Abstract: A communication nipple for communicating control fluid flow from the outside of a well tool to the inside of a well tool through a fluid passage in the well tool without the use of elastomer seals. A metal breakable screw extends vertically into and initially blocks the passageway with a metal-to-metal seal and extends to the inside of the well tool. The screw includes a cavity exposed to the passageway. A vertically-moving breaking sleeve is connected to the screw and is adapted to break the screw in tension and expose the cavity to the interior of the well tool when the sleeve is moved away from the screw. The present apparatus is particularly useful for supplying hydraulic control fluid into the valve bore of a first well safety valve for controlling a second safety valve positioned in the first valve bore.

Abstract: A rotary bit for oil and gas well drilling has cutting elements set in a hard facing material which in turn is supported by a sintered steel section between the hard facing and the steel base of the bit.

Abstract: A retrievable well tool for use in a subterranean well utilizes plural valving elements to establish a fluid by-pass around an annular elastomeric sealing element in response to either downward or upward movement of a control mandrel. The fluid by-pass established by movement of the control mandrel is accomplished prior to any effective disengaging movement being imparted to the cooperating cone and slip elements.

Abstract: A tool comprises a body having coaxial portions radially defined by soil compaction surfaces of step-down radii from the sizing portion to the tool tip. The soil-compaction surface of each portion is a cylindrical surface generated by a generatrix of a predetermined length extending parallel to the tool axis and bounded by two parallel helices of one and the same helix angle. These surfaces are successively conjugated by transition portions defined by a cylindrical surface whose generatrix is parallel to the tool axis and uniformly approaches the same axis to thereby form a smooth transition from the surface of the body portion of a greater radius to that of an adjacent body portion of a smaller radius. A method of forming a hole by the same tool is also described.

Abstract: New and improved techniques, systems and equipment for the practical underground mining of petroleum from both virgin and depleted oil fields under certain geological conditions, are described. A method of drilling relatively small diameter, drainage-type oil wells using a fluid and cutting control assembly from within an access underground drilled tunnel, is provided. The fluid and cutting control assembly facilitates the safe underground drilling and installation of the small diameter, drainage-type oil wells which can be operated either under the natural pressures occurring in the geological strata, as gravity drain wells or by suitable secondary treatment measures artificially pressurized to facilitate drainage of oil from oil bearing strata into which such wells are drilled.

Abstract: A first well is directionally drilled to intersect a second well. The second well is magnetized along its well casing to produce a magnetic anomaly which is sensed by a magnetometer located in the first. The drilling of the first well is redirected in accordance with the magnitude of the sensed anomaly so as to cause intersection of the first well with the second well.

Abstract: A device for extending supply lines to winning machines in mining operations comprises a traction chain housing which includes a covered guide for a traction member such as an endless conveyor chain. The traction member rides in the housing and is preferably covered thereby both in respect to its upper and lower reaches. A supply line support bar is secured to the traction members at spaced locations along its length for movement therewith and has a forked support extending outwardly from the housing which has one leg portion defining a support over which the supply lines are laid and another leg portion covering the supply lines. The device may be made with an endless chain conveyor which has upper and lower reaches as well as a chain conveyor having side by side reaches and in each case the housing or a cover for the housing provides for the lateral extension of the forked portion of the supply line support bar.

Abstract: There is provided a method for forming an in situ retort containing a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in a retort site within a subterranean formation. A void is excavated into the formation and a zone of unfragmented formation is left adjacent the void. A plurality of explosive charges are formed in the zone of unfragmented formation. At least one central explosive charge is in a central portion of the zone of unfragmented formation, and a plurality of outer explosive charges are in the zone of unfragmented formation nearer the side walls of the void than the central explosive charge. The distance from each such outer explosive charge to an adjacent side wall of the void is about equal to the crater radius of the outer explosive charge. The central and outer explosive charges are detonated for explosively expanding the zone of unfragmented formation toward the void for forming a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in the in situ retort.

Abstract: A subterranean formation containing oil shale is prepared for in situ retorting by forming a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale in an in situ retort site. The retort is formed by excavating a lower level drift adjacent to a lower portion of the retort site and excavating an undercut within the retort site below a zone of unfragmented formation remaining within the retort site above the undercut. The bottom of the undercut slopes downwardly toward the lower level drift which opens into one side of the undercut, the slope being generally at the natural angle of slide of oil shale particles. The remaining zone of unfragmented formation is blasted downwardly toward the undercut in a series of lifts in sequence progressing upwardly in the retort site. The mass of formation particles formed during such blasting in lifts tends to slope downwardly toward the side of the retort adjacent the lower level drift.

Abstract: A deep level mining method wherein conventional mining takes place to recover ore and pillars are left for support purposes. The ore in the pillars is recovered before or after their formation by drilling overlapping holes into the reef in the pillars.The holes are plugged thereafter to restore the supporting function of the pillars.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and apparatus for effecting the noncontact opening of a flapper valve disposed downhole in a well. Such flapper valves may be located below a seal bore in a downhole tool such as a packer. An annular housing having external seals engagable with the seal bore can be positioned within the downhole tool. Fluid circulation through the annular housing during insertion is permitted by a ball valve mounted in its axial bore and engagable with a downwardly facing sealing surface. Upon engagement of the seals on the annular housing with the seal bore, the housing is converted into a piston and the amount of force exerted on trapped fluid between the annular housing and the flapper valve may be adjusted by adding weight from the tubing string. Fluid pressure above the flapper valve is increased to a level exceeding the closing forces on the flapper valve and the valve opens without any mechanical contact being made therewith.

Abstract: A suspension bridge has a pair of horizontally spaced towers between which is spanned a main catenary cable. A flexible spacer element, normally a cable, extends along the main cable between the towers and is provided with generally equispaced spacers. Respective hanger assemblies are fixed at the spacers and can slide on the main cable between the towers. Respective upright hangers defining a vertical plane with the main cable have upper ends connected to the hanger assemblies and lower ends and are provided with adjusters between these ends for shortening and lengthening the distance therebetween. Respective girders are secured to the lower ends and extend generally perpendicular to the plane and respective path sections extend generally horizontally and each have one end hooked over a respective one of the girders and another end hooked over an adjacent girder.

Abstract: A multiple shot selective fire perforating gun is provided for piercing oil field tubular goods, typically during the process of completing an oil or gas well. The perforating gun includes a multiplicity of shaped charges which are fired individually by an associated blasting cap and switch. The switch of all but the lowermost charge is configured to disarm its associated blasting cap until the next lower shaped charge has detonated. The generation of the pressure pulse from detonation of the next lower shaped charge causes a piston in the switch to move to compress a body of flowable material. The flowable material acts on a projectile which moves in a switch closing direction to arm the associated blasting cap.

Abstract: A backflow control system for use in a gas circulation roller cone rock bit is disclosed wherein a single unit combination liquid-separator and positive action poppet check valve is used to restrict the entrance of water into roller cone bearings during drilling and to restrict the ingestion of detritus into the bearings and into the bit chamber during drilling interruptions. A quick-change mounting permits easy transfer of the valve unit form bit to bit.

Abstract: An off-shore ice island structure for location over a submerged drill site in waters which normally freeze in winter. The structure includes a buoyant protective caisson which freezes in position over the drill site upon onset of winter. A barge floats on water kept unfrozen within the caisson, and is connected to the caisson so it can be swivelled generally about a vertical axis to adjust the circumferential location of the drilling axis of drilling apparatus carried on the barge. The drilling apparatus is movable relative to the barge to enable further adjustment of the drilling axis location. The arrangement enables the drilling axis to be maintained in substantial vertical alignment with the drill site despite movement of the caisson caused by the surrounding shelf ice. The caisson is part of an ice island structure whose mass is built up by successive flooding and freezing steps to ground it on the sea bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for grinding out a crack in pavement in preparation for filling the crack. A narrow groove is formed in the pavement following the crack by a single grooving blade having a first thickness. The single grooving blade is replaced with a second grooving blade assembly having a thickness greater than the single grooving blade, and the second grooving blade assembly is moved along the groove and with the second grooving blade assembly engaging opposite edges of the groove and for forming upwardly outwardly sloping sidewalls.

Abstract: A collector apparatus and collection method for use with a blown-out seabottom wellhead. The collector apparatus, including a collector element with an extended, open base and an upper portion enclosing a volume to receive fluid (substantial quantities of gas and lesser quantities of oil) rising, in the water, from the wellhead, and a riser connected to the collector element and extending thereabove to conduct fluid therefrom, is characterized in that the collector element is adapted for fixable attachment to the ocean floor about the seabottom well head prior to any blow-out, and the upper portion of the collector element further includes a relief passage from its interior to the exterior of the collector apparatus, the release passage adapted to vent excess gas from the collector apparatus during initial stages of any blow-out.

Abstract: An expansion joint for bridges and similar structures comprising an elastomeric sealing element, anchoring means gripping the sealing element and resin mortar connecting the anchoring means to the structure. The resin mortar is comprised of a mixture of ureide and epoxy resins and aggregate. The anchoring means has rods embedded in the resin mortar to distribute stresses therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to large diameter raise bore rock bits. The invention comprises a means in which extensions may be attached to the outer diameter of the body of the rock bit, thus providing a variable diameter raise bore rock bit. The extensions are mounted to the primary body of the bit such that compressive loads are imposed on the attachment means. These compressive loads are transmitted from the extensions of the body by designing the extension portions of the bit such that they interlock to the basic bit body. The mating surfaces of the attachment means transmit predominantly compressive loads acting substantially normal to the load bearing surfaces. The attachment means are further designed to increase the grip of the extended bit portions as increased loads are applied to the body of the rock bit.

Abstract: A mining machine comprises a laterally elongated cutting head including ms for cutting an earth formation, a laterally elongated thrust transmitting column connected to and extending rearwardly from the cutting head, and a power head connected to the rear of the column and operative to thrust the cutting head forward into the earth formation by means of the interposed column. The column carries a non-thrust transmitting column conveyor for carrying fragments cut from the formation from the cutting head to the power head.