Abstract: Well tools for running and setting a well safety valve including a lock mandrel for releasably locking the valve at a no-go landing nipple in a well bore and a running tool for running and setting the lock mandrel. The lock mandrel includes a body provided with a no-go ring, locking dogs on the body, and an expander sleeve movable upwardly in the body for expanding and locking the dogs. The running tool includes a tubular core having an end engageable with an operating tube of the safety valve, an upper latch assembly for engaging the lock mandrel housing to couple the running tool with the lock mandrel, a lower latch assembly for operating the expander sleeve of the lock mandrel to expand the mandrel locking dogs, and a head for connecting the running tool in a wireline tool string. The running tool has locking features which apply a force from a spring of the safety valve to the upper latch assembly to lock the running tool with the lock mandrel.

Abstract: An hydraulic packer assembly for sealing an annulus between a well casing and a tubing string inserted within the well casing comprises a packer (10) and a setting tool (12). The packer includes a packer body (22) having an internal bore (23) with a seal (18) and gripping members (20) mounted on its exterior surface for engaging the interior surface of the well casing. Actuating mechanisms are provided within the packer for expanding the seal and gripping members into contact with the casing wall, which mechanisms include a piston and cylinder arrangement operated by fluid pressure conveyed from the tool interior to the cylinder. The setting tool is releasably coupled to the packer body to mount it on a tubing string and for conveying fluid pressure to the actuating mechanisms. Seals on the setting tool provide a fluid tight seal between the setting tool and the axial bore through the packer body.

Abstract: There are disclosed two embodiments of well apparatus each including a well tool adapted to be lowered into and locked within a landing nipple of a well string, together with a running tool adapted to be connected to the well tool for lowering it into locking position and then causing it to be so locked within the nipple, following which the running tool is released from the well tool for retrieval from the well string.

Abstract: A well completion and testing system and method. The system includes a tubing string having an integral locking sub and a testing probe assembly for use with well testing instruments and having an equalizing and bypass valve, the probe assembly being releasably lockable in the locking sub and adapted to be manipulated from the surface to open and close the valve for testing a well under both shut in conditions and flowing conditions. The method includes running a tubing string including an integral locking sub into a well bore, running a tool train including well testing instruments connected with a locking probe having an equalizing and bypass valve, releasably locking the probe in the locking sub of the tubing string, and selectively manipulating the probe from the surface to open and close the valve of the probe while taking measurements with the well alternately shut in and flowing.

Abstract: A system for releasably anchoring well tools within a tubing string at a preselected downhole location. The system includes a running tool, locking mandrel, and landing nipple. Control fluid pressure is used to ensure positive engagement of the locking mandrel within the landing nipple prior to releasing the running tool from the locking mandrel. The locking mandrel and running tool are particularly useful for installation of surface controlled subsurface safety valves. However, the system can be used to install a wide variety of flow control devices and/or well tools.

Abstract: Drilling equipment for steering relatively long boreholes in rock strata comprises an adaptor for installation adjacent to the drill bit, the adaptor having an inner rotary component drivably connected between the drill rod assembly and the drill bit and a relatively outer component. Releasable latch means are provided having two operational modes in the first of which the inner and outer components are fixedly engaged for rotary motion and in the second mode of which the inner component can rotate relative to the outer component. Also actuatable means are provided for controlling the operational mode of the releasable latch means.

Abstract: A setting tool is shown of the type adapted to be made up in a pipe string for releasably engaging a setting sleeve in a well bore. The setting tool has a mandrel having an upper end adapted to be connected in the pipe string and having a lower end. A setting nut is carried on the mandrel having external connecting threads for engaging mating connecting threads located on the interior of a setting sleeve disposed about the lower end of the mandrel. The mandrel is slidably disposed within the setting nut when the setting nut is engaging the setting sleeve and the mandrel is slidable between an extended running-in position and a weight set-down position.A latch collar having at least one latch ear is carried on the mandrel exterior.

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. A latch for releasing the packer may be operated mechanically or hydraulically and the latch is protected against sand.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for effecting the locking of a well tool in any selected one of a plurality of identical nipples provided in spaced relationship along a well tubing string. Each nipple is provided with an annular recess to receive expandable locking dogs carried by the locking mechanism and an upwardly facing no-go shoulder which is of no lesser diameter than the bore of the tubular string. The locking mechanism is shearably mounted on a running tool and incorporates an expansible C-ring which has a downwardly facing shoulder engagable, when expanded, with the no-go shoulder of the selected locking nipple. The expansible C-ring is held in a retracted position by a collet having spring arms which pass freely downwardly through any or all of the nipples but, when moved upwardly through a selected nipple, engage a surface on the nipple and pull the collet out of its retaining position with respect to the expansible C-ring.

Abstract: An improved shifting tool connectable in a well tool string and useful to engage and position a slidable sleeve in a sliding sleeve device in a well flow conductor. The selectively profiled shifting tool keys provide better fit with and more contact area between keys and slidable sleeves. When the engaged slidable sleeve cannot be moved up and the shifting tool is not automatically disengaged, emergency disengagement means may be utilized by applying upward force to the shifting tool sufficient to shear pins and cause all keys to be cammed inwardly at both ends to completely disengage for removal of the shifting tool from the sliding sleeve device.

Abstract: A retrievable bridge plug of the type having upper and lower anchors and an elastomeric packer for sealing a well casing. Drill string manipulation of the plug body effects packer compression and sealing. A ratchet maintains packer compression when engaged and permits packer expansion when disengaged. A cam surface on the plug body engages and disengages the ratchet responsive to longitudinal movement of the plug body.

Abstract: A drill pipe tester valve includes a spherical valve member supported from an upward facing surface of a housing so that downward forces exerted on the valve member in its closed position, due to fluid pressure in a string of pipe above the valve member, are transmitted substantially entirely to said housing. A latching device is provided for latching the spherical valve member in its closed position as the string of pipe and tester valve are lowered into a well and for subsequently releasing the spherical valve member and allowing it to move to its open position when the string of pipe and tester valve are finally positioned within the well. Additionally, a spring is utilized to control the closing of the equalization port in the drill pipe tester valve in order to provide a positive indication of the closing of the equilization port and to eliminate the use of a J-slot positioning means and cooperating lug.

Abstract: A riser connector for connecting two riser members. The first riser member has a profile shoulder and the second riser member has an expandable ring for engaging the shoulder of the first riser member thereby making a connection. The second riser member has a locking sleeve movable to a position wherein the locking sleeve holds the expandable ring in engagement. The locking sleeve is automatically activated by the relative movement of the riser members. When the locking sleeve is in its second position, an actuator sleeve in the bore of the locking sleeve automatically moves to a position wherein the locking sleeve is locked in its second position.The riser connector is disconnected by a tool attached to the end of a pipe string which is inserted in the bore of the riser members. The tool engages the actuator sleeve and shifts it to a position wherein the locking sleeve is unlocked.

Abstract: An improved drag string unit is shown for use with well bore drill stem test tools of the type which have an inflatable packer and an integral pump. The drag spring unit has an outer drag spring housing and an inner mandrel slidably received within the drag spring housing. Ratchet surfaces associated with the outer housing and inner mandrel are positionable between an engaged position which allows the pump to be activated to pump up the packers and a disengaged position which prevents activation of the pump. Vent means are alignable between the inner mandrel and outer housing when the ratchet surfaces are disengaged allowing the packers to vent to the well bore.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a one-way clutch mechanism is incorporated between the mandrel and housing of a rotary-operated pump apparatus that is used to inflate the packers of a drill stem testing system. The mandrel can be freely rotated to the right to operate the pump, however left-hand rotation causes the clutch mechanism to engage and the housing to be rotated with the mandrel to the left to disconnect a safety joint located in the tool string between the pump apparatus and the packers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a subsurface well completion system comprising body means having a bore therethrough adapted to be connected in axial alignment with a tubing string suspended within a well bore, and a packer carried by the body means for closing off the annulus above a production zone of the well. Flow through each of the bore of the body means and a passageway within the body means which bypasses the packer to connect the annulus above and below the packer is controlled by safety valves having pressure responsive operators for moving such valves from normally closed to open positions by means of control fluid which is supplied thereto through a control line from a remote source. Upon loss of control fluid, as, for example, due to loss of the control line, the valves automatically close.

Abstract: A pumpdown well completion system for pumpdown well servicing of remotely located wells such as subsea wells including particularly a parking tool and a parking tool landing nipple for a pumpdown flowline to permit pumping a tool train to the landing nipple using a large size piston unit and thereafter pumping a section of the tool train beyond the landing nipple using small size piston units. The parking tool includes a central mandrel having a coupling collet telescopically engaged in a housing having a parking collet. The mandrel is telescopically engaged in the housing for movement between a first traveling position at which the coupling collet connects a large size section of a tool train with a small size section and a second release position at which the small size tool train section is released from the parking tool.

Abstract: A no-go apparatus for positioning a tool within a landing nipple in a tubing string in a subterranean well includes a mandrel axially movable within the tubing string having selectively radially expandable latches for engaging a specially shaped annular groove formed on the inside cylindrical surface of the landing nipple, thereby preventing downward movement of the latches and mandrel past the groove. The latches are configured to prevent their engagement by any groove or projections in the tubing string other than the correspondingly shaped groove.

Abstract: A pumpdown well completion system for pumpdown well servicing of remotely located wells such as subsea wells including particularly a parking tool and a parking tool landing nipple for a pumpdown flowline to permit pumping a tool train to the landing nipple using a large size piston unit and thereafter pumping a section of the tool train beyond the landing nipple using small size piston units. The parking tool includes a central mandrel having a coupling collet telescopically engaged in a housing having a parking collet. The mandrel is telescopically engaged in the housing for movement between a first traveling position at which the coupling collet connects a large size section of a tool train with a small size section and a second release position at which the small size tool train section is released from the parking tool.

Abstract: In a locking mandrel for releasably locking a well tool in a well flow conductor of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,531 which includes a tubular body mandrel adapted for securing with a running tool and with a well tool, a locking dog retainer sleeve on the body mandrel, expandible and contractible locking dogs carried by the retainer sleeve, and a locking sleeve movable on the body mandrel within the retainer sleeve between a first position at which the locking dogs are expanded and release positions at which the locking dogs are movable inwardly to release positions, the improvement for releasably latching the locking sleeve at the first locking position on the body mandrel which includes an annular latching boss on the body mandrel and an annular latching flange and recess within the locking sleeve.

Abstract: A drilling jar to be installed in a set of drill collars in a drill string is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, first and second tubular members telescope relative to one another. At the upper end of the lower tubular member, a set of protruding lugs match shoulders having undercuts which permit relative rotation of the two tubular members through part of a turn, thereby permitting the two members to axially telescope whereby locking or unlocking the telescoping movement is controlled. The lower tubular member has an upwardly facing shoulder which is abutted against the lower end of the upper tubular member. This permits the two to be reciprocated and banged together to create a jar for the drill string. A dual jarring activity is developed by a cam actuated radially yieldable collet-type release mechanism that allows relative linear movement of the tubular members and permits selected jarring activity independently of or in conjunction with the lugged locking and releasing portions thereof.

Abstract: A downhole testing apparatus includes a pump assembly with an improved ratchet assembly for opening and closing a relief port of a discharge passage of a pump. The apparatus also includes an improved reciprocating piston.

Abstract: A tubing retrievable differential pressure operated well safety valve which closes at a predetermined rate of flow which may be changed from the well surface. A housing is adapted to be threadedly connected to well tubing. A spring forces a flow tube and choke bean downwardly to normally hold the valve open, but when the producing rate increases to a preset value the bean and flow tube moves upwardly overcoming the spring allowing the valve to close. A releasable connection is provided between the choke bean and the flow tube for connecting the choke bean to and releasing the choke bean from the flow tube by longitudinal movement of the bean relative to the flow tube. The connection may include a collet interconnecting the beam and the flow tube in which the collet includes an enlargement for engaging a recess in the bean. The flow tube includes a backup shoulder for locking the enlargement in the recess and also includes an opening for allowing the collet to become released from the bean.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for setting the temporary lock-open mechanism incorporated in a safety valve employed in the subterranean well, the apparatus including an annular mandrel having an external, axially movable, radially expandable collet operated by an axially movable prong concentrically arranged within the mandrel housing.The temporary lock-open mechanism of the valve includes latch fingers which are adapted to engage the end of a plunger which opens the valve, a spring biased lock-open sleeve and release keys for holding the sleeve in a passive position.The valve is temporarily locked in an open position by introducing control line pressure into the valve for opening it and moving its lock-open mechanism to a position where the expandable collet of the apparatus can release keys that restrain the lock-open sleeve.

Abstract: Improved latch means for well tools, such as retrieving or handling tools, and well components, such as tubing hangers and casing hangers, employing latch segments disposed in an annular series in an outwardly opening groove free from the usual windowed retaining lip. The segments are retained in the groove by the annular means used to retract the segments, and that means is improved both as to capability of retaining the segments in the groove and its ability to be actuated for retraction of the segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning and bonding a liner in a casing in a well bore wherein a pack off bushing is provided between the liner and the well string on which the liner is lowered into the well bore for discharge of a bonding agent through the well string and around the liner in the well bore.The seal or pack off bushing is constructed and arranged so that it may be retrieved after the positioning and bonding operations are completed along with the well string upon which the liner is initially lowered into the well bore.

Abstract: A latch for anchoring well tools in landing receptacles such as nipples or side pocket mandrels in well flow conductors, the receptacles having a locking recess providing a lock shoulder which may be fully annular or only 180 degrees in extent. The latch includes a housing having windows in the wall thereof and a locking lug in each window movable both radially and axially of the housing to engage and disengage the receptacle lock shoulder. A spring biases the lugs downwardly. A lock sleeve slidable on a central core normally holds the lugs against inward movement from expanded locking position and has a recess in its outer surface which allows the lugs to move up and retract thereinto to pass obstructions in a well, the spring returning the lugs to expanded position as soon as such obstruction has been passed. Shearing a pin permits the lock sleeve to be lifted to a position to allow the lugs to retract freely.

Abstract: Subsurface apparatus and method for using same in a hydrocarbon producing well to enable retrieval of a full opening subsurface safety valve mounted in the well tubing without disturbing the major portion of the well tubing located below the safety valve. The apparatus includes a subsurface tubing hanger below the safety valve from which the major portion of the well tubing is suspended and through which tubing the hydrocarbons flow to the surface. Disposed above the safety valve is a tubing holddown apparatus and a controllable safety joint. The holddown apparatus provides a lower anchor for the portion of the tubing disposed above the tubing hanger and the stinger which is received in and seals with the tubing hanger.

Abstract: An index mandrel body, which connects with a well string in a borehole, is received by a tubular body have a plurality of splines, which slidably engage teeth on an indexing sleeve rigidly affixed inside the mandrel said splines receiving seatable lands rigidly affixed inside the tubular body, said lands being so spaced as to be able to pass between the splines so that the body becomes fully rotatable, said invention being adaptable for use in compression or tension application to off shore drilling, as well as on land drilling.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment of the well bore apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein, a new and improved well tool is provided with a plurality of tool-positioning members that are pivotally coupled to the body of the tool and adapted for movement between their respective retracted and extended positions. To control the movements of the tool-positioning members, a selectively-reversible electric motor is cooperatively coupled to the pivotal members in such a manner that upon operation of the motor in one rotational direction, the members are released so as to be free to respectively move toward their extended positions in response to a biasing force selected to extend the members at a predetermined rapid speed of travel. Upon reversal of the motor, the members are recoupled and returned to their retracted positions.

Abstract: An in-hole motor drill assembly has the rotor of the motor connected to the drill bit by a slidable rotary drive connection, and normally disengaged torque transmitting members are engageable, if desired, to lock the bit and motor housing together for rotation of the bit by rotation of the motor housing. The torque transmitting members also interlock to prevent disengagement when an upward pull is applied during rotation of the bit.

Abstract: A well testing tool system for isolating upper and lower portions of a well bore and communicating a well condition such as pressure, temperature, fluid velocity, and the like to a measuring device. The system includes a wireline supported tool train and a locking sub connectible on a removable lock mandrel adapted to be landed and locked in a landing nipple of a well tubing for releasably locking the tool train in operating position in a well bore. The tool train includes a locking probe releasably connectible at a lower end in the locking sub, an adjustable probe mandrel connected with the probe, an equalizing valve and shock absorber, and a gauge for measuring an operating condition in the well connected with the equalizing valve. The locking sub permits insertion of the probe at a relatively low force and requires a substantially larger force for withdrawal of the probe.

Abstract: The invention is an elongated tool for detachably connecting a sand screen and liner assembly to a tubing string. The tool comprises a releasing housing sleeve, a hookup nipple section which partly telescopes within the releasing housing sleeve with the telescoped end closed by a removable hookup nipple plug. A movable hollow piston having a ball valve seat at one end and a cross bore extending through its other end part fits within the other end of the releasing housing sleeve with the cross bore aligned with longitudinally extending slots in the releasing housing sleeve.The hookup nipple has circumferentially extending grooves near its upper end which each mate with an array of bores extending through the releasing housing sleeve. Ball detent elements are disposed in the bores and grooves.

Abstract: The described invention includes method and apparatus for the installation of a casing hanger supporting a string of casing down hole in an oil or gas well, for removal of the installation equipment, and for tying back the hanger to an insulated production riser extending to the surface. The casing hanger is lowered into the well on drilling casing, having a smaller outside diameter than the insulated production riser casing, to permit a sufficiently large annulus for the passage of fluid between the drilling riser and the previously installed drilling riser. The drilling riser is removed by disconnecting it from the hanger by clockwise rotation of the drilling riser. The insulated production riser casing, or other special riser pipe, having a larger outside diameter than the drilling riser casing, is used to tie back with the hanger where standard riser casing is not suitable for the production of oil or gas, e.g. in the case of production through permafrost, by a clockwise rotation of the drilling riser.

Abstract: Well apparatus is disclosed in which an inner member is adapted to be sealed with respect to an outer member by means of a seal ring of elastomeric material surrounding the inner member for movement from a first position about a first cylindrical surface in which its outer diameter is spaced from a cylindrical bore in the outer member, and a second position about a second, larger cylindrical surface in which its inner and outer diameters are sealably engaged with said second surface and bore in the outer member, respectively.