Abstract: Methods and apparatus for excavation of a borehole in a geological formation are provided. Such methods may include providing a thermal system capable of providing substantially hot fluid, and comprising at least one jet nozzle, providing a mechanical drilling system comprising a drill bit, directing the substantially hot fluid through the jet nozzle towards the geological formation causing an altered portion of geological formation to form, and removing the altered portion using the drill bit, thereby creating cuttings and producing a borehole in the geological formation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spalling a material, for example to thermally drill a wellhole, are provided. Such methods may include directing a fluid having a temperature greater than about 500° C. above the ambient temperature of the material and less than about the temperature of the brittle-ductile transition temperature of the material to a target location on the surface of the material, wherein the fluid produces a heat flux of about 0.1 to about 50 MW/m2 at an interface between the fluid and the target location, and thereby creating spalls of the material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for excavation of a borehole in a geological formation are provided. Such methods may include providing a thermal system capable of providing substantially hot fluid, and comprising at least one jet nozzle, providing a mechanical drilling system comprising a drill bit, directing the substantially hot fluid through the jet nozzle towards the geological formation causing an altered portion of geological formation to form, and removing the altered portion using the drill bit, thereby creating cuttings and producing a borehole in the geological formation.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing existing wells, such as increasing the diameter of an existing well by hydrothermal spallation are provided. Such methods may include providing a housing comprising a reaction chamber and a catalyst element held within the reaction chamber, providing at least one jet nozzle, contacting one or more unreacted fluids or solids with the catalyst element, wherein the unreacted fluid or solid is adapted to react with the catalyst element, thus generating a reacted fluid, and emitting the reacted fluid through the at least one nozzle, wherein the at least one nozzle may be directed to a production zone of an internal wall of the existing well.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spalling a material, for example to thermally drill a wellhole, are provided. Such methods may include directing a fluid having a temperature greater than about 500° C. above the ambient temperature of the material and less than about the temperature of the brittle-ductile transition temperature of the material to a target location on the surface of the material, wherein the fluid produces a heat flux of about 0.1 to about 50 MW/m2 at an interface between the fluid and the target location, and thereby creating spalls of the material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for spalling a geological formation, for example to thermally drill a wellhole, are provided. Such methods may include providing a housing comprising a reaction chamber and a catalyst element held within the reaction chamber, providing at least one jet nozzle, contacting one or more unreacted fluids or solids with the catalyst element, wherein the unreacted fluid or solid is adapted to react over the catalyst element, thus generating a reacted fluid, and emitting the reacted fluid through the at least one nozzle, wherein the at least one nozzle is directed to an excavation site within or on the geological rock formation, thereby creating spalls and/or a reacted rock region.

Abstract: A compression cell for rock or soil core samples applies and restores lithostatic or overburden pressure to core samples extracted from wells drilled deep into the earth. A method of applying lithostatic pressure to a core sample is disclosed along with the apparatus which effects the application. The cell construction that maintains the litho static pressure and the process of utilizing the cell and sample under essentially deep earth ambient conditions are set forth.

Abstract: A pressure control assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a pressure transducer for detecting upstream pressure. A diaphragm is used to regulate flow through the assembly, and is forced into a closed position by pressure from a fluid column. The pressure on the fluid column is controlled by a piston driven by a step motor. The step motor is activated in response to signals from the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A high precision, high pressure, volumetric metering pump in which the driving motor is reciprocated by rotation of a ball screw, the drive motor assembly being integral with the driving and pumping shaft, is disclosed.