Baker International Inc.

Baker Oil Tools, Inc.

Everett H Smith

Raphael J Silberman

Frederick T Tilton

Dennis A Wichkoski

Neil H Akkerman

David M McStravick

David V Chenoweth

A metal-to-metal fluid tight seal configuration formed between two abutting tubular members for use in subterranean oil and gas wells is disclosed. A metal-to-metal fluid tight seal is utilized in a shear release expansion joint assembly mounted by means of an anchor seal assembly in a conventional downhole packer. Sealing engagement is provided by plastic deformation of an annular seal ring between two abutting tubular members which are less ductile than the seal ring. In the preferred embodiment the metal-to-metal fluid tight seal is formed between abutting box and pin tubular members and the plastic deformation of the circular ring occurs as the ring is received within a groove in one of the abutting tubular members which has a dissimilar profile in comparison to the cross-section of the circular ring. Plastic deformation occurs as the box and pin members are rotationally threaded together and a continuous fluid tight seal is maintained along surfaces of both tubular members.

Plastically deformed seals in downhole tools

A valve apparatus for use in an intermittent gas lift subterranean well, having a reservoir with insufficient pressure for continuous delivery of produced fluids to the top surface of the well is disclosed. A valve apparatus carriable on a fluid transmission conduit has a flow passage for permitting produced fluids to flow through the transmission conduit from the reservoir. The valve is responsive to pressure to open the valve in the presence of a greater pressure exerted by the reservoir below the valve, and to close the valve in response to an even greater pressure generated by intermittent gas injection. A second flow passage selectively communicating with a radially extending port permits the flow of injected fluids from the tubing into the reservoir. A second valve, for selectively opening and closing the second flow passage, is spring biased in the closed position so that it remains closed when subjected to reservoir pressure, intermittent gas pressure, or their sum. The second valve is, however, opened in response to a greater pressure force due to an applied pressure including the pressure of injected fluids. The second valve comprises oppositely facing abutting shoulders, with one shoulder being biased into abutting relationship with the other shoulder for closing the port.

Pump through equalizing check valve for use in intermittent gas lift well

An apparatus is provided for producing a well from at least one productive zone penetrated by the well bore in which casing is set below the top of the well. Tubing hanger means support at least one production tubing string extending downwardly in the well bore and communicating with a production zone. Anchor means on the tubing hanger means are actuatable into anchoring engagement with the casing. The tubing hanger means receives at least one upper production tubing string section typically carrying safety valve means thereon extending to the top of the well and sealingly engageable with the tubing hanger means before, during and after the anchoring engagement of the tubing hanger means with the casing, whereby the upper production tubing string section is respectively communicable with the downwardly extending production tubing string when the tubing hanger is set. A latch apparatus is carried on and extending between the upper production tubing string sections for initial securement of the tubing hanger means to each of the upper production tubing string sections, the latch apparatus carrying the sum of the strength of the tubing hanger means and each of the lower production tubing string sections. Anchoring of the tubing hanger and sealing engagement therein of the production tubing string section may be effected in one trip down the well, without the requirement of retrieval of a work string or other means used to set the hanger, and without subsequent re-entry into the well of the upper production tubing string section carrying the safety valve means for sealing engagement into the hanger means.

Single trip tubing hanger assembly

An apparatus is provided which is connectable on a tubing string extendible into a subterranean well. The apparatus is selectively separatable whereby the tubing string may be parted. The apparatus comprises first means selectively retrievable from the apparatus for carrying across the apparatus a first weight load defined through the tubing string below the apparatus. Second weight load carrying means are provided for carrying across the apparatus a second weight load defined through the tubing string below the apparatus, the second weight load being less than the first weight load. The second means are activatable to separate the apparatus and the tubing string when the second weight load is exceeded.

Apparatus for carrying first and second weight loads of a tubing string

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. Seal plug means are insertable within one of the fluid ports and within each of the vent passageways to establish the first fluid flow path to direct fluid pressure to one of the chambers and vent fluid from the other chamber to shift the piston means in a first direction. The seal plugs also insertable within the other of the fluid ports and one of the vent passageways to establish the second fluid flow path to direct fluid passage to the other of the chambers and vent fluid from another of the chambers to shift the piston means in a second direction. The control tool is provided in a modified form with the passageways manipulatable to define flow paths such that the control tool transmits fluid to activate three separate functions.

Control tool

The present invention provides a latch assembly carriable on a tubing string extendible into a subterranean well, the latch assembly being selectively engageable between upper and lower sections of the tubing string. The latch assembly comprises an outer housing and an inner body, with latching means carried on one of the housing and the body for selectively securing the latch apparatus to the lower section. Latch engaging means are carried on the other of the housing and the body and the lower tubing section for selective co-engagement between the latching means, the lower tubing section, and one of the housing and the body. Piston means are on one of the housing and the body and have a piston head with first and second piston chambers between the piston head. Control means are removable from the latch assembly to direct fluid pressure transmitted through the tubing string to the latch assembly and having passageways to selectively provide a first fluid flow path within the control means and the latch assembly to one of the upper and lower piston chambers to shift the housing and the body relative to one another to release the latching means from the lower section. The control means has passageways selectively providing a second fluid flow path therethrough to the other of the upper and lower piston chambers to shift the housing and the body relative to one another to engage or re-engage the latching means to the lower section.

Latch assembly and method

An apparatus which is carriable on a tubing string extendible within a subterranean well, wherein the tubing string has an upper tubing section which is extendible from and above the apparatus to the top of the well, and a lower tubing section which is extendible from and below the apparatus. The apparatus is manipulatable to rotate the lower tubing section without rotating the upper tubing section and comprises first and second housings, one of the housings and the lower tubing section being rotatable relative to the other of the housings. Actuator means are insertable within at least one of the housings for applying rotation to one of the housings. Co-engaging means are provided on the actuator means and one of the housings for applying rotational force to one of the housings and the lower tubing section to rotate the one housing and the lower tubing section without rotating the other of the housings and the upper tubing section.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Everett H Smith