Abstract: In one aspect of the invention apparatus and methods are provided for completing a wellbore using expandable sand screen. An apparatus including a section of expandable sand screen, and an expanding member is disposed in the wellbore on a tubular run-in string. Thereafter, the expandable sand screen is expanded in a producing area of the wellbore.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cutting insert for a rock drill bit. The rock drill bit includes a tool body (10) having a front surface (13), and a number of cutting inserts (14), each having a generally cylindrical shank portion. The cutting insert (14) is provided with increased volume portions in its parts being most subjected to wear. The invention also relates to the rock drill bit.

Abstract: A power train for use in motor vehicles has an infinitely variable transmission with two adjustable sheaves, an endless flexible torque transmitting element trained over the sheaves, and at least one hydraulic adjusting unit for each of the sheaves. The adjusting units receive pressurized fluid from a pump and the pressure of such fluid, and hence the extent of frictional clamping engagement between the sheaves and the flexible element, is regulated by a torque sensor including a plenum chamber with an outlet having an effective cross-sectional area which is variable in dependency upon variations of torque being applied to the torque sensor by the engine of the vehicle. The energy of fluid leaving the plenum chamber is used to operate a jet pump which draws fluid from a source for lubrication and/or cooling of the transmission and/or one or more clutches forming part of the power train.

Abstract: A method of heating a chemical solution used in a well bore having a tubing string is disclosed. The well bore will intersect a hydrocarbon reservoir. The method will comprise providing a diesel engine that produces heat as a result of its operation. The engine will in turn produce a gas exhaust, a water exhaust, and a hydraulic oil exhaust. The method would further include channeling the exhaust to a series of heat exchangers. The method may further include flowing a treating compound into the heat exchangers and heating the treating compound in the series of heat exchangers by heat transfer from the exhaust to the treating compound. The operator may then inject the treating compound into the well bore for treatment in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. One such method would be to inject utilizing a coiled tubing unit. The novel thermal fluid heating system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of stimulating fluid production while preventing the migration of sand with produced fluids from an unconsolidated subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore. The methods basically comprise the steps of creating one or more fractures in the formation, injecting a hardenable resin composition into a portion of the formation through which the fractures extend whereby the portion of the formation is consolidated into a hard permeable mass and depositing proppant in the fractures to maintain the fractures open.

Abstract: A drive system for a "Caterpillar" vehicle has at least one elastic belt track which is driven by a drive gear in accordance with the principle of a frictional connection, and a further gear which is supported coaxially to the drive gear so that the drive force can be transferred to the coaxially supported gear and it is engaged with the belt track through toothed elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for fracturing a zone to collect fluids from the zone through a wellbore. The method introduces into the wellbore a series of fracturing fluids to fracture the sediments either above or below the bottom of the wellbore. A fracture extends from the wellbore into the sediments which can include a plurality of producing zones.

Abstract: An air-water mist flushing system and method for cooling and cleansing mining tool cutter elements having sources of water and compressed air, apparatus for admixing water and compressed air at predetermined volumes and pressures to form the air-water mist, and apparatus for delivering the air-water mist to the drill bit situs.

Abstract: A tool for installing an underground pipeline below an existing structure such as a sidewalk or driveway. The tool consists of a steel casing, an auger within the casing, a soil drilling bit at the end of the auger, and an hydraulic motor for driving the auger. A selected length of plastic or steel pipe is slid onto the casing before drilling. After the drilling is completed, the casing, auger, and auger bit are withdrawn from the soil, leaving the pipe length embedded in the soil.

Abstract: A frustum cutting bit arrangement, including a shank portion for mounting in, and to be retained by, a rotary cutting tool body, the shank portion having an axis, an inner axial end, and an outer axial end. A head portion has an axis coincident with the shank portion axis, a front axial end, and a rear axial end, the rear end coupled to the shank portion outer end, and the front end having a conical cavity therein diminishing in diameter from the front end toward the rear end. A frustum cutting insert has an axis coincident with the head portion axis, a forward axial end, a back axial end, and an outer conical surface diminishing in diameter from the forward end toward the back end, the conical cavity and the outer conical surface having substantially the same taper, the frustum cutting insert fitting into the cavity in a taper lock.

Abstract: A whipstock and whipstock anchor that allows for select orientation of the whipstock, retrievability of the whipstock, and also resetting of the whipstock in select orientation. The whipstock is for use in drilling a cased subterranean well with a drill bit. The whipstock includes a first device that directs the drill bit. The first device is supported at a desired location along the well casing by a second device. The first device and second device incorporate mechanisms that allow selective orientation of the first device with respect to the second device. The orientation of the second device in its location along the well casing can be accurately detected, and the mechanisms that allow selective orientation of the first device with the second device can be adjusted to provide an accurate, desired orientation for diverting a drill bit or other tool as it contacts the first device.

Abstract: Drive with a belt-driving wheel and a belt-motion deflector with a transmission member in the form of a belt wrapping around them in a continuous loop. The belt is in form-fit engagement with and is driven by at least the belt-driving wheel. Structures are distributed at least part-way along the belt and form fit matching structures on at least the belt-driving wheel. The belt is woven and the structures are applied to the belt in a separate step.

Abstract: A plurality of electronically controlled downhole tools and systems for use in production wells is presented. These tools and systems include safety valve and pressure monitoring systems, remotely controlled inflation/deflation devices, remotely actuated downhole tool stop systems, remotely controlled fluid/gas control systems, remotely controlled variable choke and shut-off valve systems and a retrievable sensor side pocket mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for killing a live well after activation of a well blowout preventer is described. This is achieved by providing apparatus in the form of a shear or kill sleeve (34) in a string (26) above a sub-sea test tree and which is located between the pipe rams (22, 24) and shear rams (18) of a blowout preventer (12). In the event that the shear rams (18) are activated and seal the string above the kill sleeve (34), the sleeve includes a pressure sensitive valve (84) which may be opened, by pressurising between the blowout preventer rams (18, 22), to permit fluid to be pumped from the blowout preventer (12) through the valve (84) and into the string (40), to choke or kill the well. After the well has been killed, the blowout preventer (12) may be opened to permit removal of the well tools. Embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A traveling chain mechanism has spaced sprockets with an endless chain trained around them. A traveling chain is transferable between the sprockets radially inward of the endless chain. The speed ratio between the sprockets is dependent upon which sprocket has the traveling chain connected thereto. By transferring the traveling chain between the sprockets, the speed ratio is changed. A derailer mechanism initiates the transfer of the traveling chain from one sprocket to the other. The derailer mechanism incorporates a pair of axially spaced derailer arms that are axially movable into the path of a long pin on a lead link of the traveling chain. The long pin engages the arms to cause pivoting thereof thereby aligning a ramp thereon with the shorter pins on each link. The derailer arms guide the traveling chain to a guide track for transportation by the endless chain to the other sprocket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the downhole disposal of the water component of production fluid while using gas lift techniques to lift the hydrocarbon component to the surface is disclosed. Separation of the hydrocarbon component and the water component takes place downhole by gravity in an annulus formed between the well casing and a tubing string. The water component may be disposed of or utilized to carry out a water-flood of either overlying or underlying subterranean formations. As a result, the lifting, handling and disposal of the water component of the production fluid on the surface is minimized.

Abstract: 058457102 A method of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus therefor provide efficient operation and convenience in completions where production of fluids from a lateral wellbore and a parent wellbore is desired. In one disclosed embodiment, the invention provides an efficient method of protecting a junction of multiple wellbore portions by positioning a tubular drilling guide within the well extending through the junction. In one aspect of the present invention, the drilling guide is sealingly engaged with certain ones of the wellbore portions while drilling operations are being performed.

Abstract: A method of completing a subterranean well and associated apparatus therefor provide efficient operation and convenience in completions where production of fluids from a lateral wellbore and a parent wellbore is desired. In one disclosed embodiment, the invention provides a method whereby a tubular member may be extended from a parent wellbore into a lateral wellbore, without the need of deflecting the tubular member off of a whipstock or other inclined surface. The tubular member may be previously deformed and initially constrained within a housing, so that as the tubular member extends outwardly from the housing, the tubular member is permitted to deflect laterally toward the lateral wellbore.

Abstract: A well regeneration apparatus and method of accomplishing same are provided. A scrubber pump is associated with a device for mechanically cleaning a well casing for washing and scrubbing a filter pipe portion of the well casing, and a gravel bed that surrounds the well casing, by means of a fluid. A feed pump is disposed above the scrubber pump, and the pressure side of the feed pump is connected to a riser that leads out of the well. A pump chamber of the scrubber pump communicates with the suction side of the feed pump. A further chamber is disposed in the vicinity of the scrubber pump and serves to accommodate the mechanically cleaning device. The pump chamber of the scrubber pump is disposed above the further chamber and serves to accommodate components of the scrubber pump that convey fluid outwardly into the gravel bed, in particular such that fluid passes out of the gravel bed, via the lower further chamber into the upper chamber of the scrubber pump, and from the upper chamber into the gravel bed.

Abstract: A stabilizer body is rotatably carried by the stabilizer sub, wherein the stabilizer body remains substantially stationary relative to the borehole as the drillstring rotates. At least one stabilizer blade is carried by the stabilizer body, the stabilizer blade being radially extendable from the stabilizer body and into engagement with the sidewall of the borehole. Each stabilizer blade is extendable and retractable from the stabilizer body independently of the others.