Abstract: A tubing conveyed casing collar locator system that detects the casing collars in a wellbore and acoustically transmits the information through the tubing to the surface where it is detected and processed in a surface processor. The system comprises a downhole tool which comprises downhole sensors, a signal processor with memory, a drive circuit, a battery pack, and a signal generator. The surface system comprises a surface processor, depth system, and acoustic signal transmitter/receiver. The downhole tool detects casing collars as the tool is moved through the collar and acoustically transmits the data or stores the data in downhole memory according to programmed instructions. In one embodiment, the tool compares sensor signals from production elements, such as valves, to stored sensor signatures to uniquely identify the downhole element. In one embodiment, the downhole tool changes operating modes in response to surface command.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for injecting a fluid into a borehole. The method includes the step of injecting an injection fluid into a primary injection zone in a borehole at an injection fluid pressure. The primary injection zone is bounded by a proximal injection zone interface and a distal injection zone interface. The proximal injection zone interface and the distal injection zone interface are maintained at pressures which are substantially balanced with the injection fluid pressure. The apparatus includes a body adapted for passage through a borehole, at least four radially extendable and retractable zone interface elements spaced longitudinally along the body which when extended define at least three zones along the body, a zone interface element actuator for selectively extending and retracting the zone interface elements, and a fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid to each zone.

Abstract: Screen assemblies (40, 42) and a single trip method for selectively fracturing multiple formations (14, 16) traversed by a wellbore (32) are disclosed. Each formation (14, 16) has a screen assembly (40, 42) having a plurality of valves (60, 66) positioned adjacent thereto. During the treatment process, the formations (14, 16) are selectively treated with a treatment fluid that is pumped into the interior of the adjacent screen assembly (40, 42). The valves (60, 66) of the respective screen assemblies (40, 42) progressively allow the treatment fluid to exit from the interior to the exterior of the screen assemblies (40, 42) such that each formation (14, 16) is progressively fractured.

Abstract: A wellbore casing is formed simultaneously with the drilling out of the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cementing system and method for wellbores by cementing an annulus between a wellbore casing and a wellbore. In at least one embodiment, the invention includes a landing collar defining a restricted passage, a wellbore casing defining a passage coupled to the landing collar, a top cementing plug for sealingly engaging the wellbore casing, a bottom cementing plug for sealingly engaging the wellbore casing, and a fluid injection assembly coupled to the wellbore casing for injecting fluidic materials into the wellbore casing and controllably releasing the top cementing plug and the bottom cementing plug into the wellbore casing. The bottom cementing plug includes a plug body defining a plug passage, a frangible membrane for sealing the plug passage, and a one-way valve for controlling the flow of fluidic materials through the plug passage. The invention also includes the bottom cementing plug and methods for operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for expanding a lower string of casing into frictional contact with an upper string of casing, and thereby hanging the lower string of casing onto the upper string of casing is provided. The apparatus essentially defines a lower string of casing having a scribe placed into the top end thereof. The lower string of casing is run into the wellbore, and positioned so that the top end overlaps with the bottom end of an upper string of casing already cemented into the wellbore. The top end of the lower casing string is expanded below the depth of the scribe into frictional contact with the upper string of casing. At the same time, or shortly thereafter, the top end of the upper string of casing is expanded. As the portion of the lower casing string having the scribe is expanded, the casing severs into upper and lower portions. The upper portion can then be removed from the wellbore, leaving a lower string of casing expanded into frictional engagement with an upper string of casing.

Abstract: A wellbore casing is formed simultaneously with the drilling out of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a transient underbalance condition is provided. Transient underbalance can be enhanced by using a porous material, such as a porous solid, around the explosive device. The porous material contains a volume to receive wellbore fluids in response to activation of the explosive device. This causes a local drop in pressure, which enhances the transient underbalance effect. In another application, it is desired to reduce the transient underbalance effect. This is accomplished by reducing the pressure drop generated as a result of explosive detonation. In one arrangement, the shot density is reduced by using solid masses.

Abstract: Improved aqueous fracturing fluids are disclosed that are particularly useful as well stimulation fluids to fracture tight (i.e., low permeability) subterranean formations. Gas wells treated with these fracturing fluids have rapid cleanup and enhanced well production. The fluids contain small but sufficient amounts of certain amine oxides to aid in the removal of the fracturing fluid from the formation. By facilitating the removal of fluid from the invaded zones, the amount of damage to the fracture faces in the formation is thereby minimized. The amine oxides correspond to the formula I, wherein R1 is an aliphatic group of from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, and wherein R2 and R3 are each independently alkyl of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A wellbore casing is formed simultaneously with the drilling out of the wellbore.

Abstract: A suction drill unit for the installation of a drill dowel (2) into rock, concrete, masonry and similar materials has an insertion end (3) for insertion into an at least partially rotary and percussive acting hand tool drilling device, with a reduced diameter shank (7) having an open suction passageway (9) extending axially through the shank (7) towards a bit head (8) and a rearward radial communication passage (10) connected thereto for suction-tight communication with a non-rotary suction head (11), wherein the drill bit head (8) is formed with an eccentrically arranged bit head tip (12) for boring of a hole (14) having a diameter (D) greater than that of the drill bit head diameter (B).

Abstract: A coiled tubing injector apparatus for use in inserting coiled tubing into a well, temporarily suspending the coiled tubing, and removing the coiled tubing from the well is described. The apparatus includes a base with a pair of spaced-apart carriages extending upwardly therefrom. The base is part of a frame positioned above a wellhead. The carriages each have a gripper chain drive system rotatably mounted thereon and movable therewith. An actuation and linkage system allows the carriages to move toward and away from one another in a lateral or transverse direction with respect to the superstructure and the base. Thus, the gripper chain systems comprises gripper chains that can be engaged or disengaged from the coiled tubing extending through the apparatus. A wetting fluid basin is positioned below the gripper chains, and support guides engage the coiled tubing below the gripper chains to prevent buckling of the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A cooling and flushing arrangement (1) for a tool (10), has a coolant and flushing agent (2) in a closed storage tank (3), which is connected to a suction pump (4) and has a closed flushing circulation system (6) running from the storage tank (3) through a filter (8), connected via a pressure pump (7) and through a collecting member (11) associated with the tool (10), with a suction line (12) running back to the storage tank (3). A reservoir circulation system (13) for the coolant and flushing agent (2), contains a reservoir (14) connected to the storage tank (3) via a float valve (15) situated in the storage tank (3), and is connected at another location in the flushing circulation system (6) to the reservoir (14) via a valve (16).

Abstract: A rotary cutter mount for an earth-boring cutter includes a bearing journal adapted to be coupled to a cutter body. A first mounting end of the bearing journal is shaped to enable rotationally fixed positioning in a corresponding yoke. The yoke is operatively coupled to the body of the cutter. A ball race is formed in an exterior surface of the journal. A ball loading passage is formed in the journal. The ball loading passage has an exit hole on the race. The hole is positioned so that it is disposed in a rotary orientation which is at a selected angular displacement from the maximum radial loading on the journal. The first mounting end and the corresponding yoke are adapted to enable a plurality of rotary orientations. Each of the rotary orientations is such that the hole is oriented other than in the direction of maximum radial loading.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a wellbore casing. An annular piston is displaced in the axial direction by pressurizing an annular piston chamber. The axial displacement of the piston radially expands a tubular member into contact with a preexisting tubular member. The radially expanded liner hanger is then decoupled from the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gravel packing an interval of a wellbore comprises an outer tubular (110), which forms a first annulus with the wellbore, and an inner tubular (114) disposed within the outer tubular (110) forming a second annulus therebetween. Within the second annulus is an axially extending production pathway (190) and an axially extending slurry passageway (194), which is defined between a channel (170) and the inner tubular (114). The outer tubular (110) has outlets (128) that are substantially aligned with outlets (178) of the channel (170). The portions of both the outer and inner tubulars (110, 114) adjacent the production pathway (190) have openings (122, 146). When a fluid slurry containing gravel is injected through the slurry passageway (194), the fluid slurry exits through the outlets (178, 128) leaving gravel in the first annulus, thereby gravel packing the interval.

Abstract: A drilling machine 1 with a drill pipe holder 10 to be operated automatically in boring as well as in pulling, disposes over a gripper 20, which is constructed rotatably about an axis 21 and beyond that also axially displaceably, and has a telescoping support arm 22. The pipes 8, 9 can be arranged, i.e. stored, inserted into one another in pipe depositories 11, 12, 13 forming a partial circle 15 and can also be pulled out of them and swiveled into the drilling axis 7 with the aid of the gripper 20. When pulling the drilling string, the pipes 8, 9 can then be individually fanned out into the pipe depositories 11, 12, 13 and then later on the outer pipes 8 can be slid over. The entire process is operated automatically with the gripper 20.

Abstract: A drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body having a plurality of ports therein arranged to provide a flow path between an interior of a drill string and the exterior of the bit body. At least one flow relief is disposed in one of the ports. The at least one flow relief is adapted to provide an increase in total flow area of the bit upon application to the bit of a selected fluid flow condition. A method for changing a total flow area of a drill bit is also disclosed, which includes pumping drilling fluid through the drill bit and operating a flow relief disposed in the bit to change the total flow area of the bit.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus for limiting the extrusion of a packer element. The apparatus includes a packer mandrel having a packer element assembly disposed in a wellbore. Packer retaining shoes are disposed about the packer mandrel at the ends of the packer element assembly. The packer retaining shoes have an inner retainer and an outer retainer. The inner retainer has a plurality of segments having gaps therebetween that expand in width when the retaining shoe is moved from an initial position in which it is disposed about the packer mandrel to an expanded position wherein it engages the wellbore to limit the extrusion of the packer element assembly. The outer retainer is likewise made up of a plurality of segments having gaps therebetween that will expand. The inner retainer segments cover the gaps that exist between the outer retainer segments and the outer retainer segments cover the gaps that exist between the inner retainer segments so that extrusion is limited.

Abstract: A downhole valve that may be opened and closed by alternatingly pressurizing/bleeding a first control line, which is in fluid communication with a first surface of an activating member, and a second control line, which is in fluid communication with a second surface of the activating member. The fluid within the control lines is the same density as the fluid found in the annulus of the wellbore. The development of a leak in the control lines therefore does not by itself result in the actuation or movement of the activating member or valve member.