Abstract: An activation apparatus (10) for activating a downhole tool comprising a top sub (12), a bottom sub (14), an outer sleeve (16) having a port (18) and an inner sleeve (20) having a port (22). The apparatus (10) is configurable between a run-in configuration in which the ports (18, 22) are not aligned and an activated configuration in which the ports (18, 22) are aligned and permit lateral passage of fluid through the apparatus (10), the activation apparatus (10) being configured such that application of at least two forces to the activation apparatus (10) transitions the activation apparatus (10) from the run-in configuration to the activated configuration.

Abstract: A ball valve apparatus includes a housing defining a housing inlet and a housing outlet and a valve cartridge mounted within the housing and defining a cartridge flow path extending between a cartridge inlet and a cartridge outlet, wherein the cartridge inlet is arranged in fluid communication with the housing inlet and the cartridge outlet is arranged in fluid communication with the housing outlet. A ball valve member is mounted within the valve cartridge and is rotatable to selectively open and close the cartridge flow path. A leak chamber is defined between the housing and the cartridge for containing fluid leakage from the valve cartridge.

Abstract: A method of hanging a cable within a coiled tubing string includes the steps of determining a length of coiled tubing required within a well having a wellhead; determining a length of a cable required within the coiled tubing, the cable having a structural component along the length of the cable sufficient to support the weight of the cable; cutting the tubing string and installing a hanger sub in the coiled tubing string toward, the wellhead attachment section relative to the downhole end, the hanger sub comprising an inner shoulder that extends radially into the hanger sub and defines an opening; and attaching an outer shoulder to the cable and inserting the cable into the coiled tubing string until the outer shoulder of the cable engages the inner shoulder of the hanger sub such that the inner shoulder positions the cable below the outer shoulder.

Abstract: Rotating wellhead hanger assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a wellhead hanger assembly includes a casing hanger and a casing hanger running tool coupled to the casing hanger. An exterior surface of the casing hanger includes a recess and the casing hanger running tool includes a dog that extends inward from the casing hanger running tool into the recess of the exterior surface of the casing hanger. Engagement of the dog with the recess of the casing hanger facilitates synchronous rotation of the casing hanger and its running tool. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a downhole tool assembly extendable within a wellbore. A running tool axially interposes the downhole tool assembly and the conveyance and includes an elongate body providing an interior and one or more radial protrusions. A connection sub is disposed about the body and provides a releasable connection engageable with the downhole tool assembly. A torque sleeve is disposed about the body and at least a portion of the connection sub. A connection sub piston interposes the body and the connection sub and is axially movable between a supported position, where the connection sub piston radially supports the connection sub, and an unsupported position, where at least a portion of the connection sub is radially unsupported by the connection sub piston. Increasing pressure within an annulus between the running tool and the wellbore moves the connection sub piston from the supported position to the unsupported position.

Abstract: The present invention generally concerns the treatment of hydrocarbon-bearing formations adjacent a wellbore. In one embodiment, fracturing jobs are performed through the use of subs disposed in a casing string having profiles that interact with profiles formed on retractable keys of a tool.

Abstract: A technique facilitates directional drilling of boreholes. A steerable system has a plurality of actuator pistons slidably mounted in a mechanical structure. The mechanical structure comprises a radially inward portion containing ports to deliver a portion of drilling mud to the plurality of actuator pistons. The mechanical structure also has a radially outward portion positioned to define a main flow passage extending longitudinally through the steerable system between the radially inward portion and the radially outward portion of the mechanical structure.

Abstract: A reaction apparatus for providing reactants from a surface to a wellbore to create a generated gas when the reactants undergo a reaction in situ to affect the density of a fluid in the wellbore, the reaction apparatus comprises a reaction housing, the reaction housing comprises a first reactant cell configured to contain a first reactant, a second reactant cell configured to contain a second reactant, a mixing chamber, configured to allow the first reactant and the second reactant to mix, a first passage configured to allow the first reactant to pass from the first reactant cell to the mixing chamber, a second passage configured to allow the second reactant to pass from the second reactant cell to the mixing chamber, an outlet configured to allow the generated gas from the reaction to escape the mixing chamber, a line comprising a plurality of electric cables, and a reel.

Abstract: A capillary injection system delivers chemical with a capillary string to a targeted area in a wellbore such as adjacent a rod pump of a reciprocating pump system. The capillary string is disposed along the production string and delivers the chemical downhole. A tubing anchor disposed on the production string anchors the production string in tension in the casing. The tubing anchor has a mandrel coupled to the production string and has a housing disposed on the mandrel. The mandrel accommodates the capillary string outside thereof and defines a guide slot for controlling relative movement of the mandrel and the housing engaged with the guide slot. The housing has a slip movable outward from the mandrel. The mandrel is in a set condition is moved axially in the guide slot, and the slip is moved outward from the mandrel against the casing.

Abstract: A method for forming lateral boreholes from an existing parent wellbore is provided. The wellbore has been completed with a string of production casing. The method generally comprises providing a downhole tool assembly having a whipstock. The method also includes running the assembly down into the parent wellbore. A force is applied to the assembly to cause the whipstock to rotate within the wellbore into an operating position. In this position, a curved face of the whipstock forms a bend-radius substantially across the inner diameter of the casing. A jetting hose is run into the wellbore. Upon contact with the curved face of the whipstock, the jetting hose is re-directed through a window in the production casing. Hydraulic fluid is injected under pressure through the hose to provide hydraulic jetting. The hose is directed through the window and into the formation to create a lateral borehole extending many feet outwardly into a subsurface formation.

Abstract: An well assembly having a housing with an inner surface, the assembly including a tubular member inserted in the housing and having an outer surface. The assembly further includes a plurality of protrusions extending from one of the inner or outer surfaces, the protrusions separated by gaps defined between adjacent protrusions. In addition, the well assembly includes a metal to metal seal pressed against and deformed by the protrusions. A plurality of hollow tubes are provided for insertion in the gaps between the protrusions, the tubes being collapsible upon engagement with the metal to metal seal.

Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a locking mechanism with a bore of a drill string section. The probe comprises a first spider and a second spider at the uphole and downhole sections of the probe. The locking mechanism secures the probes in the bore against axial and rotational movement relative the drill string section.

Abstract: A method for lateral drilling into a subterranean formation whereby a shoe is positioned in a well casing, the shoe defining a passageway extending from an upper opening in the shoe through the shoe to a side opening in the shoe. A rod and casing mill assembly are inserted into the well casing and through the passageway in the shoe until a casing mill end of the casing mill assembly substantially abuts the well casing. The rod and casing mill assembly are rotated until the casing mill end substantially forms a perforation in the well casing. An internally rotating nozzle is attached to an end of a hose and is pushed through the passageway and the perforation into the subterranean formation, and fluid is ejected from tangential jets into the subterranean formation for impinging upon and eroding the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An induction heater removing paraffin deposits from a drill pipe includes an inductor having an external coil heating up the deposits in the pipe, and an internal coil heating up a heating element transmitting heat to a rod, conducting heat to a tip melting the deposits surrounding thereof. The tip encloses a thermistor generating temperature feedback signals corresponding to its temperature, being operatively restricted. The inductor includes a capacitor battery series-connected with the coils forming an LC-circuit having a resonance frequency operatively subjected to changes. Electric current in LC-circuit is generated by an HF inverter, and measured by a current transformer generating current feedback signals. The temperature and current feedback signals are transmitted to a microprocessor executing a program controlling the inverter's frequency, providing a power-efficient operation mode of the heater.

Abstract: A system is provided that can include a rotating control device (RCD) with a sealing element and a force measurement device for measuring an axial force imparted to the sealing element. The system can also include a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the force measurement device for receiving the axial force measurements and from which the wear status of the sealing element can be determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to an expansion-control device (2), a piping tool (46), a method and uses for a packer body (52) on a mandrel (50) with a supporting ring (54; 58) arranged adjacent to an end (56; 60) of the packer body (52). The expansion-control device (2) includes a packer-control element (4; 4a; 4b) for positioning adjacent to the supporting ring (54; 58) and for radial movement relative to the mandrel (50); and a power-transmission body (6) connected to the packer-control element (4; 4a; 4b) for the transmission of activating power thereto.

Abstract: A drill bit for rock drilling tools includes a drill bit head having a front surface including a face surface defining a forward-most end of the drill bit head. The face surface has an outer edge, a gauge surrounding the face surface, the gauge having an inner edge, and a transition region that extends in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the drill bit between the outer edge of the face surface and the inner edge of the gauge. An entirety of the face surface from which the cutting surfaces extend is non-flat so that a center of the face surface is axially forward of the outer edge of the face surface. The gauge includes a first gauge surface defining a first angle with the longitudinal axis over a first portion of a circumference of the gauge and a second gauge surface defining a second angle with the longitudinal axis over a second portion of the circumference of the gauge.