Abstract: A drilling tool for deep wells having a motor-driven drill bit which can be turned at an angle to the axis of the primary well hole to produce lateral holes branching from the primary hole. The bit is rotatably-mounted in the last in a series of pivotally articulated links at the downhole end of the drill pipe string. The deviation of the drill bit from the well axis is controlled by pivoting the last link with respect to the penultimate link. The last link includes a sliding surface which bears against the wall of the well hole to effect the pivoting. In another form of the invention a spring effects the pivoting. Preferably stops are provided between the last and penultimate link to limit the angle of pivoting.

Abstract: A pumpdown system in which the pistons providing for movement of the train into and out of the well do not travel down into the tubing below the wellhead and are connected to tools through reach rods extending down into the tubing. The cathead effect resulting from working around the loop with pistons is minimized by guides which substantially center the pistons in the loop and in the preferred form by the use of straight sections of the loop.

Abstract: A guide for guiding a pump-rod in a well-head consisting of a housing capable of being held between a well-head tee and a stuffing box comprising an enclosure having two pairs of transversely rotatable rollers positioned substantially at right angles to each other, each roller of each pair being offset from the center line of the pump-rod such that the pump-rod will pass between both sets of rollers so that it will be guided during operation in a reciprocating path.

Abstract: A retrievable packer for use in an oilwell casing, the packer having a central shaft with means at the upper end for attachment of an insertion or retrieval tool, an upper body portion having an opening receiving the shaft and having an integral downwardly extending tubular sleeve, the area around the sleeve providing an annular upper gland surface, a lower body portion having an opening receiving the shaft and a larger opening slidably receiving the sleeve and providing a lower annular flange surface, the lower body portion having a plurality of slots formed in vertical planes of the shaft axis, a baseplate having a threaded opening therein receiving the threaded lower end of the shaft, the baseplate serving to engage slips positioned in the slots so that as the shaft is rotated the baseplate moves up to force the slip into contact with the casing in which the packer is positioned, and an elastomeric packing gland of tubular cross-sectional shape received on the sleeve and between the upper and lower gland s

Abstract: Apparatus and method of positioning and seating a retrievable insert landing assembly within a packer bore receptacle in a well bore. Means are provided for releasably securing a landing assembly in the packer bore receptacle by engaging an annular groove in the PBR with latching elements on the landing assembly. The latching elements are normally in a retracted position and are actuated by hydraulic pressure. The landing assembly has an internal polished bore which slidably and sealingly receives a tubular extension attached to a releasable coupling. The releasable coupling is disconnectable from the landing assembly after it is latched in place. To retrieve the landing assembly a spear mechanism is run in the tubing and an upward pull shears a release mechanism in the landing assembly. The retrievable landing assembly is hydraulically set and mechanically retrieved.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit for drilling earth formations is disclosed having a plurality of cutting elements mounted on the head portion of the bit. The bit further includes a plurality of individual protrusions projecting from the head portion more than the extension of the cutting elements. The protrusions are fabricated of a metal more readily abraded by the earth formation than any of the cutting elements. The protrusions protect the cutting elements during handling of the bit and entry of the bit into a borehole; and, the protectors are abraded away to expose the cutting elements during drilling.

Abstract: A whipstock setting apparatus including a whipstock with an anchor-packer connected on its lower end and a cutter releasably connected to the upper end of the whipstock with a fluid line connecting from the bore of the cutter to the anchor-packer for setting of the anchor-packer whereby the whipstock can be set in the cased well bore at a level above the bottom without having to make a round trip with the well string on which it is lowered into the cased well bore. The method of setting a whipstock includes the steps of lowering the apparatus into the cased well bore on a well string, orienting the whipstock, checking the orientation of the whipstock with a wire line survey instrument run through the well string, pressuring the well string to set the anchor-packer and lowering and rotating the well string to commence milling after the anchor-packer has been set.

Abstract: A rock boring bit assembly which includes a body configured for engagement with associated driving mechanism. At least one roller cutter is rotatably mounted on the body. The roller cutter includes a plurality of cutting member disposed about the entire face or surface thereof in generally upstanding relationship. The cutting members are arrayed over the roller cutter surface with no channel between adjacent arrays of cutting members. The cutters have generally rectilinear edges and each of the edges is disposed in substantially oblique relationship to a plurality of other rectilinear edges of other cutting members disposed proximate thereto.

Abstract: A variable diameter drill rod stabilizer including an inner piston having cam surfaces which bear against wall engaging segments. Movement of the piston axially within a drill rod section by differential pressure of a fluid flowing through a passage in the piston moves the wall engaging segments radially and controls the diameter of the stabilizer.

Abstract: Real time responsive devices are mounted at the inlet to an in-hole motor to measure the interval of time during which drilling fluid circulates through the motor.