting tool through the first end thereof, at least one malleable element disposed about the body, at least one slip disposed about the body, at least one conical member disposed about the body, and one or more shearable threads disposed on an inner surface of the body, adjacent the second end thereof, wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to receive at least a portion of a setting tool that enters the body through the first end thereof, and wherein the one or more shearable threads are adapted to engage the setting tool when disposed through the body and adapted to release the setting tool when exposed to a predetermined axial force.

Abstract: A downhole tool 100 includes closure seats 116, 176 for seating with a closure, such as a ball. Shear pins or other connectors temporarily limit axial movement of each closure seat which is initially housed within a restricted diameter portion of the central throughbore in the tool body. A piston axially moves in response to fluid pressure to pressurize fluid in a chamber and controllably release fluid through one or more restrictions. The closure seat may be lowered to engage a stop 108, 159, such that the seat may move axially to an enlarged diameter bore portion of the tool, thereby allowing radial expansion of a closure seat to release the ball.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to equipment for servicing subterranean wells and in particular to a cementing head that is intended to drop a combination of darts, balls, bombs and canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A cementing head comprises a modular valve apparatus, comprising at least two detatchable parts. This arrangement allows the operator to remove and disassemble the valve apparatus at the wellsite. Thus, repairs and maintenance may be performed at the wellsite and the valve apparatus may be reassembled and reinstalled, obviating the need to transport the equipment to a central facility.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes deploying a plurality of location markers in a passageway of the well and deploying an untethered object in the passageway such that the object travels downhole via the passageway. The technique includes using the untethered object to sense proximity of at least some of the location markers as the object travels downhole, and based on the sensing, selectively expand its size to cause the object to become lodged in the passageway near a predetermined location.

Abstract: A ball catching device has been invented that catches an actuator ball used in a wellbore to actuate a downhole tool. The device catches the ball downhole as it begins to flow back with fluids toward surface. The device is configured such that when a ball flows back with wellbore fluids, the ball can flow through the device and if the ball reverses direction, as by falling back due to decreased or stopped production back flow, then the device will catch the ball and keep it from falling back past the device into the well.

Abstract: A method and system for cementing and perforating a wellbore in a single step by coupling a perforating gun with a wiper plug. The method includes injecting cement in a wellbore having casing therein and an annulus between the casing and wellbore. A wiper plug is dropped on the cement having a perforating gun attached to the wiper plug. The plug is forced downward pulling the perforating gun along. The downward motion of the plug in turn pushes the cement out the bottom end of the casing and into the annulus. The cement in the annulus is allowed to set and the perforating gun is activated.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting fluid flow includes: a ball receiving element disposed in a first fluid conduit and configured to receive a ball that has been advanced through the first fluid conduit and at least partially restrict a fluid flow in the first fluid conduit; and at least one second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit at an upstream location relative to the ball receiving element, the at least one second fluid conduit configured to divert a portion of the fluid from the first fluid conduit and reduce an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element.

Abstract: A method of restricting fluid flow includes: releasing a ball into a fluid conduit and receiving the ball in a ball receiving element disposed at the fluid conduit and at least partially restricting fluid flow; and at least partially reflecting one or more pressure waves resulting from an impact between the ball and the ball receiving element by a reflective boundary disposed in the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.

Abstract: An insert for a downhole plug for use in a wellbore is provided, comprising a body having a bore at least partially formed therethrough, wherein one or more threads are disposed on an outer surface of the body for engaging the plug; and at least one interface is disposed on an end of the body for connecting to a tool to screw the insert into at least a portion of the plug.

Abstract: An isolation device for a frac plug, the isolation device including a ball seat having a seating surface and a ball configured to contact the seating surface, wherein a profile of the seating surface corresponds to a profile of the ball. A frac plug including a mandrel having an upper end and a lower end, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, and a ball seat disposed within a central bore of the mandrel, wherein the ball seat includes a seating surface having a non-linear profile. A method of isolating zones of a production formation, the method including setting a frac plug between a first zone and a second zone, disposing a ball within the frac plug, and seating a ball in a ball seat of the frac plug, the ball seat including a seating surface having a profile that substantially corresponds to the profile of the ball.

Abstract: The segmented ball seat valve is an annular communication valve normally installed in a string of pipe that is to be deployed to a depth within a well. The segmented ball seat valve provides communication between the inside of the pipe and the well bore or casing through open ports. The segmented ball seat valve can be closed to shut off communication by dropping/pumping a ball to the segmented ball seat valve and applying pressure to close the valve. The application of pressure causes the ball seat assembly to move downward into an enlarged portion of the bore. The segments of the seat assembly move outward in the enlarged area to permit passage of the ball.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation.

Abstract: A tripping ball including two or more relatively dissolution resistant parts of a ball and an adherent dissolvable material binding the two or more parts of the ball together and method for making a tripping ball as described.

Abstract: A tubular actuating system includes a tubular, a plurality of same plugs runnable within the tubular, an actuator disposed within the tubular, and a seatable member disposed at the actuator configured to be respositionable relative to the actuator between an unseated position and a seated position upon passage of at least one of the plurality of same plugs.

Abstract: A plug counter including a j-slot sleeve; a helix sleeve in operable communication with the j-slot sleeve such that axial movement of the j-slot sleeve causes rotational movement of the helix sleeve; an anti-rotation sleeve disposed about the helix sleeve and having a keyway therein; and a key disposed in the keyway and responsive to movement of the helix sleeve and method.

Abstract: A pluggable seat includes, a first portion, positionable within a tubular, that is receptive to a runnable member seatable thereagainst, a second portion positioned downstream of the first portion, having a radial dimension smaller than a smallest radial dimension of the first portion, and a profile disposed at the second portion configured to increase resistance to extrusion of a runnable member past the pluggable seat in comparison to the same pluggable seat without the profile.

Abstract: A wall casing cement plug assembly includes a receptacle with an axial passage. The receptacle is pumped to a lower end of the casing string and locked in place. The receptacle has a casing seal that engages the string of casing and a retainer mechanism on its exterior that engages a profile in the string of casing. Cement is pumped through the receptacle by rupturing a blocking device in the axial passage of the receptacle. A wiper plug is pumped down the string casing. The wiper plug has a prong on its lower end that stabs into the axial passage of the receptacle. A latch located in the lower portion of the receptacle locks the wiper plug to the body.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the flow of fluid between a downhole formation and a base pipe located in wellbore proximate the downhole formation. A plurality of chokes are established between the formation and the base pipe to regulate the flow of fluid between the formation and the base pipe. In one embodiment, each choke comprises a nozzle formed in the base pipe. In another embodiment, each choke comprises a nozzle in a housing arranged on the base pipe. A plurality of plugs are pumped downhole for engagement with the nozzles. The pressure in the wellbore is then increased until the plugs engage each nozzle. In an alternative embodiment, plugs are pumped downhole and stop up the housing containing the nozzles. Fluid flow between the base pipe and the downhole formation may be reestablished by dissolving the plugs or by back-flowing the production string to dislodge them.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a tool comprises a fluid path defined by a bore formed within a tubular body. A guided sleeve and a reciprocating sleeve are both disposed within the bore. A gearwheel is located on an outer surface of the guided sleeve and at least one pawl located on an inner surface of the reciprocating sleeve. When the reciprocating sleeve translates axially, it rotates in a first direction. As the reciprocating rotates, the at least one pawl pushes the gearwheel and causes the guided sleeve to rotate in the first direction into a new position.

Abstract: A ball release tool includes: a tubular body including an upper end, a lower end, an inner bore defined by an inner wall surface and extending from the upper end to the lower end; a pocket in the inner wall; a slidable sleeve carried by the tubular body and including a throughbore positioned in line with the tubular body inner bore, the slidable sleeve moveable along the inner bore from a first position substantially covering the pocket to a second position exposing the recess to the inner bore; a check valve in driving communication with the sleeve, the check valve selected to permit flow of fluid through the inner bore from the upper end to the lower end, but to act against flow from the lower end to the upper end and, when resisting flow, operable to drive the sleeve upwardly toward the second position, and a ball positionable in the pocket to be either held in the pocket behind the sleeve or released into the inner bore when the sleeve exposes the pocket.

Abstract: A drop ball for use in wellbore activities, such as wellbores in oil and gas drilling, completion and/or production activities comprising a generally spherical body, the spherical body carrying at least one marker, which contains and/or can determine at least one parameter related to the drop ball, the wellbore and/or activities being conducted in the wellbore.

Abstract: A tool that is easily convertible from a frac plug to a bridge plug is disclosed. The tool comprises a mandrel with a mule shoe connected to the lower end thereof. A closing ball is disposed in a cavity defined by the mule shoe. The mandrel is threaded to receive a plug at or near the upper end thereof to convert the frac plug to a bridge plug.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method and apparatus for an improved loading sub method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment the method and apparatus can be used to pump various pump down means into the well bore from the rig.

Abstract: A ball valve seat (10) is disclosed which provides a temporary seal for a plug (40). The valve seat comprises a substantially cylindrical body (30) of a first volume, which defines a seating surface (34). A pressure differential is developed across the valve seat when the plug sealingly engages the seating surface. The body is formed of an elastic material which compresses from a first volume to a smaller second volume by application of a force on the plug, to provide a clearance which is greater than a plugging dimension of the plug, thus allowing passage of the plug downstream. After passage of the plug, the body returns to the first volume.

Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a reusable seat disposed within the bore. The seat comprises a slidable element, a fixed element, a plug element support member, a seat inner diameter, and a return member to urge the slidable element toward the run-in position. The plug element support member has a retracted position when the seat is in the run-in position and an extended position when the seat is in the set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the plug element support member from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby providing support to the plug element landed on the seat.

Abstract: Described is an oil-degradable ball sealer for use in the oil and gas industry. The ball seal comprises a particular composition including ethylene and one or more alpha-olefins, prepared by an injection molding technique to provide a ball sealer which will dissolve in stimulation or wellbore fluids after stimulation operations are complete. The composition, when dissolved into wellbore fluids, does not pose a hazard or problem to aqueous wellbore fluids or further wellbore stimulations.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method and apparatus for an improved ball dropper is provided. In one embodiment the method and apparatus can be used to drop various objects into the well bore from the rig. In one embodiment, when the well is pressurized the tool can be loaded with one or more items to be dropped.

Abstract: A ball catcher for selectively catching and retaining drop balls in a well bore. The catcher is located on a workstring. A main bore (18) axially through the catcher is restrained to provide first (26) and second (28) bores of differing diameters. The first bore (26) is further restricted at a lower end, thus balls within the first bore (26) are retained and balls in the second bore (28) pass through the catcher. The bores preferably overlap to provide a channel (30) so that smaller balls can pass between the bores for release. In one embodiment, the second bore (28a) is located centrally through the catcher so that wireline tools and the like can be run through the catcher.

Abstract: A multilayered ball sealer having a deformable layer. The multilayered ball sealer has an outer or intermediate layer that is deformable under pressure. In the former, the deformable layer may be water-soluble or hydrolysable. In the latter, the outer layer is a sheath that contains the deformable layer and adapts to its shape. A multilayered ball sealer may be used as a diversion agent by being suspended in a fluid injected into a wellbore and applying pressure to deform the shape of the intermediate layer such that the multilayered ball sealer adapts to the shape of a perforation opening on which the multilayered ball sealer has seated.

Abstract: A ball release tool includes: a tubular body including an upper end, a lower end, an inner bore defined by an inner wall surface and extending from the upper end to the lower end; a pocket in the inner wall; a slidable sleeve carried by the tubular body and including a throughbore positioned in line with the tubular body inner bore, the slidable sleeve moveable along the inner bore from a first position substantially covering the pocket to a second position exposing the recess to the inner bore; a check valve in driving communication with the sleeve, the check valve selected to permit flow of fluid through the inner bore from the upper end to the lower end, but to act against flow from the lower end to the upper end and, when resisting flow, operable to drive the sleeve upwardly toward the second position, and a ball positionable in the pocket to be either held in the pocket behind the sleeve or released into the inner bore when the sleeve exposes the pocket.

Abstract: Retractable ball seats having a housing, a seat, and a plug such as a ball are disclosed. The seat has a retracted position that prohibits the ball from passing through the passageway and an expanded position that permits the ball to pass through the passageway. A time delay material, such as a dissolvable material, maintains the seat in the retracted position. The time delay material disintegrates, degrades, or dissolves within a known period of time such that the retractable ball seat can be placed in a desired location in the wellbore and the ball will be released through the passageway within a known period of time.

Abstract: Autonomous flow restrictors for use in a subterranean well. An apparatus is disclosed for use in a well wherein both oil and gas are produced. The apparatus includes multiple flow blocking members having a density less than that of the oil. The members are positioned within a chamber with the members increasingly restricting a flow of the gas out of the chamber through multiple outlets. Another apparatus is disclosed for restricting production of at least one undesired fluid which has a density different from a density of a desired fluid. The apparatus includes at least one flow restrictor and at least one bypass flow restrictor. The bypass restrictor may have a greater restriction to flow therethrough as compared to the other flow restrictor. The apparatus further includes multiple flow blocking members operative to increasingly restrict flow of the undesired fluid through the flow restrictor in response to an increased proportion of the undesired fluid.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus (100) for controlling the inflow of production fluids into an interior passage (118) of a tubular member (116) in a wellbore includes a flow restrictor (104) positioned in the flow path between an exterior of the tubular member (116) and the passage (118). The flow restrictor (104) has an active chamber (114) and a bypass chamber (112). A bypass tubing is disposed within the bypass chamber (112). The bypass tubing (122) has a constant effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage (118) from the bypass chamber (112). A plurality of flow blocking members (132) is disposed within the active chamber (114) and cooperate with outlets (128) of the tubular member (116) to autonomously vary an effective flow area for allowing production fluids to enter the passage (118) from the active chamber based upon the constituent composition of the production fluids.

Abstract: A fluid flow control apparatus (100) for controlling the inflow of production fluids from a subterranean well includes a fluid discriminator section (104) and a flow restrictor section (106) that is configured in series with the fluid discriminator section (104) such that fluid must pass through the fluid discriminator section (104) prior to passing through the flow restrictor section (106). The fluid discriminator section (104) is operable to autonomously restrict at least a portion of an undesired fluid type, such as water or gas, from the production fluids. The flow restrictor section (106) is operable to restrict the flow rate of the production fluids, thereby minimizing the pressure drop across the fluid discriminator section (104).

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a cased or lined well bore (40), the tool including a barrier (36) arranged on an outer surface of the tool. The barrier may be of a resilient material so that it can be deformed on actuation to control the passage of fluid between the tool and the casing or liner. Fluid flow is thus selectively diverted through flow paths (22) in the tool. Embodiments are described for actuating the barrier by hydraulic means and for filtering the fluid within the flow paths.