Abstract: A wear resistant drill bit of the matrix bodied type has a bit body comprising a tungsten carbide material bound with a binder material, wherein the tungsten carbide material includes at least some tungsten carbide particles of generally spherical shape. The tungsten carbide material includes particles having a relatively hard central core and a softer skin. The skin includes a large proportion of a high temperature phase of tungsten carbide.

Abstract: A surface processor uses an environmental profile to determine the sub-surface length of tubing disposed in a well bore. Information relating to tubing properties is stored in a memory module of the surface processor. The environmental profile includes data relating to well bore ambient conditions and the operating parameters of well equipment. Surface processor calculates the tubing elongation or length reduction corresponding to the environmental profile. Surface processor may repeat this process to develop a measured depth chart for a well. Logging operations performed in conjunction with the sub-surface length calculations allows formation data to be associated with the measured depth chart.

Abstract: The invention generally provides a sealing assembly with a deformable portion and a core at least partially disposed within the deformable portion that can be radially expanded to engage an adjacent surface and effect a seal. In one embodiment, the core is a fluid-containing core that preferably comprises a compressible fluid and the deformable portion comprises a deformable metal. The core can retain an amount of stored energy and adjust to changing conditions that otherwise might affect the seal integrity. The core can be sealed within the deformable portion and can be compressed by a force applied to the deformable portion to cause radial expansion. The core can also be coupled to a piston which can apply a force to fluid within the core to cause the radial expansion necessary to effect sealing. An elastomeric member can be attached to the deformable portion to assist in sealing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the productivity of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon bearing siliceous formations, particularly those made up at least in part of zeolites, is achieved by contacting the formation with a treatment solution comprising citric acid, phosphonate compounds, and hydrofluoric acid. The treatment solution can be applied prior to gravel packing or fracturing. This solution may optionally contain ammonium salts. Similar solutions comprising citric acid and phosphonate compounds without hydrofluoric acid may also be used to contact the formation prior to contacting the formation with the citric acid and phosphonate solution containing hydrofluoric acid. Other preflushes known in the art, such as hydrochloric, acetic or formic acid solutions, may also be used.

Abstract: A method of machining a workpiece in a subterranean wellbore comprises the steps of: (a) providing a workpiece that comprises (1) a first section that comprises a first material, and (2) a second section that comprises a second material, the second section forming at least one surface of the workpiece; (b) placing the workpiece in a subterranean wellbore that is surrounded by a geologic formation; and (c) machining the workpiece to remove at least part of the second material in the second section, whereby at least one surface of the workpiece is formed into a desired configuration. This method allows, for example, a landing nipple to be installed in a wellbore, and customized locking recesses to be formed in the inner surface of the nipple at a later time.

Abstract: A wellbore junction isolation method and associated apparatus provide convenient isolation of a wellbore junction while permitting certain operations to be performed in a wellbore below the junction. In a described embodiment, a formation intersected by a main wellbore below a wellbore junction is stimulated by fracturing after installing an assembly at the wellbore junction to isolate it from pressures applied during the fracturing operation. In this embodiment, the assembly is installed in a single trip into the main wellbore.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in a wellbore comprises (1) a first structure that comprises (a) at least one extendable member that can be reconfigured from a coiled form to an extended form, the member having a flattened transverse cross-section when in the coiled form and a curved transverse cross-section when in the extended form, (b) a downhole well tool attached to the extendable member, and (c) a housing in which the extendable member can be coiled; (2) a well mounting device for supporting the first structure from the wellbore or the surface of a well; and (3) means for reconfiguring the extendable, coilable member in a wellbore from the coiled form to the extended form. Preferably, the extendable member is reversibly configurable between the coiled form and the extended form.

Abstract: This invention relates to hydraulic anchor packers for use in well bores and, more particularly, to inflatable anchor packers. A hydraulic anchor packer (90) is provided having an inflatable packer element (36) incorporating a cylinder (38) and an elastomer sleeve (44) provided on the exterior surface thereof. The elastomer sleeve (44) but free of the cylinder (38) intermediate the end portions. Means are provided for causing fluid from within the cylinder (38) to flow through an aperture (48) and between the elastomer sleeve (44) and the exterior surface of the cylinder so as to radially expand the sleeve (44). Means are also provided for trapping fluid so as to prevent relaxation of the sleeve (44). Pressure relief means (92, 94, 98) permits fluid located exteriorly of the packer (90) to move past the sleeve (44) as the sleeve (44) expands whilst in engagement with a well bore wall during use. Thus, the downhole half of the sleeve (44) may freely expand and displace fluid located below the packer (90).

Abstract: For a spar type floating platform having risers passing vertically through the center well of a spar hull, there is provided apparatus for supporting the risers from a gimbaled table supported above the top of the spar hull. The table flexibly is supported by a plurality of non-linear springs attached to the top of the spar hull. The non-linear springs compliantly constrain the table rotationally so that the table is allowed a limited degree of rotational movement with respect to the spar hull in response to wind and current induced environmental loads. Larger capacity non-linear springs are located near the center of the table for supporting the majority of the riser tension, and smaller capacity non-linear springs are located near the perimeter of the table for controlling the rotational stiffness of the table. The riser support table comprises a grid of interconnected beams having openings therebetween through which the risers pass.

Abstract: The invention encompasses improvements in noise attenuation systems for reducing the audible noise level generated during earth boring operations using a hard surfaced rotary drill bit, and in dual bore-cutting elements for performing sequential first and second bore cutting to the design bore-gauge.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for forming and reentering multiple lateral wells through a wall of a common well bore. The system includes an anchor, an orienting member, an extension member, a diverter and a probe releasably connected by one or more unilateral connections and a multilateral connection. The unilateral connection restricts rotational and translational movement of the system upon makeup, and maintains alignment between components thus joined in a single direction. The multilateral connection also restricts rotational and translational movement of the system upon makeup, however, enables alignment between components thus joined in multiple directions. Thus, use of the system enables lateral orientation of the diverter at multiple positions, positioning the diverter at multiple longitudinal positions and selective reentry of each lateral well formed.

Abstract: A method of providing a downhole seal, such as a packer (12), in a drilled bore between inner tubing (11) and outer tubing (16) comprises: providing an intermediate tubing section (18) defining a seal arrangement for engaging with the inner tubing; and radially plastically deforming the intermediate tubing section downhole to form an annular extension (40a, 40b). The extension creates a sealing contact with the outer tubing (16).

Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow from multiple isolated producing zones in a well is provided. Components of the system are placeable in and retrievable from bottom entry side pocket mandrel sections permanently installed in a production tubing string in the well. These components provided are sensor modules, isolation valve modules, power modules, control modules, hydraulic pump control modules and packer modules which are carried by the production tubing string. Control signals for modules are developed either downhole or at the surface and modules may be placed or retrieved through the production tubing without pulling the production tubing from the well.

Abstract: A system for reservoir control. The system allows segregated production of fluids, e.g. water and oil, to control the fluid-fluid interface. Downhole sensors are utilized in providing data about the location of the interface. This permits the proactive monitoring and control of the interface prior to unwanted intermingling of fluids, e.g. oil and water, during production.

Abstract: A method of taking the energy from the radiator water, exhaust gas system, and/or the mechanical work from the drive shaft of a thermal module and transferring it to a fluid from a tank for the purpose of heating the fluid in the tank, and scavenging the additional energy from the radiator water, exhaust gas system, and/or mechanical work from the drive shaft of a separate system to supplement the energy from the thermal module for the purpose of greater heating the fluid from the tank.

Abstract: System and method for controlling fluid flows in one or more oil and/or gas wells in a geological formation, the wells each comprising a production tube, the formation containing a water-containing volume with a higher water level, comprising: one or more measuring devices, each mounted in relation to a chosen zone of a well for measuring the distance to the water level in the zone, one or more valve devices comprised in the production tubes for regulating the fluid flow from the surrounding formation to the production tube, one or more control units connected to each of the valves for regulating then on the basis of the measured distance or distances.

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 power feed system for a rotary drill includes a hollow tubular derrick having a powerhead connected to a flexible cable moved by a double rod hydraulic cylinder assembly. The derrick includes fixed and movable sheaving assemblies. The hydraulic rod assembly, the fixed and movable assemblies operate substantially within the derrick interior. A guide wheel on the movable sheaving contacts the derrick to maintain axial alignment of the hydraulic rods. Pivotable connections between the cable and the movable sheaves automatically adjust for cable fleet angle change, as the movable sheaves travel, maintaining axial alignment of the hydraulic rods and avoiding introducing torque into the cylinder rods.