Abstract: A well packer for sealing an annular space within a well bore around a tubing string including a tubular mandrel, an expandable seal assembly on the mandrel for sealing around the mandrel with a well bore wall, a slip assembly on the mandrel for releasably locking the packer with the well bore wall, a drag spring and slip carrier assembly around the slip assembly, and an interlock assembly for selectively coupling the drag spring and slip carrier assembly with the mandrel for operating the packer through running, set, and release modes. The interlock assembly includes running segments movable a limited distance on the mandrel to prevent jamming of the packer parts in response to mandrel rotation in a non-setting direction. The interlock assembly also includes locking segments having structure to fully seat the segments on the mandrel under load and to minimize packer element compression loss during setting.

Abstract: A setting tool for a liner hanger in an oil well completion system wherein the setting tool mechanism incorporates the necessary structure for manipulating a liner prior to and subsequent to hanging the liner hanger in a well casing. Prior to setting the liner hanger the setting tool is keyed to a liner hanger by longitudinal dogs in longitudinal grooves. After hanging the liner hanger, the dogs are released and rotation of the setting tool mandrel uncouples a coupling nut from the liner hanger to release the setting tool from the liner hanger and further rotation locks the setting tool mandrel to the clutch housing with a lock nut so that the liner hanger can be rotated after it is hung in a well casing.

Abstract: A setting tool for a liner hanger in an oil well completion system wherein the setting tool mechanism incorporates structure for manipulating a liner prior to and subsequent to hanging the liner hanger in a well casing. Prior to setting the liner hanger the setting tool is locked to a liner hanger by an interconnection with a clutch housing. After hanging the liner hanger, rotation of the setting tool mandrel uncouples the coupling nut from the liner hanger to release the setting tool from the liner hanger and further rotation of the setting tool moves a lock nut to a position when the coupling nut locks the clutch housing to the setting tool so that the liner hanger can be rotated after it is hung in a well casing. The liner hanger and the clutch housing have interengageable clutch surfaces.

Abstract: A liner setting assembly is useful in setting a liner into a casing string secured in a borehole of a well. The liner setting assembly includes a cone and a cage. The cone enables slidably fitting over the liner, the cone having grips with an oblique notched face forming an engaging surface. The cage receives the cone and includes a second set of grips having oblique notched faces. The cone and cage assembly is secured to the casing string by the grips. Since the cone has a sliding fit in relation to the liner, the operator can reciprocate and rotate the liner even after the cage and cone assembly has been securely engaged with the casing string in the borehole, thereby enabling a positive indication of the correct set position prior to the cement bonding of the liner to the wall of the well.

Abstract: An oil well tubing anchor for anchoring in large diameter casing after passing through small diameter casing where the anchor employs wall engaging members on the end of pivotally supported arm members and an expander for sequentially moving the arm members radially by use of cooperating, differently inclined surfaces. The tool is moved between collapsible and expandable position by rotations.

Abstract: A mechanical or hydraulic actuated liner hanger for supporting on an operating string to be lowered to position a liner on a tubular member in a well bore includes an integral tubular body having upper and lower annular rings thereon. A surface is provided on each ring to enable upper and lower cone segments to be positioned on each upper and lower ring, respectively, and a surface is provided on each ring that cooperates with a surface on the cone segments interlocks and retains the cone segments removably on their respective ring. A securing device may removably secure the cone segments in position on each ring. A sleeve is slidably supported on the body by lugs on the body and a recess arrangement. The sleeve includes upper and lower slip arms secured at one end on the sleeve and extending therefrom with upper and lower slip segments secured on the end of each the upper and lower slip arms.

Abstract: A well packer for sealing an annular space within a well bore around a tubing string including a tubular mandrel, an expandable seal assembly on the mandrel for sealing around the mandrel with a well bore wall, a slip assembly on the mandrel for releasably locking the packer with the well bore wall, a drag spring and slip carrier assembly around the slip assembly, and an interlock assembly for selectively coupling the drag spring and slip carrier assembly with the mandrel for operating the packer through running, set, and release modes. The packer also includes an emergency release feature for releasing the packer in the event that well obstructions or other problems prevent normal rotation of the tubing string and mandrel to operate the interlock assembly.

Abstract: An improved liner hanger is provided suitable for use with conventional slips to interconnect a downhole casing with a smaller-diameter liner. The hanger comprises an outer cone sleeve and an inner locking sleeve, with the cone sleeve interconnected with the conventional slips, and the locking sleeve having right-hand and left-hand inner biting threads for engagement with the outer surface of a tubular liner section. Improved mating threads are provided on the outer surface of the locking sleeve and the inner surface of the cone sleeve. The cone sleeve and locking sleeve are initially made up at the surface with the apexes of the tapered thread profiles substantially in axial alignment.

Abstract: A slip gripping mechanism is shown for supporting a string of cylindrical conduit within the interior bore of a circumscribing well conduit. A cone retaining ring engages a plurality of floating cone segments which define spaced longitudinal slots on the outside of the cylindrical conduit. Vertically shiftable slips are carried in the slots by side edges which engage mating profiles formed in the slots. The slots form guideways for the slips for shifting the slips upwardly and outwardly between a set position engaging the circumscribing conduit and an unset position. Each slip has an arcuate lower surface and a selected width to thickness ratio to allow controlled flexing of the slip in the direction of the circumscribing conduit as the slip moves to the set position.

Abstract: A slip gripping mechanism is shown for supporting a string of cylindrical conduit within the interior bore of a circumscribing well conduit. A cone retaining ring engages a plurality of floating cone segments which define spaced longitudinal slots on the outside of the cylindrical conduit. Vertically shiftable slips are carried in spaced-apart fashion on the cylindrical conduit and have side edges adapted to engage mating profiles formed in the slots. The slots form guideways for the slips for shifting the slips upwardly and outwardly between a set position engaging the circumscribing conduit and an unset position. Selected ones of the slips and cone segments are tapered to index the slips and facilitate alignment within the slots as the slips are brought into contact with the cones during the setting operation.

Abstract: A retrievable anchor assembly for use in well bores and the like includes a unitary mandrel arranged to be directly attached to the tubing, and at its lower end to additional tubing or to well apparatus such as a well pump. An upper expander is threaded onto the mandrel and a lower expander is attached to the mandrel by shear pins. A plurality of slips are disposed in curcumferentially spaced relationship about the mandrel and held in place thereon by a plurality of garter springs which extend through the slips. A cage encircles the upper and lower expanders and the slips and includes openings through which the slips project for engagement with the well bore wall. The cage also includes slots through which drag springs that are attached to the upper expander extend for engagement with the well bore wall whereby relative rotation can be accomplished between the mandrel and upper expander to move the slips between set and retracted positions.

Abstract: A mechanical setting tool for setting a flow control tool in an oil or gas well using the drill string includes a mandrel with means for attachment to the end of the drill string. Slips are releasably carried on the mandrel by a first release structure. A cone is releasably carried on the mandrel by a second release structure and has tapered surfaces confronting the slips. A stinger is carried on the lower end of the mandrel and has a third release means for releasably engagement to the flow control tool being set. A setting sleeve is releasably engaged to the mandrel by way of a fourth release structure between the sleeve and the cone.

Abstract: A slip gripping mechanism is shown for supporting a string of cylindrical conduit within the interior bore of a circumscribing well conduit. A cone retaining ring engages a plurality of floating cone segments which define spaced longitudinal slots on the outside of the cylindrical conduit. Vertically shiftable slips are carried in the slots by side edges which engage mating profiles formed in the slots. The slots form guideways for the slips for shifting the slips upwardly and outwardly between a set position engaging the circumscribing conduit and an unset position. The cone retaining ring is internally threaded and engages a mating externally threaded surface on the cylindrical conduit to fix the cone segments and prevent axial movement with respect to the cylindrical conduit.

Abstract: An improved slip and slip assembly for use with well tools such as anchors. The slip assemblies include a plurality of slips having ends formed by segments of circles, having a concave outer surface including teeth arranged to hold in both the upwardly and outwardly directions, and concave expander surfaces arranged to mate with the tapered surfaces of expanders on a well tool to move the slips into engagement with the well bore wall. The slips are held in the assembled relationship by a plurality of garter springs that extend through arcuate holes that extend through the sidewalls of the slips.

Abstract: A running string is releasably connected to a liner an liner hanger setting arrangement for lowering into a well bore casing and securing the liner to a casing. The liner hanger setting arrangement includes a first sleeve with upper and lower annular rows of conically shaped segments circumferentially spaced thereon. Upper and lower spaced rows of hanger slips are connected to a second sleeve by elongated strips and the second sleeve is releasably secured to the first sleeve whereby the second sleeve may be released from the sleeve for relative longitudinal movement therebetween to move the hanger slips onto the segments and secure the liner to the casing. The space between the segments in each row is substantial to accommodate relatively unrestricted fluid flow thereabout as the apparatus is manipulated and operations conducted in the well bore.

Abstract: An anchoring apparatus for securing a production tubing string against axial movement in a subterranean well is disclosed. The anchoring apparatus can be employed with a conventional sucker rod pumping apparatus transporting fluids through the production tubing. A separate injection line is attached to the exterior of the production tubing and treating fluids are injected therethrough. A conduit which can be connected to the separate injection line extends along the exterior of the inner body of the anchoring apparatus in an axially extending groove and extends through encircling anchoring slips which are expanded by rotational movement of the production tubing and of the body of the anchoring apparatus.

Abstract: The slip releasing apparatus described herein includes a unitary slip member having wall engaging teeth located in diagonally opposite upper and lower ends and carries a pair of releasing pins mounted therein that project inwardly therefrom. The pins are disposed in recesses or holes formed in a slip carrier member that extends through the slip member. The recesses are configured in the carrier member so that an upward pull on the carrier member moves a release surface onto the carrier member into engagement with the pins in the slip member to cause pivotal or rotational movement of the slip member about a fulcrum formed by the engagement between the teeth on the lower end of this slip member and the pipe in which the slip member is run.

Abstract: Disclosed is a support structure, such as a liner hanger, for use in a well, including an assembly of slips for wedging to the interior surface of the surrounding well, but maintained off of wedging surfaces in a running in configuration by a drag assembly and latch mechanism connected to the hanger body carrying the wedges. As the latch is configured to permit setting of the support structure, a lost motion coupling joining the slip assembly with the drag and latch assembly permits rotational and limited longitudinal movement therebetween as the slip system moves rotationally, and possibly longitudinally to a limited extent, with the hanger body relative to the drag assembly.

Abstract: A retrievable subsurface well casing slip and packer apparatus and method having upper and lower interconnected and expandable slips which have a combined circumferential engagement of a well conduit greater than or equal to 360.degree. and a control means for releasing engaging means for engagement with a well bore and permitting rotation of a running string in clockwise and counterclockwise directions without releasing the engagement means for setting the apparatus in a well bore.

Abstract: A well packer is shown which is particularly suitable for use in high temperature well environments, such as in fire flooding and steam injection secondary recovery techniques. The well packer has a central mandrel which extends within an outer assembly, including a top body with an interior bore, which circumscribes the central mandrel. The central mandrel has an external flange region about a portion of the circumference, for contacting abutment members within the top body bore when the mandrel is rotated within the body, to transmit torque to the outer assembly. A seal element in the outer assembly moves radially outwardly between a retracted and extended configuration to sealingly engage the well bore. A slip-cone assembly carried in the outer assembly moves between retracted and extended positions to grip the well bore and anchor the tool.

Abstract: A liner hanger for use in an oil well completion comprising a hanger assembly which can be passed through a tubular pipe and has a continuous bypass and a shaped area for passing through fluid and cuttings in the pipe. The hanger assembly has an inclined cam surface which is spirally disposed along the length of a hanger body. A one-piece, heat treated, slip device comprised of strip of metal having an internal spiral and inclined cam surface is disposed up on the spiral cam surface on the hanger body. The spiral space around the hanger body provides a shaped bypass area. The spiral slip device is attached to setting means. Upon release of the setting means, relative movement between the slip device and the cam surface on the hanger body permits the slip device to be positioned in setting engagement with the inner wall of a tubular pipe.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for setting a mechanical liner hanger inside of a well conduit by right-hand or clockwise rotation and without downward movement. The hanger includes a mandrel having an annular cone and a lug. A movable cage telescopically and rotatably mounted on the mandrel includes slips, bow springs and a right-hand downwardly extending and downwardly directed spiral surface. A hanger is moved downhole with the lug engaging the cage holding the slips in the retracted position. When the setting location is reached the mandrel is lifted up releasing the cage, and the mandrel is rotated by right-hand rotation moving the lug against the downwardly directed surface of the cage for moving the slips upwardly onto the cone and expanding the slip into a setting engagement with the well conduit. The set hanger may be released by longitudinally raising the mandrel and lug.

Abstract: A setting tool for setting a well tool, such as a mechanical liner hanger, inside of a well conduit by right-hand or clockwise rotation. A setting tool supports a well tool by a running nut having left-handed external threads and includes a setting nut for setting the well tool. Both nuts are positioned on an elongate member which includes an out-of-round external contour for rotating each of said nuts and includes a round contour for selectively rotating only the supporting nut for disengaging the tool by right-hand rotation after setting the well tool. An improved right-hand set mechanical liner includes internal threads for supporting the mandrel from a setting tool and includes one or more upwardly extending notches for receiving and being rotatively set by setting tool. A liner hanger includes a mandrel with two lugs moving against a downwardly directed surface of a cage for moving slips upwardly onto a cone on the mandrel and expanding the slips into a setting engagement with the well tool.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an anchor apparatus for preventing downward movement of a hydraulic testing unit in a tubing string includes a tubular body carrying inwardly biased slip members, a control rod telescopically received in the body for movement between an upper position enabling retraction of the slip members and a lower position where an expander member on the lower end thereof shifts said slip members outwardly into gripping engagement with the tubing wall, and a lug on the control rod above the expander member cooperable with a jay-sleeve arranged internally of the body for preventing and enabling expansion of the slip members.

Abstract: A packer utilizing a C-slip in which, during release of the packer, the upper expander pulls the C-slip off of the lower expander. If a packer is stuck in the well, the upper expander is keyed to the slip to prevent rotation of the upper expander during milling.

Abstract: An improved latch device for releasably locking in a recess in a well flow conductor. The latch is attachable to a well tool which may be positioned and operated to latch and lock in and later be retrieved from the flow conductor using wireline or TFL pumpdown tools and methods. An expandable c-ring is utilized as the latching element for the latch device.

Abstract: An anchor tool and cooperating anchor positioner for use in a well bore are disclosed. The anchor tool may be employed as part of a well casing or liner, while the anchor positioner is part of a tool string run inside the casing or liner. The anchor positioner locates and anchors the tool string at a desired level in the well bore by engagement with the anchor tool placed at that location. Multiple anchor tools may be employed if it is desired to deploy the tool string at different levels. All operation of the anchor positioner is effected by mechanical force.

Abstract: A locking assembly for well devices, such as a cable suspended electric pump, for anchoring the device against both axial and rotative movement within a well flow conductor. The assembly includes locking keys engageable with locking recesses provided in the flow conductor to support the device within said conductor. An expander mandrel actuated by the torque forces developed by a rotating element of the well device coacts with said locking keys to urge said keys into tighter locking position and thereby prevent rotation of said assembly within the flow conductor. The assembly also includes an equalizing valve which equalizes pressures across the assembly and the well device prior to releasing the locking action of the locking keys.

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 tubing anchor for anchoring a well tubing in an outer conduit which includes slips and upper and lower cones. A threaded connection is connected to at least one of the cones for moving the cones towards and away from each other for setting and releasing the slips. First and second clutches are selectively actuated by longitudinal movement of a mandrel for either setting or releasing the slips. The anchor may also be released by an emergency straight pull on the mandrel.

Abstract: A pump catcher apparatus is provided for supporting within a subterranean well a portion of a tubular conduit and a pump depending from the conduit. The apparatus comprises a control mandrel and a main body extending from the control body. Slip elements are provided on the main body for anchoring the pump catcher to the well conduit and are selectively shiftable to anchoring engagement with the casing by axial manipulation of the tubular conduit. A telescoping connection is provided between the control mandrel and the tubular conduit so that limited longitudinal movement of the tubular conduit will be permitted without disturbing the anchored engagement of the slip elements. Shearable members are provided between the control mandrel and the main body for selectively securing the main body to the mandrel and are severable by a predetermined force.

Abstract: A rock splitting attachment for a breaking hammer comprising a primary shaft and an elongated primary wedge assembly that is telescopically attached to the primary shaft. The primary shaft has a plurality of principal wedge surfaces on its outer surface adjacent its bottom end. The structure for telescopically attaching the primary shaft to the elongated primary wedge assembly comprises a bore in the primary shaft extending axially inwardly from its bottom end and a secondary shaft that forms a part of the elongated primary wedge assembly. The width of the secondary shaft is smaller that the width of the bore so that it may be telescopically received therein. The secondary shaft has an external groove extending axially along a substantial portion of its length. A set screw is threadably seated in the primary shaft so that it extends radially inwardly far enough into the primary shaft that it extends into the external groove of the secondary shaft.

Abstract: A mechanical tubing anchor has a plurality of slip elements mounted in an elongated casing and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. A plurality of friction springs are rigidly secured around an upper end portion of the tubing anchor casing and extend downwardly with the lower end portion of each friction spring resting on an associated slip element. The friction springs extend outward from the casing along their mid-portion to rub against the interior of a well bore and to be compressed in order to bias the slip elements toward their retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anchoring assembly for anchoring well equipment within a surrounding well conduit. In one form of the invention, the anchoring assembly is specifically described for use as an hydraulically set, retrievable liner hanger. A modified form of the invention describes the anchoring assembly employed with a seal to function as an hydraulically set, retrievable well packer.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and recovering casing from a well which includes a well string having a swivel mounted thereon, a gripping assembly, a lower drive cone, and a cutter mounted on the lower end of the well string, the swivel functioning as the expander or drive cone for the gripping assembly to set the cutter at any desired level within a casing to be cut and the gripping assembly which has been expanded by the swivel to set position functioning to support the swivel for rotation of the string during a cutting.

Abstract: One or more unitary, internally toothed sleeves are located in a packer mechanism in partially slidable relationship on the packer mandrel such that actuation of the packer serves to rotate the locking sleeves on the mandrel, causing the internally toothed sections to engage the mandrel and maintain the packer in the set position.

Abstract: A liner hanger assembly and method of installation for use in oil and gas well operations having multiple individual hanger units arranged in series for even load distribution. Each individual hanger unit carries a proportional amount of the weight load of a suspended well pipe (casing liner) and has a balanced pressure, sealed bearing which facilitates rotation of the casing liner in the well bore during cementing operations.

Abstract: A tubular mandrel is provided with outer housing means slidable thereon. Slip segments are formed on the outer housing means and a cone shaped enlargement is formed on the mandrel. Segmented cone means is slidably mounted on the mandrel between the mandrel and outer housing means. Cooperating latch means including a J-shaped slot in the outer housing means receive lug means positioned on the mandrel. Bow spring means on the housing means engage the well bore casing as the tool is lowered into the well bore to position the lug in the J-slot so as to inhibit relative longitudinal and rotational movement between the mandrel and outer housing means. When the mandrel is moved in the other direction in the well bore casing and rotated, the outer housing is restrained by the bow spring means engagement with the well bore casing.

Abstract: One or more unitary, internally toothed sleeves are located in a packer mechanism in partially slidable relationship on the packer mandrel such that actuation of the packer serves to rotate the locking sleeves on the mandrel, causing the internally toothed sections to engage the mandrel and maintain the packer in the set position.