A friction reduction apparatus (FRA) positioned onto a pipe string comprises a tubular housing, upper and lower mandrels having variously configured fluid flow passages and ports, a valve and a shifter. Fluid travelling through the apparatus causes the valve and shifter to reciprocate, repeatedly opening and closing flow passages. Each of these cycles creates a pulse in the fluid column creating vibrations that reduce friction in the pipe string. The FRA can be used in conjunction with a ball or dart activated tool positioned downhole from the FRA.

A packer for use in a wellbore includes a packer mandrel. First and second pistons are slidably disposed about the packer mandrel defining first and second chambers therewith. An activation assembly initially prevents movement of the first piston. A release assembly initially prevents movement of the second piston. First and second seal assemblies are disposed about the packer mandrel such that actuation of the activation assembly allows a force generated by a pressure difference between the wellbore and the first chamber to shift the first piston in a first direction toward the first seal assembly to radially expand the first seal assembly and to actuate the release assembly and, actuation of the release assembly allows a force generated by a pressure difference between the wellbore and the second chamber to shift the second piston in the first direction toward the second seal assembly to radially expand the second seal assembly.

An actuator including an impulse generation arrangement including an atmospheric pressure chamber, and a valve connected fluidly to the chamber, a prime mover arrangement including a device piston, and a hydrostatic pressure source, and a hydraulic chamber disposed between and fluidically connecting the impulse generation arrangement and the prime mover arrangement. A method for actuating a downhole tool including signaling the trigger in an actuator, opening the atmospheric chamber of the actuator, causing a low pressure pulse in the actuator, and moving the device piston with the pulse. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and the actuator disposed within or as a part of the string.

A system including a hydraulic tool configured to energize a lock ring system and a seal assembly with a hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic tool including a hydraulic body configured to couple to a hydraulic fluid source, a first piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the seal assembly, and a second piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the lock ring system, wherein the first and second pistons are simultaneously exposed to the hydraulic fluid in an opening in the hydraulic body.

An activation control module utilizes gravity and/or centrifugal acceleration to move a mechanical element that controls, activates or deactivates a mechanical or hydraulic mechanism, for use with a downhole tool such as a drilling tool or reamer in a wellbore. In embodiments, the activation control module described herein may utilize a combination of centrifugal acceleration and/or gravity due to an inclination of the downhole tool to move a valve, which turns off pressure to a hydro-mechanical system. The activation control modules may be utilized in applications where very little space is available for larger mechanisms. Further, the activation control modules do not require expensive and complex electro-mechanical systems, reducing or eliminating the need for batteries, wiring, electronics, motors, pumps and the like. Moreover, the activation control modules described herein do not require the use of a turbine, a centrifugal clutch or a linear actuator.

A system including a hydraulic tool configured to energize a lock ring system and a seal assembly with a hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic tool including a hydraulic body configured to couple to a hydraulic fluid source, a first piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the seal assembly, and a second piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the lock ring system, wherein the first and second pistons are simultaneously exposed to the hydraulic fluid in an opening in the hydraulic body.

An apparatus for controlling a downhole device in an oil, gas or water well includes an outer body, defining a central cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the outer body; a first piston assembly arranged within the central cavity, the first piston assembly moveable along the longitudinal axis to switch the downhole device between different modes, a first seal arranged to seal between the first piston assembly and an inner wall of the central cavity; a first biasing member arranged to bias the first piston assembly in a first direction along the longitudinal axis; a second piston assembly arranged within the central cavity, spaced from the first piston assembly in a second direction along the longitudinal axis, the second direction opposite the first direction, a second seal arranged to seal between the second piston assembly and the inner wall of the central cavity; and a second biasing member arranged to bias the second piston assembly in the first direction. The first seal and the second seal define a sealed hydraulic reservoir therebetween for filling with a hydraulic fluid such that movement of the first piston assembly in the second direction drives movement of the second piston assembly in the second direction.

A setting tool for an expandable liner hanger. A method includes the steps of: releasably securing the setting tool to the hanger, the setting tool including an expansion cone for displacing through the hanger; and conveying the setting tool and hanger into the well on a generally tubular work string while no portion of the hanger extends longitudinally between the expansion cone and the work string. A setting tool includes an expansion cone, which is displaceable through the liner hanger to expand the hanger; at least one piston positioned on one side of the expansion cone; and an anchoring device for releasably securing the setting tool to the liner hanger, the anchoring device being positioned on an opposite side of the expansion cone. The expansion cone is pressure balanced between its two sides when the expansion cone is displaced through the liner hanger.

A setting tool disposed on tubing runs a packer into casing. During a setting process, a plug is engaged on a seat of an intensifying piston disposed in the tool. Tubing pressure applied against the seated plug moves the intensifying piston, which produces intensified pressure on fluid in a first volume of the intensifying piston communicated to a second volume of a setting piston. In response, the setting piston moves on the tool toward the packer's packing assembly. At some point in the process, the seated plug can be released from the seat. Additionally in the process, the second volume can fill with actuation fluid drawn through a fill valve from an annular space between the setting tool and the casing. The intensifying piston can then be reset as the actuation fluid is communicated from the second volume to the first volume.

Provided is a downhole tool, a well system, and a method. The downhole tool, in one aspect, includes a mandrel, a sliding element positioned radially about the mandrel, and a pressure intensifier positioned radially about the mandrel and coupled to the sliding element. In one aspect, the pressure intensifier includes a first piston having a first pressure receiving end with a larger piston surface area (A.sub.L1) and a first pressure output end with a smaller piston surface area (A.sub.S). In one aspect, the pressure intensifier includes a second piston coupled to the first piston, the second piston having a second pressure receiving end with a larger piston surface area (A.sub.L2). In one aspect, a fluid chamber is defined between the first pressure output end and the second pressure receiving end. In one aspect, the pressure intensifier is configured to move the sliding element with an applied force.