Abstract: Methods and systems for drilling to a target location include a control system that receives an input comprising a planned drilling path to a target location and determines a projected location of a bottom hole assembly of a drilling system. The projected location of the bottom hole assembly is compared to the planned drilling path to determine a deviation amount. A modified drilling path is created to the target location as selected based on the amount of deviation from the planned drilling path, and drilling rig control signals that steer the bottom hole assembly of the drilling system to the target location along the modified drilling path are generated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using a quill to steer a hydraulic motor when elongating a wellbore in a direction having a horizontal component, wherein the quill and the hydraulic motor are coupled to opposing ends of a drill string, by monitoring an actual toolface orientation of a tool driven by the hydraulic motor via monitoring a drilling operation parameter indicative of a difference between the actual toolface orientation and a desired toolface orientation, and then adjusting a position of the quill by an amount that is dependent upon the monitored drilling operation parameter.

Abstract: In general, the present disclosure describes various techniques for overlaying or combining a set of rendered graphics surfaces onto a single graphics frame. One example device includes a first processor that selects a surface level for each of a plurality of rendered graphics surfaces prior to the device outputting any of the rendered graphics surfaces to a display. The device further includes a second processor that retrieves the rendered graphics surfaces, overlays the rendered graphics surfaces onto a graphics frame in accordance with each of the selected surface levels, and outputs the graphics frame to the display.

Abstract: A method, device and system for augmenting a traditional drilling or workover rig with automated operational, monitoring and reporting systems. The automation system comprises integratable components of various automated operational systems, combined in a device easily adapted to install into the operational area of a drilling or workover rig, wherein the automated operational systems are dynamically selectable either or both locally or remotely.

Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus comprising a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots each extending in a direction, a recessed member slidably coupled to the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses each tapered in the direction from a shallow end to a deep end, and a plurality of rolling members each retained between one of the recesses and one of the slots, wherein each rolling member partially extends through the adjacent slot when located in the shallow end of the recess, and wherein each rolling member retracts within an outer perimeter of the slotted member when located in a deep end of the recess. The apparatus may further comprise a plurality of biasing elements each biasing a corresponding one of the rolling members towards the shallow end of the corresponding recess.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for MSE-based drilling operation and/or optimization, comprising detecting MSE parameters, utilizing the MSE parameters to determine MSE, and automatically adjusting drilling operational parameters as a function of the determined MSE.

Abstract: A compound having the formula LiaNa2?aFePO4F, wherein 0<a?2 may be synthesized by exchanging lithium ions for sodium ions in Na2FePO4F. The compound may be used as a cathode material for a lithium ion battery. A battery may be comprised of an electrode active material having the formula Li2FePO4F, an anode; and an electrolyte. Na2FePO4F may be synthesized by flux reaction. Microcrystalline Na2FePO4F may be synthesized by a solution method. Na2FePO4F may be used as a cathode material for a lithium ion battery and may be carbon composite coated.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for scaling a rendered surface. The apparatus includes a graphics processor configured to render a surface at a source resolution, wherein a scaling parameter is associated with the surface, the scaling parameter defining the source resolution and a destination resolution. The apparatus further includes a display processor configured to scale the rendered surface to the destination resolution. Preferably, the scaling parameters are EGL surface attributes.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for rotating a rendered surface. The apparatus includes a graphics processor configured to render a surface, wherein a display orientation parameter is associated with the surface, the display orientation parameter defining a rotation process. The apparatus further includes a display processor configured to rotate the rendered surface in accordance with the display orientation parameter. Preferably, the display orientation parameter is an EGL surface attribute.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for applying transparency to a rendered surface. The apparatus comprises a graphics processor configured to render a surface, wherein a transparency parameter is associated with the surface, the transparency parameter defining a blending process. The apparatus further includes a display processor configured to blend the rendered surface in accordance with the transparency parameter. Preferably, the transparency parameter is an EGL surface attribute.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and its use for the selective oxidation of ethane to acetic acid and/or for the selective oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid. The composition includes in combination with oxygen the elements molybdenum, vanadium, niobium, gold in the absence of palladium according to the empirical formula MoaWbAucVdNbeZf, wherein Z is one or more elements selected from B, Al, Ga, In, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Cu, Pt, Ag, Fe and Re, and a, b, c, d, e and f represent the gram atom ratios of the elements such that: 0<a?1; 0?b<1 and a+b=1; 10?5?c?0.02; 0<d?2; 0<e?1; and 0.0001?f?0.05.

Abstract: An elevator assembly for moving a tubular member, the elevator assembly comprising first and second doors each connected to a front side of a body such that the first and second doors rotate between open and closed positions, wherein the body and the doors collectively encircle the tubular member when the doors are in the closed position, and wherein a center of mass of the elevator assembly remains substantially unchanged regardless of whether the first and second doors are in the open or closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for handling a tubular segment, coupling the tubular segment with a tubular string, and handling the tubular string in a well bore. The apparatus has a tubular engagement assembly, which connects to a drive shaft of a top drive. The tubular engagement assembly has a self-engaging ball and taper assembly that releasably engages the tubular segment. When the tubular engagement assembly connects to the drive shaft and the ball and taper assembly engages the tubular segment, any rotation in the drive shaft results in rotation of the tubular segment. This rotation allows the tubular segment to engage the tubular string.

Abstract: A reciprocating cutting tool configured for orbital cutting, includes a housing, a power source disposed in the housing, a main linkage connected to the power source and to a blade for driving the blade in a vertically reciprocating motion, a foot plate connected to the housing and including a portion in operational relationship to the blade, a swivel bracket connected to the foot plate and disposed to exert an orbital force to a rear edge of the blade. A plunger is secured within the housing and connected to the linkage for reciprocal, pivotal and rotational movement, and has an end configured for receiving a blade. A selector mechanism for selecting at least between pivotal and rotational movement of the plunger, wherein the pivotal movement relates to orbital blade motion, and the rotational movement relates to scrolling blade motion.

Abstract: A catalyst composition and its use for the oxidation of ethane and/or ethylene to acetic acid, which composition comprises in combination with oxygen the elements molybdenum, vanadium, niobium and gold in the absence of palladium according to the empirical formula: MoaWbAucVdNbeYf (I), wherein Y is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of: Cr, Mn, Ta, Ti, B, Al, Ga, In, Pt, Zn, Cd, Bi, Ce, Co, Rh, Ir, Cu, Ag, Fe, Ru, Os, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zr, Hf, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Si, Sn, Tl, U, Re, Te and La; and a, b, c, d, e and f represent the gram atom ratios of the elements such that: 0-5.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises an air flow to electrical energy converter configured to be driven primarily by the air through which a vehicle travels.

Abstract: A reciprocating cutting tool configured for orbital cutting, includes a housing, a power source disposed in the housing, a main linkage connected to the power source and to a blade for driving the blade in a vertically reciprocating motion, a foot plate connected to the housing and including a portion in operational relationship to the blade, a swivel bracket connected to the foot plate and disposed to exert an orbital force to a rear edge of the blade. A plunger is secured within the housing and connected to the linkage for reciprocal, pivotal and rotational movement, and has an end configured for receiving a blade. A selector mechanism for selecting at least between pivotal and rotational movement of the plunger, wherein the pivotal movement relates to orbital blade motion, and the rotational movement relates to scrolling blade motion.

Abstract: A process for the production of acetic acid, which process comprises contacting ethane and/or ethylene with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in a fluid bed reactor in the presence of a microspheroidal fluidised particulate solid oxidation catalyst, wherein at least 90% of said catalyst particles are less than 300 microns.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a C2 to C4 alkane to produce the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid which process comprises contacting in an oxidation reaction zone, said alkane, molecular oxygen-containing gas, and the corresponding alkene and optionally, water, in the presence of at least one catalyst active for the oxidation of the alkane to the corresponding alkene and carboxylic acid, to produce a product stream comprising alkene, carboxylic acid and water, wherein in said process the molar ratio of alkene to carboxylic acid produced in said oxidation reaction zone is adjusted or maintained at a pre-determined value by controlling the concentrations of the alkene and optional water in said oxidation reaction zone and optionally by also controlling one or more of the pressure, temperature and residence time of the oxidation reaction zone. Such an oxidation process may be used in an integrated process, such as for the manufacture of vinyl acetate or ethyl acetate.

Abstract: Acetic acid is produced by oxidation of methane with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an acid selected from concentrated sulfuric acid and fuming sulfuric acid, a palladium-containing catalyst and a promoter, preferably a copper or iron salt. The addition of a promoter and O2 to a system that includes a palladium-containing catalyst such as PdCl2 increases the rate of acetic acid formation from methane by more than an order of magnitude as compared with prior art and, in addition, inhibits the precipitation of Pd black.