Abstract: A method of and apparatus for removing fluids entering into a well bore from a well formation while the well is being drilled, such as gas, in which the gas bubble is chopped into small bubbles by mixing the gas with drilling mud and pumping the mixed gas and drilling mud upwardly through the drill string-bore hole annulus and removing it from the well.

Abstract: A casing gun is suspended downhole adjacent to a hydrocarbon containing formation by attaching the gun to the end of a tubing string. A packer device isolates the lower downhole casing annulus from the upper casing annulus. The casing gun has a firing head located at the upper end thereof which is actuated in response to impact. A vent assembly underlies the packer and is connected in series relationship respective to the gun firing head and the packer. A specially constructed bar device is dropped into a lubricator at the wellhead and travels down the interior of the tubing string, where the bar impacts against a sliding sleeve of the vent assembly, thereby moving the sleeve and opening a port which communicates the interior of the tubing string with the lower casing annulus. The bar continues to travel downhole until it impacts against the firing head, thereby detonating the perforating gun.

Abstract: An inside blowout preventer well tool includes an elongated body threaded at both ends and including an axial opening. A flapper is pivotally mounted on a side of the opening and movable between a lower-open position and an upper-closed position. A downwardly-facing valve seat is formed around the opening, the flapper engaging the seat in the upper-closed position. A spring urges the flapper toward the seat and a piston is movable in the opening between an upper position, where the lower end of the piston is above the valve seat, and a lower position, where the piston encases the flapper and holds it in the lower-open position. The piston is normally urged toward its upper position, the piston being shaped so that when the internal pressure of drilling mud normally circulating through the opening is greater by a predetermined amount than pressure outside the body, the pressure differential will overcome the force urging the piston upwardly and move the piston to the lower position.

Abstract: The invention comprises a plug assembly for selectively closing and opening a flowway in a tubular conduit. The apparatus includes a seating body having a main passage and adapted to be mounted in the conduit with the main passage in register with the conduit flowway. The seating body defines a seat for receipt of a plug for closing the main passage and supporting a pressure differential across the seat. The apparatus further includes a release control mechanism operative upon the presence of a pressure differential across the seat in excess of a given magnitude to open a bypass passageway bypassing the seat and plug to permit a relatively slow decrease in the pressure differential across the seat.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated by-pass and relief valve are utilized in a fluid pressure actuated downhole drilling apparatus. The valve is normally closed such that fluid under pressure is directed between a rotor and a stator to rotate a drill bit. When the fluid pressure reaches a predetermined value, the valve is actuated to direct the flow to the hollow interior of the rotor to protect the rotor and the stator from damage due to excessive torque loading. The relief valve is of the sleeve type which can become stuck in the open position due to contaminents in the fluid. In the open position, the pressure drop across the valve will be insufficient to close the valve and the drill bit will not be rotated. A screen is positioned between the outlet of the valve and the interior of the rotor. The screen is then plugged by dropping pieces of plugging material, such as small chips of rubber, down the drill pipe to collect in the screen.

Abstract: A fluid pressure actuated by-pass and relief valve are positioned between a source of fluid under pressure and the hollow interior of a rotor in a fluid pressure actuated downhole drilling motor. The valve includes a hollow mandrel with an inlet opening at one end and an outlet opening at the other end connected to the rotor interior and slidably received in a movable sleeve. Fluid pressure at a first predetermined value moves the mandrel into the sleeve to block the inlet opening such that the fluid by-passes the valve and flows between the stator and the rotor to rotate a bit. Fluid pressure at a higher second predetermined value moves the sleeve relative to the mandrel to expose the inlet opening and relieve the fluid pressure on the rotor and the stator. The movement of the sleeve exposes a greater surface area thereof to the fluid pressure such that a spring moves the sleeve back to block the inlet opening only at an intermediate third predetermined fluid pressure value.

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: 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: A control tool is provided which is insertable through a tubing string in a subterranean well for selectively transmitting fluid pressure through the tool in first and second fluid flow paths for application of the pressure to activate an auxiliary tool on the tubing string, the auxiliary tool typically having first and second piston chambers and piston means in communication therewith, the chambers receiving fluid pressure delivered through the control tool. The control tool comprises a cylindrical housing with means defining first and second selectively pluggable fluid ports thereon. One of the ports is communicable with the first piston chamber, with the other port communicable with the second piston chamber. First and second selectively pluggable fluid vent passageways are defined through the housing with one of the vent passageways being communicable to one of the piston chambers, and the other of said vent passageways being communicable to the other of the piston chambers.

Abstract: A cementing tool includes a tubular housing having a cementing port disposed through a wall thereof. An upper adapter has its lower end connected to the tubular housing, and has a second end adapted for connection to a string of pipe. A sliding sleeve valve assembly is located within the tubular housing and is slidable relative thereto between an open position wherein said cementing port is open, and a closed position wherein said cementing port is closed. A protective sleeve has its lower end connected to the sliding valve sleeve assembly and has its upper end slidingly received within an inner cylindrical surface of the lower end of the upper adapter. The protective sleeve is always received within said cylindrical surface of the upper adapter so that it always covers a gap between the lower end of the upper adapter and the sliding valve sleeve assembly, thereby preventing any device which is passed through an inner bore of the cementing tool from entering said gap and hanging up thereon.

Abstract: A quick opening closure arrangement for controlling flow from a well formation into a tubular member which may be opened by dropping a rod or the like into the tubular member adjacent the earth's surface wherein closure means are provided for closing off the tubular member from the well formation as the tubular member is positioned in the well. Sleeve means support the closure means to close off flow into the tubular member from the well formation and releasable means releasably secure the sleeve means within the tubular member which releasable means is constructed and arranged to enable the sleeve means to shift longitudinally within the tubular member when a rod dropped into the tubular member from the earth's surface impacts thereagainst whereupon the closure means moves to open the tubular member for receiving flow from the formation.

Abstract: Downhole surge tools for efficient well completions wherein natural earth energy is utilized by the exploitation of a maximum pressure differential into a given well bore. The tools of the apparatus function to back surge the well, enhancing reservoir communication, saving time and reducing costs. Tools of the apparatus include a tubular nipple, a surge plug inserted operationally into the nipple, and an optional catcher sub connected thereto. The entire tool assembly is production actuated by dropping a recoverable bar of sufficient weight to overcome that buoyant force which seals the plug within the nipple. The essence of invention resides in the economy of time and material.

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: The valve assembly disclosed herein is used primarily in oil or gas well servicing to prevent contamination of fluids used to treat the formation. The valve is coupled into a tubing string, and it includes a slidable hollow mandrel, with a hingable flapper disk positioned below the mandrel. The valve is generally used in cooperation with a packer tool and bridge plug. When treating fluid is pumped down the tubing string it pushes the flapper disk open and holds it open, so the fluid can reach the formation interval being treated. To treat the next higher interval the packer is unset to raise the tubing string. Releasing the packer allows residual fluids to backflow from the well casing annulus into the tubing string. In this tool the backflowing fluid closes the flapper, so that it acts as a check valve to prevent contamination of the treating fluid. Before the valve is pulled out of the casing the mandrel is slid downwardly, to push the flapper open and hold it in open position.

Abstract: Apparatus for completing a wellbore which has a hydrocarbon containing formation located downhole therein and wherein the well is perforated and filled with mud. A special plug, made in accordance with the invention, is placed in the end of a tubing string, and the string run dry into the borehole with the lower end of the string terminating in proximity of the perforations. The annulus is packed off and a weight dropped down through the string. The weight impacts against a special valve contained within the plug, thereby upsetting a valve element. This action communicates the interior of the string with the borehole, whereupon the lower borehole or bottomhole pressure is equalized across the plug, and the plug and weight fall from the end of the string and to the bottom of the borehole. The string is opened to ambient which allows flow to occur in order to clean out the well, and thereafter the string is connected to a gathering system.

Abstract: A tool sized for lowering through a tubing string disposed in a well bore by means of a wire line and activated upon exiting from the tubing string for setting a pack-off means to close off the cross-section of the tubing string. The wire line is releasable from the tool so that fluid can be removed from the tubing bore thereby producing a pressure differential across the tool. A sinker bar from the surface is dropped through the tubing string and, upon contact with the tool, actuates the tool to release the pressure differential so that the formations below the tubing string may suddenly produce fluid and thereby be cleaned. At the time of release of the pressure differential, the pack-off means is released so that the tool can subsequently drop from the end of the tubing leaving the tubing bore unrestricted.

Abstract: Disclosed is releasable plugging apparatus for selectively closing a tubular member to permit fluid pressure buildup therein. When the fluid pressure is then decreased, a sealing device of the apparatus may be released, and the tubular member subsequently opened. Holding apparatus secures the sealing device in place until a compressed spring is permitted to move a piston so as to permit the holding apparatus to release the sealing device. A locking device prevents such movement by the piston until the pressure buildup first moves the piston in the opposite direction to release the locking device and to further compress the spring. The tubular member is thus not unplugged until the fluid pressure is decreased, thereby avoiding a large pressure pulse which might result if the sealing device were released with the fluid pressure at a high value. The embodiments described are particularly applicable for use with hydraulically-operated well tools, such as well packers.

Abstract: A steam injection system including a steam deflector connectable into a tubing string which steam deflector provides for selectively passing steam through the tubing string to the bottom thereof or diverting steam from inside the tubing string out into the wall liner-tubing annulus and in a direction concentric with and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubing string and above the bottom end thereof utilizing a sliding-sleeve arrangement and packer cup means packing off the well liner-tubing annulus both above and below the steam deflector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in controlling a well during drilling operations is disclosed. The method includes actuating a downhole packer and providing for flow in a controlled manner past the packer. The apparatus includes a packer and means for controlling flow past the packer. This abstract is neither intended to define the scope of the invention which, of course, is defined in the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting in anyway.

Abstract: A side-pocket mandrel for supporting a flow control device such as a gas lift valve along a well flow conductor and a method of operating same. The mandrel is connectible with pipe sections to form an integral length of a flow conductor and has a central bore communicating with the bore of the flow conductor, an orienting sleeve along an end portion of the mandrel, a side-pocket portion communicating with the main bore, a side-pocket landing nipple in the side pocket portion communicating with side ports in the mandrel along the landing nipple, a sliding sleeve valve disposed in the landing nipple for controlling communication through the side ports opening into the landing nipple, and a flow control device such as a gas lift valve releasably lockable in the sliding sleeve valve.

Abstract: A single trip method of testing and treating a down hole formation in which conventional drill stem testing can be carried out followed by acidizing or other treatment of the formation without the need to remove the drill stem test string, the method employing a well tool in the operating tool string which allows reverse circulation to clean out the tool string following the initial drill stem test, allows the introduction of acidizing fluid into the formation and permits a second reverse circulation following acidizing and subsequent testing, the well tool being operative without the necessity for rotation of the tool string.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for packing the annular space between the exterior of a sand screen or liner and the well casing or bore with accurately sized sand or gravel to prevent the intrusion of well sands into the well casing or bore. The apparatus includes a hydraulically actuated fluid diverting means and release mechanism to open diverting passageways and separate the sand screen or liner assembly from the run-in tool before introduction of the sized sand or gravel and without rotation of the run-in tool with respect to the sand screen or liner. The diverting means is capable of being closed at the completion of the injection process to facilitate the resumption of production from the well without the necessity of pulling the assembly out of the well bore for closing the diverting means thereby providing a novel method for gravel packing or sand packing a well.

Abstract: The invention concerns down-hole apparatus for use especially in casing cementing operations wherein a so-called string of casing is lowered into a well bore and cemented in place. The apparatus comprises an insert, disposed across the interior of the casing, containing a spring loaded flapper valve assembly which is held open by a movable valve seating member until a ball is seated in the seating member and pressure applied through the casing to the sealed valve seating member forces the seating member downward, releasing the flapper valve, and expands the lower end of the seating member as the ball is forced through it. On release of the casing pressure from above, the flapper valve closes.A plurality of the inventive devices may be placed along the casing, the ball valve sealing each, in turn, from top to bottom.