Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter designed to be positioned below the conventional blowout preventer stack, and which will be activated during near balanced drilling operations to seal the annulus between the drill pipe and the casing. Returned drilling fluid and produced fluids are diverted up the annulus between the casing and intermediate casing and through a well head located below an all-inclusive BOP stack. The Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter employs hydraulic rams to compress a flexible seal around the drill pipe. Some embodiments have an elliptical internal cavity which ensures that the elliptical seal elements cannot rotate. Other embodiments use ridges and grooves on the seal elements and housing to prevent rotation of the seal elements. Doors are provided on each side of the Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter to permit changing of the seal elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter designed to be positioned below the conventional blowout preventer stack, and which will be activated during near balanced drilling operations to seal the annulus between the drill pipe and the casing. Returned drilling fluid and produced fluids are diverted up the annulus between the casing and intermediate casing and through a well head located below an all-inclusive BOP stack. The Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter employs hydraulic rams to compress a flexible seal around the drill pipe. Some embodiments have an elliptical internal cavity which ensures that the elliptical seal elements cannot rotate. Other embodiments use ridges and grooves on the seal elements and housing to prevent rotation of the seal elements. Doors are provided on each side of the Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter to permit changing of the seal elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of well control system for drilling an oil or gas well safely and efficiently by providing a mechanical actuator capable of transmitting a rotational force downhole, and converting the rotational force to an axial force for the purpose of operating downhole equipment, including subsurface safety valves, compressible bladder valves, and sliding sleeve valves. Because the actuator is mechanical and not hydraulic as in conventional equipment, the force applied is independent of the depth at which it is applied, overcoming a major deficiency seen in comparable hydraulic systems.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an Annular Pressure Control Diverter designed to be positioned below the conventional blowout preventer stack, and which will be activated during near balanced drilling operations to seal the annulus between the drill pipe and the production casing. Returned drilling fluid and produced fluids are diverted up the annulus between the production casing and intermediate casing and through a well head located below an all-inclusive BOP stack. The Annular Pressure Control Diverter does not rotate, and some embodiments have an elliptical internal cavity which ensures that the elliptical seals cannot rotate. Doors are provided on each side of the Annular Pressure Control Diverter to permit changing of the seal elements. Door locking mechanisms are provided for operator safety.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a method for minimizing formation damage while drilling an oil or gas well. An Annular Pressure Control Diverter is designed to be positioned below the conventional blowout preventer stack, and is activated during near balanced drilling operations to seal the annulus between the drill pipe and the production casing. Returned drilling fluid and produced fluids are diverted up the annulus between the production casing and intermediate casing and through a well head located below an all-inclusive BOP stack. The seal elements within the Annular Pressure Control Diverter do not rotate. Doors are provided on each side of the Annular Pressure Control Diverter to permit changing of the seal elements. The Annular Pressure Control Diverter also is used to ensure the capture of methane while drilling in a hydrocarbon bearing reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a method for minimizing formation damage while drilling an oil or gas well. An Annular Pressure Control Diverter is designed to be positioned below the conventional blowout preventer stack, and is activated during near balanced drilling operations to seal the annulus between the drill pipe and the production casing. Returned drilling fluid and produced fluids are diverted up the annulus between the production casing and intermediate casing and through a well head located below an all-inclusive BOP stack. The seal elements within the Annular Pressure Control Diverter do not rotate. Doors are provided on each side of the Annular Pressure Control Diverter to permit changing of the seal elements. The Annular Pressure Control Diverter also is used to ensure the capture of methane while drilling in a hydrocarbon bearing reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter designed to be positioned below the conventional blowout preventer stack, and which will be activated during near balanced drilling operations to seal the annulus between the drill pipe and the casing. Returned drilling fluid and produced fluids are diverted up the annulus between the casing and intermediate casing and through a well head located below an all-inclusive BOP stack. The Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter is a ram operated device, wherein hydraulic rams compress a flexible seal around the drill pipe. Some embodiments have an elliptical internal cavity which ensures that the elliptical seals cannot rotate. Doors are provided on each side of the Annular Pressure Control Ram Diverter to permit changing of the seal elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods and systems for drilling an oil or gas well safely and efficiently using underbalanced or near-balanced drilling techniques, wherein the primary means of pressure control is a Annular Pressure Control Diverter positioned below the BOP stack, with a return flow pattern where no drilling fluid returns up the (traditional) annulus between the drill pipe and the production casing and instead drilling fluid returns up the annulus between the production casing and intermediate casing. Drilling fluid returns flow through a wellhead, instead of a flow spool conventionally located below an upper RCD, and hence to the drilling choke. This drilling approach eliminates the need for hydraulic fracturing and preserves the natural fracture system of the producing formation while providing additional safety measures. It also prevents the accidental or deliberate discharge or flaring of methane during drilling and production.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an Annular Pressure Control Diverter designed to be positioned below the conventional blowout preventer stack, and which will be activated during near balanced drilling operations to seal the annulus between the drill pipe and the production casing. Returned drilling fluid and produced fluids are diverted up the annulus between the production casing and intermediate casing and through a well head located below an all-inclusive BOP stack. The Annular Pressure Control Diverter does not rotate, and some embodiments have an elliptical internal cavity which ensures that the elliptical seals cannot rotate. Doors are provided on each side of the Annular Pressure Control Diverter to permit changing of the seal elements. Door locking mechanisms are provided for operator safety.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods and systems for drilling a wellbore into an oil or gas production zone to prevent formation damage in the reservoir using underbalanced or near-balanced drilling techniques, wherein a jet pump drilling assembly is used to create a vacuum around the drill bit. The design of this jet pump drilling assembly prevents the flow of all drilling/power fluid from entering a drill bit Only fluids from the reservoir are allowed to enter the drill bit. The assembly includes a barrier to ensure that no drilling/power fluid discharged from the jet pump located above the drill bit can flow back around to the jet pump jet pump suction ports located in the drill bit thus preventing any drilling/power fluid from ever contacting the drill bit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods and systems for drilling a wellbore into an oil or gas production zone to prevent formation damage in the reservoir using underbalanced or near-balanced drilling techniques, wherein a jet pump drilling assembly is used to create a vacuum around the drill bit. The design of this jet pump drilling assembly prevents the flow of all drilling/power fluid from entering a drill bit Only fluids from the reservoir are allowed to enter the drill bit. The assembly includes a barrier to ensure that no drilling/power fluid discharged from the jet pump located above the drill bit can flow back around to the jet pump jet pump suction ports located in the drill bit thus preventing any drilling/power fluid from ever contacting the drill bit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods and systems for drilling an oil or gas well safely and efficiently using underbalanced or near-balanced drilling techniques, wherein the primary means of pressure control is a Annular Pressure Control Diverter positioned below the BOP stack, with a return flow pattern where no drilling fluid returns up the (traditional) annulus between the drill pipe and the production casing and instead drilling fluid returns up the annulus between the production casing and intermediate casing. Drilling fluid returns flow through a wellhead, instead of a flow spool conventionally located below an upper RCD, and hence to the drilling choke. This drilling approach eliminates the need for hydraulic fracturing and preserves the natural fracture system of the producing formation while providing additional safety measures. It also prevents the accidental or deliberate discharge or flaring of methane during drilling and production.

Abstract: An improved rigid face seal that minimizes pressure fluctuations in the lubricant in the vicinity of the seal assembly. The assembly has a first ring with a radial seal face that opposes and engages an opposed radial seal face of a second rigid ring. A first resilient energizer ring is compressed between opposed, generally conical surfaces, one on the first rigid seal ring and the other in a shaft seal groove. The mid-section of the first energizer ring is positioned relative to the journal bearing surface such that its inner periphery is inside the journal bearing surface and thereby defines an essentially constant, lubricant-filled volume between the seal assembly and the shaft seal groove--even as the cutter and seal assembly move relative to the shaft during drilling. A second energizer ring is provided to maintain sealing engagement between the radial seal faces of the first rigid ring and the second rigid ring.

Abstract: A method is shown for manufacturing a diamond filled compact of the type used as a cutting insert which is received in a cutting insert pocket in a drill bit. A hard metal jacket is provided having an open end and an open interior. The open interior is substantially filled with diamond. The diamond filled jacket is subjected to a temperature and a pressure sufficient to sinter the diamond and integrally form a diamond core within the hard metal jacket. The outer dimensions of the hard metal jacket are then reduced to a size selected to conform to a cutting insert pocket provided on the face of a drill bit.

Abstract: In an improved single piece earth boring bit of the type having a body including a solid bit face on one end and a shank on the opposite end for connection in a drill string, an improved cutting structure having diamond filled compacts used as a wear resistant inserts. The improved compacts have hard metal jackets and integrally formed diamond cores. The improved compacts are advantageously used as wear resistant inserts in the gage and heel rows of the bit.

Abstract: An earth boring bit having a body, pressure compensating lubricating system and cantilevered bearing shaft with an annular seal surface and a radial seal surface. A cutter is rotatably secured to the bearing shaft, with an annular seal recess having radial and cylindrical seal surfaces to oppose the seal surfaces on the body and bearing shaft to define a seal gland. A resilient and annular packing ring is compressed between the cylindrical seal surfaces, but has a length less than the minimum length of the gland. A shroud extends inwardly near the outer backface a selected distance behind the packing ring to bias it inwardly. The shroud extends inwardly toward the bearing not more than about 30% of the cross-sectional thickness of the O-ring in the relaxed condition. The O-ring is compressed in a range of about 10 to 15 percent.

Abstract: A method is shown for forming a diamond impregnated carbide containing dispersed diamond crystals, the crystals being formed via in-situ conversion of graphite to diamond. Graphite particles are blended with tungsten carbide power and a binder containing elemental powders known to be diamond catalyst. After blending, the powder is pressed into a green body of a desired shaped and sintered. After sintering, the body is loaded into a high temperature and pressure apparatus and exposed to conditions sufficient to convert the graphite to diamond.

Abstract: In an improved earth boring bit of the type having one or more rotable cones secured to bearing shafts, an improved cutting structure having diamond filled compacts used as a wear resistant inserts. The improved compacts have hard metal jackets and integrally formed diamond cores. The improved compacts are advantageously used as gage and heel row compacts when inserted in mating recesses provided on the exteriors of the rotatable cones.

Abstract: An improved hardfacing composition and method are shown for use in manufacturing an earth boring bit. The hardfacing composition is formed by combining titanium carbide with a hard-metal alloy of the iron or cobalt family. The hardfacing composition is then applied to the friction bearing surface of the rock bit.

Abstract: A heavy duty lubricating grease as shown which includes a multi-purpose heavy duty hydrocarbonaceous lubricant thickened by an alkaline soap to form a lubricating grease, molybdenum disulfide and powdered calcium fluoride. The heavy duty grease can be used in a journal bearing of a drill bit in heavy duty, high temperature applications, such as journal bearings on its used to drill hot subterranean formations.