Abstract: A well casing penetrator includes an elongated housing enclosing an outwardly movable hydraulic cylinder driven punch for cutting an opening in a casing. A high pressure liquid jet nozzle is mounted on the end of a hose which moves outwardly through an axial bore in the punch when extended through the casing to cut a radially extending opening in the surrounding earth. The punch includes arcuately curved longitudinal slots along opposite sides which cause tabs to be bent back along opposite sides of the opening cut in the casing to prevent dislodging of any portion of the casing from the casing as a consequence of the operation of the punch. A spool piston is connected to a single accumulator that is pressurized to urge the spool piston toward a first position in which work fluid controlled by the spool piston retracts the hydraulic punch cylinder and a hose drive cylinder for moving the hose in the punch.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon producing well is worked over by wire line tools only to run a jet pump into the tubing string by perforating the tubing string and then isolating the perforation to direct power fluid injected down the annulus to pass into the power fluid inlet of the jet pump. Formation fluids delivered up the tubing string pass through the jet pump to the surface. The jet pump is placed in the well without tripping the tubing string and consequently without having to use a workover rig.

Abstract: A cutting and recovery tool for a well-head, having a housing which is adapted to engage with a side wall of the well-head to lock them together, and a mandrel extending through the housing and rotatable relative to the housing and adapted to carry a radially-acting cutter which severs the well-head below the area of engagement of the housing. This allows the well-head to be severed and withdrawn in a single operation.

Abstract: A well casing penetrator includes an elongated housing enclosing an outwardly movable hydraulic driven punch for cutting an opening in a casing. A high pressure liquid jet nozzle is mounted on the end of a hose which moves outwardly through an axial bore in the punch when extended through the casing to cut a radially extending opening in the surrounding earth. The punch includes longitudinal slots along opposite sides which cause tabs to be bent back along opposite sides of the opening cut in the casing to prevent dislodging of any portion of the casing from the casing as a consequence of the operation of the punch.

Abstract: A safety valve for controlling flow in a flow line is disclosed which is especially adapted for use in emergency control of a producing well. The apparatus includes means for securing a punch out tube in series with the flow line and ramming means for ramming the punch out tube and displacing at least a portion of it from the flow path of the flow line and sealing the flow line. The punch out tube comprises top, bottom and middle cylindrical members stacked end to end with an elastomeric seal provided in channels resulting from cooperating grooves formed in the end surfaces of the members. When the middle member is rammed, while the bottom and top members are fixed within the valve body, the middle member is displaced to a valve recess and the ram covers and seals the outlet flow path of the valve.The valve is adapted to be attached between production casing of a production wellhead and a production tree. The production tubing is supported within the valve body.

Abstract: A screen device is provided for use in a subterranean well and is carriable within the well on a tubular conduit. The screen has an elongated outer housing with a plurality of flow passageways extending through the housing. An inner perforable cylindrical mandrel with upper and lower ends has at least one of the ends securable with a conduit member of the tubular conduit. The mandrel longitudinally extends through the interior of the housing and is secured against movement relative to the housing. A central passageway in the mandrel communicates with the tubular conduit for transmission of fluid. Prior to perforation of the mandrel, the screen device prevents fluid flow between the flow passageways and the central passageway of the mandrel. Subsequent to perforation of the mandrel, the screen device permits transmission of fluid between the flow passageways, the central passageway and the tubular conduit.

Abstract: Discloses a method and apparatus to help provide fluid pressure in a well bore sufficient to overcome in situ earth formation pressures by perforating a circulation port through the sidewall of a drill collar above the drill bit to provide circulation of weighted drilling fluid down through the drill spring and back up the well annulus. Includes the lowering of a chemical reactant wireline perforating tool to a designated position within a drill collar, placing a single chemical flow jet into position addressing the sidewall of the drill collar, forcing the chemical reactant through the jet under high pressure and at high temperature to react with the drill collar metal and thereby remove a portion of the metal with the remaining metal defining a fluid circulation port through the drill collar wall, and pumping fluid through the port to establish circulation.

Abstract: Bitumen is recovered from an underground tar sands (oil sands) formation by an in-situ percolation process. After drilling a borehole to the bottom of the tar sand formation, the hole is enlarged by radially hydraulic jetting, with the resultant slurry being removed to the surface. Then, the main body of the formation immediately surrounding the borehold is fragmented and slurried, forming a cell or chamber for in-situ processing. A system of small diameter, specially designed, flexible, perforated metal pipes is then introduced through the slurry mixture to the bottom of the chamber. As designed, the pipes flare radially outward as they descend, resulting in a set of pipes resting on or near the bottom of the chamber, pointing outwardly from the central pipe like wheel spokes. Processing material, such a hot alkaline water, is pressured through the pipe system and percolates upwardly through the slurry mixture, separating the bitumen from the sand matrix.

Abstract: A tool jig for bringing an implement to bear on an inner tubular 10 of a multi-tubular blown well includes a support 1 attachable to the outer tubular 2 and a tool holder 12. The tool holder has a hollow bore and a valve 24. At its rear end the tool holder is threaded for coupling on an implement and has at its front end a saddle seal for sealing the implement with the inner tubular, via through a window 9 in outer tubular 2. A back-up unit 18 abuts the inner tubular opposite the tool holder 12. The support 1 supports the tool holder 12 and back-up unit 18 via connecting brackets 13, 19. Screw jacks 22 acting through the support clamp the tool holder and backup unit in position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the rate and extent of cutting slots in flow conductors, particularly casing in wells. The apparatus is hung in the well from a pipe string, locked in position, and force applied to the string. A hydraulic metering mechanism acts against the applied force to control the rate of travel of one or more jet bodies attached to the movable mandrel of the apparatus, the stroke of which determines the extent of the cut.

Abstract: A tool for perforating water well pipe casings is disclosed. The tool is designed for use with air rotary water well drilling apparatus. The tool includes a slideable casing perforator wheel actuated by a pneumatic cylinder carried within the tool. The casing may be perforated and subsequent development of the well carried out while the tool is in place. No removal is necessary to carry out well development.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tool for connection to a conventional drill string and operation therewith for punching holes in a standard casing located within a well bore to pass water or gas therethrough for recovery at the well bore surface, the invention involving a pivotally arranged blade that can be extended by air, water, or mud that has passed through the drill string to impinge on a trigger end of that blade, a point end thereof engaging the casing wall whereafter, by forcing the drill string and tool downwardly, the blade pointed end will puncture the casing, removal of the blade from the casing wall involving only ceasing passing of air or fluid against the blade trigger and lifting of the drill string and connected tool. The tool also involves a backup arrangement for connection to the tool body to increase the diameter thereof to allow the tool to be used in a number of different sizes of casings.

Abstract: A well tool system including a device for downhole suspension by means of conduit for engaging and penetrating the casing wall of a wellbore and introducing a fluid into the adjacent penetration. The downhole device includes an expansion piston that extends with sufficient force to seal at least one end of the device against a wellbore casing of relatively large diameter. A projectile is subsequently fired from the device to penetrate the engaged casing and provide a selected path of egress for squeeze cementing or the like therethrough. Thereafter, the device is released from its fixed position in the wellbore by retraction of the piston and retrieved therefrom. The device is disclosed with the expansion piston and method of operation therefor shown and described in several embodiments including explosive and hydraulic actuated mechanisms.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for milling metal submerged in salt water or within a hole, such as cutting off the upper ends of pipes and casings in a well-drilling operation below the sea floor. A hydraulic motor is suspended in the hole and driven by sea water to rotate an electrical generator and to rotate a cutting tool. The tool includes radially movable, electrically conductive elements which form the cathodes of an electrochemical machining operation for removing metal. The tool elements include abrasive material so that they can mechanically cut through cement.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for cutting round perforations and elongated slots in well flow conductors used in solution mining. The apparatus comprises a jet nozzle head for discharging a fluid to cut the perforations and slots, a string of continuous tubing for handling the jet nozzle head in a well bore, a tubing injector or tubing guide, a tubing storage reel having a flow conducting central hub connected with the tubing on the reel for forcing the abrasive fluid into the tubing at the reel, fluid pump and storage means connected with the reel hub, means for mounting the tubing injector above a well, and a wellhead having annular stripper rubber for sealing around the tubing and a side outlet for fluid returns.

Abstract: A drill string mounted tool for cutting a pair of spaced, vertical slots in well tubular goods comprising a pair of knives adapted to be swung outwardly, scissors style, by a piston member, which is in turn operated by well fluid pressure from the surface. Slot cutting is accomplished by vertically reciprocating the drill string carrying the tool with the knives extended.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for perforating a well casing. The apparatus includes a drilling mechanism comprising an air-operated drill mounted between forward and rear frame members, a drill bit connected to the air drill and extending from the forward frame member, an inflatable bladder mounted on the back of the rear frame member, and plural coil springs mounted along the front of the forward frame member. The air drill and bladder are connected to an air compressor which drives the air drill and also inflates the bladder to push the drill bit into the portion of the well casing to be perforated and at the same time causes the coil springs to compress between the forward frame member and the well casing. When the drilling of each perforation is completed, a vacuum source evacuates the air from within the bladder, and the coil springs then push the forward frame member away from the well casing so that the drill bit is withdrawn from the perforation.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating rock surrounding a wellbore comprises a hollow elongated housing having nozzles radially mounted therein, which are projectable externally thereof. Each nozzle has a through passage communicating with the internal space of the housing to pass the flow of a fluid with an abrasive filler therethrough. The external end faces of the nozzles are shaped so as to press against the wall of the casing. Each through passage of the nozzle has a larger-diameter portion at the end thereof, facing the casing wall. The body of each nozzle has auxiliary passages, each such passage having one end thereof communicating with the larger-diameter portion of the through passage and the other end thereof communicating with the space externally of the nozzle, the auxiliary passages affording the flow of the fluid with the abrasive filler from the space defined by the said larger-diameter portion of the through passage and the adjacent casing wall, as the nozzle is closely pressed against the casing.

Abstract: In the disclosed method of successively opening-out and treating formations, nozzles are firmly pressed against the casing walls in opposition to the selected area of forming a hydraulic fracture, each nozzle having a through passage of a diameter ensuring that at a constant specified flow rate of a fluid with an abrasive filler through the passage there will be built up a pressure sufficient for hydraulic fracturing of the formation. The abrasive-laden fluid is then pumped through the nozzles at the constant flow rate at a pressure sufficient for making a perforation in the casing wall, the pressure being not less than that required for hydraulic fracturing of the formation, until a perforation of a diameter substantially equal to that of the through passages of the nozzle is formed.

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

Abstract: A control valve apparatus adapted to be positioned within a subsea blowout preventer stack for controlling the flow of fluid from an offshore well includes a ball valve element provided with the capability of cutting coil tubing typically employed in well workover and completion operations. The ball element has a cutting edge that coacts with the valve seat to shear the tubing, and a relief slot that receives the tubing during cutting to prevent the tubing from being placed in double shear. Hydraulically operable means is provided to assist in closure of the ball valve element and consequent cutting of tubing extending into the well, in case of emergency.

Abstract: Method of cutting pipe using a pipe cutter including annular, axially aligned, gear, grip and cutter sections and a central shaft within the sections. The shaft is geared to the gear section for rotation in response to axial upward movement of the shaft relative to the gear section. The grip section carries pivoted jaws which are cammed outwardly by an enlarged diameter portion of the shaft in response to axial upward movement of the shaft relative to the gear, grip and cutter sections. The cutter section is journalled to the lower end of the grip section and carries a plurality of pivoted cutting blades movable laterally outwardly into engagement with the inner wall of the pipe casing in response to axial upward movement of the shaft. The cutter section is also splined to the shaft for rotation therewith. A cylinder is carried at the upper end of the gear section and the upper end of the shaft carries a piston in the cylinder.