Other

Merck + Co., Inc.

Mark S Crawford

William Crawford

Phillip S Sizer

John A Rambosek

Kerry D Jernigan

Douglas W Crawford

David B Finkelstein

Douglass W Crawford

Kerry D Jermigan

A system for controlling fluid flow from multiple isolated producing zones in a well is provided. Components of the system are placeable in and retrievable from bottom entry side pocket mandrel sections permanently installed in a production tubing string in the well. These components include retrievable isolation valve modules. Control signals for modules are developed either downhole or at the surface and modules may be placed or retrieved through the production tubing without pulling the production tubing from the well. In high flow rate applications the sliding sleeve flow control valve of the present invention provides a variable aperture valve having a fully open cross sectional area equal to that of the production tubing, thereby achieving a minimal pressure drop across the valve.

Retrievable sliding sleeve flow control valve for zonal isolation control system

A well control and monitoring system which may be completely installed downhole and run into a cased well borehole or a production tubing string is disclosed. At least one mandrel having a side pocket instrument section having a downwardly facing entry and a wet connector or inductive coupler is placed in the well. A downhole digital processor and sensors are used to monitor tubing and casing fluid pressures and to control variable orifice valves or ESP pumps to control fluid flow to the production tubing from the casing/tubing annulus. The processor is progammable and reprogrammable in-situ.

Retrievable well monitor/controller system

A system for controlling fluid flow from multiple isolated producing zones in a well is provided. Components of the system are placeable in and retrievable from bottom entry side pocket mandrel sections permanently installed in a production tubing string in the well. These components provided are sensor modules, isolation valve modules, power modules, control modules, hydraulic pump control modules and packer modules which are carried by the production tubing string. Control signals for modules are developed either downhole or at the surface and modules may be placed or retrieved through the production tubing without pulling the production tubing from the well.

Retrievable zonal isolation control system

A side pocket mandrel arranged to receive a measuring instrument such as a pressure gauge in the open-bottomed side pocket thereof includes an electrical contact mounted at the top of the side pocket and connected to a cable extending upward to the surface, and an instrument lowered on a wireline kickover tool and inserted upward into the pocket and latched in place with a mating electrical connector automatically engaging the contact. Placement of the electrical contact at the top of the pocket prevents debris from settling around it and preventing reengagement after removal of the gauge for any reason.

Side pocket mandrel for a measuring instrument

A process for the one-step conversion of cephalosporin C and derivatives thereof to the corresponding 7-aminocephalosporanic acid and derivatives comprising treating said cephalosporin C and derivatives with a cephalosporin C amidase enzyme of a recited sequence, the DNA encoding said enzyme, and expression thereof in a suitable host, e.g., Bacillus species under the control of a suitable promoter.

Gene encoding one step cephalosporin C amidase and expression thereof in

One-step cephalosporin C amidase enzyme

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a gas lift valve that is latched by a latch assembly into a seating bore in a side pocket mandrel includes a guide flange that is recieved in a slot in an internal wall of the mandrel. The guide flange functions to precisely rotationally orient and to stop the insertion of the valve within its seating bore such that a lateral gas outlet port in the valve body is directed inward toward the main bore of the mandrel. A frictional restraint also is provided to prevent accidental release of the latch assembly.

Oriented valve and latch for side pocket mandrel

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a kickover tool for replacing and removing valves includes an orienting section having angularly spaced dogs that are cooperable with a sleeve in a side pocket mandrel to cause orientation of the tool and to trigger longitudinal movement of a control rod. Rod movement cams an inwardly biased kickover arm outwardly to enable extension of guides that cooperate with ramps or the like in the side pocket mandrel to cause a valve coupled to said kickover arm to be inserted through a seat and latched in place in the mandrel. After the valve is seated and latched, the guides are disabled wtih response to upward force on the pivot arm. A clutch to prevent premature actuation of the kickover tool also is disclosed.

Kickover tool for placing and removing well flow control devices

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a side pocket mandrel includes a tubular main body having an internal bore, a seating section w4elded to one end of said main body and having a main bore and a laterally offset seating bore opening to the exterior thereof, the axis of said seating bore being inclined at a small angle toward the axis of said main bore, said seating bore having a polish section at the outer end thereof and a latch shoulder adjacent the inner end of said polish section, and a gas flow opening communicating said seating bore with said main bore at a location inwardly of said polish section. A tubular member having an orienting sleeve therein is welded to said seating section in alignment with said main bore, and a swage nipple is welded to the opposite end of said main body. All of said welds are transverse to provide a high strength and compact mandrel assembly.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Mark S Crawford