Abstract: A solids-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion and a method for preparing the solids-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion. The oil-in-water emulsion is formed by combining oil, water, solid particles and a pH enhancing agent and mixing until the solid-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion is formed. The low viscosity oil-in-water emulsion can be used to enhance production of oil from subterranean reservoirs. The low viscosity oil-in-water emulsion can also be used to enhance the transportation of oil through a pipeline.

Abstract: Methods of using and making and apparatuses utilizing a filtered actuator port for hydraulically actuated down hole tools. The filtered port prevents sand or other debris from entering the actuator workings of a tool. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, hydraulic tools utilizing filtered actuator ports are disclosed. In a second aspect, the filtered port comprises fine slots disposed through a wall of a mandrel spaced around the circumference of the mandrel. In a third aspect, the inlet port is formed by laser cutting or electrical discharge machining. In a fourth aspect, the filtered port is disposed in various components of a fracture pack-off system. Methods of using the fracture pack-off system utilizing the filtered port are provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for diverting a portion of the drilling fluid that flows into a drilling assembly comprise diverting the drilling fluid into the annulus of a deviated wellbore at a flow rate corresponding to a velocity that is sufficient to transport cuttings to the surface while drilling progresses. The diverted drilling fluid is directed into the annulus at an angle to prevent erosion of the wellbore wall. The flow rate of the diverted drilling fluid is controlled to establish a fixed flow rate, or alternatively, a variable flow rate. Pressure is dissipated and fluid velocity is reduced as the diverted drilling fluid flows between a high fluid pressure within the drilling assembly to a lower pressure in the wellbore annulus.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods of cementing, cement compositions and a suspending agent comprising boron treated low molecular weight dry ground guar splits. A cement composition of the invention comprises hydraulic cement, water and a boron treated low molecular weight dry ground guar splits suspending agent. A method of cementing comprising the steps of preparing a cement composition that comprises hydraulic cement, water and a suspending agent comprising boron treated low molecular weight dry ground guar splits; placing the cement composition in a location to be cemented; and allowing the cement composition to set.

Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes directional formation evaluation devices on a rotating assembly in conjunction with toolface orientation sensors. The data from the toolface orientation sensors are analyzed by a processor and toolface angle measurements are determined at defined intervals. Formation evaluation sensors operate substantially independently of the toolface orientation sensors and measurements of the formation evaluation sensors are analyzed in combination with the determined toolface angle to obtain formation parameters.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for optimizing production from a well. A plurality of sensors are positioned to sense a variety of production related parameters. The sensed parameters are applied to a wellbore model and validated. Discrepancies between calculated parameters in the wellbore model and results based on sensed parameters indicate potential problem areas detrimentally affecting production.

Abstract: A wellbore drilling system has an umbilical that carries a drill bit in a wellbore. Drilling fluid pumped into the umbilical discharges at the drill bit bottom and returns through an annulus between the umbilical and the wellbore carrying entrained drill cuttings. An active differential pressure device (APD device), such as a jet pump, turbine or centrifugal pump, in fluid communication with the returning fluid creates a differential pressure across the device, which alters the pressure below or downhole of the device. The APD device can be driven by a positive displacement motor, a turbine, an electric motor, or a hydraulic motor. A controller controls the operation of the APD device in response to programmed instructions and/or one or more parameters of interest detected by one or more sensors. A preferred system is a closed loop system that maintains the wellbore at under-balance condition, at-balance condition or over-balance condition.

Abstract: A hole opener including a tool body having upper and lower ends. The upper and lower ends may be coupled to adjacent drilling tools. At least two blades are formed on the tool body and are arranged so that the hole opener is positioned concentric with a wellbore, and cutting elements are located on the blades. The at least two blades and the cutting elements are arranged to increase a diameter of a previously drilled wellbore. A hole opener including a tool body having upper and lower ends. The upper and lower ends may be coupled to adjacent drilling tools. At least two blades are formed on the tool body and are arranged so that the hole opener is positioned concentric with a wellbore, and cutting elements are located on the blades. The hole opener includes a pilot hole conditioning section. The pilot hole conditioning section includes at least two pilot blades formed on the tool body in a position axially ahead of the blades.

Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Apparatus is described having a portion of a drilling assembly that is selectively removable from the wellbore without removing the casing. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.

Abstract: The multiple interventionless actuated downhole valve includes a valve movable between an open and a closed position to control communication between an annular region surrounding the valve and an internal bore and more specifically controlling communication between above and below the valve, and at least two remotely operated interventionless actuators in operational connection with the valve, wherein each of the interventionless actuators may be operated independently by absolute tubing pressure, absolute annulus pressure, differential pressure from the tubing to the annulus, differential pressure between the annulus and the tubing, tubing or annulus multiple pressure cycles, pressure pulses, acoustic telemetry, electromagnetic telemetry or other types of wireless telemetry to change the position of the valve and allowing the valve to be continually operated by mechanical apparatus.

Abstract: An improved tong positioning apparatus which includes a base positionable on the rig floor; a hydraulic cylinder positioned on the base, having a first end engageable to a rear support member and a second end engageable to a pivotal moment arm; a forward shock attachment arm engaged at a first end to one of three attachment points on the moment arm, and a second end which attaches to a tong frame attachment point on the tong. The forward shock attachment arm includes a pair of shock absorbers engaged along its length to provide a smooth, non-jerking motion both vertically and horizontally in moving the power tong. The tong positioning apparatus is designed to be remotely operated by hydraulic, air, air over hydraulics, electronically, by a single operator.

Abstract: This invention relates to an elongated wireline entry device (10) which allows a wireline tool or coiled tubing with a tool attached to be inserted in a well bore without disconnection form the drill string appended thereto without introducing bending moments into the threaded connections (101, 106, 202) attached to the drill string because the pin and box connections of the tool are in axial, longitudinal alignment, the absence of these bending moments is required to suspend long pendular, and therefore heavy, drill strings for this device without failure. The angle between the longitudinal ayes of the longitudinal passage and the wireline passage in the wireline entry device is at most 4.0°.

Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Different physically alterable bonding materials may be substituted for cement. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.

Abstract: A mount for a bonnet of a blowout preventer includes at least one support member coupled to a body of the blowout preventer, and a bonnet mounting member moveably coupled to the at least one support member and adapted to move substantially normal to a face of the body of the blowout blowout preventer, wherein the bonnet is coupled to the bonnet mounting member.

Abstract: One or more components of a wellbore drilling assembly utilize a modular construction to facilitate assembly, disassembly, repair and/or maintenance of a wellbore drilling assembly and/or to extend the overall operating capabilities of the drilling assembly. In one embodiment, a modular construction is used for an APD Device, a motor driving the modular APD Device, a comminution device, and an annular seal. Individual modules can be configure have different operating set points, operating parameters and characteristics (e.g., rotational speeds, flow rates, pressure differentials, etc.) and/or different responses to given environmental factors or conditions (e.g., pressure, temperature, wellbore fluid chemistry, etc.). In one embodiment, the high-pressure seals used in conjunction with the APD Device and/or motor is a hydrodynamic seal that provides a selected leak or flow rates. Optionally, the seal is modular to provide different degrees of leak rates and/or different functional characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to disposable composite downhole tool formed of a resin-coated fiber. The fiber is formed of a degradable polymer, such as a poly(lactide) or polyanhydride. The resin is formed of the same degradable polymer as the fiber. It chemically bonds to the fiber, thereby making a strong rigid structure once cured. The fiber may be formed into a fabric before being coated with the resin. Alternatively, the fiber is formed of a non-biodegradable material.

Abstract: A method for geosteering while drilling a formation includes generating a plurality of formation models for the formation, where each of the plurality of the formation models includes a set of parameters and a resistivity tool therein and locations of the resistivity tool differ in the plurality of the formation models. The method may also include computing predicted tool responses for the resistivity tool in the plurality of formation models, acquiring resistivity measurements using the resistivity tool in the formation, and determining an optimum formation model based on a comparison between the actual tool response and the predicted tool responses. The method may also include steering a bottom home assembly based on the optimum formation model.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention presents a foaming additive that comprises at least one amidopropyl betaine having the formula: R—CONHCH2CH2CH2N+(CH3)2CH2COO? wherein R is a capryloyl, a capryl, an octyl, a decyl, a cococyl radical, or a mixture thereof. This foaming additive may be utilized in foamed treatment fluids, and those foamed treatment fluids may be utilized in fracturing and sand control treatments in subterranean operations. Associated methods also are presented herein.

Abstract: A drilling machine drills foundation holes known as drilled shafts or bored piles with a drilling tool attached to an end of a kelly. The kelly is rotated with a rotary drive. The rotary drive has a first motor, a final drive gear coupled to the kelly so as to rotate with the kelly and a planetary gear set between the first motor and the final drive gear. A second motor is coupled to the ring gear on the planetary gear set. A clutch can also be connected to the ring gear. The rotary drive allows the drilling tool to be rotated at low drilling speeds and, without stopping rotation or shifting gears, removed from the hole and accelerated to high speeds to discharge spoil. A mid-range is also possible, wherein the drilling tool can process fluids in the hole. Another motor and planetary gear set can be coupled to the final drive gear and to the second motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for deforming a tubular body, running the tubular body through a restriction in a wellbore, reforming the tubular body, and expanding at least a portion of the tubular body past its elastic limit. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for forming a substantially monobore well involving deforming a tubular body, running the tubular body below a restricted inner diameter portion, reforming the tubular body, and expanding at least a portion of the tubular body past its elastic limit. The restricted inner diameter portion may comprise a casing string previously disposed within the wellbore or a casing patch. The at least the portion of the tubular body expanded past its elastic limit may be a lower portion of the tubular body. Subsequent tubular bodies may be reformed and expanded below previous tubular bodies.