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.

An outer diameter of a mandrel with a recess to accommodate lower slips with a larger thickness, a sealing element with a concave outer diameter to control a pressure differential caused by a Bernoulli Effect across the sealing element, and a disc that is selectively secured to a housing via a removable shear pin, wherein shear pins with different pressure ratings may be inserted into the housing.

Swellable metal assemblies that have a reactive metal and a polymer, and are located around or inside an oilfield tubular. The oilfield tubular and the swellable metal assembly can be provided in a wellbore to form a seal therein.

Swellable metal assemblies that have a reactive metal and a polymer, and are located around or inside an oilfield tubular. The oilfield tubular and the swellable metal assembly can be provided in a wellbore to form a seal therein.

A downhole tool for conveyance within a tubular secured in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a sealing material and a laser apparatus operable to cut a slot in the tubular. The downhole tool is operable to provide melted sealing material within the slot.

A downhole tool for conveyance within a tubular secured in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a sealing material and a laser apparatus operable to cut a slot in the tubular. The downhole tool is operable to provide melted sealing material within the slot.

A method of using a downhole tool that includes the step of operating a workstring to run the downhole tool into a wellbore to a desired position. The downhole tool includes a mandrel having a proximate end with a first outer diameter; a distal end with a second outer diameter; a flowbore; and an inner set of shear threads disposed in the flowbore at the proximate end.

A method of using a downhole tool that includes the step of operating a workstring to run the downhole tool into a wellbore to a desired position. The downhole tool includes a mandrel having a proximate end with a first outer diameter; a distal end with a second outer diameter; a flowbore; and an inner set of shear threads disposed in the flowbore at the proximate end.

A settable down hole tool is of increased drillability and/or of increased expansibility. The improvement in drillability can be caused by fracturing cast iron slips into a large number of small pieces that can be circulated out of a well without further reduction in size. The improvement in expansibility can be partially caused by providing an expander cone of increased hardness thereby allowing an increased angle on the expander cone and slips. The improvement in expansibility can be partially caused by increasing the thickness of the slips.