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: An apparatus and method are provided for telescopically retracting a subterranean well tubing carried perforating gun. The retracting apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing which is carryable into the well on a tubular conduit, such as a work string, production string, or the like. A first chamber is provided within the housing and contains a body of fluid. Telescoping piston means are selectively releasably locked relative to the housing. A second chamber is in selective fluid flow communication with the first chamber. Means in communication with the piston means are provided for carrying the perforating gun. Means for communicating well pressure to the piston means are actuated upon firing of the gun. Means are provided for transferring the body of fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber, whereby during such transferring, the perforating gun is telescopically retracted relative to the housing.

Abstract: A piston of a well tool is disposed external to a tool housing, and within a space defined by an external sleeve and the housing, and pushes mud solids out of an open end of said space when the piston moves within the space of the tool. Due to the orientation of the tool within the borehole of an oil well, the open end of the space is subject to the force of gravity. Thus, when the piston moves downwardly within the space, mud solids disposed between the piston and the open end of said space are pushed out of the open end in response to the movement of the piston and the force of gravity.

Abstract: Geophone detectors are spaced along a long borehole in a mineral seam by pumping grout from a grout tank into a breech assembly and selectively passing the detectors from the breech assembly through gate valves and into a drill string inserted in a borehole. The detectors are connected by a trailing signal cable and an anchor module secures the cable at the far end of the borehole. The detectors can be orientated in the borehole before the grout sets them in position.

Abstract: A tool for setting the packoff between the casing hanger and the wellhead utilizes differential area pistons. The tool has a mandrel which connects to a string of drill pipe. The mandrel carries a body and is axially movable relative to the body. A setting sleeves is carried by the body for connection to the packoff. A setting sleeve piston is carried by the body for relative movement relative to the body. A mandrel piston is carried by the mandrel for movement with the mandrel. Passages in the body communicate the mandrel piston with a setting sleeve piston and contain an incompressible fluid. Axial movement of the mandrel causes the pressure to increase to drive the setting sleeve piston downward to set the packoff.

Abstract: Geophone detectors are spaced along a long borehole in a mineral seam by pumping grout from a grout tank into a breech assembly and selectively passing the detectors from the breech assembly through gate valves and into a drill string inserted in a borehole. The detectors are connected by a trailing signal cable and an anchor module secures the cable at the far end of the borehole. The detectors can be orientated in the borehole before the grout sets them in position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting the completion of non-vertical, including horizontally disposed, portions of a deviated well bore traversing a production formation. To facilitate the insertion of a gravel packing tool string through the curved portion of the well bore, stabilizer elements are maintained in a radially retracted position and then operated to engage the well bore after the tool string is run-in. An anti-rotation tool may be incorporated for connecting the work string to the left hand threads conventionally provided on a conventional packer in order to permit rotation of the entire tool string to facilitate passage through the curved portion of the well bore. Two gravel packing modifications are disclosed, the one employing a single packer and a cross-over tool located at the top end of a plurality of serially connected screens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drill pipe conveyed logging is disclosed. In a highly deviated well borehole, the apparatus comprises a hollow housing for surrounding a logging tool, lockable and releasable rotating connector joined to said housing, and weights along one side to rotate said housing against or relative to the low side of the deviated well bore. The rotating connector includes a telescoping sleeve, and can move downwardly to lock abutting shoulders, or move upwardly to permit logging tool rotation. A nonconductor housing rotatably locks with a hollow nut and compressed rings. The housing has aligned SP electrode windows aligning with SP electrodes to operate through the housing. A male wet connector enclosed in a sealed capsule is affixed at the top end of the housing and is electrically connected to the logging tool. A cooperative female wet connector in a similar closed capsule is supported on a logging cable.

Abstract: A down-hole oil field cable abrader having an elongated abrading head pivotally connected at one of its ends to a body attachable to a tubing string. An abrading portion extends axially along the abrading head from its pivotal connection and includes a plurality of abrading elements, similar to the cutting elements on a drill bit, spiralling axially about the abrading head ending in a taper to an area distal to its pivotal connection.

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 device for making measurements and interventions during fluid production or injection in a well passing through a geological formation is provided in tubing located in the well. The device has a propulsion position in the production tubing and a measuring or intervention position and comprises means supporting sealing members which are adapted on the one hand for uncovering an opening allowing fluid to flow along the tubing and an extension in said measuring or intervention position of the device and on the other for closing said opening in said propulsion position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating multiple tools connected serially in a pipe string in a well, each tool being operated by cyclic pressuring and depressuring of fluid in the pipe string from the surface, each tool having a part movable downward and upward by movements of a piston in response to said pressure cycles, said part movements being controlled by barrel cams which direct the part through a series of positions in response to a series of pressure cycles, the barrel cams of the tools being the same or different depending on the part position combinations desired, a series of pressure cycles moving the tool parts through the desired part position combinations for the multiple tools. Tool modifications making the multiple tool operations possible are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting measuring and/or logging equipment in a borehole filled with drilling fluid, the apparatus being in the form of a transporter body of normal diameter less than that of the borehole characterized by apparatus for effectively advancing the transporter in a borehole and for reducing the possibility that the transporter will become stuck in a borehole.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for carrying out measurements and/or operations in a well. In this method at least one tube is used which includes at least two parts one of which is an upper tubular part and another of which is a lower tubular part, an extension having an upper end and a lower end and an instrument for carrying out measurements and/or operations fixed to the lower end of said extension. The method involves the steps of:(a) fitting said extension equipped with said instrument to the lower part of said tube,(b) fitting the upper part of the tube above the lower part of the tube thereby providing greater penetration into the well of the assembly formed by the lower tube, the extension and the instrument and(c) effecting movement of the extension and of the instrument with respect to the tube to a position of said instrument where the measurement and/or operations may be carried out.

Abstract: Methods of gravel packing a subterranean well located subsea utilizing through-the-flowline techniques are disclosed in which a sand slurry is pumped downwardly through one pipe of a dual pipe string and outwardly through an H-type crossover member (14, 15) into a perforated casing area (20) until the area is fully packed. In one method, the H-type crossover member (14) is provided with a flangible plug (14h) to allow bypass of the sand slurry once the perforated casing area is filled with aggregate. In another method, the gravel packing of the perforated casing area is accomplished utilizing a special TFL tool (25) which provides for injection of the sand slurry through an H-type crossover member (15) into the perforated casing area (20).

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: An apparatus and method is described for introducing and removing TFL tools from a subsea wellhead assembly. The apparatus includes an elongate member adapted to hold at least one TFL tool, docking hubs for aligning the elongate member with the wellhead, a clamping mechanism or the like for engaging the elongate member with the wellhead and a circulation for circulating fluid within the elongate member and the wellhead to transport the TFL tool between the elongate member and the wellhead. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes at least two elongate members and a diverter located between the elongate members and the clamping mechanism. The diverter permits alternate fluid communication between each elongate member and the wellhead assembly.

Abstract: A fluid operated cylinder is suspended from a crane by a cable and has a piston rod connected by a cable to a cleaning unit for supporting the cleaning unit within the screened inlet portion of a water well casing extending into the ground. Air is supplied to the cylinder through a solenoid valve which is controlled in response to movement of the piston to produce reciprocation of the piston and corresponding movement of the cleaning unit within the well casing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting flow control means into a well casing is disclosed. A receptacle having portions adapted to receive check valve means is mounted within said well casing and said well casing is inserted into a well. Check valve means may be pumped down into engagement with said receptacle to regulate the flow of fluid through the well casing. Alternatively, choke valve means may be pumped down into engagement with said receptacle instead of check valve means. The choke valve means may be constructed having portions adapted to receive check valve means so that check valve means may be pumped down into engagement with said choke valve means to regulate the flow of fluid through the well casing.

Abstract: A tool stopping device for use in well flow conductors for stopping well tools moving therethrough, these devices being located at desired checkpoints, their arrival thereat indicating the progress of the tools in the flow conductor, each device having lugs movable between an inner, tool stopping position and an outer position in which they do not obstruct the bore of the device, each device also having a mechanism remotely actuable from the surface for moving the lugs between their outer and inner positions, whereby tools may be stopped by the lugs when in their inner position, after which the lugs may be moved to their outer position to free the tools for movement beyond the device. In some forms of the devices, the lugs may stop tools in position where they are to be locked in place. In another form, the tools are stopped by a shoulder in the device and the lugs are then contracted to anchor the tool in engagement with that shoulder.

Abstract: A method for effecting logging or servicing operations in a predetermined zone of a well, following an initial portion thereof, comprising fastening a logging or servicing tool body at the end of a string of rods lowered into the well, said tool body being provided with an electric male connector, lowering at the end of an electric transmission cable, from the surface, a female connector adapted to fit the male connector, coupling said female and male connectors by the action of a force generated at least partly by the pressure of a fluid pumped through the string of rods, supplying electric power, through said transmission cable and said connectors, to said logging or servicing tool for its operation in said predetermined zone, and with rotating means located between the string of rods and said tool, rotating the tool without rotating the whole string of rods.

Abstract: A tool for actuating a subsurface well tool located within a well bore by metering the force applied by hydrostatic pressure within the well bore is disclosed. The tool is actuated in response to an external signal whereby hydrostatic pressure is applied to a hydraulic fluid contained within the tool. The hydraulic fluid is metered to apply a prescribed actuating force to a piston with a metering orifice determining the rate at which force is applied to the actuating piston and to the well tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for releasing a subterranean well perforating gun from a tubular string after firing of the subterranean well perforating gun. The apparatus comprises two telescopically inter-related tubular assemblies which are interconnected for axial co-movement solely by a plurality of radially shiftable latching elements. Such latching elements are normally maintained in a locked position by an annular piston. One end of the annular piston is exposed to gas at surface ambient pressure and the other end is exposed to the gas pressure generated in the perforating gun by its discharge and subsequently to the well fluid pressures produced by flow of well fluids through the perforations. The movement of the annular piston under such fluid pressure forces permits the locking elements to be cammed radially inwardly and release the connection between the tubular tool string and the perforating gun without any action on the part of the operator.

Abstract: A hydraulic setting tool is shown of the type used to set a downhole device in a well bore. The setting tool includes an elongated tubular body adapted to be supported from a wireline within the well bore. The body has an outer sleeve portion and an inner piston portion slidably received within the sleeve portion. The inner piston portion and the outer sleeve portion are engagable with a device to be set whereby opposite relative movement of the piston portion and the sleeve portion acts to set the device. An electric motor is carried within the tubular body and is connected through the wireline with a source of electric power at the well surface. A hydraulic pump is carried within the tubular body having a fluid intake and a fluid output and is coupled to the electric motor to be driven thereby.

Abstract: For conducting wireline operations in a deviated borehole, a dual or two-stage locomotive pulls a wireline cable through both the entire length of a drill string and the entire length of a stinger therein to dock with a tool at the bottom of the stinger. The inner or second-stage locomotive then pulls the stinger out into the borehole by pushing on the bottom end of the stinger to prevent buckling the stinger. The stinger and drill stem can be assembled to virtually any length, without requiring pre-wiring. The risk of buckling upon retracting the stinger back into the drill pipe, by pulling on the cable, is reduced by the use of the special configuration provided by the present invention.

Abstract: For conducting wireline operations in a deviated borehole, a dual or two-stage locomotive pulls a wireline cable through both the entire length of a drill string and the entire length of a stinger therein to dock with a tool at the bottom of the stinger. The inner or second-stage locomotive then pulls the stinger out into the borehole by pushing on the bottom end of the stinger to prevent buckling the stinger. The stinger and drill stem can be assembled to virtually any length, without requiring pre-wiring. The risk of buckling upon retracting the stinger back into the drill pipe, by pulling on the cable, is reduced by the use of the special configuration provided by the present invention.

Abstract: A jack for lowering casing from a drilling rig into a well, including a plurality of piston and cylinder mechanisms extending vertically at different sides of the well axis and supported at their lower ends from a base, a first structure extending between upper ends of the cylinders of those mechanisms and supported from the base through the cylinders, a second structure supported by and movable with the pistons, and gripping units carried by the two structures and releasably engageable with the casing to lower it in steps by relative vertical actuation of the two structures by the piston and cylinder mechanisms.

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: Jacking mechanism for moving a string of casing or other well pipe vertically within a well and including two units operable to releasably engage and support the pipe, power actuated mechanism for moving one of the units upwardly and downwardly relative to the other to jack the pipe vertically through a wellhead structure, and apparatus for supporting the power actuated mechanism and units at least in part from that wellhead structure.

Abstract: A method for effecting logging or servicing operations in a predetermined inclined or horizontal zone of a well, following an initial vertical portion thereof, comprising fastening a logging or servicing tool body at the end of a string of rods lowered into the well, said tool body being provided with an electric male connector, lowering at the end of an electric transmission cable, from the surface, a female connector adapted to fit the male connector, coupling said female and male connectors by the action of a force generated at least partly by the pressure of a fluid pumped through the string of rods, and supplying electric power, through said transmission cable and said connectors, to said logging or servicing tool for its operation in said predetermined zone.

Abstract: A well drilling rig having a rotary table for driving a drill string rotatively and having jacking mechanism for lowering casing into the well after drilling, with the jacking mechanism including fluid pressure actuated piston and cylinder means which may be left in the rig during drilling and which are positioned low enough in the rig to avoid interference with operation of the rotary table. The jacking mechanism also includes a structure which is adapted to be connected to the piston and cylinder means when the casing or other well pipe is to be lowered and which is actuable upwardly and downwardly and carries one of two pipe gripping units for progressively jacking the pipe downwardly by vertical reciprocation of that structure. The reciprocating structure may take the form of a beam extending between two pistons and actuable thereby, with a second beam being connected to cylinders within which the pistons are contained and being utilized to support the second gripping element.

Abstract: A pumpdown system in which the pistons providing for movement of the train into and out of the well do not travel down into the tubing below the wellhead and are connected to tools through reach rods extending down into the tubing. The cathead effect resulting from working around the loop with pistons is minimized by guides which substantially center the pistons in the loop and in the preferred form by the use of straight sections of the loop.

Abstract: A pumpdown well completion system for pumpdown well servicing of remotely located wells such as subsea wells including particularly a parking tool and a parking tool landing nipple for a pumpdown flowline to permit pumping a tool train to the landing nipple using a large size piston unit and thereafter pumping a section of the tool train beyond the landing nipple using small size piston units. The parking tool includes a central mandrel having a coupling collet telescopically engaged in a housing having a parking collet. The mandrel is telescopically engaged in the housing for movement between a first traveling position at which the coupling collet connects a large size section of a tool train with a small size section and a second release position at which the small size tool train section is released from the parking tool.

Abstract: A pumpdown well completion system for pumpdown well servicing of remotely located wells such as subsea wells including particularly a parking tool and a parking tool landing nipple for a pumpdown flowline to permit pumping a tool train to the landing nipple using a large size piston unit and thereafter pumping a section of the tool train beyond the landing nipple using small size piston units. The parking tool includes a central mandrel having a coupling collet telescopically engaged in a housing having a parking collet. The mandrel is telescopically engaged in the housing for movement between a first traveling position at which the coupling collet connects a large size section of a tool train with a small size section and a second release position at which the small size tool train section is released from the parking tool.

Abstract: The device, which is connected to an element to be displaced, comprises a tubular body surrounded by sleeves which are inflated to a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the conduit. A motor-pump assembly located in the tubular body provides for the circulation of the fluid through the body so as to cause propulsion of the device within the conduit. Sensors may control automatic operation of the device and inflation of the sleeves to the selected diameter.

Abstract: A locking mandrel including a pumpdown piston and flow control means in which a dog expander engages a shoulder in a landing nipple and is moved to dog expanded position to lock the locking mandrel in the landing nipple and in which the locking mandrel may be released from the landing nipple by moving the body thereof either upward or downward to shift the expander from under the dogs to permit them to retract and release the landing nipple.

Abstract: A carrier/handler for an oilwell blowout preventer includes a skid defined by a pair of sides with crossbars extending therebetween, a carriage slidably mounted on rollers on the skid for movement toward and away from a wellhead, a cradle pivotally mounted on the carriage for carrying a blowout preventer in the horizontal position, and for movement from such horizontal position to the vertical position, and hydraulic cylinders for moving the carriage along the skid, for moving the carriage transversely to align the blowout preventer with the wellhead, for moving the cradle from the horizontal to the erect position, and for moving the blowout preventer and a slide portion of the cradle vertically into and out of engagement with a well casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting logging or perforating operation in a borehole, particularly a deviated borehole, includes lowering a length of drill pipe having the well-logging tool, or well bore perforator, releasably mounted thereon into the borehole. An extension member, which is also lowered through the drill pipe, is secured to the well-logging tool, or well bore perforator, and releases it from the drill pipe, whereupon the extension member and well-logging tool or well bore perforator are moved through the borehole. The apparatus includes a latching sub mounted to the end of the length of drill pipe, and a latching head releasably mounted within the latching sub for releasably holding a well-logging tool or well bore perforator within the latching sub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting logging or perforating operation in a borehole, particularly a deviated borehole, includes lowering a length of drill pipe having the well-logging tool, or well bore perforator, releasably mounted thereon into the borehole. An extension member, which is also lowered through the drill pipe, is secured to the well-logging tool, or well bore perforator, and releases it from the drill pipe, whereupon the extension member and well-logging tool or well bore perforator are moved through the borehole. The apparatus includes a latching sub mounted to the end of the length of drill pipe, and a latching head releasably mounted within the latching sub for releasably holding a well-logging tool or well bore perforator within the latching sub.