Abstract: Disclosed are selective and no-go systems for injecting fluids in a well and a system for orienting a tool in a landing nipple in a well conduit, which is utilized in the selective set injection system. Each injection system is comprised of a land nipple, an injection mandrel having openings for flow and an orientor. The landing nipples have wall openings for flow and orienting means which are engaged by the mandrel orientor as the mandrel is lowered into the landing nipple, orienting the mandrel and aligning the mandrel flow openings with the nipple flow openings. There are orifices in the flow openings in both mandrels to control injected flow through the mandrel. The system for orienting a tool in a landing nipple has an orientor attachable to a well tool. This orientor and the selective orientor have lugs which engage an orienting sleeve in the nipple and are guided into slots when lowered into the sleeve.

Abstract: A blast joint and related handling apparatus and method for installing the blast joint in a pressurized well, using a snubber unit. The blast joint has a pressure rated protective jacket, a pressure operated ring load compensator, and an adjustable tubing anchor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively disconnecting a wireline from a downhole tool when the tool becomes lodged in an oil or gas well. The apparatus is directed to a wireline releasing device which includes a precharge chamber which can be pressurized to a predetermined amount for applying a force against a piston assembly located within the releasing device to hold together telescopically connected upper and lower tubular portions which are locked in place by retractable dogs which extend through aligned openings in the upper and lower tubular portions. The device is intended to be connected at one end to a length of wireline and, to another end, to the top of the downhole tool. During wireline operations, upon the downhole tool becoming lodged within the well, the wireline operator applies hydraulic or pneumatic pressure from the surface which exceeds the precharged pressure, which acts to disconnect the upper portion of the device from the lower portion and the downhole tool.

Abstract: An improved locator shifter tool useful in a string of well operating tools. When the tool string is lowered into compatible internal profiled grooving in a well conduit, profiled keys on the locator shifter tool move outwardly into the profiled grooving, stopping downward movement of the shifting tool and tool string. A downward force on the tool string will now operate the locator shifter tool to lock connected in the profiled grooving in the conduit. To disconnect the locator shifter from the profiled grooving, an upward force on the tool string will operate the locator shifter tool to cam the keys inwardly from the conduit grooving, disconnecting the locator shifter and tool string for raising through the conduit back to the surface.

Abstract: A downhole adjustable bent sub is provided for use in a drilling process in which a drill bit is subjected to a drilling force. The bent sub has a tubular housing and a tubular mandrel. The tubular housing has a bend along its length to define an upper part and a lower part, the respective longitudinal axes of which intersect at an angle. The tubular mandrel also has a bend along its length to define a first part and a second part, the respective longitudinal axis of which intersect at an angle. The first part of the mandrel slidably engages the interior of the lower part of the tubular housing. a longitudinal stop prevents the mandrel from being slid out of the housing. Longitudinal biasing means urge the mandrel toward the longitudinal stop to a first position. A rotational stop prevents relative rotation between the mandrel and the housing when the mandrel is in the first position.

Abstract: A mechanical latching device for repeatable latching and unlatching of downhole well tools is adapted for use in a mandrel interconnected with a tubing string of a well, the mandrel forming a downwardly directed internal shoulder. The latch mechanism incorporates a fishing neck adapted for interconnection with the downhole tool. The fishing neck is disposed in upstanding generally centralized relation within the mandrel. A collet member which may be a component part of a well service tool or which may be a component part of the latch mechanism defines pulling shoulders at the free extremity of collet fingers defined thereby. A latch retainer is disposed in movable relation about the fishing neck and is movable between latched and unlatched positions relative to the fishing neck. In the latched position the latch retainer provides external support for the collet fingers to maintain the collet fingers in latching interengagement with a pulling flank.

Abstract: A stage valve for stage cementing of casings in a well bore including a tubular collar and a telescopic tubular sleeve where the sleeve has a piston portion disposed in a collar chamber and the piston portion separates a sleeve port from a collar port in a lower position. In the lower position, the sleeve mechanically engages the collar and is movable to an upper position by a differential hydraulic pressure across the piston portion to an upper position placing the sleeve port and the collar port in fluid communication with one another. In moving to the upper position, the sleeve removes a barrier from a ratchet ring in the collar so that when the sleeve is moved downwardly from an upper position, a ratchet portion on the sleeve engages the ratchet ring in a lower position of the sleeve to lock the sleeve in a closed position.

Abstract: A packer and service tool assembly for oil or gas well preparation includes a disengageable coupling mechanism which permits the tool to be screwed into and out of the packer and which can be hydraulically disengaged so that the tool can be removed without applying torque to the tool or workstring. A releasable ratchet mechanism is also provided in the packer for trapping the setting loads when the packer is set in the casing. The ratchet mechanism is releasable by pulling up a housing portion which cammingly engages collapsible ratchet fingers thereby disengaging the ratchet finger trapping teeth from a stationary ratchet ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the completion of non-vertical, including horizontally disposed, portions of a deviated well bore traversing a production formation. To facilitate the insertion of a gravel packing tool string through the curved portion of the well bore, stabilizer elements are maintained in a radially retracted position and then operated to engage the well bore after the tool string is run-in. An anti-rotation tool may be incorporated for connecting the work string to the left hand threads conventionally provided on a conventional packer in order to permit rotation of the entire tool string to facilitate passage through the curved portion of the well bore. Two gravel packing modifications are disclosed, the one employing a single packer and a cross-over tool located at the top end of a plurality of serially connected screens.

Abstract: A drill rod apparatus for quick rotary deep drilling has its drill pipes connected by flexible joints so that the rotation of a nut relative to a housing of each joint permits separation of the pipe ends connected thereby and the arrays of interengageable claws. The housing is connected to one of the pipes by a ball and socket joint so that with such separation, while a seal is maintained between the interiors of the two pipes, one pipe can be angularly offset from the other by substantially as much as 30.degree..

Abstract: A well testing apparatus includes a housing having a formation fluid flow passage. A sliding sleeve tester valve is reciprocably disposed in the housing. A probe separable from the housing and constructed to be received coaxially within the sliding sleeve tester valve has a probe passage defined therethrough for communicating the formation fluid flow passage with a measuring device carried on the probe. A probe valve is also disposed in the housing and is constructed to receive a lower end of the probe. A releasable connector operably connects the probe and the sliding sleeve tester valve so that the sliding sleeve tester valve is moved between its open and closed positions in response to reciprocal movement of the probe relative to the housing. The tester valve can be operated an indefinite number of times, and whenever desired the probe can be disconnected from the tester valve in response to an appropriately timed reciprocable motion of the probe.

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: A production sub carrying a plurality of annular locator rings is coupled in series relation with downhole production equipment. A collet latch assembly including fixed and floating collet members is connected to a down hole service tool and is inserted into releasable coupling engagement with the annular locator rings of the production sub. Resilient finger portions of the fixed collet are alternately supported and unsupported by the floating collet to establish positive engagement with a selected one of the annular locator rings or to permit passage of the latch assembly with respect to the locator ring. The foregoing arrangement provides positive restriction to longitudinal movement of a work string which allows a downhole service tool attached to the work string to be selectively positioned at predetermined operating locations relative to downhole equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety valve for oil wells, able to permit artificial output operation by injection of a fluid under pressure. This valve comprises a movable closing flap (11), a tubular internal slide (9), a spring (10) for returning said slide to its upper position, a hydraulic system for displacing said slide downwardly due to pressure of a control fluid, an internal tube (300) for passage of injected fluid, fixed to the slide (9), a lower connecting sleeve of a series of lower tubes (Ti) for the passage of injected fluid, able to be connected with the internal tube (300) when the tube is in the lower position, an upper connecting sleeve (309) of a series of upper tubes for the passage of injected fluid, in which may slide in a sealed manner the internal tube, a system for anchoring the valve in a receiving sleeve (1) comprising a hydraulically actuated mechanical system controlled by the control fluid, and seals (15, 16) at the contact of the receiving sleeve (1).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supporting a liner on an operating string mandrel so that the liner can be lowered into a well bore and selectively rotated and reciprocated. The liner includes rigid splines which are initially engaged with rigid splines releasably engaged on the operating string mandrel to enable the liner to be selectively rotated and reciprocated before positioning on the well bore casing.The liner is secured or positioned on the well bore casing and the operating string can then be manipulated to release the mandrel from the rigid splines releasably engaged thereon. The mandrel rigid splines and mandrel have cooperating surfaces which reconnect the mandrel rigid splines to the mandrel whereupon the mandrel rigid splines can then be disengaged from the liner rigid splines so that the mandrel can be released from the liner.

Abstract: A mechanical latching device for repeatable latching and unlatching of downhole well tools is adapted for use in a mandrel interconnected with a tubing string of a well, the mandrel forming a downwardly directed internal shoulder. The latch mechanism incorporates a fishing neck adapted for interconnection with the downhole tool. The fishing neck is disposed in upstanding generally centralized relation within the mandrel. A collet member which may be a component part of a well service tool or which may be a component part of the latch mechanism defines pulling shoulders at the free extremity of collet fingers defined thereby. A latch retainer is disposed in movable relation about the fishing neck and is movable between latched and unlatched positions relative to the fishing neck. In the latched position the latch retainer provides external support for the collet fingers to maintain the collet fingers in latching interengagement with a pulling flank.

Abstract: There is disclosed an adjustable bent sub for use in directional drilling in earth formations which is adapted to be placed between the power unit and bearing assembly components of a downhole motor and which can be angularly adjusted without requiring disassembly of the downhole motor unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic release tubing seal divider for connecting lower and upper tubing strings together in a wellbore, including an inner housing assembly connected with one of the tubing string and middle and outer housing assemblies connected with the other of the tubing strings, including hydraulically operable locking structure carried by the middle and outer housing assemblies for locking the tubing strings together while the strings are run into a well, and for hydraulically releasing the middle and outer housing assemblies from the inner housing assembly to permit relative telescopic movement in the well between the upper and lower tubing strings at the tubing seal divider.

Abstract: A progressing cavity well pump has an overspeed brake to protect the gear box during reverse rotation. A power source rotates an input shaft of the gear box, which through a right angle drive, drives a string of rods extending into the well to the progressing cavity pump. A centrifugal brake is mounted to the input shaft. If the pump locks up, the power source will impart energy to the rods by twisting them until the power source reaches its limit. When the rods start to unwind, the centrifugal brake will engage to dissipate energy and slow the speed of the reverse rotation.

Abstract: A retrievable gravel packer and retrieving tool therefor. The gravel packer includes an inner mandrel assembly attached to an operating tool by a left-hand threaded connection. The packer is set without rotation by the operating tool to move a pusher sleeve downwardly with respect to the mandrel, compressing a packer element and setting slips into engagement with a well bore. A ratchet prevents the pusher sleeve assembly from moving upwardly with respect to the mandrel. The packer may be retrieved by the retrieving tool which has a lower collet engagable with a releasing mandrel in the packer. After releasing collets held by the releasing mandrel, the inner mandrel of the packer is released so that the packer element and slips engaged by the mandrel are disengaged from the well bore. An upper collet in the retrieving tool engages the left-hand thread in the packer mandrel so that the packer and retrieving tool may be raised out of the well bore.

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: An apparatus and method of operation for the release of concentric tubing strings used in well operations. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a tubing release assembly and an air chamber assembly as an actuating tool. The tubing release assembly comprises a housing, release sleeve, adjustment nut, pull tube mandrel, pull tube adapter, pull tube latch and retainer ring. The air chamber assembly as an actuating tool comprises a lower end plug, a housing, a housing retainer, seal element assembly, upper and lower shear pin retainers, upper element cone, release ring, setting mandrel, upper end plug, retrieving mandrel, and match drill assembly. Alternately, the tubing release assembly may be actuated by a ball and increased fluid pressure level within the interior of the tubing release assembly.

Abstract: A packer bypass for use between a pump and packer in a testing string for venting said pump and packer to a well annulus after completion of a testing operation. The packer bypass comprises a case with an inner flow tube disposed therein such that an annular passageway is defined therebetween. A piston having a lower portion is reciprocably disposed in the annular passageway. A plurality of latching fingers are pivotally mounted to the lower end of the piston and biased towards a latching position. A bypassing mandrel is reciprocably disposed in the annular passageway below the piston and has an open position for bypassing pump pressure thereabove and packer pressure therebelow to the well annulus and also has a closed position in which bypassing is prevented. The mandrel may be raised from the closed position to the open position by lowering the piston and engaging the latching fingers with a flange on the mandrel.

Abstract: A well pump suspended from a mandrel in a well which is run on a cable placed in tension after the pump supporting mandrel is landed. The mandrel is latched in the well and a much greater force is required to release the mandrel from the tubing than was required to move the mandrel to the latched position. The cable includes multiple wire drum sockets which are moved laterally into recesses in the supporting mandrel and held in place by a moveable sleeve. A space out is provided between the mandrel and the cable. The conductors of the cable are brought out of the space out structure to the exterior of the mandrel and extend down through a penetrator which forms a part of the mandrel. The space out structure, the connection between the space out structure and cable, and the mandrel and penetrator components, and the pump are all held against relative rotation to avoid damage to the conductors.

Abstract: An adjustable bent sub for use in directional drilling in earth formations comprises a first body member having a first body portion defining a first primary axis and a second body portion defining a first secondary axis disposed at a first offset angle with respect to the first primary axis, a second body member having a first body portion defining a second primary axis and a second body portion defining a second secondary axis disposed at a second offset angle with respect to the first primary axis, the second body member being adapted to be secured to the first body member such that the first secondary axis and the second primary axis are coaxial and define a common axis and the second body member is rotatable about the common axis. A device is provided for non-rotatably coupling the second body member to the first body member in predetermined angular relation about the common axis so as to provide a predetermined angular relationship between the first primary axis and the second secondary axis.

Abstract: A downhole running tool for positioning and locking tool support mandrels within landing nipples of the production tubing string of a well. A housing is provided which forms an internal receptacle receiving upper and lower core sections forming an elongated core which is telescopically movable to collapsed and extended positions defined by spaced stops formed by the housing. A portion of the core extends from the housing for connection with a tool support mandrel. A collet type releasable retainer secures locking lugs of the housing in a substantially fixed position within the internal receptacle and is movable to a lug release position upon contact with the landing nipple during upward movement of the downhole running tool to thus permit spring urged movement of the core to force the mandrel from its retracted position to its locating position.

Abstract: A well tool lock mandrel and running and pulling tools for installing and retrieving the lock mandrel. The lock mandrel is used for supporting a well tool such as a subsurface safety valve at a landing nipple in a well tubing string. The lock mandrel includes a tubular body, locking dogs supported in the body, an expander sleeve for operating the locking dogs, and a latch for releasably locking the expander sleeve when the locking dogs are locked outwardly. The running tool includes a head assembly for connection with a wireline tool string, an upper retainer key assembly for connection with the head of the lock mandrel, and a lower locking lug assembly for engagement with the expander sleeve of the lock mandrel for operating the sleeve. The running tool also includes a spring biased insertion sleeve for operating the lower locking lug assembly permitting the running tool to be installed in the lock mandrel when the locking dogs of the lock mandrel are at inward positions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for latching a well tool within the seal bore of a pocket to one side of a bore through a mandrel connectable in the well string. The mandrel has a recess above the seal bore to receive latching dogs on the lower end of collet fingers carried by the device and an upwardly facing shoulder above the recess which engages the latching dogs to cause them to be flexed inwardly as they are lowered into positions opposite the recess.

Abstract: A production sub carrying a plurality of annular locator rings is coupled in series relation with downhole production equipment. A collet latch assembly including fixed and floating collet members is connected to a down hole service tool and is inserted into releasable coupling engagement with the annular locator rings of the production sub. Resilient finger portions of the fixed collet are alternately supported and unsupported by the floating collet to establish positive engagement with a selected one of the annular locator rings or to permit passage of the latch assembly with respect to the locator ring. The foregoing arrangement provides positive restriction to longitudinal movement of a work string which allows a downhole service tool attached to the work string to be selectively positioned at predetermined operating locations relative to downhole equipment.

Abstract: A minimum backlash latch assembly for releasably locking a well tool such as a pilot valve in a bore such as in a side pocket mandrel of a well flow conductor. Also disclosed is a pilot valve system for a subsurface safety valve operated by control fluid pressure from the surface including a pilot valve connected with the control fluid line to the subsurface safety valve and into the well production string immediately above the safety valve to bypass the control fluid pressure directly into the tubing string and dump the control fluid pressure from the subsurface safety valve into the tubing string directly above the valve to minimize the time delay between control fluid pressure reduction and the safety valve closure. Three embodiments of the pilot valve are disclosed. One embodiment is operable by electrical energy from the surface. The other embodiments are operable by acoustic energy and radio waves, respectively.

Abstract: A tubing hanger alignment system for a subsea well, periodically subjected to treatment by removing the well tubing and inserting treating tools therein, wherein a tubing guidance system cooperating with the wellhead for engaging a downwardly moving tubing hanger running system thereby to rotate said tubing hanger sufficiently to position the carried tubing at a predetermined relationship with the wellhead, thereby providing access into the tubing hanger for sealing elements of an over-positioned subsea tree co-operative with the wellhead.

Abstract: A latch and retrieving assembly is shown for use with a well tool having an axial bore which includes an external landing shoulder and an annular latch recess which is spaced below the landing shoulder. The assembly includes a mandrel which is inserted in to the bore of the well tool. The mandrel has a lower abutment and a collet member carried about the mandrel above the abutment. The collet member includes a carrier ring which is seatable on the shoulder and a plurality of fingers which depend from the carrier ring and which terminate in radially enlarged tips which are disposed in registration with the recess when the carrier ring is seated on the landing shoulder. The tips cooperate with the lower abutment to latch into and to be released from the recess respectively in response to downward movement of the mandrel. A special profile formed on the mandrel lower abutment provides latching engagement and subsequent release of the assembly upon downward movement of the mandrel relative to the collet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a downhole logging and servicing system with manipulatable logging and servicing tools. The system includes a conveyor for running the tools into and out of the well bore and a manipulating apparatus operable responsive to fluid pressure to manipulate the tools. The manipulating apparatus includes a fluid operated incremental rotating device connected to the conveyor and control device operated by the rotating device to manipulate the tools.

Abstract: A tie-back connector for a subsea well allows the tie-back connection to be made without rotation. A set of threads is located on an inner wall of the outer conduit into which the tie-back connection is to be made. An annular latch is carried by the inner conduit which is being tied back from the surface to the outer conduit. The latch has threads on its exterior which ratchet past the threads on the inner wall as the inner conduit is lowered into the outer conduit. After the threads of the latch are ratcheted fully into alignment with the threads in the outer conduit, the inner conduit is pulled upwardly relative to the latch to secure it in tension. A retainer is actuated when the inner conduit is in the upper position to prevent the inner conduit from moving downwardly again relative to the latch. The inner conduit can be removed by rotation relative to the outer conduit.

Abstract: A packer and service tool assembly for oil or gas well preparation includes a disengageable coupling mechanism which permits the tool to be screwed into and out of the packer and which can be hydraulically disengaged so that the tool can be removed without applying torque to the tool or workstring. A releaseable ratchet mechanism is also provided in the packer for trapping the setting loads when the packer is set in the casing. The ratchet mechanism is releasable by pulling up a housing portion which cammingly engages collapsible ratchet fingers thereby disengaging the ratchet finger trapping teeth from a stationary ratchet ring.

Abstract: A gravel pack safety sub selectively positionable in rotational or a non-rotational mode. The safety sub includes an adapter having lugs thereon and a mandrel having lugs thereon adjacent the adapter. A retainer attached to the adapter receives an end of the mandrel. The mandrel and retainer define an annular cavity therebetween, and a sleeve is positioned in the cavity. The sleeve has a hole therein which is nearer a first end thereof than a second end. The hole is alignable with an exterior recess in the mandrel and a shear pin positioned therethrough. The safety sub may be placed in a first position wherein the second end of the sleeve is adjacent the adapter and the lugs on the mandrel and adapter are separated. A bearing ring is positioned between the adapter and the mandrel for maintaining the separation of the lugs and providing a bearing surface therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for providing a tubing drain valve suitable for use in a borehole. The present invention is particularly useful in connection with production strings employed in wells producing heavy, sand-bearing oils. The invention comprises a tubing drain valve operable independently of any action or condition on the interior of the pipe string. The tubing drain valve of the present invention is opened in response to the pulling of the pipe string from the borehole. A plurality of dogs carried by a sleeve biased to an initial position about a tubular member suitable for incorporation in a pipe string and including a valved passage through the side wall thereof are designed to engage the casing and temporarily prevent movement of the sleeve as the pipe string is being pulled from the borehole. Continued pulling of the string produces relative movement of the sleeve and tubular member along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

Abstract: A continuous obstruction monitor for well logging drill strings including a well logging instrument at the forward end thereof transports the logging instrument through an earth borehole while continuously monitoring for obstructions. An outer tubular housing is connected at its upper end to the drill string and a piston therein is connected to the upper portion of the logging instrument. The housing has a variable volume greater than the volume of an equal length of the drill string. The piston is electrically connected to the surface. A latch retains the piston in the lower portion of the housing, and releases it when an obstruction is encountered. The outer housing moves downward relative to the piston to a point where a sealing surface at the mid portion of the housing shuts off fluid flow below the piston and causing the drilling fluid to rise within drill string to be detected at the surface.

Abstract: An in-hole fluid motor has a clutch engageable between the motor housing and the motor shaft to connect the housing and shaft for mutual rotation upon rotation of a running-in pipe string, and a circulation valve is installed above the motor to be opened to allow circulation from the pipe string into the bore hole annulus. Circulation is maintained through the bore hole annulus during efforts to release a stuck drill bit.

Abstract: Well apparatus is disclosed in which a well tool connected to a landing tool is lowered within a well conduit by means of a wire line running tool which, when the landing tool is so lowered, may be manipulated in order to cause locking means carried by the landing tool to be locked with a locking groove of the well conduit, and which when the landing tool is so locked, may be released therefrom for retrieval from the well conduit. The landing tool carries keys which may be landed and locked within a selected one of a plurality vertically spaced landing nipples of the conduit each of which has a cylindrical bore and a groove having an upwardly facing seat thereabout on which the key may be landed when spring pressed outwardly into the groove.

Abstract: A well tool having reciprocating portions can be locked in a predetermined position by a latching mechanism which is responsive to externally applied pressure, as opposed to mere movement of the reciprocating elements to the predetermined position. The actuating pressure can be applied through the annulus or through a pipe string in which the tool is located.

Abstract: There is disclosed well apparatus including a wire line running tool assembly on which a well tool may be lowered into a well conduit, and then locked within the well conduit, and released from the assembly, when it is so locked, in response to manipulation of the wire line, whereby the assembly may be retrieved.

Abstract: A slide joint is shown which is used to provide a floating seal between an inner floating member and a surrounding conduit in a well bore. The floating member has a clutch element which is engaged at one end thereof. A circumferential, compressible packing is carried on the exterior of the floating member and is sandwiched between a fixed nut, at one end, and the clutch element at the other end. The clutch element includes downwardly extending clutch portions which are engageable with mating recesses provided within the inner bore of the surrounding well conduit when the floating member is run into position. The floating member can then be rotated by rotating the associated tubing string which extends to the well surface. As the floating member is rotated, the clutch element crawls up the externally threaded surface on the floating member in the direction of the compressible packing and the fixed nut.

Abstract: A well lock including a landing nipple having a locking notch and landing shoulder and a lock for setting in the nipple. The lock includes a body and at least one retractable no-go dog radially movable in the body and adapted to engage the landing shoulder and at least one locking dog radially movable in the body and adapted to lock in the locking notch. A rigid expander tube telescopically moves in the body between a running and a set position. In a running position the no-go locking dogs are cammed outwardly while the locking dogs are retracted. When the set position is reached the locking dogs are cammed outwardly and a recess is aligned with the no-go dogs for allowing them to retract. A seal is provided between the body and the expander tube for protecting the nipple from well fluid abrasion.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of a packer for closing off the annular space between a pipe string and a well bore in which the pipe string is disposed, each of which includes an annular packing element adapted to be expanded into sealing engagement with the well bore in response to relative axial movement between inner and outer tubular members, and releasably latched in expanded position by means which includes a circumferentially expandible and retractable body lock ring. In each case, the body lock ring has cam teeth about its outer side which are engaged with cam teeth on the inner circumference of the outer tubular member for circumferential expansion and contraction with respect thereto, and a relatively long length of ratchet teeth on its inner side for ratcheting with respect to a relatively short length of ratchet teeth on the outer circumference of a latching member carried by the inner tubular member in response to movement of the tubular members to retracted positions.

Abstract: A downhole tool such as a formation tester valve which provides a bypass while allowing a choice of several possible functions of this bypass to be made by rearrangement of the parts of the tool. In a first arrangement, a bypass is provided which is open while the tool is run into the well, and is then closed and latched closed upon operation of the tool by setting down weight on the tool. Subsequent reopening of the tool does not reopen the bypass. In a second arrangement, an open bypass is provided as the tool is run into the well. The bypass again is closed when weight is set down on the tool to operate the tool, but in the second arrangement, the bypass reopens when weight is picked up to reopen the tool. In a third arrangement, the bypass port may be eliminated when it is desired to run the tool without a bypass.

Abstract: A temporary and retrievable protector sleeve for protecting a well landing nipple during working of the well. A landing nipple having a tubular body with a plurality of arcuate no go lugs circumferentially positioned. A body has a support for engaging the no go lugs on the interior of the nipple for supporting the body from the nipple. A releasable latch on the body releasably latches the body to the no go lugs. A spring engages the latch and yieldably urges the latch into a locking position. A sleeve section telescopically engages the body and the latch and retracts the latch and releases the body from the no go lugs when the section is moved relative to the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the sealing of a well conduit comprises the positioning of a sealing plug unit within a special nipple provided in the well conduit and defining first and second surfaces and a seal bore. The sealing plug unit is provided with external seal elements cooperable with the seal bore and a first and second latching elements respectively cooperable with the first and second surfaces provided on the nipple. The sealing plug is actuated by first passing it downwardly through the nipple and then retracting it upwardly, whereupon the first of the latching elements engages with one of the surfaces on the nipple, thus preventing further upward movement on the assembly and permitting the application of a tensile force to release the plugging unit from the remainder of the unit to bring a camming sleeve into engagement with the second latching element to cam such element outwardly into engagement with an upper recess of the nipple.

Abstract: A tool stopping device for use in well flow conductors for stopping well tools moving therethrough, these devices being located at desired checkpoints, their arrival thereat indicating the progress of the tools in the flow conductor, each device having lugs movable between an inner, tool stopping position and an outer position in which they do not obstruct the bore of the device, each device also having a mechanism remotely actuable from the surface for moving the lugs between their outer and inner positions, whereby tools may be stopped by the lugs when in their inner position, after which the lugs may be moved to their outer position to free the tools for movement beyond the device. In some forms of the devices, the lugs may stop tools in position where they are to be locked in place. In another form, the tools are stopped by a shoulder in the device and the lugs are then contracted to anchor the tool in engagement with that shoulder.

Abstract: An anchor for a tubing string for use with a sucker rod pump is provided which defines a large fluid passage area for the passage of treatment fluids through the anchor. The anchor comprises a tubular body or body extensions having two vertically spaced sets of radial ports. A flow sleeve is positioned in straddling relationship across the bore of the anchor body and has its external surface recessed to provide an annular passage connecting the two sets of radial flow ports. The upper set of flow ports are connected to a tubular flow line extending to the well surface while the lower set of flow ports are connected tubular flow line extending to the production zone or to the location where corrosion, scale or other treatment becomes necessary. The flow sleeve is run into the well with a sucker rod pump on the sucker rod string and can be detachably latched to the tubing string in overlapping sealing relationship to the radial flow ports.