Abstract: A coring bit for use on a coring tool for extracting a sample of subterranean formation from a wellbore includes a bit body having a cavity, wherein a throat portion of the cavity extends into the bit body from a face of the bit body. The coring bit includes a sleeve disposed within the cavity of the bit body, the sleeve configured to separate a face discharge channel and a throat discharge channel. The face discharge channel is located radially outward of the sleeve and the throat discharge channel is located radially inward of the sleeve. A method of repairing a such a coring bit includes removing the sleeve from the cavity of a bit body.

Abstract: Core jam indicators for use with coring tools include a plug coupled with an inner barrel and configured to selectively close the entrance of the inner barrel. The plug has at least one fluid port extending through a wall of the plug between an interior and an exterior of the plug. The mandrel at least partially covers the at least one fluid port of the plug in an activated position and the at least one fluid port is at least partially uncovered by the mandrel in a deactivated position. The mandrel is coupled to the inner barrel. A piston force acting on the mandrel resulting from a pressure difference above and below the mandrel acts over an area smaller than a maximum transverse cross-sectional area of the inner barrel. Coring tools include such core jam indicators. Components are provided and assembled to form such core jam indicators.

Abstract: Heavy oils are recovered from subterranean formations by introducing a suspension of nonpolar nanoparticles in a non-aqueous fluid into the subterranean formation containing the heavy oil, contacting the heavy oil with the suspension, and simultaneously removing at least a portion of the heavy oil with the suspension from the subterranean formation. Suitable nanoparticles include those of a size between about 2 to about 10,000 nm, and which include, but are not necessarily limited to, crosslinked polymers, diamond, graphite, graphene, carbon nanotubes, coal, carbon black, activated carbon, asphaltene, petrocoke, resins, functionalized fly ash, nanoparticles functionalized with polymers to be nonpolar, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A splice connects a lower coiled tubing segment containing a lower power cable segment to an upper coiled tubing segment containing an upper power cable segment. The splice has a lower terminal electrically connecting together upper ends of lower power conductors. An upper terminal electrically connects together lower ends of upper power conductors. An electrical intermediate connector has an upper end that stabs into engagement with the upper electrical terminal and a lower end that stabs into engagement with the lower electrical terminal. A load supporting member surrounds the intermediate connector and joins to upper and lower ends, respectively, of the lower coiled tubing segment and the upper coiled tubing segment.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating bodies of earth-boring tools include mechanically injecting a powder mixture into a mold cavity, pressurizing the powder mixture within the mold cavity to form a green body, and sintering the green body to a desired final density to form at least a portion of a body of an earth-boring tool. For example, a green bit body may be injection molded, and the green bit body may be sintered to form at least a portion of a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit. Intermediate structures formed during fabrication of an earth-boring tool include green bodies having a plurality of hard particles, a plurality of matrix particles comprising a metal matrix material, and an organic material that includes a long chain fatty acid derivative. Structures formed using the methods of fabrication are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of determining a concentration of hydrogen sulfide in a fluid comprises exposing a sensor to the fluid, the sensor comprising a pair of electrodes defining a gap therebetween and a sensing material bridging the gap between the electrodes, measuring a value of an electrical parameter of the sensor at an applied frequency of greater than about 10 kHz and a voltage of less than about 1.0 volt when the sensor is exposed to the fluid, and determining the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the fluid based at least in part on the measured value of the electrical parameter. Related apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inner barrel assembly for use with a coring tool may include a sleeve located coaxially within an inner barrel in a telescoping manner. The core barrel assembly may also include a cap located above a top end of the sleeve when the inner barrel assembly is in an initial coring position. The cap may include a skirt having a portion extending downwardly from the cap. A coring tool including an inner barrel assembly and methods of forming an inner barrel assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bearing system configured for use on a downhole tool including a rolling cutter member having a plurality of cutting structures thereon comprises a first plurality of bearings disposed between a head washer and an at least substantially planar shaft washer, and a second plurality of bearings disposed between the at least substantially planar shaft washer and a rolling cutter washer. A downhole tool, such as an earth-boring rotary rolling cutter drill bit includes such a bearing system between a rolling cutter and a head of a bit body. Methods of forming such a downhole tool include the assembly of such a bearing system between a rolling cutter and a head of a bit body.

Abstract: A lock ring fits into a housing recess defined by a sliding member such as a sleeve. The lock ring is loosely fitted in the recess when the sleeve is in an initial position. The lock ring is preferably smooth on an outer dimension and has a beveled end. The beveled end engages an internal taper in the housing if a force is placed on the sliding sleeve to return it toward the original position. Preferably the shifting of the sleeve to a ports open position places the ratchet on the sleeve in alignment with the lock ring to hold the sliding sleeve locked in the open position.

Abstract: Examples of techniques for three-dimensional (3D) surface representation are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a triangle mesh surface representation of a surface of an earth formation. The method further includes defining a 3D grid over the triangle mesh surface representation. The 3D grid includes cells defined by edges. The method further includes identifying points of intersection as nodes that are situated on the edges. The method further includes connecting the nodes. The method further includes generating a fully connected surface representation of the surface of the earth formation based at least in part on the nodes and connections between the nodes. The method further includes controlling equipment based at least in part on the fully connected surface representation of the surface of the earth formation.

Abstract: Cutting elements include a substrate, a thermally stable polycrystalline table comprising a superhard material secured to the substrate, and a layer of metal interposed between, and attaching the substrate and the thermally stable polycrystalline table. Methods of forming a cutting element include providing a thermally stable polycrystalline table in a mold, providing a layer of metal on the thermally stable polycrystalline table, distributing a mixture of particles comprising a plurality of hard particles and a plurality of particles comprising a matrix material on the layer of metal, and heating the mold while applying pressure to the mixture of particles to cause the mixture of particles to coalesce and form a substrate and at least partially melt the layer of metal to flow and wet the thermally stable polycrystalline table and the substrate to form an attachment therebetween.

Abstract: A sealing system for a flow channel comprises a mandrel; a swellable element disposed about the mandrel; and a degradable polymeric element disposed on a surface of the swellable element and configured to delay swelling of the swellable element; wherein the degradable polymeric element comprises one or more of the following: polyurethane; cured cyanate ester; an epoxy; polyimide; unsaturated polyester; or nylon.

Abstract: A modular hybrid drill bit is disclosed comprising a plurality of fixed blades and at least one rolling cutter assembly that is mechanically fastened to a bit body by a plurality of mechanical fasteners. The at least one rolling cutter assembly can be adjusted to change the axial and radial exposure of the rolling cutter elements.

Abstract: Methods of forming an earth-boring tool may involve attaching one or more cutting elements to a replaceable cutting structure and positioning the replaceable cutting structure proximate a region of a body of an earth-boring tool that is susceptible to at least one of localized wear and localized impact damage. The replaceable cutting structure may be to the body. Methods of repairing an earth-boring tool may involve bringing a replaceable cutting structure proximate at least one portion of a body of an earth-boring tool exhibiting at least one of localized wear and localized impact damage. The replaceable cutting structure may be attached to the earth-boring tool at the at least one portion.

Abstract: An extrusion ring has a base from which multiple segmented rows of rings integrally extend. Gaps in one row are offset from the adjacent row to cover any gaps. The rows gain strength from a common base that also presents relative rotation among the rows.

Abstract: Alternating l-shaped side slots are cut into opposed sides of a backup ring and are circumferentially offset and alternately extend from the inside and outside dimension. An oval shaped opening connects adjacent circumferentially offset slots so that on ring expansion the inside and outside diameters increase as the openings are sheared at one end to place a barrier in opened side slot to prevent extrusion of the adjacent sealing element.

Abstract: A valve for a plug passage features opposed perforated magnetic discs that repel each other to stay apart allowing flow through the openings of the spaced discs. When a predetermined flow rate is exceeded, the magnetic repelling force is overcome and one disc moves toward the other to shut off flow as contact between the discs closed the openings between them. One way is to offset the openings and guide the moving disc axially while rotationally locking the moving disc. Another way is to spirally guide the moving disc so that openings initially aligned rotate out of alignment. One or more edge slots can be provided in each disc to sweep out debris that can settle between the discs that would otherwise impede the moving disc from contacting the stationary disc for passage closure.

Abstract: Polycrystalline elements include a substrate and a polycrystalline table attached to an end of the substrate. The polycrystalline table includes a first region of superabrasive material having a first permeability and at least a second region of superabrasive material having a second, lesser permeability, the at least a second region being interposed between the substrate and the first region. Methods of forming a polycrystalline element involve attaching a polycrystalline table including a first region of superabrasive material having a first permeability and at least a second region of superabrasive material having a second, lesser permeability to an end of a substrate, the at least a second region being interposed between the first region and the substrate. Catalyst material is removed from at least the first region of the polycrystalline table.

Abstract: A movable sleeve is actuated to cover eductor outlet ports in the event of loss of through flow. The eductor reduces pressure in the tool on one side of the sleeve as compared to hydrostatic on another side of the sleeve so that the sleeve is urged to move in an uphole or downhole direction to cover the eductor outlet ports. This movement reverses circulation direction through the housings in an effort to push debris off a clogged screen with reverse flow. To return the sleeve to its initial position the inlet to the device is inserted into debris and the surface pumps are started to create an unbalanced force on the sleeve to move it back to the original position free of the eductor outlet ports. The sleeve configuration can be reversed so that low pressure from a flow blockage urges the sleeve down to close the eductor ports.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a housing, a first portion of a trigger mechanism disposed in the housing, a degradable-on-command component movably disposed within the housing, a second portion of the trigger mechanism disposed in the component, the component being configured to positionally respond to an external input to dispose the first portion and second portion in operational contact with one another resulting in an initiation of degradation of the degradable-on-command component.