Abstract: The present inventions contemplate improved annular flow safety valve apparatus and methods in which the valve comprises a bi-directional self-contained electromechanically operated valve assembly including a moveable seal, power source, electric motor, and control system, capable of operating with or without power or control inputs from the surface.

Abstract: It is described a downhole subsurface safety valve device (8;80), where an actuator (30; 30′; 50; 50′) is mounted on the outside of the well, i.e. on the Christmas tree (20; 40). The valve (8;80) is operated by means of mechanical transmission (12; 52) which may be linear (hydraulic actuator) or rotary (electric motor).

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore. One aspect of the invention comprises a housing member with a longitudinal bore and a valve member located within the housing member that is movable between open and closed positions. A sliding sleeve having a longitudinal bore is disposed within the housing member and can move between an upper position and a lower position. Attached to the sliding sleeve is a seating element where the valve member can seat. When the sliding sleeve is in the lower position, the valve member is held in the open position and communication is established between the longitudinal bore of the housing above and below the valve member. When the sliding sleeve is in the upper position, the valve member is held in the closed position and communication between the longitudinal bore of the housing above and below the valve member is restricted.

Abstract: A downhole control tool (20) comprises a first sleeve (22) defining a first profile (28), a second sleeve (24) axially and rotatably movable relative to the first sleeve (22) and defining a second profile (30) for selectively engaging the first profile (28), and a third sleeve (26) axially movable relative to the first sleeve (22) and defining a third profile (36) for selectively engaging the second profile (30). The profiles are engaged and disengaged by axial reciprocal movement of the third sleeve (26). The profiles are arranged such that on the second profile (30) engaging the first profile (28) and the second profile (30) engaging the third profile (36), the second sleeve (24) is rotated relative to the first sleeve (22). Thus, the tool (20) provides an arrangement which converts a reciprocal movement into a rotary movement.

Abstract: A multi-functional apparatus and method for drilling fluid and cementing operations to set casing in a wellbore for use on either top drive or rotary type rigs. The apparatus and method includes a fill-up and circulating tool, a cementing head assembly, and a wiper plug assembly. The fill-up and circulating tool comprises a mandrel with a sealing element disposed about the outside diameter of the mandrel. The cementing head and wiper plug assemblies are useable on any fill-up and circulating tool capable of being inserted into a casing. To fill the casing, the assembly is lowered from the rig such that a portion of the fill-up tools inserted into the casing, the pumps are then actuated to flow fluid into the casing. To circulate fluid, the tool is lowered further such that the sealing element sealingly engages the inside diameter of the casing to allow fluid to flow through the casing, into the wellbore, and back to the fluid pumps.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the present invention is a downhole hydraulic multiplexer, which is comprised of one or more piloted shuttle valves, and method of using. The invention takes one or more input signals from a surface control panel or computer, said signals may be electric or hydraulic, and converts said signals into a plurality of pressurized hydraulic output channels. The invention is shown in a variety of preferred embodiments, including a tubing deployed version, a wireline retrievable version, and a version residing in the wall of a downhole completion tool. Also disclosed is the use of multiple shuttle valves used in parallel or in series to embody a downhole hydraulic fluid multiplexer, controllable by and reporting positions of said shuttle valves to said surface control panel or computer.

Abstract: Circulation flow apertures in a wellbore pipe, tubing, casing or casing liner screen may be selectively closed by an internal pipe sleeve that is formed of a thin, malleable material. One axial end of the sleeve is flared and secured to the inner bore surface of the pipe as by welding or by clamping between the ends of axially adjacent pipe joints joined by a threaded coupling. The remaining length of the sleeve extends along the pipe and over any pipe apertures to form an annular space between the outer cylinder surface of the sleeve and the inner bore surface of the pipe. A perimeter seal element such as an O-ring is placed around the sleeve outer perimeter beyond the apertures in a direction opposite from the sleeve flare. The flow aperture in the pipe is closed by a swaging tool that expands the sleeve against the pipe bore wall sufficiently to close the annulus and compress the O-ring seal against the pipe borewall.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore having a tubing includes a flow control assembly having at least one orifice and a bore capable of communicating with a bore of the tubing. The flow control assembly includes at least one valve adapted to control fluid flow through the at least one orifice to the bore. The at least one valve is adapted to be actuated between an open position, a closed position, and at least an intermediate position. A sand control assembly is coupled to the flow control assembly and includes a sand screen and a flow path defined inside the sand screen in fluid communication with the at least one orifice.

Abstract: A downhole valve (10) comprises a body (12) defining a through bore (14) and a valve seat (16, 17); and a valve member (18) mounted in the body and moveable between positions to open and close the body bore (14). The valve member (18) defines a segment of a wall of a hollow sphere. In the open position the valve member (18) is located to one side of the bore (14) and in the closed position the valve member (18) engages the valve seat (16, 17).

Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a seat having at least an opening and a first surface. A cover has a contact surface that is slideably and sealingly engaged to the first surface of the seat to form a seal when the contact surface completely covers the at least one opening.

Abstract: A flush valve for a multiple line hydraulic system includes a bifurcated manifold, the bifurcation being provided by a piston actuatable hydraulically, mechanically, electrically magnetically or by fiber optic means. The piston or gate is provided with a port extending diametrically therethrough and oriented to become coaxial with an inlet and outlet of the manifold upon actuation of the piston. With the port aligned the hydraulic fluid in the system can be displaced by fresh fluid. The piston is then deactivated which results in the port becoming misaligned with the inlet and outlet of the manifold. In this condition the hydraulic system is again sealed and functions normally.

Abstract: The well logging tool comprises differential valve means allowing passage of fluid through said tool during logging operations on when the tool becomes jammed inside a drillpipe.

Abstract: A flow rate control device (18) placed down an oil well in production comprises holes (24) formed in the production tubing (16), a closure sleeve (26) suitable for sliding facing the holes (24), an actuator (31) disposed eccentrically relative to the tubing (16), and an intermediate part (29). The intermediate part (29) is guided on the tubing (16) in a manner such as to withstand the tilting torque due to the eccentricity of the actuator (31). A coupling (46) that is flexible except in the direction in which the sleeve is moved connects the part (29) to the closure sleeve (26) symmetrically about the axis of the tubing (16). The resulting decoupling guarantees that the sleeve (26) is self-centering, which improves the life-span of the device (18) significantly.

Abstract: A well string for use in a wellbore having plural fluid regions includes a flow conduit having an inner bore defining one of the fluid regions and an actuating assembly including an operator mechanism, an activation port in communication with the operator mechanism, and a member adapted to block the activation port. The member is moveable by an applied pressure in a first fluid region to expose the activation port to a second fluid region. The operator mechanism includes a piston assembly. The first fluid region may include the annulus region outside the flow conduit, and the second fluid region may include the flow conduit inner bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for launching at least one plug into a tubular in a wellbore, in certain aspects, the apparatus having a hollow upper section with at least first and second upper ports one above the other, a landing seat, and a first fluid displaceable member below the second upper port, the hollow lower section adapted to retain a plug and having a first lower port and a landing collar for the fluid displaceable member.

Abstract: A downhole tool (100) for selectively providing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the tool (100). The tool (100) comprises a housing (102), a safety mandrel (130) slidably received within the housing (102) and an operating mandrel (114) slidably received within the housing (102). The safety mandrel (130) operates between a first position and a second position relative to the housing (102) in response to pressure being applied to the exterior of the housing (102). The operating mandrel (114) operates from a noncirculating position to a circulating position in response to pressure being applied to the interior of the housing (102) once the safety mandrel (130) has operated to its second position.

Abstract: A downhole ball-valve (20) comprises a body (22) defining a bore (32), a valve ball (34) defining a through passage (36) such that the ball (34) may be positioned to permit flow through the body bore (32) or to close the bore, and a sealing assembly (44) located to one side of the ball and defining a valve seat (50, 53) for forming a sealing contact with the ball (34) and a seal between the body and the assembly. A fluid pressure force applied at one side of the ball (34) tends to urge the valve seat (50, 53) towards the ball (34) and a fluid pressure force applied at the other side of the ball tends to urge the ball towards the valve seat. The sealing assembly forms part of a ball carriage which is axially movable in the bore, axial movement of the carriage inducing rotation of the ball between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: Two sliding sleeves are carried in a tubular pipe assembly for controlling the opening and closing of flow passages extending through the pipe wall. The pipe assembly is placed at the lower end of a tubing string disposed in a well to regulate the flow of fluid from the string into a subsurface well formation. The first sleeve extends between upper and lower seals disposed above and below the flow passage to close the flow passages to flow. A shifting tool operated from the well surface moves the sleeve axially down through the pipe assembly to open the flow passages, leaving the upper seal exposed. The shifting tool then moves the second sleeve axially down through the pipe to cover the exposed seal. Fluid pumped through the pipe exits freely through the flow passages without first having to flow through radial flow passages in the sliding sleeve to prevent erosion of the flow passages and the sleeve structure.