Abstract: A method and assembly for treating a portion (e.g. horizontal) of a wellbore for removing solids and for producing fluids therefrom. The assembly is comprised of dual flowpaths (e.g. tubing strings) extend from the surface into the portion of the wellbore to be treated and produced. A liner is connected on the lower end of the first flowpath while the second flowpath terminates within the upper end of the wellbore portion. A treating fluid is flowed down the first flowpath and through the liner into the wellbore to wash and entrain solids therein. The treating fluid and solids are then circulated back to the surface through the second flowpath. After treatment, the second flowpath is closed and fluids are produced through the liner and to the surface through the first flowpath.

Abstract: A wellbore motion control apparatus for controlling the motion of a tubular wellbore string (in one aspect with an additional item and/or apparatus connected thereto) in a wellbore extending from a surface down into the earth has been invented which has, in one aspect, a central mandrel connected to the tubular wellbore string, a housing with a hollow interior and fluid therein, at least one fluid passage apparatus disposable in the hollow interior and having a fluid flow channel extending therethrough, and the at least one fluid passage apparatus secured to the central mandrel, the housing surrounding the central mandrel, the at least one fluid passage apparatus disposed for movement in a chamber defined by an inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the central mandrel, the at least one fluid passage apparatus positioned within the chamber so that fluid therein is flowable therethrough permitting movement of the fluid passage apparatus within the chamber and thereby controlling movement of the m

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of producing a stream of hydrocarbons and water from a wellbore and separating the stream into a hydrocarbon-rich stream and a water-rich stream that can be reinjected into the wellbore from which it was produced. The method involves producing a production stream from production tubing in the wellbore to a separator located at least partially above the wellbore, separating the production stream into a water-rich stream and an oil-rich stream, reinjecting the water-rich stream into the wellbore from which it was produced; and maintaining separation of the water-rich stream from the production stream.

Abstract: A system for setting a liner in a well casing which has a liner, a liner hanger, a polished bore receptacle, a packer which can be actuated by applying downward pressure to the polished bore receptacle, a running tool, and a junk bonnet which extends between the polished bore receptacle and the running tool and inhibits the ingress of debris into the polished bore receptacle, the junk bonnet and the running tool provided with apparatus which, when the running tool is raised without removing the junket bonnet from the polished bore receptacle, the apparatus cooperate so that when the running tool is subsequently lowered downward force applied to the running tool will be applied to the polished bore receptacle to set the packer, wherein the apparatus comprises a lip which extends radially outwardly from the running tool, and a hook which is biased radially inwardly from the junk bonnet and including a ring which is disposed to restrict radial inward movement of the hook but which can be displaced by the lip to

Abstract: A header capable of fluidly connecting a plurality of spaced terminals (e.g. wellheads} to a centralized location in a frigid environment while eliminating or substantially alleviating freezing within the header. The flowpath through the header is such that it forces a relatively warm fluid (e.g. production or injection fluid) to flow through the entire length of the header before the fluid is produced or injected from the header. This allows the relatively warm fluid to continuously transfer heat to the header as it flows therethrough to provide the heat necessary to prevent freezing within the header.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a long interval within a wellbore wherein a treatment fluid is delivered to selected levels within the interval by blocking flow to certain zones while allowing flow to others. A treatment tube extends substantially through the interval and is comprised of a perforated conduit which is open at its upper end and which has a plurality of openings spaced along its length. Each of the openings have a valve seat within the conduit at its entrance which is adapted to receive a valve to seal and block flow through that opening. In operation, a treatment fluid is flowed through the treatment tube and out the openings into different levels within wellbore. At desired intervals, the valve are introduced into the treatment fluid and are carried into the treatment tube to seat at a respective opening to thereby block flow through that opening while allowing continued flow through others.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling rotation of an outer sleeve member relative to an inner cylindrical duct member is used in a drilling system for controlling steering of a downhole drilling tool. The apparatus includes an annular swash plate pump and a stack of annular brake disks in the space between the members. The pump is driven by the rotation to pump fluid into a supply cylinder driving the brake. An orifice controls escape of the fluid from the chamber at a controlled rate. The rate is controlled to maintain a balance between the pumping rate and the brake pressure to keep the rotation at a required rate. The apparatus is used in the drilling system which includes a shallow bend in the drilling tool and a system for rotating the bent drilling tool slowly about a longitudinal axis of the drilling tool while the drill bit rotates more rapidly. The controlled orifice further allows the slow rotation to be halted at a predetermined orientation of the bend axis so as to effect a change in drilling direction.

Abstract: This device is a pipe wiping apparatus. The pipe wiping structure incorporates a housing and the housing is provided with a central opening to enable the housing to be positioned along the pathway of a pipe string. The pipe string is extended upwardly and passes through the housing. The pipe string is made of a number of drill pipes which are serially connected to extend through the housing so that the external surface can be wiped. As the pipe string passes through the housing, it is exposed to the action of similar wipers which are mounted on multiple actuators where each actuator incorporates a low pressure pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder operates a piston which moves a piston rod which operates a belt crank. This belt crank mechanism rotates an arm to thereby rotate a curving conformed resilient wiper element of sheet material. It is supported on the arm extending radially inwardly toward the pipe. Retraction is permitted to pull the wiper away from the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for severing a tubular, such as a drill string, which is stuck within a subterranean well bore. A volume of liquid explosive is positioned within a housing and initially restrained against movement therein. The housing is lowered within the tubular and positioned at a location where the tubular is to be severed. The volume of liquid explosive is then moved into closer proximity to the tubular and detonated thereby severing the tubular. A portion of the tubular is then removed from the well bore.

Abstract: A waste processing system transports waste by rail to a processing location near a landfill site where it is pulverized and mixed to form a slurry. This slurry is delivered to the landfill with an auger device. The landfill is first prepared by placing a layer of compacted coal at the bottom of a clay lined pit, covering that layer with a layer of granular coal, and then providing a layer of lye over the coal. The waste slurry is then distributed over these processing layers. A conduit is used to return leachate from the area between the coal layers to the mixing stage; and gas emanating from the process is recovered.

Abstract: A mechanical swivel apparatus which has a first upper body portion threadably attached to the lower end of a side entry sub apparatus, and a second lower portion which is threadably attached to a section of drill pipe, the apparatus positionable above the rotary table on the rig floor, and having a continuous bore therethrough for running wireline or the like. The upper body portion includes a counterbore for receiving the upper end of a mandrel, so that the mandrel is able to move within the counterbore of the upper body portion. The lower portion comprises an open-ended cap member which threadable engages the upper body portion, and has a shoulder portion which engages a flange around the body of the mandrel so that the mandrel is allowed to move within the upper body portion but cannot be slidably removed therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the level efficiently, and rate of removal of water from an oil or gas well using a progressive cavity pump operated by a rotating drive shaft extending downwardly from ground level to the pump comprises a sensor that detects the downward force on the shaft produced by the dynamic operation of the pump; and a control mechanism responsive to the output from the sensor that correlates the downward force on the pump with liquid depth in the casing and controls pump speed in order to achieve a desired rate of liquid removal from the casing and a desired ultimate depth level of liquid in the casing above the pump. A novel fluid pressure sensing mechanism mounted on the shaft at ground level permits the shaft to rotate while providing an accurate reading of the downward force on the shaft.