An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.

An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members.

A system for offline suspension of a tubular including a first well having a first wellbore and a cellar formed at the surface of the first well with a rig movable from the first well to a second well. Additionally, a tubular string extending into the first well and a tubular support structure above the cellar of the first well, wherein the tubular support structure supports a weight of the tubular string such that the tubular is suspended from the tubular support structure independent from the rig and through a securing equipment configured to secure the first well.

A method can include deploying a diverter plug into a well, the diverter plug comprising a group of particles that are prevented from dispersing, flowing fluid, thereby conveying the diverter plug into engagement with a fluid passageway, the particles conforming to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway, and the particles being prevented from dispersing while the diverter plug blocks the fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The diverter plug can include a group of particles disposed within an outer enclosure. The particles in the enclosure can conform to a shape of the fluid passageway as the diverter plug blocks fluid flow through the fluid passageway. In another method, the enclosure can sealingly engage the fluid passageway while the particles remain disposed within the enclosure.

A wellbore sealing system includes a dart retained in a top plug and deployable through a bore defined in the top plug and through a bore defined in the bottom plug to sealingly engage float equipment abutting the bottom plug. The dart and float equipment bear wellbore pressure directly. The dart latches with the float equipment and sealing features provide bi-directional sealing.

An example wellbore cementing system includes a casing to line at least part of a wellbore, and a pipe to introduce cement slurry containing capsules into the wellbore. The capsules include an accelerator. The accelerator reacts with the cement slurry to affect a thickening time of the cement slurry. The example system also includes a substructure having shearing pins. The substructure is arranged to receive the cement slurry from the pipe. The substructure is configured rotate to break at least some of the capsules in the cement slurry.

An example wellbore cementing system includes a casing to line at least part of a wellbore, and a pipe to introduce cement slurry containing capsules into the wellbore. The capsules include an accelerator. The accelerator reacts with the cement slurry to affect a thickening time of the cement slurry. The example system also includes a substructure having shearing pins. The substructure is arranged to receive the cement slurry from the pipe. The substructure is configured rotate to break at least some of the capsules in the cement slurry.

An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured tool body assembly having valving members (e.g., safety or kelly values) and valving members holding plugs, balls, or darts to be dropped. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members. A transmitter (or transceiver) provides an ability to generate a wireless signal that is received by receivers (or transceivers) on the tool body assembly. Each receiver (or transceiver) controls an electrical actuator that engages a valving member or the indicator. Wireless signals can be used to open or close a valve or to reset a tripped indicator.

An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured tool body assembly having valving members (e.g., safety or kelly values) and valving members holding plugs, balls, or darts to be dropped. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation. An optional indicator indicates to a user or operator that a ball or plug has passed a selected one of the valving members. A transmitter (or transceiver) provides an ability to generate a wireless signal that is received by receivers (or transceivers) on the tool body assembly. Each receiver (or transceiver) controls an electrical actuator that engages a valving member or the indicator. Wireless signals can be used to open or close a valve or to reset a tripped indicator.

For use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through a sleeve which is sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeve and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeve have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit. The unit can include a packing injection system and novel seal configuration.