Abstract: An apparatus for retaining and releasing a pump down plug includes an outer housing having a recess and a shifting sleeve that contains the pump down plug and is disposed within the outer housing. The shifting sleeve is configured to slide within the outer housing. The apparatus also includes a retaining element configured to engage the pump down plug to retain the pump down plug, the retaining element being restrained from outward movement by the outer housing in a first position of the shifting sleeve, wherein sliding the shifting sleeve into a second position results in outward movement of the retaining element into the recess to release the pump down plug.

Abstract: A tool for launching wiper plugs into a casing string in a gas or oil well during cementing operations employs a collet-like mechanism carrying radially-movable jaws arranged to retain a plug in a fluid flow path when the tool is in a closed position, and to release the plug into the fluid flow path when the tool is in an open position. Selection of the desired operational position of the plug launcher (i.e., open or closed) is effected by actuation of an axially-movable sliding sleeve. Alternative means for actuating the sliding sleeve include rotary actuation about the tool's longitudinal axis, rotary actuation about a radial axis generally normal to the longitudinal axis, rotary actuation about a generally tangent axis, and pneumatic or hydraulic actuation. The tool may be adapted to carry multiple wiper plugs for sequential launching into a casing string.

Abstract: A frac sleeve with an expandable ball seat. More specifically, the systems and methods include a hydraulically sliding frac sleeve with a moving screen, check valve or flapper that is configured to be align with a fixed production port positioned on an outer sidewall.

Abstract: A setting tool includes a housing, a mandrel disposed in a bore of the housing, a sleeve disposed between the mandrel and the housing, the sleeve movable from a first position to a second position, a biasing member for biasing the sleeve towards the second position, a first fluid flow path through a bore of the mandrel, and a second flow path in an annulus formed between the mandrel and the housing, wherein the sleeve blocks fluid flow through the second flow path when the sleeve is in the second position.

Abstract: A method and system for retrieving a fracturing ball in a wellbore casing. The system includes a wellbore retrieval tool comprising a tool body that is inserted into and transported along the wellbore casing. The tool is sized and configured to trap and hold the fracturing ball. When a hydraulic lock happens in the wellbore casing, the retrieval tool is lowered in a vertical section and the ball is flowed back along a horizontal section and captured by a trap in the retrieval tool. The retrieval tool may also be run in conjunction with a setting tool with a ball-in-place fracturing plug. In case of the hydraulic lock, the injection is tested following perforation with the retrieval tool still a location proximal to the ball, and the ball is immediately retrieved.

Abstract: A wellbore tool, a wellbore fluid treatment string and a method with an indexing mechanism including a crown ratchet sleeve. The indexing mechanism can be shifted through one or more inactive positions before finally shifting into an active condition. The indexing mechanism is particularly useful with a plug that lands in a seat to impart an axially directed force on the mechanism before passing through the seat.

Abstract: A sliding sleeve opens with a deployed ball. The sleeve has a seat disposed in the housing, and the seat has segments biased outward from one another with a C-ring or other biasing element. Initially, the seat has an expanded state in the sliding sleeve so that the seats segments expand outward against the housing's bore. When an appropriately sized ball is deployed downhole, the ball engages the expanded seat. Fluid pressure applied against the seated ball moves the seat into the inner sleeve's bore. As this occurs, the seat contracts, which increases the engagement area of the seat with the ball. Eventually, the seat reaches the shoulder in the inner sleeve so that pressure applied against the seated ball now moves the inner sleeve in the housing to open the sliding sleeve's flow port.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a hydrocarbon production well. The downhole tool has a housing defining a flowpath around a longitudinal axis and a seat radially expandable between an unstressed state and an expanded state. The seat has a frame comprising at least one annular sealing element and a plurality of unconnected seat segments. The seat segments are engaged with the frame. The annular sealing element are engaged with an outer surface of each of the plurality of seat segments. The seat forms a tubular structure in the unstressed state.

Abstract: A clutch employed in a tool string includes an annular housing and an annular sleeve arranged and moveable within the housing. The sleeve is configured to move into engagement with the housing to inhibit relative rotation and axial translation between the housing and the sleeve.

Abstract: A downhole circulation sub or valve includes a tubular housing with an outer port and a valve piston slidably disposed in the housing. A primary fluid flow path extends through an inner flow bore of the housing and valve piston. In a first position, the valve piston isolates the outer port to prevent fluid communication between the inner flow bore and a well bore annulus. In a second position, the valve piston is moved to obstruct the inner flow bore and expose the outer port to the inner flow bore and allow fluid communication between the inner flow bore and the well bore annulus. An indexing mechanism is coupled between the housing and the valve piston to guide the valve piston between the first and second positions. The indexing mechanism may include a rotatable component.

Abstract: A flow adapter includes an adapter body which defines a central axial flow bore and one or more lateral flow openings for fluid communication between the central flow bore and a production tubing flowbore surrounding the adapter. The central axial flow bore of the flow adapter provides a flow restriction which creates a pressure drop across the flow adapter. The flow restriction may be in the form of a conically tapered flowbore wherein the downstream end of the flowbore has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the upstream end of the flowbore.

Abstract: A downhole valve has a flow tube hydraulically actuated to open and close a flapper. The flow tube moved to a first position closes the flapper to restrict flow through the valve. The flow tube moved to a second position opens the flapper. A passable no-go device disposed in the valve permits or restricts mechanical passage through the valve in response to the position of the flow tube. The apparatus has a support and one or more dogs supported in windows of the support and biased by springs. The flow tube in the first position pushes the dogs to an extended position that restricts mechanical passage through valve so that a tool cannot be passed through the valve while the flapper is closed. When the flow tube is in the second position, however, the dogs retract so the tool can be passed through the valve while the flapper is open.

Abstract: A flow adapter includes an adapter body which defines a central axial flow bore and one or more lateral flow openings for fluid communication between the central flow bore and a production tubing flowbore surrounding the adapter. The central axial flow bore of the flow adapter provides a flow restriction which creates a pressure drop across the flow adapter. The flow restriction may be in the form of a conically tapered flowbore wherein the downstream end of the flowbore has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the upstream end of the flowbore.

Abstract: A tool for multiple purposes features one ore more dogs that can engage a collar groove or restriction sub in the wellbore. The dogs are extendable through a sleeve biased in opposed directions and are supported from a mandrel. The dogs can retract into mandrel grooves to clear restrictions on the trip into the well. On the way up to a collar that has just been passed, the dogs engage and an upward pull on the mandrel displaces fluid through a restriction to allow enough time to get a meaningful surface signal of the overpull force. Thereafter, the applied force can be reduced as the dogs release at a lower applied force to reduce the slingshot effect. The tool can be inverted and used to keep a constant force on a bottom hole assembly during offshore drilling where a heave compensator is employed.

Abstract: A multi zone isolation tool (50) for use in a subterranean wellbore includes a first tubular and a second tubular disposed within the first tubular forming an annular flow path (110a, 110b) therebetween and a central flow path (70a, 80a, 80b) through the second tubular. An annular valving assembly (90, 80) is positioned in the annular flow path (110a, 110b) and a central valving assembly (148, 186) is positioned in the central flow path (70a, 80a, 80b). The central valving assembly (186) is operably coupled to the annular valving assembly (90) such that when the central valving assembly (148, 186) is in a closed position, a pressure variation in the central flow path (70a, 80a, 80b) will operate the annular valving assembly (90, 80) from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: Fluid property sensors and associated methods of calibrating sensors in a well provide enhanced well monitoring and control. In one described embodiment, an external venturi flowmeter is utilized to determine a flow rate of fluid from a zone into a tubing string, independent of flow into the tubing string of fluid produced from any upstream zone. In another described embodiment, a gamma ray fluid density sensor utilizes a unique combination of gamma ray sources and detectors to determine a density of fluid flowing through a tubing string. In yet another embodiment, external tubing string sensors are used to determine properties of fluid from a zone into a tubing string, independent of flow into the tubing string of fluid produced from any upstream zone. In still another embodiment, sensor systems for multiple independently produced zones are calibrated.

Abstract: The invention includes in one embodiment an isolation string having an upper packer and an isolation pipe in mechanical communication with the upper packer, the isolation pipe comprising an operable valve and an object activated valve, and the isolation string coupled to an object holding service tool adapted to release an object to engage the object activated valve. The present invention also includes in one embodiment a method of running-in an isolation string with an object holding service tool having an object held therewith into the well, the isolation string comprising an operable valve and an object activated valve; setting the isolation string in the casing adjacent perforations; pressurizing the object to cause a release from the object holding service tool, whereby the object travels to the object activated valve; closing the object activated valve with the released object; and withdrawing the object holding service tool from the well.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the fluid flow in a wellbore provides a side pocket mandrel having a main bore, an offset bore, and a radial passageway providing communication therebetween. Inlet orifices through the outer wall of the mandrel provide fluid communication between the offset bore and an exterior of the mandrel. A choke, or valve, attached to the mandrel is adjustable at and between an opened and closed position to control the flow rate through the inlet orifices and into the offset bore. The radial passageway and the inlet orifices are sized to provide full bore flow into the main bore and, thus, the tubing. Well tools may be positioned in the offset bore to perform various functions. Examples of such well tools include a seal bore protector adapted to protect the walls of the offset bore; an injection valve adapted to allow flow out of the mandrel only to facilitate injection into the formation; and a pack off valve adapted to seal the offset bore and prevent fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A fluid loss device has a housing, a seal assembly, a running tool, and a plug. The housing of the fluid loss device is placed in a production string before a well bore is completed. The plug is attached to the running tool, and the running tool is attached to a wash pipe.The fluid loss device is activated by lifting the wash pipe and the running tool, thereby engaging the plug with the seal assembly, engaging the seal assembly with the housing, and severing the plug from the running tool. Activation of the fluid loss device inhibits fluid communication through the fluid loss device and reduces damage to the well structure behind the fluid loss device while completion operations are performed in other areas of the well bore.The fluid loss device is deactivated by forcing the plug through the fluid loss device with mechanical force or pressure, or by chemically eroding the diameter of the plug until the plug passes through the fluid loss device.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting apparatus has an isolation sleeve which covers setting ports and prevents entry of hydraulic setting fluid into a pressure settable tool such as an inflatable packer or a hydraulic packer. The mandrel of the setting tool is mechanically coupled to the mandrel of the pressure settable completion tool by a guide tube which provides an enlarged counterbore chamber. The guide tube is intersected by radial setting ports which permit entry of the pressurized fluid for pressurizing a hydraulic pressure chamber in the completion tool. A shiftable isolation sleeve opens and closes the setting ports. A radially outwardly biased split C-ring is engaged against the bore of the isolation sleeve. Longitudinal travel of the split C-ring is limited by a shear collar which is releasably pinned to the isolation sleeve.

Abstract: An improved catcher sub has a longitudinal flow passage and a collet slidably mounted around the flow passage in the sub housing. The collet has a number of fingers and each finger has a resilient seal segment. The collet is held and supported in up fingers contracted position where the resilient seal segments seal on each other forming an annular seal ring smaller than the longitudinal flow passage. When high pressure is applied on a ball sealingly engaging the annular seal ring, the collet is supported in the up contracted position while the pressure moves an annular piston to a position which permits the collet to be moved to a lower expanded position larger than the longitudinal flow passage by a later application of lower pressure on the ball and the ball to be expended downwardly through the collet and sub flow passage.

Abstract: A device for connecting between two tubular members that are inserted in an oil and gas earth well in a manner to permit a quick release, yet prevent relative rotation between the tubular members. The device is adapted to pass fluid between the tubular member in their connected position.

Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention, a ball injecting apparatus for use in launching cementing plugs into a well casing includes a tubular body having an inlet port and one or more cylinders on the sides thereof adapted to be loaded with the balls, gates on the cylinders to prevent and permit injections of the balls, drive members extending into the upper and lower ends of the body and being rotatable relative thereto, and a sleeve slidably splined to the upper drive member and movable downward in the body in response to fluid pressure to transmit rotation of the upper drive member to the lower drive member. A set of uniquely arranged upper and lower plug assemblies are releasable attached to one another and are arranged to be sequentially released in response to seating of a ball, bomb or a dart therein.

Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a gas lift valve that is latched by a latch assembly into a seating bore in a side pocket mandrel includes a guide flange that is recieved in a slot in an internal wall of the mandrel. The guide flange functions to precisely rotationally orient and to stop the insertion of the valve within its seating bore such that a lateral gas outlet port in the valve body is directed inward toward the main bore of the mandrel. A frictional restraint also is provided to prevent accidental release of the latch assembly.

Abstract: A downhole tool is provided suitable for multiple setting and unsetting operations in a well bore during a single trip. The downhole tool is suspended in the wellbore from a tubing string, and is activated by dropping a metal ball which plugs the passageway through the tubing string, such that tubing pressure may thereafter be increased to activate the downhole tool. A sleeve is axially movable within a control sub from a ball stop position to a ball release position, and has a cylindrical-shaped interior surface with a diameter only slightly greater than the ball. Collet fingers carried on the sleeve are radially movable from an inward position to an outward position to stop or release the ball as a function of the axial position of the sleeve.

Abstract: In a hydraulically operated setting tool for liner hangers used in a well bore, a norally countracted ball seat formed in the setting tool mandrel by contracted and elongated finger members. Upon seating a ball member in the ball seat, applied pressure is used to set the hydraulic setting tool. After setting the hydraulic setting tool, the ball seat is longitudinally movable so that the finger members can expand to a full opening condition in a recess and release the ball member and so that the finger members are also retrievable with the setting tool.

Abstract: A packer assembly is provided suitable for multiple setting and unsetting operations in a well bore during a single trip to seal the annulus between the interior walls of the well bore and a tubing string. Thge packer is set by dropping a metal ball which plugs the passageway through the tubing string, such that tubing pressure may thereafter be increased to inflate the packer. A sleeve is axially movable within a control sub from a ball stop position to a ball release position, and has a cylindrical-shaped interior surface with a diameter only slightly greater than the ball. Collet fingers carried on the sleeve are radially movable from an inward position to an outward position to stop or release the ball as a function of the axial position of the sleeve.