Abstract: Methods of completing wells utilizing wellbore equipment positioning apparatus provide repositioning of sand control screens and perforating guns without requiring movement of a packer in the wellbore. In a preferred embodiment, a well completion method includes the steps of lowering a packer, positioning device, sand control screen, and perforating gun into a well, perforating a zone intersected by the wellbore, expanding the positioning device, and positioning the sand control screen opposite the perforated zone.

Abstract: In a percussion drill apparatus for soil drilling with a percussion piston which is moving to and fro within a housing, a control sleeve is mounted on a control tube which protrudes into the percussion piston chamber, the axial position of which determines the direction of movement of the apparatus. In order to make a reversal of movement possible a reversing chamber is connected with a control air line which runs inside the control tube and an approach chamber is connected by way of a drilling with the interior of a control tube which feeds the operating air into the percussion piston chamber. Consequently the control sleeve is moved into one direction with the aid of the control air and in the other direction with the aid of the operating air.

Abstract: A hydraulic wiper plug launcher (8) includes a coupler (22) releasably mounted on the upper end of a well casing (9). The outer coupler body (10) has an inner shoulder (49) and an open ended plug container (12) has a stack of wiper plugs (16) compressed therein. The upper end portion of container (12) forms a fluid chamber (S2) above the uppermost wiper plug (16). A precise predetermined volume of fluid is supplied to fluid chamber (S2) for expelling the plugs (16) in a controlled sequence. The length of the fluid chamber (S2) in container (12) increases an amount equal to the length of the wiper plug (16) pushed or expelled from the open lower end of the container (12).

Abstract: A centralizing device is provided for a riser of an offshore well platform having a frame that defines an opening through which the riser passes from the platform to a subsea wellhead. The centralizing device has a centralizing ring with an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the riser so that the riser can be passed longitudinally therethrough. The centralizing ring is positioned within the opening of the frame. Adjustable mounting means are used for mounting the centralizing ring to the frame at different positions within the opening. A roller assembly of the centralizing device is carried upon the riser as the riser is lowered through the centralizing ring. The roller assembly is configured to engage the centralizing ring as the riser is lowered through the centralizing ring so that the centralizing ring stops further carriage of the roller assembly by the riser.

Abstract: A one-trip whipstock milling system is disclosed which allows for setting of a packer or plug which is run in as part of the bottomhole assembly, in conjunction with orientation instrumentation, a whipstock, and a one-trip milling system connected to the whipstock. The assembly is run-in the hole together and inserted to the desired depth. With the orientation of the whipstock known from the down-hole instrumentation, the preferred embodiment involves pressurization of the wellbore to actuate the packer assembly. Having set the packer at the proper orientation and depth, the milling immediately begins and continues in a continuous effort until the window is fully milled, at which point the milling equipment and orientation equipment are withdrawn from the wellbore.

Abstract: A synthetic diamond cutter is disclosed for rock bits having a diamond cutting face at one end of a body supporting the cutting face. A heel portion is formed by the body near the diamond cutting face. The heel portion forms a groove depression or notch about adjacent to a cutting tip of the diamond cutting face. The cutting tip, as a result of the groove, results in a greater rate of penetration of the diamond cutting face due to a reduction of drag as the cutter works in an earthen formation or against a suitable workpiece.

Abstract: A rock drill bit for percussive drilling includes a steel body in which six gauge buttons and a single front button are mounted. The gauge buttons are arranged symmetrically and equally spaced about a central axis of the bit. The front button is arranged along the central axis. The front button is of larger diameter than the gauge button. At least three of the gauge buttons are diamond-enhanced, and the front button may be diamond-enhanced.

Abstract: An offshore well system has an assembly for tensioning an inner riser or casing string. The system has a hanger which lands on an internal load shoulder. The hanger has a gripping mechanism on its lower end which engages a mandrel, the mandrel being connected to tieback casing. The gripping mechanism allows upward moving of the mandrel relative to the hanger, but not downward movement. A running tool releasably engages an interior portion of the mandrel. A launch adapter secures to an upper end of the hanger. The launch adapter slidingly engages a running string which also extends upward through a blowout preventor. Closing the blowout preventor and applying pressure to the launch adapter causes it to move downward, pushing the hanger onto the load shoulder. Subsequently, the running tool is pulled upward to apply tension to the casing which is held by the griping mechanism. The running tool is retrieved along with the launch adapter.

Abstract: In the use of composite materials for a coiled tubing for downhole use, precise external tubular dimension and durable wear surface become a critical factor because of the potential for damage to the external surface as the tubing passes through the stripper assembly at the wellhead which is provided to control high pressures within the well. An infuser arranged within the stripper provides lubrication for the passage of the composite tubing through the sealing members within the stripper and also infuses fluids into microfissures and cracks naturally occurring on the surface of the composite tubing to fill the voids and thereby enhance the structural integrity of the tubing.

Abstract: Apparatus for drilling a well comprising, in one embodiment, a borehole assembly having a motor rotated drill head with ports for emitting a fluid, coiled tubing operatively associated with the drill head to supply fluid and support the drill head, the borehole assembly adapted to drill a channel off axis by varying the speed of the motor drive during a cycle or by varying fluid pressure to the drill head during a cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating multiple branch wells from a parent well is disclosed. A multiple branching sub is provided for placement at a branching node of a well. Such sub includes a branching chamber and a plurality of branching outlet members. The outlet members during construction of the branching sub, have previously been distorted into oblong shapes so that all of the branching outlet members fit within an imaginary cylinder which is coaxial with and substantially the same radius as the branching chamber. After deployment of the branching sub via a parent casing in the well, a forming tool is lowered to the interior of the sub. The outlet members are extended outwardly by the forming tool and simultaneously formed into substantially round tubes. Next, each outlet member is plugged with cement, after which each branch well is drilled through a respective outlet member. If desired, each branch may be lined with casing and sealed to a branching outlet by means of a casing hanger.

Abstract: A multi-lateral well completion system segregates and prevents commingling of the production fluids flowing from a plurality of lateral wellbores which extend outward from a main wellbore. The system includes a segregator body member that is positioned and oriented in the main wellbore adjacent the inner ends of the lateral wellbores in a manner such that the inlets of separate, longitudinal flow passages in the segregator body member are aligned to receive the production fluid flow from respective lateral wellbores. Various structures are disclosed which provide isolated, pressure-sealed communication between the inner ends of each lateral wellbore and the flow passage inlet that is aligned therewith. Each flow passage in the body member can be equipped with a remotely operated valve to control production fluid flow therethrough, as well as with sensors to monitor various characteristics of the production fluids. Gas lift of the production fluids also can be provided.

Abstract: A production pump & circulation tool (1, FIG. 1) used down-hole on the end of a production string (FIG. 10) including: a combined traveling valve assembly bottom connector (10) and fishing tool section (20) which engages gripping pins (51) for twisting the tool and is associated with a traveling ball valve (11/12); a sleeve (30); peripherally spaced, "J" slots (43) in an outer member (40) in which guide pins (52) move changing the tool's state with rotation about a longitudinal axis; a biasing spring (81); a standing valve assembly (50) which carries at its top a projector for unseating the traveling ball valve and to which the pins are attached and which encloses a standing valve ball (50A) and carries its seat (50B); a combined bushing (60) and top spring seat (70); a spring housing (80); and a standing valve projector (90) which can unseat the standing ball from its valve seat when the assembly 50 is lowered against the force of the spring. A pumping "valve locked closed" disposition (FIGS.

Abstract: A monobore completion/intervention riser system for providing a conduit for communication fluids and wireline tools between a surface vessel and a subsea well having a tubing hanger located therein, the tubing hanger including a production bore and an annulus bore, wherein wireline tools may be lowered through a riser bore 48 to either the tubing hanger production bore 68 or the tubing hanger annulus bore 70 through operation of a bore selector 56, and fluids may be produced from the well to the surface vessel through the production bore 52, 60, 64, 68 and the riser bore 48 by sealing off the annulus bore 66, 70.

Abstract: A downhole production well control system is provided for automatically controlling downhole tools in response to sensed selected downhole parameters. The production well having a production tubing string therein with multiple branches, i.e., zones. Communication and transmission of power (i.e. telemetry) over the production tubing string is by way of a combination of a hardwire system in the main borehole and a short hop system at the branches or laterals. Each zone includes a downhole control system and appropriate completion devices for controlling fluid flow. An acoustic or electromagnetic transceiver is associated with each control system for communication and/or transmission of power. An electrical conductor runs from the surface downhole along the production tubing string in the main borehole for communication and/or transmission of power, hardwired systems are well known.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a pilot well and directionally drilling a directional well from the pilot well by the use of a casing including an easily drillable section positioned through a selected zone.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a feed beam (3a to 3c) of a rock drilling equipment so that first, the position of a base (1) of the rock drilling equipment relative to rock is determined in the general system of coordination and after that, the position of the feed beam (3a to 3c) relative to the base (1) is measured. Measuring devices (6a to 6c) fixedly mounted in the base (1) at a distance from one another and at least two measuring devices (9a to 9c, 10a to 10c) attached to the feed beam at a distance from one another at a predetermined position are used in the method, whereby at least some of the measuring devices comprise a transmitter and at least some a receiver, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for adjusting the total flow area of a drilling bit concurrently with drilling which includes a bit having a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle having a flow area and the bit having a total flow area, with at least one nozzle which is initially open and having a first flow area and at least one other nozzle which is initially closed and having a second flow area including a closure means for maintaining the nozzle in an initially closed state below a pre-selected differential pressure across the bit.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a sand-control screen jacket to a base pipe comprising a base pipe connector securably engaged with the sand-control screen jacket. The base pipe connector having a plurality of protrusions for mechanically securing the base pipe connector to the base pipe thereby securing the sand-control screen jacket to the base pipe. The base pipe connector may further comprises a plurality of sealant ports through which sealant is injected affecting an additional seal between the base pipe connector and the base pipe. The sealant ports may accept a lock pin therein after sealant is injected.

Abstract: A method for recovering viscous oil from a subterranean formation through a wellbore having a horizontal section into the formation. Steam is circulated through the horizontal section to initially heat the formation and to produce fluids to the surface. After the initial heating is complete, production is ceased while the injection of steam is continued to accumulate a slug of steam within and around the horizontal section. The well is then shut-in and the formation is allowed to "soak". Production is then resumed and steam is again continuously injected into the well when oil appears in the produced fluids. This cycle is repeated until the production of oil drops belows an acceptable rate.