Abstract: One embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a pack off material to be positioned in an annulus between a casing along sides of a borehole and a drill tubing in the borehole. The pack off material further includes surface instrumentation for communication with downhole instrumentation.

Abstract: A packer-anchoring device between an annular packer and a body, wherein the annular packer is provided, at least at one of its end portions, with an expandable end ring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore. A gripping apparatus is activated with an actuator having a primary actuator and a redundant safety feature. The redundant safety feature may include one or more redundant fluid operated pistons. The gripping apparatus may include an integrated safety system adapted to prevent damage to the tubulars while making and breaking out connections between the tubulars and the tubular string.

Abstract: An activating mechanism for controlling the operation of a downhole tool in a drill string and which is intended to be housed in a portion of the drill string upstream of the downhole tool, in which: the activating mechanism has a first mode in which it allows through-flow of drilling fluid to the downhole tool and a second mode in which through-flow of fluid is blocked; and the activating mechanism has a number of through-flow ports permitting through-flow of drilling fluid in said first mode of the mechanism and which are capable of being blocked by launching a number of flow blocking activator balls down the drill string and which each are of such size and shape that they can block access to said through-flow ports in order to activate the mechanism to the second mode and thereby adjust the downhole tool from one mode of operation to another.

Abstract: Casing valves for selective well stimulation and control. A well system includes at least one valve interconnected in a casing string operable via at least one line external to the casing string to selectively control fluid flow between an exterior and interior of the casing string, and the casing string, valve and line being cemented in a wellbore. A method of selectively stimulating a subterranean formation includes: positioning a casing string in a wellbore, the casing string including spaced apart valves operable via a line to selectively control fluid flow between an interior and exterior of the casing string; and for each of multiple intervals of the formation in sequence, stimulating the interval by opening a corresponding one of the valves, closing the remainder of the valves, and flowing a stimulation fluid from the casing string into the interval.

Abstract: The invention relates to auxiliary working apparatus (10) for use with drilling apparatus for drilling holes into the ground and where the drilling apparatus has a platform supported by a support structure (50) thereof through which a drill bit (30) passes, the platform serving as a barrier between chippings blown from a hole being drilled into the ground and the drill motor and drill bit displacement mechanism of the drilling apparatus. The auxiliary working apparatus includes a roller-type brush (20) arrangement that, in its operative configuration, is mounted beneath the platform and that is operable for displacing chippings blown from a hole being drilled into the ground to spaced locations from the hole.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for drilling a wellbore. The wellbore is formed with a drilling tool that cuts through a formation. A pumping system removes cuttings from the drilling tool and also transports the cuttings along at least a portion of the wellbore formed behind the drilling tool.

Abstract: Retrieving a down hole tool at a lower end of a string of casing can be performed with drill pipe during a casing-while-drilling operation. The operator suspends the casing in the well from a drilling rig floor opening. A string drill pipe is lowered into the casing while the casing is suspended for engaging and retrieving the down hole tool. When circulation is desired, the operator secures a circulation tool to an upper end of the drill pipe, then lowers the drill pipe and the circulation tool to close off an upper end of an inner annulus between the drill pipe and the casing. The operator circulates fluid down the circulation tool and the drill pipe and back up an outer annulus surrounding the casing. The connection between the circulation tool and the casing allows the operator to reciprocate the casing.

Abstract: An underbalanced perforating system is disclosed for use in openhole completions to maximize the wellbore and matrix cleanup efficiency, to connect natural fracture patterns, and/or to enable application of new drilling fluid technology in difficult subsurface environments. The perforating system can be used for any hydrocarbon bearing formations with any lithology.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for dropping a ball, plug or dart during oil and gas well operations (e.g., cementing operations) employs a specially configured valving member with curved and flat portions that alternatively direct fluid flow through a bore or opening in the valving member via an inner channel or around the periphery of the valving member in an outer channel. In one embodiment, the ball(s), dart(s) or plug(s) are contained in a sliding sleeve that shifts position responsive to valve rotation.

Abstract: A drilling system for use in a well bore consists of a drill string, an electrically powerable pump (8), a connector (16) for supporting the pump (8) including a through bore (32) through which fluid can flow, and a power cable (15) to provide power to the electrically powerable pump. The cuttings are pumped up through the drillpipe (3). The drill bit (4) may also be powered by the pump. Part of the cable is disposed externally to the drill string where new pipe sections are added, before passing into the drill string through a cross-over means (40) further down the drillpipe to connect to the electrically powerable pump.

Abstract: An improved perforating gun having a tubular housing, a tubular carrier and a charge carried by the tubular carrier. The tubular carrier comprises an inside diameter, an outside diameter and an opening disposed between the inside diameter and the outside diameter. The charge comprises a forward end positioned in the opening between the inside diameter and the outside diameter. The tubular carrier increases a collapsible-pressure rating for the housing and positions the charge closer to the formation.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus, subterranean hydrocarbon recovery drilling methods, and subterranean hydrocarbon recovery methods. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus includes an elongated assembly within which a rotatable drill rod is received. The assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, a drill rod entrance end, and a drill rod exit end. The assembly comprises a tailcuttings diverter pipe proximate the drill rod exit end, with the tailcuttings diverter pipe defining an initial fluid flow path of the tailcuttings from the longitudinal axis which is acute from the longitudinal axis. Other apparatus and method aspects are contemplated.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling inflow of fluid into a production string. In aspects, the invention provides a downhole sand screen and inflow control device with a gas or water shut-off feature that can be operated mechanically or hydraulically from the surface of the well. The device also preferably includes a bypass feature that allows the inflow control device to be closed or bypassed via shifting of a sleeve. In embodiments, the flow control device can be adaptive to changes in wellbore conditions such as chemical make-up, fluid density and temperature. Exemplary adaptive inflow control devices include devices configured to control flow in response to changes in gas/oil ratio, water/oil ratio, fluid density and/or the operating temperature of the inflow control device. In other aspects of the present invention, inflow control devices are utilized to control the flow of commingled fluids drained via two or more wellbores.

Abstract: The application discloses a valve, which may include either a safety valve or a storm surge choke valve or the like, to isolate a zone below a valve from a string of production tubing. Preferably, the valve includes a flow interruption surface assembly, such as a flapper valve or a ball valve, displaced by an operating conduit extending from a surface location to the valve through the inside of the production tubing. The application also discloses a bypass-conduit inside the production tubing to allow communication from a surface location to the production zone when the valve is in either an open or a closed location.

Abstract: A bearing block is provided that may be used with a drag bit body or frame to limit depth of cut of cutters on a bit. The bearing block is designed so that it may be interchangeably replaced or repaired without necessitating alteration to a standardized bit frame. The interchangeable bearing block may be used to provide a target depth of cut (TDOC) and/or a selected contact or rubbing area to support weight on bit and limit depth of cut (DOC) for improving drilling performance of a bit. The interchangeable bearing block brings manufacturing selectability by providing a customizable product in terms of depth of cut selection and cutter penetration control for different formations, which is suitable for use with a common bit frame. A rotary drill bit assembly, a unitary cone insert bearing block for a drill bit, and a bit frame are also provided.

Abstract: A drilling system comprising a pipe comprising a first end and a second end; a drill bit near a first end of the pipe, adapted to drill a hole in a formation; a pipe rotator near a second end of the pipe adapted to rotate the pipe; and a pump connected to the pipe between the first end and the second end, the pump adapted to transport a fluid from the first end of the pipe to the second end of the pipe, the pump comprising a first portion adapted to rotate with the pipe and a second portion adapted to remain stationary relative to the pipe.

Abstract: A memory logging system for determining the status of a sliding sleeve valve disposed within the borehole. The sliding sleeve contains signal inducing devices. A logging tool is conveyed through the sliding sleeve and time intervals between sensor excursions induced by the sleeve's signal inducing devices are recorded and stored within the tool memory. These data are subsequently recovered when the tool is returned to the surface of the earth, and sensor excursion data are processed in a surface processor to ascertain relative axial positions of the sliding sleeve outer housing and the insert. The condition of the sliding sleeve is determined from these relative axial positions.

Abstract: New locking connector assemblies and telescoping extension/retraction assemblies are disclosed that operate on the natural spring rate constraints of radial protrusions or radially constrained rings as they interact with engaging members to provide the locking force and permit the connector and extension retraction assemblies to be engage and disengaged or extended and retracted.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for enhancing the recovery of gas in a perforated interval of a gas well. The system features a tubing string having a dead string attached for reducing the flow area of the annulus in the perforated interval, thereby reducing the critical velocity of the gas, i.e., the velocity required to overcome backpressure due to fluids in the well column. The system includes a ported member for receiving gas from the annulus into the tubing string. The ported member and the dead string are isolated from each other by a retrievable plug. The disclosed system provides access from the surface through the dead string for diagnostic or corrective operations. The system also provides delivery of reagents such as foamers to the perforated region to further reduce the critical velocity.