Abstract: A system used to remove multiple isolation plugs from a wellbore. The system is efficient in fluidizing and circulating proppant located below an upper plug resting on top of proppant settled above a lower plug. The system uses a central port of the mill that is in communication with coiled tubing to fluidize and circulate the proppant around the perimeter of the upper plug. Once the proppant has been circulated from underneath the upper plug, the upper plug may mate and rotationally lock with a lower plug set within the wellbore. Upon locking, the system is able to rapidly mill out the upper plug and the lower plug until the lower plug is no longer set within the wellbore. The system provides for the rapid removal of multiple plugs positioned within a wellbore where an amount of proppant is present between the plugs.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying one or more tools in a wellbore according to which a clamp is coupled to a flexible interconnect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for handling tubulars and drilling with tubulars such as casing into a formation. In one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a circulating head and a cementing head operatively connectible to a gripping member. The circulating head is used to circulate drilling fluid while drilling with casing, and the cementing head is used to cement the casing string within the formation at a desired depth. The present invention also relates to methods and apparatus for isolating a tensile load from a drilling apparatus rotated by a top drive. In one aspect, the present invention provides a load isolator apparatus having an isolator body operatively connected to the top drive and a torque body at least partially disposed in the isolator body. In operation, the bearing assembly transfers the tensile load from the torque body to the isolator body.

Abstract: An improved lubricator assembly for receiving a well plunger or other downhole tool wherein a hinge is connected between a lower portion and an upper riser of the lubricator assembly and a power lifting device is included for moving the upper riser off of and onto the lower portion of the lubricator assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to subterranean cementing operations, and more particularly to an apparatus useful in loading cementing plugs and darts into tubulars, and methods of using such apparatus in subterranean cementing operations. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of placing a compressible object having a cross-section within a tubular, including the steps of: reducing the cross-section of the compressible object; placing the compressible object with the reduced cross-section in a tubular; and releasing the compressible object within the tubular. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of reducing the radial cross-section of a compressible object. Other examples of apparatus of the present invention include apparatus for placing a compressible object into a tubular.

Abstract: A surface flow control system for a well. The system comprises a main housing having a main bore there through, and a first port communicating with the main bore. The system further comprises a first valve positioned within the main bore, and wherein the first valve is placed at a position above said first port; and, a second valve positioned within the main bore of the main housing, and wherein the second valve is placed at a position below the first port. The system may further include a swivel connected to the main housing. A second port communicating with the main bore may also be included. In one embodiment, the first port is connected to a tank for collecting fluids discharged from the well, and the second port is connected to a pump for pumping into the well. A method of controlling well pressure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling pressure surges in a wellbore. One embodiment provides a downhole surge control tool equipped with a fluid motivator. The fluid motivator may be, for example, any type of motor or a venturi. The fluid motivator motivates wellbore fluid through a bypass channel formed in the tool and then out an exhaust port of the tool.

Abstract: An automated plunger catcher and releaser and chemical launcher for a well tubing method and apparatus. In one configuration, arrival of a plunger is sensed as the plunger ascends from the wellbore through the production tubing and a signal is sent to a controller. A signal is sent from the controller to actuate a stem in order to hold the plunger in a surface catcher chamber. A flowline is thereafter closed by signal from the controller in order to stop fluid flow through the production tubing. A signal is sent from the controller to an actuated valve on a chemical launcher, thereby opening the valve and releasing chemical. Thereafter, the valve is closed to stop release of chemical. The plunger is held in position for a predetermined time and then the stem is retracted in order to permit the plunger to fall by gravity. Finally, the flowline is opened in order to permit fluid flow therethrough and the process is sequentially repeated as desired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to determine the temperature profile of a pressurized wellbore using a fiber optic cable and an anchor are disclosed. Furthermore, a pressurized wellhead spool that couples to a standard Christmas tree structure on a well head to facilitate the injection of fiber optic cable into an oil and gas well is disclosed. The wellhead spool is portable and may be connected to fiber optic cable already located at the site, for quick connection to on-site instrumentation. A method of using the apparatuses disclosed to measure wellbore temperature at multiple depths of investigation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for use in detecting the launching of a device, such as a wiper plug or a sealing ball, is described having a first component, such as a detectable object disposed within the device, and a second component, such as a sensor. The sensor may be a sensor coil, while the detectable object may be a transponder capable of emitting Radio Frequency Identification signals to the sensor to signal its arrival adjacent the sensor. The system may be used with a concrete head or with a sealing ball injector. A method of launching the devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lubricator (10) includes a tubular body (12) through which passes a support member such as coil tubing or wireline, and an elongate slot (18) for inspection of or access to the support. A sleeve (20) mounted on the body (12) is movable between first and second positions to close or open the port (18). The sleeve (20) is movable by means of a pair of pistons and cylinders (22, 23, 24, 25). O-ring seals (28, 29) are provided on the body (12) above and below the slot (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to an intervention module (18) for well intervention operations in preferably a pressurized subsea well (2) with a wellhead (4) disposed on a water floow. The intervention module (18) is provided with necessary equipment to replace, under water, intervention tools (54) and thereby perform several well intervention operations in one run, without the supply of equipment from a surface vessel. The module (18) is lowered from a surface vessel and placed on the wellhead (4), possibly a BOP (12), of the well (2). The intervention module (18) is connected to the surface vessel through a connecting line/hose or a wireless connection which communicates, as a minimum, necessary control and feed-back signals. The module (18) is provided with i.a.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug-dropping container for releasing plugs or other objects into a wellbore during fluid circulation procedures. In one aspect, the plug-dropping container is used as part of a cementing head. The plug-dropping container comprises an elongated housing, and a canister disposed coaxially within the housing. The canister is configured to receive the plug, such as a drill pipe dart. A valve is disposed below the canister. The valve is movable from a plug-retained position where the plug is blocked, to a plug-released position where the plug may be released into the wellbore there below. In the plug-retained position, fluid is permitted to flow through the canister-housing annulus and around the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for improving plunger seal life on a casing swab system. The apparatus includes a diameter adapter disposed between an upper end of a wellbore casing and a lubricator adapted to receive a plunger therein. The diameter adapter is configured to provide a substantially constant internal diameter between the lubricator and the upper end of the casing. A method is also disclosed which includes retaining a casing swab plunger in a lubricator adapted to receive it for at least an amount of time sufficient to enable entrapped gas and fluids substantially to escape from the plunger seal material.

Abstract: A lifting top drive sub sea staging cement head in which cement slurry flows from outside into its central bore, thru a rotating swivel connection. The cement head has a rotatably indexable reservoir cylinder with multiple cells which may be loaded with balls, and/or darts, and/or staging bombs. One first cell is kept open for circulation. The cylinder is rotatably aligned, at will to the flow path, so that the staging elements may be washed down the drill string. In addition, the cement head is hydraulically remotely controlled such that no operators protrude from the smooth body, yet the remote system may be manually over-ridden.

Abstract: A running tool for wiper plugs used in cementing well casings into a wellbore. The running tool and setting balls or darts used to launch the plugs are retrievable following deployment of the plugs. Flapper valve assemblies on the wiper plugs are activated after the plugs are displaced from the running tool to eliminate the requirement to maintain a setting ball or dart in engagement with the wiper plug as the assembly is pumped down the well casing. Because of being retrievable, the mandrel, setting sleeves and setting ball or dart may be constructed of any desirable high-strength material without regard to the need to drill up the material following completion of the cementing job. The use of high-strength steel permits large flow passages to be employed in the cementing plugs by eliminating the need for large volumes of drillable metals in the plugs. The running tool protects the flapper valve seal surfaces from circulating fluids prior to deployment of the plugs from the tool.

Abstract: A ball dropping assembly for dropping a plurality of objects, such as spherical balls, into a wellbore. The assembly first comprises a seat for retaining a ball before it is released. The assembly also comprises a ball-feeding channel for feeding additional balls onto the seat. A ball-retaining lever is provided to selectively receive and retain balls onto the seat, and then to release the balls individually into the wellbore. In one embodiment, the assembly is attached to a side bore in fluid communication with a main bore in a cementing head. The ball-retaining lever rotates into the bore when releasing a ball. When a plug is released into the bore from a cementing head, the plug will trip the lever, causing the ball-retaining lever to rotate back towards the ball-retained position. Thus, the ball dropping assembly also serves as a plug release indicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug-dropping container for releasing plugs or other objects into a wellbore during fluid circulation procedures. In one aspect, the plug-dropping container is used as part of a cementing head. The plug-dropping container comprises an elongated housing, and a canister disposed co-axially within the housing. The canister is movable from a lower position to an upper position. In its lower position, a fluid bypass area is defined above the canister. When a dart is retained within the canister, fluid is diverted through the bypass and around the canister within an annular area defined between the canister and the housing. In one aspect, the canister is moved by rotation of a plug-retaining device below the canister. In its plug-retained position, the plug-retaining device is oriented so that the wall of the plug-retaining device is blocking the downward path of the dart.

Abstract: A lubricator assembly for a well head of a gas-producing well includes an elongated rigid tubular body having upper and lower ends and a cylindrical interior chamber open at the lower end for receiving a leading end of a gas lift plunger at the well head, a removable end cap attached at the upper end of the tubular body, and an elongated polyurethane body having a cylindrical configuration and characteristics of a coil spring in that the polyurethane body can be resiliently compressed along its longitudinal axis and will spring back to substantially its original form. The polyurethane body is disposed in the tubular body between the removable end cap and the lower end of the tubular body such that upon arrival of the plunger at the tubular body the polyurethane body will be impacted by the force of the plunger and absorb the impact force.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to determine the temperature profile of a wellbore using a fiber optic cable and an anchor are disclosed. Furthermore, a pressurized wellhead spool that couples to a standard Christmas tree structure on a well head to facilitate the injection of fiber optic cable into an oil and gas well is disclosed. The wellhead spool is portable and may be connected to fiber optic cable already located at the site, for quick connection to on-site instrumentation. A method of using the apparatuses disclosed to measure wellbore temperature at multiple depths of investigation is also disclosed.

Abstract: The well intervention system of the invention is a novel subsea deployed wire line, “stiff wire” (conventional wire-line located inside reeled tubing or embedded in the tubing wall), coil tubing, or reeled pipe unit landed on the existing subsea wellhead assembly or tree, wherein the unit includes as an additional novel component a “carousel” tool caddy. The carousel is utilized to allow the remote change-out of multiple tool strings that are included in the carousel prior to deployment, thereby eliminating the need for a “riser” conduit to the surface or the need to trip tools through the riser column for tool replacement. The subject invention also includes an improved method for conducting a well intervention activity, wherein the method includes the step of selecting a tool for the well intervention activity from a carousel tool caddy located in close proximity to the well.

Abstract: A subsea pig launching apparatus for launching one or more pigs into a flowline which is fluidly connectable to a source of well fluid comprises at least one first hub to which the source of well fluid is connectable and which is in communication with the flowline, a first valve which is positioned between the first hub and the flowline, a second hub which is in communication with the flowline, and a pig launcher which is removably connectable to the second hub and which comprises at least one pig, at least one launch valve which is positioned between a pressure source and the pig, and a launch actuator for selectively opening and closing the launch valve. The launch actuator is controlled by a signal which is communicated through at least one of a number of external control and service lines that are connected to a control and service umbilical for the source of well fluid.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for storing pipeline pigs and launching the pigs into a subsea production pipeline. The device is installed in line with a pipeline and includes a frame, a magazine containing several rotatable trays for storing and sequentially launching the pigs, and a connector for directing the pigs into a pipeline. Each magazine tray holds several pigs and rotates to align the pigs with a launching tube. The pigs travel through the launch tube and connector and into the pipeline.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to determine the temperature profile of a wellbore using a fiber optic cable and an anchor are disclosed. Furthermore, a pressurized wellhead spool that couples to a standard Christmas tree structure on a well head to facilitate the injection of fiber optic cable into an oil and gas well is disclosed. The wellhead spool is portable and may be connected to fiber optic cable already located at the site, for quick connection to on-site instrumentation. A method of using the apparatuses disclosed to measure wellbore temperature at multiple depths of investigation is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed in surge reduction tools for running in casings or casing liners downhole with the ability to restore circulation in the event a tight hole condition is encountered. The improved tool includes among other features 1.) an axial indexing apparatus which allows the valving sleeve to be moved downward in predetermined increments to allow alternate closing and opening of the vent ports, 2.) a camming sleeve and Bellville spring washers which provide the surge reduction tool with a more predictable release pressure than has heretofore been available, 3.) a dart directing sleeve which has a smaller, smoother bore than the drill string and provides the important function of aligning the dart before it lands in the seat so that the dart resistance when passing through the seat is minimized, and 4.

Abstract: A stick launcher and method for launching soap sticks into a gas or oil well. The stick launcher comprises a containment vessel adapted to house the soap sticks, the containment vessel comprising a contiguous wall and a top and a bottom. A turret-style separator is positioned within the containment vessel, the separator comprising blades, and adapted to contain the soap sticks between the blades of the turret-styled separator and the contiguous wall of the containment vessel. A ball valve is positioned adjacent the bottom of the containment vessel, the ball valve, when in open position, adapted to be in fluid communication with a well bore and the containment vessel. A rotating assembly, when set in motion by an actuator, is used to rotate the separator and simultaneously open or close the ball valve.

Abstract: Well surface equipment is provided to seal around the outer surface of portions of tool sections as the tool sections are assembled or disconnected in a portion of the well surface equipment. The portion of the well surface equipment is isolated from wellhead pressure to enhance well operator control during assembly or disassembly of a tool string. Also, if a fluid path is opened up due to activation of the tool string (such as initiation of a detonating cord that is placed in the fluid path), a barrier mechanism is actuated to block fluid communication through this fluid path so that a portion of the well surface equipment can remain isolated from wellhead pressure to enable convenient retrieval and disconnection of tool sections.

Abstract: The well intervention system of the invention is a novel subsea deployed wire line, “stiff wire” (conventional wire-line located inside reeled tubing or embedded in the tubing wall), coil tubing, or reeled pipe unit landed on the existing subsea wellhead assembly or tree, wherein the unit includes as an additional novel component a “carousel” tool caddy. The carousel is utilized to allow the remote change-out of multiple tool strings that are included in the carousel prior to deployment, thereby eliminating the need for a “riser” conduit to the surface or the need to trip tools through the riser column for tool replacement. The subject invention also includes an improved method for conducting a well intervention activity, wherein the method includes the step of selecting a tool for the well intervention activity from a carousel tool caddy located in close proximity to the well.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for moving equipment into and through a conduit that is preferably an oil and/or gas production well, wherein use is made of an uphole equipment storage and handling unit via which equipment modules can be moved into a launch conduit and connected to a shuttle device which is able to locomote itself as a wireless tractor via the launch conduit into and from the underlying conduit.

Abstract: An automatic chemical stick loader apparatus for gas wells, including a storage and dispensing cabinet at ground level, for sequentially feeding sticks therefrom, a launch tube for sequentially receiving sticks and elevating them to the top of a well head, and a stick loader atop the well for receiving a stick from the launch tube, dropping the stick into a chamber, pressure isolating the chamber and pressure equalizing it with well pressure, and dropping the stick into the well. The apparatus is controlled by an electronic controller which may be solar powered. The apparatus is operated by well gas, the pressure thereof being regulated down to 20 psi or so.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for launching plugs used in the construction of an oil or of gas well. There is provided an apparatus for launching a plug, said apparatus comprising a canister (4) connectable to a running string, a plug (6, 16) retained in said canister, and a tube (9, 13) having a bursting disk (37, 38), the arrangement being such that, in use, an increase in fluid pressure in said tube ruptures said bursting disk allowing an increase in fluid pressure above said plug to launch said plug. The apparatus is particularly suited to launching two, three or more plugs independently. There is also provided a method of launching a plug from a canister, which method comprises the steps of blocking a tube; increasing pressure in said tube above said blockage to a predetermined pressure at which a bursting disk in said tube ruptures allowing fluid pressure to increase above said plug and launches said plug.

Abstract: A system includes a subsea well and a carousel of tools. The carousel of tools is adapted to automatically and selectively deploy the tools in the well to perform an intervention in the well. The flow of fluid in a well is halted, and a tool is deployed from within the well while the fluid is halted. The tool is allowed to free fall while the fluid is halted. The flow is resumed to retrieve the tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed apparatus for feeding capsular cartridges into a drilled hole, the apparatus being intended to be used in conjunction with a rock drill apparatus. The feed apparatus comprises a rotatable roll-like cartridge magazine (1) with charge tubes (2) which are arranged on at least one perimeter and into which the capsular cartridges can be loaded in advance. The apparatus further comprises means for indexing a magazine, whereby the desired charge tubes (2) can be rotated to align with the feeding line. In an embodiment of the invention the feed is performed by feeding pressure air into the rear end of the charge tube at a high pressure, whereby the cartridge loaded into the charge tube moves from the charge tube to a connecting pipe (7) positioned at the firing line at the front end of the cartridge magazine and further along a feed hose 86) to a hole drilled in advance. The apparatus can also comprise a control apparatus for automatic control of the feed apparatus from the cabin.

Abstract: A lubricator assembly for a well head of a gas-producing well includes an elongated rigid tubular body having upper and lower ends and a cylindrical interior chamber open at the lower end for receiving a leading end of a gas lift plunger at the well head, a removable end cap attached at the upper end of the tubular body, and an elongated polyurethane body having a cylindrical configuration and characteristics of a coil spring in that the polyurethane body can be resiliently compressed along its longitudinal axis and will spring back to substantially its original form. The polyurethane body is disposed in the tubular body between the removable end cap and the lower end of the tubular body such that upon arrival of the plunger at the tubular body the polyurethane body will be impacted by the force of the plunger and absorb the impact force.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for use in cementing a tubular member which is run into a borehole using a drill string. A landing collar is attached to the tubular member near the bottom of the tubular member, and the landing collar has an opening at least five inches in diameter. A liner wiper assembly is releasably suspended from the drill string. The liner wiper assembly comprises a lower liner wiper plug comprising float valves and an upper liner wiper plug. With the method and apparatus of the present invention, plugging problems are minimized.

Abstract: A housing is attached to a tubular sub located within a tubing string suspended in an earth borehole, the connection being an angled ball channel connected between the housing and the tubular sub. A ball carrier is provided within the interior of the housing which can be moved in two opposite directions either using pneumatic or hydraulic pressure against one or two pistons. The ball carrier can have either two balls or three balls. The movement of the ball carrier by the applied pressure causes one of the pockets holding the balls to be aligned with the ball channel which allows the balls to be successively dropped into the ball channel and thus into the interior of the tubing string. The ball carrier includes a sequencing apparatus for providing and ensuring that the balls are dropped in the proper sequence.

Abstract: A system usable with a subterranean well includes a tubing and a lubricator. The tubing is adapted to receive a drill string in a passageway of the tubing, and the lubricator is located downhole and is connected to the tubing. The lubricator is adapted to be remotely operable from a surface of the well to control fluid communication between the passageway located above the lubricator and a formation located beneath the lubricator. The lubricator may include a sleeve and controller. The controller selectively moves the sleeve into a passageway of a valve of the lubricator to protect the valve from a downhole fluid.

Abstract: A system usable with a subterranean well includes a tubing and a lubricator. The tubing is adapted to receive a drill string in a passageway of the tubing, and the lubricator is located downhole and is connected to the tubing. The lubricator is adapted to be remotely operable from a surface of the well to control fluid communication between the passageway located above the lubricator and a formation located beneath the lubricator. The lubricator may include a sleeve and controller. The controller selectively moves the sleeve into a passageway of a valve of the lubricator to protect the valve from a downhole fluid.

Abstract: A system usable with a subterranean well includes a tubing and a lubricator. The tubing is adapted to receive a drill string in a passageway of the tubing, and the lubricator is located downhole and is connected to the tubing. The lubricator is adapted to be remotely operable from a surface of the well to control fluid communication between the passageway located above the lubricator and a formation located beneath the lubricator. The lubricator may include a sleeve and controller. The controller selectively moves the sleeve into a passageway of a valve of the lubricator to protect the valve from a downhole fluid.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tool for launching objects downhole, such as one or more plugs in a desired sequence. The movements leading to the release of the individual plugs are regulated by virtue of displacement of oil through at least one orifice. The wiper plugs are retained in the tool until such time as they are physically displaced beyond the lower end of the tool. The biased retainers holding the plugs within the tools are released upon a predetermined movement of the plugs beyond the lower end of the tool. If the retaining mechanism for the plug does not automatically release upon sufficient extension of the wiper plug from the tool, a pressure assist can be used to launch any given plug. The darts used to move an actuating piston to release the plugs are separated from the plugs and retained in the tool so that they do not need to be drilled out later.

Abstract: A plug-dropping head in which the objects to be dropped are placed in individual discrete passages. A motor-driven or hand-operated rotating member orients an entrance to a passage going through it to, in series, individual passages in the housing for sequential dropping of objects downhole. A relief port is provided so that as the rotating outlet member moves from one passage in the housing to the next, the relief passage allows continuing flow delivered by the surface pump.

Abstract: A plug-dropping head capable of dropping balls or plugs or other objects is disclosed. The plug-dropping head has a compact design with a cylinder having multiple chambers for storage of plugs and/or balls. The device can be actuated manually or automatically, locally or remotely, to rotate the cylinder to present a different bore in alignment with a flowpath through the housing. An exterior signal indicates that the object has fallen through the device. An indexing feature assures alignment of the individual bores in the cylinder which contain a plug or wiper with the main passage through the tool. Flow can be maintained through the tool as the cylinder is rotated. Rotation of the cylinder allows an obstruction device in the flowpath to move out of the way to allow the ball or plug to drop when sufficient alignment is reached.

Abstract: An oil field assembly for gathering data about or producing an oil well having a self regulating assembly for free movement by gravity or the differential pressure of fluids in the tubing string of a well from the surface of a well or to predetermined down hole positions for collecting data and or producing a well while freely moving between the surface of the well and predetermined positions comprising a self regulating traveling piston for free movement by gravity and or the differential pressure of the fluids of a well from the surface of a well and to predetermined positions for collecting data about a well between the surface and predetermined downhole positions, and having instrumentation connected to the traveling piston for gathering data about the well, and a landing housing located at the surface of a well for receiving the traveling piston, and a receiving station at the bottom of the tubing string for releasably receiving the traveling piston.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for use in a downhole string of tools adapted to be retrieved from a well under pressure is disclosed. The valve has a housing and a piston slidably disposed within an axial bore of the housing. The housing has upper and lower ends configured for attachment to upper and lower portions, respectively, of the tool string. The valve defines an internal passage for hydraulic communication between the upper and lower tool string portions. The piston is arranged to, in first and second positions, permit and block, respectively, hydraulic communication along the internal passage. The housing has an outer surface defining upper and lower outer surface regions for engagement by two spaced apart seals of a retrieval head (such as a BOP). The housing also defines an outer port disposed between the upper and lower outer surface regions and arranged for hydraulic communication between the piston and the outer housing surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment to assist the flow of offshore production of hydrocarbon mixtures containing a high concentration of gas. A primary separating vessel is used and production is diverted to it. This vessel is designed to allow primary separate of the gas, which flows to the gathering center via a special line. Within the primary separating vessel there is a U-shaped length of pipe whose arms are connected to two flow lines which extend to the gathering center. A mechanical interface driven by high pressure gas periodically travels along these lines, carrying with it to the gathering center the volume of liquid phase which has accumulated in the lines. If liquid phase passes into the gas flow line, a mechanical interface can be passed along this line to remove the volume of liquid which has accumulated within it.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and equipment to assist the flow of offshore oil production. At least three production flow lines are used, which are interconnected close to offshore well-heads or manifolds forming two U-shaped lengths of pipe acting as circuits for passage of the hydrocarbon mixture produced. A mechanical interface is periodically inserted into one flow line of the U-shaped branches of pipe and, driven by a volume of pressurized gas, travels along the one from among the two U-shaped pipe length to return to a gathering center. In its passage it pushes along the volume of hydrocarbon mixture which has accumulated in the flow lines.

Abstract: A completions insertion and retrieval under pressure (CIRP) apparatus utilizes a snaplock connector to assemble uphole a tool string of any desired length prior to lowering the tool string into a wellbore for performing wellbore operations in the wellbore. The tool string could comprise a perforating gun string including a plurality of perforating guns interleaved with a corresponding plurality of snaplock connectors. The CIRP apparatus includes a winch housing connected to a lubricator, the lubricator being connected to a valve, the valve being connected to a connection apparatus, such as a deployment BOP or a snaplock operator, the connection apparatus being connected to a work string which extends into the wellbore.

Abstract: The chemical stick storage and delivery system includes a chemical stick delivery tube in communication with a well which supports a rotatable chemical stick storage device on the uppermost end of the delivery tube. The delivery tube includes an upper opening and the chemical stick storage device rotates to position chemical sticks sequentially over the delivery tube opening. Within the delivery tube is a first valve positioned directly beneath the delivery tube opening and a second valve spaced below the first valve for a distance sufficient to form a chamber between the first and second valves to receive a chemical stick. A timer controls the operation of the first and second valves so that after a predetermined timed interval, the first valve is opened while the second valve is closed to drop a chemical stick into the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus, and related methods, for automatically releasing sticks of various materials into oil and gas wells. The apparatus has an enclosed magazine which has several chambers for the sticks. The magazine rotates on a shaft when a sprocket on the shaft is engaged by a rod moving from an extended to a retracted position. The rod movement is actuated by a double acting cylinder which is powered by well gas. When rotated the magazine positions the next chamber above a bottom exit port which is aligned with the well, causing the stick to be released into the well. During the stick loading process, only a single valve need be opened to enable the sticks to be loaded into the stick chambers. The magazine is rotated by hand after each stick is loaded.

Abstract: A system for reducing pressure while running a casing liner, hanging a casing liner from a casing and cementing the liner in a borehole during a single trip downhole is disclosed. Some of the components of the system are 1.) a bypass or diverter sub for reducing surge pressure having either an incremental breakaway seat or a yieldable seat, 2.) a container or manifold for launching a smaller ball used to close the bypass, a larger ball used to hang the liner in the casing, and a drill pipe wiper dart for cementing, and 3.) a guide shoe with multiple openings and no float valve to provide proper flow of drilling fluid up the liner and out the port of the bypass to reduce surge pressure and to provide for proper cementation. Advantageously, methods for operation of this surge pressure reduction system and its components are also disclosed.