Abstract: A latching apparatus includes a body, a fin biased to protrude from the body, and a biasing element for so biasing the fin. A method for securing a tool in a drilling tubular includes connecting the tool to a latching apparatus, the latching apparatus including a fin biased to protrude radially outward, forcing the latching apparatus into the drilling tubular, and forcing the latching apparatus through a landing ring.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a cable head assembly with a cable head stinger connected to a weak link, and a release assembly including a bushing that radially outwardly supports a dog in engagement with an internal groove formed in an outer housing. A method can include connecting a bottom hole assembly to a wireline, the connecting including connecting the wireline to a cable head stinger of a cable head assembly; deploying the wireline and bottom hole assembly into the well; applying a tensile force to the wireline, thereby breaking a weak link of the cable head assembly; and then displacing the cable head stinger into engagement with a bushing of the release assembly, thereby permitting a dog to displace radially inwardly out of engagement with an internal groove in the release assembly.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) incorporates a tubular cutter driven by a downhole motor. A scraper moves into a smaller tubular to clean an area where a spear will later be engaged to the cut tubular portion. The scraper has a relatively movable mandrel that allows straight through flow into the motor or closes flow to build pressure to a telescoping jack to exert a pull force on the cut tubular after the cut is made. The spear is articulated with mandrel manipulation to grab the cut segment and weight is set down to shift the mandrel in the scraper to allow pressure buildup with rig pumps turned on to retract the jack as the BHA is held with anchors in the larger tubular. The cut segment is pulled uphole to loosen it so it can be removed from the borehole.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly (BHA) incorporates a tubular cutter driven by a downhole motor. A scraper moves into a smaller tubular to clean an area where a spear will later be engaged to the cut tubular portion. The scraper has a relatively movable mandrel that allows straight through flow into the motor or closes flow to build pressure to a telescoping jack to exert a pull force on the cut tubular after the cut is made. The spear is articulated with mandrel manipulation to grab the cut segment and weight is set down to shift the mandrel in the scraper to allow pressure buildup with rig pumps turned on to retract the jack as the BHA is held with anchors in the larger tubular. The cut segment is pulled uphole to loosen it so it can be removed from the borehole.

Abstract: Methods for producing slots in tube walls are described and illustrated, along with devices for producing slots in tube walls. In some cases, a first number of punches arranged in a row pierce through the tube wall and in so doing produce slots, followed by another number of punches piercing through the tube wall in such a way that the slots produced by the first number of punches alternate with respect to the slots produced by the second number of punches. Also, in some cases an internal support is used, whereby small slots are first produced in the tube wall while the internal support is within the tube. After the internal support is removed, the slots are widened to finished dimensions. The internal support can include upper and lower parts designed to engage one another in a sawtooth or undulating manner.

Abstract: A tubular retrieval method involves applying a cyclically varying fluid pressure to the interior of a section of cut bore-lining tubular. The tubular may be casing which it is desired to remove from a bore. A pulling force may also be applied to the tubular.

Abstract: An actuation tool uses a lock that when released allows a moving magnet to move into position to repel another magnet. The repelling force on the second magnet moves it away from a locking position on a stored potential energy system where the release of the potential energy creates kinetic energy to drive an actuation assembly to set the tool. In a preferred application the tool can be a liner hanger. The release device can be a selectively energized electromagnet or a solenoid that shifts at least one magnet into alignment with at least one second magnet so as to defeat the second magnet from effectively storing the potential energy that can set the tool when the lock is defeated.

Abstract: A centraliser (10) for centralising a tubular (12) within a conduit is described. The centraliser comprises a centraliser body, at least one finger (14) pivotally mounted to the body and at least one collar (20), the/each collar being moveable with respect to the at least one finger. Relative movement between the/each collar and the body pivots the at least one finger from a run-in configuration to an extended configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fracturing tool anchor adapted for use with a work string in a wellbore. In one embodiment, the anchor has a housing with a central passage and an uphole and downhole end. The housing has a plurality of ports positioned circumferentially around the housing and along the length of the housing. The ports each contain an engagement member, such as a piston, and a return spring. The engagement member is adapted to extend radially outward when the anchor is pressure activated, to engage the wall of the casing or wellbore. The present application is also directed to a fracturing tool anchor that does not need to be pressure activated and utilizes slips as the engagement members.

Abstract: An anchor for a wellbore is adaptable to be operated in at least two separate and distinct ways. In one embodiment, a whipstock anchor is provided that can be operated either mechanically or hydraulically. In another embodiment, the anchor is designed to run through a restriction in a retracted position and thereafter expanded to position a wellbore tool in the wellbore. Preferably, the anchor is expandable to set in wellbores of various sizes and either cased or uncased.

Abstract: The invention features the use of a shape memory material in a downhole application to provide an energy source for at least in part setting the tool. In a specific application the springs that set slips for a liner hanger are made from the shape memory material and easily pre-compressed below the transition temperature when the material has low modulus of elasticity. The tool is run into position where a heat source such as well fluids or a heater can bring the springs above the transition temperature to store a force. The tool is then independently released to allow the stored force to set the tool.

Abstract: A device for anchoring a casing into a well bore, the device comprising an anchor body mounted in a tool string and a plurality of radially expanding fingers that are mounted in a fingers assembly in a retracted position and they move to an extending position wherein the fingers extend radially from the tool string for anchor against the well bore wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member.

Abstract: An anchor to inhibit rotation of a device relative to an oil well casing, comprising a tubular mandrel adapted for direct or indirect connection to the device; a rotatable cylindrical housing with a plurality of apertures and able to receive at least a portion of the mandrel concentrically therethrough; a plurality of spaced apart anchoring slips disposed between the housing and the mandrel in registry with respective ones of the apertures in the housing's outer surface; a rotation mechanism associated with the mandrel to engage and then move respective ones of the anchoring slips radially towards and then into temporarily anchoring contact with the casing; and one or more drag blocks disposed in the housing in registry with respective ones of the apertures in the housing's outer surface to extend radially outwardly therefrom, each of the drag blocks being normally biased into frictional contact with the casing.

Abstract: Tools for expanding downhole tubulars into each other or in open hole are disclosed. One embodiment uses a movable cone biased by Bellville washers to move longitudinally against such bias and allow collets to move radially in or out to a predetermined maximum diameter. A release system allows collet retraction to avoid hang up on removal. In an alternate embodiment, more suitable for open hole applications, pressurized gas pushes a movable cone longitudinally against the collets. A stationary cone is on the opposite side of the collets from the movable cone. The collet rides out or in between the cones and raises the gas pressure when forced in. A pressure actuated release allows the lower cone to shift downwardly to allow the collets to retract for removal.

Abstract: A wellbore anchoring device for anchoring a down-hole tool within a string of casing is provided, comprising an expandable cone having at least one annular integral shoulder, defining the large end of at least one conical annular recess on an outer surface of the cone, and at least one resilient slip positioned within the at least one annular recess, wherein axial travel of the at least one slip relative to the cone is actively limited by engagement with at least one integral shoulder on the cone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of plugging and abandoning a well includes using a plug apparatus and installing bentonite elements in an oil well production casing having a bore. The plug apparatus is lowered into the production casing bore to a selected elevation using a slick line or the like. The apparatus has a tool body and slip dies that are movably mounted upon the tool body to move between extended and retracted positions. Afer the tool body is positioned at a selected location within the casing bore, tension is applied to the slick line to move the slip dies to an extended position wherein the slip dies engage the casing and secure the tool body in a desired location. The casing bore is then displaced with water above the tool body. Bentonite elements are then dumped into the water filled wellbore. The bentonite elements are allowed to swell to form a plug. The tool body can be retrieved from the casing bore if desired.

Abstract: A well bore deflector tool which is used primarily for deflecting tools, lining and the like through a window which has been milled in the side of a well bore casing includes a deflector face (3) at an upper end thereof and slips (9, 10) for selectively gripping and releasing a tie back receptacle (8) and/or a well bore casing (6) at a location below the deflector face (3). The slips are operable for gripping in response to engagement of the deflector tool (1) with a tie back receptacle (8). Accordingly, the invention provides a simple and automatic device for locking the deflector tool in a required angular position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose apparatus and methods that can be used to mechanically actuate a downhole tool with an expandable shifting tool. One embodiment of the invention is an expandable shifting tool comprising a housing having an outer diameter and a plurality of radially extendable elements. The radially extendable elements are longitudinally separated from each other and each extendable element is at least partially contained within the housing. The extendable elements are capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position and are biased towards the extended position.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a running tool which can be released using hydraulic pressure and can provide continued rotation to a liner hanger or other tool disposed below and rotationally connected to the running tool. In one aspect, a hydraulic assembly is provided to release a thrusting cap from rotation so that a threaded connection between the running tool and the liner hanger can be released. On release of the liner hanger, a lock nut travels down a threaded surface of the thrusting cap and engages the thrusting cap to continue rotation through the thrusting cap. Additionally, the running tool may include a mechanical release operable without the assistance of hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: A downhole pulling tool (100) for retrieving downhole devices (102, 104) from a wellbore is disclosed. The downhole pulling tool (100) includes a mandrel (106) and a sleeve (108) that is slidably disposed about the mandrel (106). The sleeve (108) is moveable in a first direction from a first position to a second position relative to the mandrel (106) and is moveable in a second direction from the second position to a third position relative to the mandrel (106). An engagement member (114) radially extends between the mandrel (106) and the sleeve (108) and is operated from a retracted position to an engagement position when the sleeve (108) is moved to the second position relative to the mandrel (106) after equalization.

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 mechanical set anchor wherein a plunger extending from a base end of an anchor body activates a pin type trigger which releases a spring utilized to set multiple slips extending from the body of the anchor. Continued downward compressive forces fully sets the slips into the borehole pipe casing. The slips are maintained in their fully set position by a locking nut. The anchor is mechanically released by an upward pull under tension of sufficient strength to shear release pins that release the compressed spring fully retracting the slips within the anchor body so that the anchor may be tripped from the borehole without interference from the previously engaged slips.

Abstract: A downhole running system for use in setting a downhole tool in a bore includes a running tool comprising: radially extending members for holding the tool at a desired location in a bore and being selectively configurable, in a first configuration, to permit running the tool in through a restriction in a bore and, in a second configuration, to prevent passage of the tool through a restriction and to engage the wall of a bore to permit manipulation of the tool against a fixed point in the bore; an arrangement for releasably mounting a downhole tool on the running tool; and an arrangement for setting the downhole tool.

Abstract: A deflecting tool or whipstock is oriented and anchored in a well casing during a single trip of a running string so that a window can be formed in the wall of the casing at a selected azimuth. The angular orientation of the deflecting tool is measured, and signals representative thereof are transmitted to the surface. When the desired orientation is obtained, the anchor is actuated to prevent movement of the deflecting tool, and the orientation adjusting and measurement and transmission tools are released from the whipstock and removed from the casing by withdrawing the running string which preferably is coiled tubing. Then a downhole motor and milling bit are run into the casing on coiled tubing and operated to form a window through the wall thereof opposite the deflection surface of the whipstock so that a new borehole can be drilled outside the casing.

Abstract: A well anchor having a body with a mandrel movably extending therethrough with first and second slips connected to the mandrel. Each of the slips includes a wedge surface and the wedge surfaces engage each other whereby movement of the first and second slips toward each other will expand the slips outwardly. The wedge surfaces are at an angle to and extend across the longitudinal axis of the body for maximizing expansion.

Abstract: A device anchors a tubing string within a stationary well casing against rotation in a predetermined angular direction. A housing is installed in-line in the tubing string. Anchoring mechanisms are spaced circumferentially about the housing. Each anchoring mechanism includes a recess and an anchoring member free-floating within the recess. The anchoring member has a fulcrum portion and a bite portion external to the recess. Retaining rings partially overlaying the recess prevent the anchoring member from escaping. A spring urges the anchoring member against the retaining rings and urges the bite portion to contact the well casing such that rotation of the tubing string displaces the anchoring member. Rotation of the tubing string in the predetermined direction seats the fulcrum portion in a seating structure within the recess and causes the bite portion to bite into the well casing, locking against further rotation.

Abstract: A wellhead housing a supports a string of casing in tension by using a load ring. The load ring mounts to the exterior of a casing hanger which secures to the upper end of the string of casing. The load ring is split, resilient and outwardly biased. The load ring is retained during the running of the casing. The running tool then releases the load ring to spring outward to support the load. The load ring has wickers on its exterior that mate with wickers in the interior of the bore.

Abstract: A mechanism mounts to a casing hanger for supporting the casing in tension. The mechanism includes a plurality of dogs mounted around the exterior of the casing hanger. Each of the dogs has wickers on its exterior which engage wickers formed in the bore of a wellhead housing. The dogs are carried within a recess. The recess has upper and lower parallel conical shoulders. A sleeve retains the dogs in a retracted position until tension has been applied. The sleeve releases the dogs by rotational movement of the running tool which runs the casing hanger.

Abstract: A self-locating seal assembly is shown for sealing between a well string and the bore of a surrounding well conduit, the surrounding conduit being provided with an internal recess for engagement by the seal assembly. A mandrel has an internal bore, an exterior, and a lower end. A seal body is carried about the mandrel and has an external seal region for engaging the interior bore of the surrounding well conduit and an internal seal region for engaging the mandrel exterior. The seal body provided with a plurality of window openings, each opening having an upper and lower tapered ramp surface. An upper and a lower sleeve circumscribe the seal body about the window openings and are spaced to define a circumferential opening with respect to the exterior of the seal body. A plurality of latch elements are carried in the annular circumferential opening and have camming surfaces which cooperate with the ramp surfaces of the window openings.

Abstract: A securing device for securing in cavaties and comprising a number of clamping jaws (11), provided under influence of a changeable tension body (21) to expand against opposite wall portions (13) in said cavity. The clamping jaws (11) have engagement surfaces (12) which are forced outwards and tension surfaces provided to cooperate with a tension surface (22) of the tension body. By means of a displacement motion of the clamping jaws relative to the tension body is brought to adjust the clamping jaws between an inner releasing position, and an outer expanded securing position. The device comprises a spring mechanism (4) provided to press the clamping jaws (11) in direction against the tension body (21). Between the clamping jaws and the tension body a distance element (20) is positioned being provided to maintain in its releasing position a predetermined distance between a support surface (19) of each clamping jaw and a surface (23) of said distance element.

Abstract: A setting tool and liner hanger where the liner hanger has a threaded release section and elongated slip slots for receiving slips. The slips have inclined tongue and groove interconnections along the sides of the slots defining expander surfaces. The setting tool has a hydraulic actuator and a mechanical actuator respectively having dog members releasably connected to upper and lower internal grooves in the slip members. The hydraulic actuator operates in response to hydraulic pressure for moving connected dog member for setting the slips in a well casing.Upon release of the coupling nut on the setting tool from the liner hanger, the mechanical actuator is deactuated and both dog members are released from the slips so that the setting tool is releasable from the liner hanger.The mechanical actuator operates in response to relative rotation between the setting tool mandrel and liner hanger for moving connected dog members and the slips to a setting condition.

Abstract: A downhole tool is actuated at chosen well depth by selection of a control element that melts at the chosen depth well temperature. In one form of tool, a fusible pin melts to release spring-loaded jaws which move against an expansion cone to anchor the tool in the well. In another form, a fusible receptacle cover melts to release a quantity of dense fluid under action of gravity. Suitable control elements are formed of bismuth, with lead and zinc.

Abstract: In the mining of various minerals from the earth, large mining shafts extending from the surface down to the deposited mineral layers or seams in the earth can be provided through the use of large diameter bore hole drilling equipment. With the drilling equipment stationed on the surface of the earth, a drilling member is drilled down into the earth for forming a shaft in excess of 10 feet to a depth of at least 2000 feet. As the earth is broken up during the drilling operation, the broken fragments are removed from the drilled hole by a reverse circulation drilling operation. During the drilling operation, the drilling bit is maintained in proper alignment with the shaft being drilled by the use of non-rotating stabilizers having an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the hole being drilled.

Abstract: A liner hanger having an elongate vertical body with a central flow passage means at its lower end engaged with a depending liner, releasable coupling means at its upper end releasably engaging a setting tool on a string of setting pipe. The body has a plurality of vertically extending circumferentially spaced radially outwardly opening recesses with upwardly and radially outwardly inclined ramp surfaces and elongate vertical passages between the upper end of the body and the recesses. The hanger next includes vertically extending slips with outer casing engaging surfaces and inner ramp surface engaging surfaces normally positioned in the lower portions of the recesses with their casing engaging surfaces aligned with the outside of the body. The slips are shiftable vertically upwardly and radially outwardly in the recesses. Spring means normally yieldingly urge the slips upwardly and outwardly in the recesses.

Abstract: A well tool assembly comprising a drillable cement retainer and setting tool includes a connection between a setting-tool mandrel and a retainer mandrel allowing for opening and closing of a cement valve in the retainer without disconnecting the setting tool from the retainer. A releasable locking mechanism in the connection keeps a tubular connector between the setting-tool mandrel and the retainer mandrel locked against sliding relative to one of the mandrels prior to deploying an upper slip set of the cement retainer. Additionally, a carrier in the setting tool includes radially resilient lugs connected between the setting-tool mandrel and a retaining sleeve for the upper slip set for sliding upwardly on the setting-tool mandrel to carry the sleeve into an upper position releasing the upper slip set for deployment. A set lock in the retainer holds the retainer mandrel against movement downwardly once the retainer is anchored in the well.

Abstract: A slip deployment mechanism for use in conjunction with a packer in a tubing string includes a cylindrical retainer telescoped over the upper ends of a plurality of slip segments and interfitting means on the segments and a mandrel coact with the retainer to keep the slips locked in place. A longitudinally acting spring reacting against a lateral reaction surface on the mandrel urges against the slip segments to advance them into an initially set position between an expander head of the packer and the interior wall of the casing when the retainer is moved from a locked position into a release position to free the slip segments. A stop acting between the mandrel and the retainer prevents the lower end of the retainer from binding against the slip segments in service use.

Abstract: A liner hanger and setting tool for use in oil well completions employing a liner hanger having a one piece body member and spring biased slips and a setting tool having a hydraulically actuated slip release mechanism normally retaining the slips in a retracted position and operable upon application of fluid pressure for releasing such slips. The setting tool has a retreivable pack off bushing disposed in the bore of the liner hanger and a threaded nut type of release for disconnecting the setting tool from the liner hanger. The setting tool requires pressure for setting and rotation for release.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in lowering casing strings or other parts from a floating unit to a subsea well which includes an expansion-type casing running tool employing extendible latches that have left-handed threads cut on their exterior for engagement with similar threads on the inside of the casing which is to be lowered. Tapered blocks are spring loaded for expanding the dogs into position and hydraulic pressure is used to retract the blocks thus disengaging the running tool from the equipment just lowered. If disengagement of the latches is not accomplished, the running tool can be removed from the casing by left-handed rotation.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed herein a device for anchoring downhole apparatus such as a safety valve in a tubing landing nipple, and a running tool for lowering the anchoring device at the end of a wire line into the tubing.The anchoring device comprises a body member that carries locking dogs which are shifted outwardly and engaged by the longitudinal movement of an expander mandrel. An expansible ring that is maintained on the mandrel by shear pins functions to lock the mandrel in the engaged position of the dogs. The running tool comprises a control sleeve having pivotally mounted connecting keys which remain engaged with the mandrel until the locking dogs are properly engaged and which then are released automatically from the mandrel. A safety shear pin makes it possible to free the running tool from the anchoring device in the event of incorrect anchoring of the latter and, when sheared, provides a "tell-tale" of incorrect installation.

Abstract: A liner hanger and setting tool for use in oil well completions employing a liner hanger having a one piece body member and spring biased slips and a setting tool having a hydraulically actuated slip release mechanism normally retaining the slips in a retracted position and operable upon application of fluid pressure for releasing such slips. The setting tool has a retrievable pack-off bushing disposed in the bore of the liner hanger and a threaded nut type of release for disconnecting the setting tool from the liner hanger. The setting tool requires pressure for setting and rotation for release.