Abstract: A coring bit assembly for conveyance via wireline or drillstring in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The coring bit assembly includes a coring shaft and a thrust ring coupled to an end of the coring shaft. A static sleeve is disposed inside the coring shaft and having a flange coupled to the thrust ring to space the static sleeve from the coring shaft to form a drilling fluid passageway between the coring shaft and the static sleeve. An axial fluid pump is disposed on the coring shaft to engage with the static sleeve to drive drilling fluid through the drilling fluid passageway formation.

Abstract: Sealing gasket construction for providing a fluid seal intermediate a pair of opposed, mating parts or structures. The gasket includes a body formed of a resilient material, and one or more integral compression limiters each received in a corresponding aperture formed through the body. Each of the limiters is formed of a rigid material and extends through the body from a first flanged portion to a second flanged portion with the body being clamping therebetween.

Abstract: The optimized soil penetrating machine is characterized by parameters that are optimized with respect to maximum kinetic energy that the machine cyclically obtains for soil deformation during the forward mode of operation. The optimization of the parameters is based on the author's analytical investigation that revealed the existence of the optimal values of the lengths of the striker and its forward stroke at which the machine's kinetic energy reaches its maximum value, resulting in the maximum performance efficiency. The investigation shows that the optimal value of the length of the striker is shorter than the length of its forward stroke. In the existing machines the striker is longer than its forward stroke. This investigation also shows that the efficiency of the existing machines is about 2.5 times less than for their optimized hypothetical counterparts. Since the existing machines cannot be optimized it is required to implement new design concepts.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is operable to close a fluid flow path by virtue of an axially movable flow sleeve. The valve includes a recockable actuator and a latch mechanism so that the valve can be moved to a closed position without overcoming the pressure head and frictional forces currently encountered in conventional safety valves. The latch mechanism includes one or more micro pistons.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for lining a wellbore. The system comprises an expandable tubular element arranged in the wellbore, the tubular element having a first end part and a second end part whereby the second end part extends into a tubular wall located in the wellbore. An expander is arranged to radially expand the tubular element by movement of the expander through the tubular element in a direction from the first end part to the second end part, said direction defining an expansion direction. The system further comprises an anchor arranged to anchor said second end part to the tubular wall in a manner that the anchor substantially prevents movement of said second end part in the expansion direction and allows movement of said second end part in the direction opposite to the expansion direction.

Abstract: An annular restrictor for use in a well can include a body which extends circumferentially about a tubular mandrel, and a section which, in cooperation with the body, restricts fluid flow through an annulus, a line being secured between the body and the section. A method of completing a well can include installing a line in an annular restrictor, and restricting fluid flow through an annulus, with the restricting being performed by the annular restrictor interconnected between steam injection valves. A method of attaching a line to a tubular string for use in a well can include covering the line with a section of an annular restrictor, and securing the section to a body of the annular restrictor, each of the section and the body having a flow restricting surface formed thereon, and the covering and securing steps being performed without splicing or making a connection in the line.

Abstract: A transportable rig apparatus provides for well completion operations while also providing a rig apparatus that readily resists or negates the effects of dynamic wind forces or other weather phenomenon. More particularly, the transportable rig apparatus provides a mast assembly that can extend in a generally vertical direction, e.g. perpendicular to the rig carrier and/or ground surface, such that the rig can be placed directly adjacent to a wellbore, the mast assembly providing a mast apparatus that readily resists or negates the effects of strong winds or other weather phenomenon.

Abstract: A friction reducing assembly has a substantially cylindrical body member having an outer surface and friction reducing elements, such as ball transfer units or other omni-directional rolling-element bearing assemblies, disposed along such outer surface. The friction reducing assembly can take many different configurations including a rolling sub assembly, a mule shoe assembly or a centralizer assembly having an adjustable outer diameter.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an isolation valve with debris control. In one aspect, an isolation valve for use as part of a casing string is provided. The isolation valve includes a housing having a bore and a valve cavity. The isolation valve further includes a valve member movable between a first position in which the valve member obstructs the bore of the housing and a second position in which the valve member is disposed in the valve cavity. Further, the isolation valve includes a flow tube configured to allow movement of the valve member between the first and second positions. Additionally, the isolation valve includes an engagement assembly adapted to engage the flow tube to substantially prevent debris from entering the valve cavity when the valve member is in the second position. In another aspect, a method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore is provided.

Abstract: A magnet assembly having selectively removable magnet members can be attached to, or placed in the vicinity of, a conventional bell nipple or riser on a drilling rig to generate a magnetic field within a wellbore. The magnetic field catches falling metal objects and prevents such objects from passing beyond the magnet assembly and entering subterranean portions of a wellbore. Hatch doors are provided for easy access to inner portions of the magnet assembly.

Abstract: Proposed devices provide for a jetting process of formation critical areas after opening up a column, increasing a perforator's punch power and reliability, significantly preventing accidents. A hydro-mechanical piercing-type perforator includes a casing containing a hydraulic cylinder with a pusher, an operating tool radially movable and capable of interaction with the pusher. The tool is designed as a puncher, placed on a piston (plunger), mounted in a camera. The tool includes at least one through hydraulic channel and a jet. The camera is hydraulically connected with the cylinder. A proposed method for operating the perforator includes supplying a working fluid to the perforator through the column, creating pressure of the working fluid for an extension mechanism actuating the tool, extending the tool by applying the pressure through a piston rod system, to the piston with the puncher, and applying pressure to the piston through the hydraulic cylinder to the chamber.

Abstract: A method of inducing fracture in at least a portion of a geologic structure includes inducing acoustic waves into a fluid medium present in a borehole extending at least partially into the structure. Embodiments may include preheating or pressurizing the fluid medium prior to inducing the acoustic wave therein. A device for fracturing at least a portion of a geologic structure includes electrodes for producing a spark to generate ordinary acoustic waves in the fluid medium. Embodiments may include structures for preheating or pressurizing the fluid medium prior to inducing the acoustic wave therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a swellable screen assembly having inflow control capabilities. One swellable screen assembly includes a base pipe comprising a sidewall portion defining at least one opening therein, a rigid member disposed about a first portion of the base pipe and having a piston arranged therein. The piston has a telescoping portion movably arranged within a non-telescoping portion. An autonomous valve is arranged within the piston and provides fluid communication between a filter medium disposed about the base pipe and the opening in the base pipe, the filter medium being coupled to the telescoping portion of the piston. A swellable material is disposed about a second portion of the base pipe and the filter medium is disposed about the swellable material, wherein, as the swellable material expands, the filter medium is displaced toward an inner surface of the wellbore, thereby extending the telescoping portion.

Abstract: A downhole circulating valve includes a generally tubular outer housing having an axially extending internal passageway including an internal seat and at least one generally radially extending opening formed through the housing intersecting the internal seat. A valve element is rotatably disposed within the internal passageway. The valve element has an axially extending internal bore and a head portion disposed at least partially within the internal seat. The head portion includes at least one generally radially extending seal element. The valve element has a first position relative to the housing, wherein the seal element is not aligned with the opening, thereby allowing fluid communication between the opening and the internal passageway.

Abstract: A method of flowing fluid from a formation, the method comprising: sensing presence of a reservoir impairing substance in the fluid flowed from the formation; and automatically controlling operation of at least one flow control device in response to the sensing of the presence of the substance. A well system, comprising: at least one sensor which senses whether a reservoir impairing substance is present; and at least one flow control device which regulates flow of a fluid from a formation in response to indications provided by the sensor.

Abstract: A completion assembly for treating a wellbore. The completion assembly can include a tubular member having a bore formed axially therethrough and a port formed radially therethrough. An annulus can be disposed radially outward from the tubular member and the port can provide fluid communication between the annulus and the bore. A packer can be coupled to the tubular member and adapted to isolate first and second portions of the annulus. A seal bore can be coupled to the tubular member such that the port is disposed axially between the packer and the seal bore. A straddle seal can be adapted to contact the packer and the seal bore to prevent fluid flow between the annulus and the bore. The straddle seal can be run into the wellbore with the completion assembly in a single trip.

Abstract: Wellhead control line deployment involves replacing the seat/retainer plate of a master valve of the wellhead with a modified retainer plate. The retainer plate defines a first port communicating from a central opening of the plate to outside the plate. A modified bonnet installs on the master valve, and the bonnet has two ports, one communicating with the first port in the retainer plate and the second communicating with a needle valve port. The communication ports are linked by a tube with outside diameter seals that inserts between the retainer plate and the bonnet. A control line hanger can be retained by locking into an adapter sleeve or directly in the back-pressure valve threads of a tubing hanger. The adapter sleeve can be attached to the retainer plate or have a collet to snap into the back-pressure valve threads of the tubing hanger.

Abstract: A rotary drag bit includes a primary cutter row comprising at least one primary cutter mounted on a blade, at least some cutters in the primary cutter row having a portion of a cutting surface thereof covered by a portion of the blade. A backup cutter row comprising at least one cutter may also be included, and at least a portion of a cutting surface of at least some cutters in the backup cutter row is covered by a portion of the blade. Enhanced support for cutters is provided against impact loading.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole inflow control system for controlling an inflow of fluid into a casing from outside the casing, such as from a reservoir or an intermediate casing. The downhole inflow control system comprises a casing having an axial extension and a wall having a wall thickness (t), an inflow control valve having a housing, an axial extension in an axial direction along the housing, and a spring element moving in relation to the housing, thereby controlling the inflow of fluid through the valve from an inlet of the housing to an outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A method to extract oil for a pool of oil in the ground utilizes an interconnected series of rotating helical blades extending from the surface of the ground through a canted bore to the pool of oil. The blades can be staggered and interconnected with a gear arrangement that moves oil from pool to pool and up to the surface of the ground.