Abstract: The present invention is a wellhead system for use in completing at least two well bores from within a single conductor housing. The wellhead system comprises at least one wellhead housing which is supported on the conductor housing and which comprises a top portion that is adapted to be connected to a lower portion of a wellhead component, a casing hanger which is supported within the wellhead housing and from which a casing string is suspended, and a connector for securing the wellhead component to the wellhead housing. In accordance with the present invention, the connector is selected from the group consisting of a latch ring and a segmented clamp assembly.

Abstract: A drill bit guide is mounted in a wellhead in place of a wear bushing. The bit guide is capable of guiding strings and tools through the wellhead without damage to the wellhead or string while drilling. In one version of the bit guide, a pair of linear actuators radially extend and retract separate halves of the bit guide to conform to the size of the object located between them. In another version of the bit guide, a set of interlocking arms and wear bars are articulated to form a circular opening having a variable inner diameter. A drill string may be lowered through a fully open bit guide or landed on top of a fully closed bit guide. The bit guide also can be moved to more closely receive the drill string passing through it to prevent damage to the drill string and the wellhead.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sealing sleeve which is disposed in a lateral fluid conduit that extends at least partially through a tubing hanger and a surrounding spool and which is slideable between a retracted position for running and retrieval of the tubing hanger and an extended position for sealing across the interface between the tubing hanger and the spool.

Abstract: An injection probe assembly is disclosed for injecting material into subsurface formations for making geotechnical improvements. The probe assembly includes a sheath having an upper end for attaching to a mating tool string and a lower end for receiving a solid drive point. The sheath has a reduced diameter injection area which includes an interior space enclosed by a tubular sidewall, a valve seat, and a plurality of injection ports extending through the sidewall through which materials can be injected laterally. A check valve spool is arranged for sliding movement within the interior space for preventing back-flow of material into the interior space. The spool is seated on the valve seat and covers the injection ports in a first position, and is unseated from the valve seat with the injection ports uncovered in a second position. The spool is responsive to pressure changes of the injected materials.

Abstract: Fluid property sensors and associated methods of calibrating sensors in a well provide enhanced well monitoring and control. In one described embodiment, an external venturi flowmeter is utilized to determine a flow rate of fluid from a zone into a tubing string, independent of flow into the tubing string of fluid produced from any upstream zone. In another described embodiment, a gamma ray fluid density sensor utilizes a unique combination of gamma ray sources and detectors to determine a density of fluid flowing through a tubing string. In yet another embodiment, external tubing string sensors are used to determine properties of fluid from a zone into a tubing string, independent of flow into the tubing string of fluid produced from any upstream zone. In still another embodiment, sensor systems for multiple independently produced zones are calibrated.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for communication from an instrument disposed in a wellbore. The system includes a flow diverter selectively operable to conduct fluid flow between a first path along the interior of a housing and a second path along the interior of the housing. The system includes an initiator operatively coupled to the flow diverter to cause selective operation thereof in response to an event.

Abstract: A three cone roller bit with rolling cone cutters that are provided with both primary and secondary cutting elements. The primary cutting elements extend outwardly from lands on the outer surface of the cutter body. The secondary cutting elements are disposed within grooves on the cutter body so as to either protrude with its cutting surface from the bottom of the groove or be flush or slightly recessed within it. During normal operation, the primary cutter elements of the rolling cone cutters engage the borehole formation. The secondary cutters do not engage the formation. After substantial wear has occurred to the primary cutter elements, and wear begins to occur to the body of the cone cutters, the secondary cutter elements serve as a secondary cutting structure that engages and cuts into the formation.

Abstract: The invention generally concerns a submersible well pumping system comprising an axially elongated housing having a diameter less than the bore hole of the well, a multi-chamber hydraulically driven diaphragm pump, suspended in the well. The pump is driven by a self-contained, closed hydraulic system, activated by an electric or hydraulic motor. The flow of working fluid into and out of the working fluid sub-chambers is controlled by a two state main valve with a means to insure the main valve is completely switched, in turn controlled by a control valve which senses the differential pressure across the working diaphragm and generates a hydraulic signal to change the state of the two state main valve, typically when either diaphragm reaches the top of the pumping stroke. Singly or in combination, the means to assure the main valve is completely switched between the two states is an energy storage device, hysterisis in the control valves and or a two position latch the main valve.

Abstract: A rock drill has at least one hard material insert (2) with at least two cutting edges (3, 7) consisting of hard material and extending radially to the drill axis (A), whereby, in a radial range of 20% to 50% of their drilling radius, at least two cutting edges (3, 7) each have an axial recess (4), and the cutting edges (3, 7) rotating around the drill axis (A) extend with their cutting edges in their entirety without any gaps over the entire drilling radius.

Abstract: Apparatus for boring a hole from an inside of a casing outwardly at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the casing comprises a drill shoe having a longitudinal axis and being positionable in the casing, the shoe having first and second passageways which converge into a third passageway exiting the shoe, a torsional load transmitting element and a cutting element connecting to one end of the torsional load transmitting element, the torsional load transmitting element and cutting element being positioned in the first passageway during non-use and in the third passageway during use, and a fluid conduit and a nozzle connected to one end of the fluid conduit, the fluid conduit and nozzle being positioned in the second passageway during non-use and in the third passageway during use.

Abstract: A coil tubing hanger system and a method of installing such system is provided. The coil tubing hanger system comprises a body having an axial opening there through. A slip bowl having a base and housing a slip that can be retained in a first position spaced apart from bowl base and a second position proximate the bowl base is fitted within the opening. The slip has inner teeth. Tubing is fitted within the slip and through the bowl while the slip is retained in the first position. The slip is then allowed to drop to the second position such that the slip teeth bite onto the outer surface of the tubing.

Abstract: A downhole drilling apparatus for interconnection in a casing or liner string having a drill bit disposed thereon for enabling the drilling of intersecting wellbores without removal of the drill bit is disclosed. In a disclosed embodiment, the apparatus comprises a housing having a window. A whipstock is disposed within the housing. Between the window and the whipstock is a filler. The whipstock and the filler define a central bore providing a fluid path through the apparatus. A back pressure valve may be disposed within the central bore to prevent back flow of fluids through the apparatus. Once the total depth of an initial wellbore is reached, the casing or liner string, including the apparatus, may be cemented in place. Thereafter, an intersecting wellbore may be drilled by laterally deflecting a second drill bit with the whipstock through the window of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating cement plugs and other devices downhole in a wellbore. A cement plug is moved downhole into a wellbore through a casing, and a transmitter sends a signal to a receiver. A processor engaged with the receiver identifies the elevation or location of the cement plug. Accurate placement of the cement plug eliminates problems associated with underplacement and overplacement of cement in a wellbore.

Abstract: A tubing centralizer for borehole drilling disclosed. The centralizer includes a retaining collar and an outer sleeve. In a method for installing the centralizer onto a joint of tubing, the retaining collar is mounted onto the joint of tubing and the outer sleeve is installed thereover.

Abstract: A wellbore method which, in certain aspects, includes providing with a primary system a fluid with microorganisms, the primary system including introduction apparatus, with the introduction apparatus introducing the fluid with microorganisms into an earth formation bearing hydrocarbons, the microorganisms for facilitating removal of the hyrdrocarbons from the earth formation bearing hydrocarbons, effecting heat exchange between the fluid with microorganisms and heat transfer fluid that has traversed an earth loop of an earth loop heat exchange system, the earth loop heat exchange system with an earth loop extending from an earth surface down into the earth with the heat transfer fluid flowable through the earth loop and heat transfer apparatus for transferring heat between the fluid with the microorganisms and the heat transfer fluid; and, in certain asepcts wherein effecting the heat exchange between said fluid with microorganisms and the heat transfer fluid prolongs life of and/or enhances activity of the m

Abstract: A method monitors pumping operations of a vehicle that pumps various fluid treatments down into a well being serviced at a well site. The method records the vehicle's engine speed and the values of one or more fluid-related variables, such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and pump strokes per minute. The values are recorded as a function of the time of day that the variables and engine speed were sensed. In some embodiments, the recorded values are communicated over a wireless communication link from a remote well site to a central office.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a gravel pack operation includes a bypass mechanism (e.g., a bypass valve) that is actuatable between plural positions. The bypass mechanism is part of a tool assembly, with the bypass mechanism providing different flow paths through the tool assembly corresponding to the plural positions of the bypass mechanism. For example, if the bypass mechanism is in a first position, an elevated pressure is communicated from an annular region outside a tool string to a target wellbore section. On the other hand, if the bypass mechanism is in the second position, the elevated pressure is communicated from inside the tool string to the target wellbore section. In either position, an overbalance condition is maintained in the target wellbore section so that swabbing effects are reduced or eliminated due to movement of the tool assembly during a gravel pack operation.

Abstract: In the drilling of a well, a dedicated drilling wellhead (520) mounted at the top of the casing cluster whilst the well is being drilled. At the end of drilling, a seal ring or sleeve (534) which during the drilling phase has the function of an annular sleeve isolating the well bore pressure from the production annulus space (540), is manipulated into an alternative position in which it acts to block the annular space (540) thereby acting as a temporary abandonment seal. A further plug seal is fitted in the well bore. The well is now temporarily sealed and the drilling wellhead can then be removed and can be reused on another well during the drilling phase of that well. A production wellhead (550,556) which has a cantilever christmas tree fitted on its side over a production wellhead (557) which can accept a conventional christmas tree on top is then fitted on to the casing hanger cluster.

Abstract: A rotary cone bit, having a functionally-engineered surface of this invention, comprises a bit body having at least one leg extending therefrom, and a cone that is rotatably disposed on the leg. The cone typically comprises a plurality of cutting elements that project outwardly therefrom. The cutting elements comprises a cermet material selected from the group consisting of refractory metal carbides, nitrides, borides, carbonitrides and mixtures thereof. A functionally-engineered material is disposed over a surface portion of at least one of the cutting elements to form a wear resistant surface thereon. The wear resistant surface has a hardness that is different than that of the underlying cutting element. The wear resistant surface is provided by forming a conformable material mixture by combining one or more powders selected from the group consisting of cermets, carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, refractory metals, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof, with an applying agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas lift valve for use in an oil well producing by means of gas lift, said gas lift valve making use of a central body venturi for both controlling the flow of the injection gas from the annulus between the tubing and the casing of the oil well, and precluding a reverse flow of fluids from said oil well towards said annulus to occur.