Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for injecting particulate media into the ground for constructing underground permeable reactive barriers, which are used for environmental remediation of subsurface contaminated soil and water. A media injector sub-assembly attached to a triple wall drill string pipe sprays a mixture of active particulate media suspended in a carrier fluid radially outwards from the sub-assembly, at the same time that a mixing fluid is sprayed radially outwards. The media spray intersects the mixing spray at a relatively close distance from the point of injection, which entrains the particulate media into the mixing spray and ensures a uniform and deep dispersion of the active media in the surrounding soil. The media injector sub-assembly can optionally include channels for supplying compressed air to an attached down-the-hole hammer drive assembly for use during drilling.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for transferring material in a wellbore in an earth formation, a pipe is inserted into the wellbore. A conduit is inserted alongside the pipe into the wellbore. The conduit is fixed to the pipe and has a first section with a perforated wall located adjacent a non-production interval of the formation, and has a second section with an unperforated wall located adjacent a production interval of the formation. The material is injected into the conduit and out the perforated wall of the first section of the conduit.

Abstract: An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: An embodiment of a downhole tool for use with a workstring in a wellbore includes a first section, a second section, and a coupling mechanism adapted such that in a first configuration the coupling mechanism couples the first section to the second section. In a second configuration, the coupling mechanism does not couple the first section to the second section. Also disclosed is a method for creating a plug in a wellbore, the method comprising: injecting a slurry into the workstring to form a plug in the wellbore, positioning a flow preventing mechanism into the workstring to prevent fluid flow from exiting the workstring, inducing a coupling mechanism to uncouple a portion of the workstring such that the portion remains with the slurry to create the plug in the wellbore, and removing the first section from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring material in a wellbore in which materials are introduced into a casing located in the wellbore and is directed to different areas of an annulus defined between the casing and the wellbore.

Abstract: One or more templates are provided for circulating fluids in a main well bore and for drilling and completing at least one offset well bore from the main well bore. Each template has a body, an inlet leg, a main outlet leg, and an offset outlet leg. A straddle assembly is mounted in the template to configure the template for fluid circulation. The straddle assembly, in cooperation with the inlet and main outlet legs, effects a downhole flow path which directs fluids from the inlet leg through body of the template and out the main outlet leg, bypassing the offset outlet leg. The straddle assembly is distally displaced from the template to reconfigure the template for drilling. A diverter is placed in the body of the template upon displacement of the straddle assembly to define a drill string path from the inlet leg to the offset outlet leg. The offset well bore is drilled by conveying a drill string through the drill string path.

Abstract: A small diameter stage cementer assembly 10 and a hydraulically operated packer collar stage cementer 110, including a cementer housing 12 for interconnection with a casing string 14 positionable in a slim-hole wellbore for a cementing operation. The cementer housing 12 including a seat 11 for receiving a lower, drillable portion 335 of an opening sleeve assembly 135 after the upper drillable portion 235 of the opening sleeve assembly 135 has been drilled out. The lower, drillable portion 335 wedges into engagement with the seat 11 to prevent rotation of the drillable portion 335 during drill-out, such that the lower portion 335 may be drilled up using a small diameter bit and drill string, and accommodating a reduced weight on bit. The packer collar embodiment includes a hydraulically actuatable packer 70.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the completion of wells through a production tube includes a tool body having cement flow ports and pressure displaced port closure elements. A perforated mandrel tube concentrically aligned within the production tube is secured to said tool body at its upper end. Concentrically within the mandrel tube is a dart transport tube. The dart transport tube is releasably secured to the tool body by a set of locking dogs. A first dart plug is placed in the production tubing bore at the well surface to be pumped or allowed to gravitate onto a closure seat in the lower end of the of the transport tube. This seat closure allows the production tubing to be pressurized for setting well annulus packers and opening of a cement port closure sleeve. After the production tube has been set by cement pumped down the production tubing bore and through the cement flow port, a second dart plug is positioned atop the cement column in the production tube.

Abstract: A well casing for receiving well fluid from a producing formation includes a first tubular section that has a tortuous outer surface for directing the flow of a bonding agent around the exterior of the first tubular section. The first tubular section has a central passageway. The well casing also has a second tubular section that is coaxial with and is connected to the first tubular section. The second tubular section has at least one opening for directing well fluid into a central passageway of the second tubular section.

Abstract: A tubular casing section for a subterranean well has side wall apertures therein which are temporally sealed with plug structures. The plugged casing section is positioned within a wellbore at a selected subterranean formation and cemented in place within the wellbore. The plugs are removed, such as by melting, fracturing, shearing or corrosion, and a stimulation tool is lowered into the casing and operated to pierce through the cement lining at the unplugged casing side wall apertures and into the surrounding subterranean formation to establish communication between the formation and the interior of the casing.

Abstract: A method for placing probes, sensors, transducers, and other kinds of instruments in a bore hole is disclosed as including a sleeved-port piping system, also known as a tube-a-manchette, about which isolation packers are placed around selected sleeve-port locations. The instruments that are to be installed underground are attached to the exterior of the packers and the piping system is then lowered into the bore hole. A chemical grout injector is then lowered into the piping system and chemical components are supplied, under pressure, to the injector where they are reacted to produce a chemical urethane grout that is ejected from the injector out through an adjacent sleeved-port and into each of the packers. As the packer is filled with urethane grout it expands and tightly presses the instruments against the walls of the bore hole. The grout hardens and remains viable for decades of time. After all of the packers have similarly been filled with urethane grout, the injector is used to fill the annulus i.e.

Abstract: A new method for introducing wellbore cement into a wellbore shoe joint has been invented, the shoe joint having a hollow tubular body, the shoe joint containing an amount of wellbore fluid, the shoe joint disposed in a wellbore cementing system between a float shoe, guide shoe, or other flow apparatus beneath the shoe joint, and a hollow tubular member above the shoe joint, the hollow tubular member being a lower part of a wellbore tubular string of a plurality of tubular members (e.g., casing) extending from an earth surface down into a wellbore, the method including moving a wellbore wiper plug into the hollow tubular body of the shoe joint, moving the plug within the shoe joint to push wellbore fluid from the shoe joint and, in one aspect, debris in the fluid, the fluid flowing to the float shoe, guide shoe or other flow apparatus, flowing wellbore cement into the hollow tubular body of the shoe joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved equipment for the injection of materials into the subsoil, for consolidation, reclamation etc. A perforating rod is made of two coaxial pipes and equipped, at its end, with three or more radial nozzles. The first one provides the injection of high-pressure fluid that breaks the soil, the second one is devised for the injection of material like a cement-mix, and the third one a injects high-pressure fluid, which mixes the injected material and distributes it into the soil. The invention also relates to a method providing:the injection of a high-pressure fluid by means of a drilling rod while this rotates and it is simoultaneously risen;the injection--through a second nozzle downstream the first one--of the material which is to be injected into the soil;the injection through a third nozzle of a high-pressure fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cementing inflation packer tool and methods of using the tool. The tool includes of a tubular housing having a packer inflating port disposed therein and a packer inflating port opening sleeve slidably disposed within the housing. The opening sleeve is movable between a closed position and an open position by a first cementing plug. An external packer sleeve having a pressurized fluid inflatable packer element attached thereto and a cementing port therein is sealingly disposed over the outer surface of the housing and the packer inflating port. The external packer sleeve provides a passageway from the packer inflating port to the inflatable packer element and check valve means are disposed in the passageway. A fluid rupturable member having a predetermined rupture pressure is sealingly attached over the cementing port.

Abstract: A system including method and apparatus for placing and cementing a plurality of scab liners as well as a surface liner in a well with one placement. A duplex assembly is created using a lower duplex tool having a duplex shoe with a valve assembly positioned in the duplex tool. A scab casing is fixed to the duplex tool and drill pipe extends into the scab casing to mate with the valve assembly. A ratchet insures locking of the drill string. The valve assembly includes elements to control flow of cement to outwardly of the scab casing and the flow of flushing fluid inwardly of the scab casing. A locking mechanism using floating dogs controlled by a locking sleeve allows unlocking of the valve assembly from the duplex tool upon completion of the cementing and flushing operation. Similar operations are conducted in succeeding duplex assemblies upwardly along the string, each succeeding scab casing being cemented in turn.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus in the form of a float shoe or collar for use in cementing a casing string within a well bore. The shoe or collar has blades extending therefrom for centering the shoe or collar, as well as the lower end of the casing string, within the well bore. The blades include jetting ports positioned therein for use in jetting the formation. In an alternative embodiment, the jetting ports are located between blades which are generally convoluted and extend circumferentially part-way around the perimeter of the apparatus.

Abstract: A liner cementing system and method provide for a landing collar 10 with a bypass passageway 45. Circulation port 62 in collar 10 permits initial circulation through the liner 17 until a pump down plug P1 is pumped therein to seal off circulation therethrough. An increase in pressure in the liner bore 51 acts on a piston 50 until shear ring 48 is sheared at a selected pressure. Cement 90 may then flow through the bypass passageway 45 into a cement shoe 104 and into an annulus 74 to cement the liner 17 in place. Pump down plug P2 seals off the bypass passageway 45 to stop flow into the annulus 74. The closing of circulation port 62, the opening of bypass port 53, and the closing of bypass port 53 produce pressure signals at the surface which may be used to analyze cement job success.

Abstract: A method of forming a kickoff plug in a borehole is disclosed. The method includes a first phase in which the interval to be cemented is treated to remove gelled mud and mud cake from the walls of the borehole and in which drilling fluid is conditioned for subsequent cementing operations. The method includes a second phase in which a hydrostatically balanced plug of a hydraulic cement slurry is placed in the interval to be cemented and then permitted to harden to form the kickoff plug. Each phase of the method features the injection of high velocity streams of fluid, e.g. drilling fluid and cement slurry, into the borehole in a plane or planes which are substantially parallel to the cross section of the borehole and at linear velocities sufficient to cause circulation of gelled mud, mud cake, and drilling cutting from the borehole.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cementing tool for cementing multiple stages within a well. The assembly includes a housing assembly which defines one or more cementing ports. A first sleeve assembly is retained within the housing and is movable from a first position, where the sleeve covers the port, and thereby precludes fluid flow therethrough, to a second position wherein the sleeve opens the cementing port. The apparatus also includes a second sleeve assembly which is movable from a first position away from the cementing port to a second position wherein the sleeve assembly covers the port. The first sleeve is cooperatively configured with the housing assembly to provide engaging surfaces which resist rotation of the first sleeve relative to the housing. Additionally, the first sleeve and the second sleeve assembly are configured to limit relative rotation when the two pieces are longitudinally adjacent one another.

Abstract: Pairs of isolation members are mounted externally on casing pipe to define isolation zones. The zones are places into communication by bypass means external to the casing and penetrating the isolation members. Consolidation material is flowed through the bypass means to successively fill the isolated zones.

Abstract: Method for casing a hole drilled in a formation having an enlarged section located below a previously cased section. The method includes running casing into the enlarged section wherein the casing is of slightly smaller diameter than that present in the previously cased section, pumping cement into the annulus formed between the outer surface of the casing and the enlarged section of the formation, providing a valve arrangement in the casing to permit circulation of the cement between the annulus and an inner portion of the casing, securing the casing in position within the hole and hanging and packing off in the last casing string. Finally, the previously cased string is latched and sealed to the last casing string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a block squeeze cementing job. The invention provides for perforating the wellbore above and below the desired well formation on a single wireline trip and setting a lower packer on a wireline above the lower perforations. A stinger is positioned in the lower packer, and secondary packer elements on an upper packer are set above the upper perforations. Cementing of the lower perforations is carried out through the lower packer. The secondary packer elements are unset, and the stinger is repositioned adjacent to the upper perforations. Primary packer elements on the upper packer are then set, and the cementing of the upper perforations is carried out through the upper packer and stinger. Setting of the secondary packer elements requires only vertical movement of the tubing string and no rotation. Both cementing steps are carried out on a single tubing trip. The upper packer is retrievable, and the lower packer is of a drillable type.

Abstract: A casing cementer with torque-limiting rotating positioning tool. The casing cementer comprises a housing with a rotating valve sleeve therein. A positioning tool is used to rotated the valve sleeve between open and closed positions thereof. No reciprication of the positioning tool is required. The valve sleeve has a sealing ring molded thereto for sealing between the housing and the valve sleeve. The valve sleeve preferably has an inside diameter at least as large as an inside diameter of the casing. A stop is provided to limit movement of the valve sleeve when it reaches either the open or closed position. A clutch in the positioning tool provides for torque-limitation and a ratcheting indication to the operator at the surface when the valve sleeve has been opened or closed.

Abstract: A cementing tool includes a tubular housing having an inner passage defined longitudinally therethrough and having a radially outer surface. The housing also has a cementing port and a longitudinal slot both disposed through a wall thereof. An outer closure sleeve is slidably received about the outer surface of the housing and is movable relative to the housing between an open position wherein the cementing port is uncovered by the closure sleeve and a closed position wherein the cementing port is closed by the closure sleeve. An inner operating sleeve is slidably received in the housing and slidable between first and second positions relative to the housing. A pin extends radially through the slot and fixedly connects the operating sleeve and the closure sleeve together for common longitudinal movement relative to the housing. When cementing is completed, a cementing plug engages the operating sleeve and causes it to move the external closure sleeve downward thus closing the cementing port.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in placing cement within the annulus between a casing string and a well bore in which the casing string is suspended, such apparatus including a stage collar connectible as part of the casing string and having a packing element mounted thereon and adapted to be inflated into engagement with the well bore, one or more side ports through which cement may be circulated into the annulus above the packer, tubular members or sleeves for opening and closing the ports following inflation of the packing element.

Abstract: A grouting well pipe for a water well. The grouting well pipe has a central well pipe with at least one grouting tube attached along its length. The grouting tube is sealed along its lower end and length to prevent clogging of the grout tube during insertion of the grouting well pipe into a water well. The grouting tube has a grout release structure thereon for release of grout into the space between the grouting well pipe and the water well in response to pumping grout at a predetermined pressure into the grout tube. This seals the space effectively from surface contamination entering the well.

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 method for completing a well to provide an uncemented lower casing and an upper cemented casing. The lower casing and upper casing are connected at a swivel joint so that only the upper casing is rotated while cementing. Inflatable packers and a plug are positioned at the lower casing to prevent entry of cement, while a port collar allows cement to flow into the annulus surrounding the upper casing.The invention is particularly useful when setting long lengths of casing and when completing highly deviated or horizontal wellbores. The method also allows an existing conventionally-completed well to be re-drilled and completed as a highly-deviated or horizontal well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cementing a liner in a well bore having a casing wherein the liner is connected to a running tool and includes hanger means for securing the liner to the casing in the well bore. The liner includes an upper and lower liner portion each having port means therein and means to lock the telescoping liner portions against relative longitudinal movement to prevent premature actuation or operation of the port means.The liner portions provide a mechanically actuated port arrangement to be employed with first and second liner wiper means and first and second pump down plug means for cementing above a packer on the lower liner portion, or for providing dual stage cementing.

Abstract: In a downhole staging apparatus for delivering fluidized cement sequentially into two levels of substrate which enclose a wellbore casing. Said apparatus comprises a primary cement discharge port, and one or more secondary or lateral cement discharge ports. A sleeve is operably carried in the apparatus, being adjustable to close the secondary lateral port when a cementing operation is completed. A sleeve actuating tool is cooperative with said cementing apparatus, being remotely operable to close the lateral cement discharge port to assure that no communication exists between the cementing apparatus and the wellbore after the cementing operation is completed.

Abstract: Hazardous wastes are identified and treated in situ by forming a downwardly extending zone of particles in the waste. Toxic components in the waste are identified by injection of a pressurized fluid into the zone and capturing a sample of gases rising to the surface of the waste. At least one treatment agent is injected into the zone as appropriate until sampling indicates the particles of waste have been treated to a desired degree.

Abstract: An apparatus (U) is shown in FIGS. 11-13 that includes a power operated vehicle (V) that supports a vertically movable frame (W) that has a confined space defining shroud (X) on the lower end thereof that may be placed in sealing contact with the upper surface of a hazardous waste impoundment (Y) at a first station to permit the insitu detoxification of a desired portion of the impoundment. At least one power driven blade (Z) is rotated downwardly from within the shroud (X) into the impoundment to form a vertically extending zone (A-1) of particled material that is treated with a detoxifying agent that may be chemical, biological or heat from one or more plasma torches. Gases emitted during the formation of the particled zone (A-1) are subjected to scrub action by a liquid within shroud (X) and the liquid returned to zone (A-1). After the detoxification of a zone has been completed the apparatus (U) is moved to a succession of overlapping second stations where the above described method is repeated.

Abstract: A stage cementing apparatus (100) is disclosed which incorporates a stage cementing tool (102), a barrel (104) and a mandrel (106) for stage cementing of a casing within a wellbore. The apparatus (100) can be moved between a closed position preventing cement from flowing therethrough to the exterior of the casing at the apparatus to an open position to permit cement to flow from the interior of the casing exterior the casing to cement the casing to the wellbore. The barrel and mandrel can have cooperating splines which are engaged in a position which corresponds to the closed position of the apparatus. When the splines are disengaged, the apparatus is open to permit cement flow exterior the apparatus and concurrent rotation of the barrel relative to the mandrel to enhance the cementing of the casing within the wellbore.

Abstract: A stage cementing tool comprising a substantially tubular mandrel having a single interior unitary sleeve maintained at a first or closed position in said mandrel and adapted to move to a second or open position and subsequently to a third or closed position in said mandrel. The movable unitary sleeve is maintained by interior shear pins adapted to be sheared in two steps by separate forces applied at different points of the assembly of the unitary sleeve and respective opening and closing seats secured thereto. Positive locking means are located in the sleeve which act to maintain it at each successive position and to prevent regression when the moving force is removed. The mandrel and assembly is adapted to fit in a string of casing pipe for location at a site to be cemented. In operation the unitary sleeve is first actuated to open position for cement flow and placing and thereafter to fully closed position to stop such flow and is positively locked in such closed condition.

Abstract: A method for cementing a casing or a liner traversing earth formations comprising the supplemental injection of cement at a pressure greater than the pore pressure in the earth formations during a cementing operation to enchance the effectiveness of the cement integrity by maintaining hydrostatic pressure in an annulus between the pipe and the borehole at a location where the pore pressure of the earth formations is apt to impair the cement integrity in the annulus thereby preventing annular migration of gas or liquids in the cement seal between the earth formations and a liner or casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for plugging a wellbore with a solid gel plug stem in high impulse or high energy fracturing. This apparatus facilitates the removal of the propellant canister support means, the propellant ignition means, as well as any debris adhering thereto. By this apparatus, damage to the wellbore and formation is minimized.

Abstract: A cement staging apparatus for wells and including well casing, comprising an open ended hollow body having a number of spaced ports therethrough; a first hollow member slideably associated with said body and having a first ports closed position and a second ports open position; first pressure associated with said first member for displacing said first member and opening said ports thereby; a second hollow member slideably associated with said body and having a first ports open position and a second ports closed position and including shifting pressure relieving means associated with said body; second pressure means associated with said second member for displacing said second member and closing said ports thereby; said second member spaced a distance from said first member; said body, said member and said first pressure means defining a canister having an open end for receipt of a supply of pressurized cement and adapted for distributing said cement through said ports; and said body, said first and said seco

Abstract: An underreamer having an adjustable arm extension includes a cam for urging the arm outwardly in an opened position, and a stop pin which engages a slot in the arm for limiting the maximum arm extension. An insert for the arm has a surface which overlaps a portion of the slot to establish an effective length for the slot. By changing the configuration of the surface on the insert, the arm extension can be adjusted.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for effecting two stage cementing of well conduits by supplying cement through a tubular member. The apparatus involved provides a tubular conduit extension attachable to the bottom end of a well conduit and defines a cementing passage through its bottom end. Cementing ports are provided in the extension at a distance above its bottom end. A pair of concentrically adjacent valve units are communicable with the extension with the inner valve unit positioned in a closed position relative to the cement ports. The inner valve unit defines a seal bore which receives a mandrel which is secured to the tubular member. The mandrel incorporates two pilot sleeve valves which are positioned in closing relationship to radial passages in the hollow mandrel and each of which defines an upwardly facing surface for reception of sealing balls or plugs.

Abstract: A combination multiple stage cementing tool and casing inflation packer includes an inflatable packer having a packer mandrel and an inflatable packing element disposed about the mandrel. A cementing tool includes a cylindrical outer casing, a cementing port disposed through a side wall of the casing, and a sliding sleeve valve assembly for opening and closing the cementing port. The cylindrical outer casing of the cementing tool is permanently attached to the packer mandrel and has a maximum outer diameter at least as great as a maximum outer diameter of the inflatable packing element when the inflatable packing element is in an uninflated position.

Abstract: A method is provided for cementing an annular cavity between a subsea well casing and a borehole from a floating vessel. A drill string is run into the casing. An opening positioner attached to the drill string is engaged with a valve in the casing. The drill string is lifted to open the valve. The drill string is positioned to align an isolation packer with the casing valve. An anchor attached to the drill string is set to provide sufficient resistance between the drill string and the casing to operate a motion compensator on the floating vessel. A cement slurry is then pumped into the drill string, out the isolation packer, through the open casing valve and into the annular cavity between the casing and the well bore-hole.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cementing a casing in a borehole in two distinct stages by connecting the tool of the invention in series relationship respective to the casing and running the entire tool string downhole into the borehole. The tool which connects the upper and lower casing strings together includes a coupling member actuated by relative movement between the upper and lower strings. The tool always captures the upper and lower casing strings to one another and when the tool is unlatched and the upper casing string lifted, a lateral flow passageway is opened which enables cement to be pumped downhole to the tool and laterally directly into the borehole annulus.

Abstract: The extended length isolation packer of the present invention comprises upper and lower tubular body assemblies which are interconnected by a middle body. The upper tubular body assembly has an upper packer assembly and a closing positioner attached to its outer surface. The lower tubular body assembly has a lower packer assembly attached to its outer surface. An upper inner mandrel is concentrically disposed within said upper tubular body assembly and has a port disposed therein for communicating an inner cavity of said upper inner mandrel with the annular cavity between the isolation packer and an oil well casing. A lower inner mandrel is concentrically disposed within said lower tubular body assembly and communicates with said upper inner mandrel through said middle body. A fluid bypass is provided through annular cavities between the inner mandrels and the tubular body assemblies.

Abstract: The cementing collar described herein is designed primarily for cementing operations in oil or gas wells. The basic assembly includes a collar, an outer sleeve slidable in the collar, and an inner sleeve slidable in the outer sleeve. The collar and outer sleeve each have cementing ports therein. When the assembly is being run into the well casing, the collar and both sleeves are secured by shear pins in a position such that the cementing ports are closed. To open the cementing ports a trip bomb is dropped into the casing to engage a seat inside the outer sleeve. This causes the pins to shear and permits the outer sleeve to move down to a position in which the sleeve ports line up with the collar port. After cementing has been completed, a plug is flowed down the casing to engage the inner sleeve. Fluid pressure is applied behind the plug to shear the pins a second time. This moves the outer sleeve further down to a position in which the cementing ports are again closed.

Abstract: Shale oil is recovered from an underground oil shale deposit by in-situ retorting of rubblized shale in a retort formed in the deposit. Oil shale in a volume in the range of ten to fifty percent of the volume of the retort is mined from the deposit and delivered to the surface to provide void space for the expansion of the shale that occurs on rubblization to form the in-situ retort. The oil shale delivered to the surface is retorted at the surface. After completion of the in-situ retorting, boreholes are drilled downwardly through the retorted shale and a pipe lowered through the borehole to a level near the bottom of the retort. Spent shale from the surface retorting operation is slurried and pumped into the lower end of the in-situ retort. Pumping is continued to squeeze the slurry into the fissures between blocks of spent shale. The slurry is delivered into successively higher levels of the retort and the pumping and squeezing operation repeated at each level.

Abstract: A means of anchoring a lining of low flexural rigidity with grout into a borehole drilled in the earth, which comprises a relatively thin-walled cylinder which may be composed of steel, elastomeric or plastic material of selected diameter, which is less than that of the borehole. A plurality of keys, each having one end bouded to the wall of the cylinder, extend outwardly, and have an enlarged head portion which is adapted to be bonded to the grout, which will fill the annular space between the cylinder and the borehole. A plurality of vertically spaced support rings surround the cylinder and are attached to the cylinder by means of a plurality of keys. The support rings are supported and spaced apart by means of circumferentially spaced rods, which are attached at their ends to the support rings and are guided at intermediate positions by keys which are locked to the cylinder.

Abstract: A means of anchoring a lining of low flexural rigidity with grout into a borehole drilled in the earth, which comprises a relatively thin-walled cylinder which may be composed of steel, elastomeric or plastic material of selected diameter, which is less than that of the borehole. A plurality of keys, each having one end bonded to the wall of the cylinder, extend outwardly, and have an enlarged head portion which is adapted to be bonded to the grout, which will fill the annular space between the cylinder and the borehole. A plurality of vertically spaced support rings surround the cylinder and are attached to the cylinder by means of a plurality of keys. The support rings are supported and spaced apart by means of circumferentially spaced rods, which are attached at their ends to the support rings and are guided at intermediate positions by keys which are locked to the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for cementing the bore hole of oil and gas wells and the like is provided. The apparatus provides a cementing collar threadedly attachable at each end to a well liner and having an inner sleeve slidably positionable within an outer sleeve. The two sleeves are each provided with openings and ports, respectively, which when radially aligned in register permit fluid to flow from the interior of the inner sleeve to the exterior of the outer sleeve. Radial alignment is effected by means of a series of fingers disposed circumferentially at each end on the inner sleeve and receivable at predetermined locations on the interior surface of the outer sleeve. Means are provided for axially moving the inner sleeve to align the openings with the ports and for thereafter disaligning the same.A method of utilizing the cementing collar apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An improved liner assembly for open hole, multi-zone gravel pack completions employing full opening gravel and cementing collars and full opening inflatable packers. The valve mechanism of each full opening collar and full opening packer comprises an inner valve sleeve operated solely by vertical reciprocation by a drill string received therein and carrying an improved selective opening sleeve positioner assembly on the lower end thereof. A method of gravel packing and cementing utilizing the improved liner assembly and selective opening sleeve positioner assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A well completion method is provided wherein an inflatable packer is positioned in an open borehole of a well opposite a formation from which or into which a fluid is to flow. Cement is then forced into the packer to expand its packing element into contact with the wall of the borehole at the formation. The cement is allowed to set and then at least one perforation is made from the interior of the packer through the cement and packing element to the formation. A well system is also provided in which the well is equipped with such a packer so installed and having such a perforation.