Abstract: A method for improving bonding and sealing in a well, comprising providing a wellbore, providing a pipe, coating an outside surface of the pipe with an adhesive thermoplastic resin, running the coated pipe into the wellbore, and causing the temperature of said wellbore to increase to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of said adhesive thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A method for improving bonding and sealing in a well, comprising providing a wellbore, providing a pipe, coating an outside surface of the pipe with an adhesive thermoplastic resin, running the coated pipe into the wellbore, and causing the temperature of said wellbore to increase to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of said adhesive thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a chemical formulation useful for creating geosynthetic composites in-situ, which includes a reactive ester having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, preferably a vinyl ester of a C9 to C11 versatic acid or vinyl ester of a long chain fatty acid, or a combination thereof, at least one unsaturated thermoplastic elastomer soluble in the reactive ester; at least one di- or tri-functional acrylate or methacrylate monomer. The formulation may further include a non-aqueous drilling fluid.

Abstract: An extension rod device is provided for extending an existing spinal fixation system. The device can engage with implanted spinal fixation elements and house extension spinal rods that expand the fixation system to adjacent vertebrae. According to various embodiments, an extension rod device may include one or more extension spinal rods attachable to a transverse connector that is secured between an existing, implanted spinal fixation system. The extension rod device may attach to an existing transverse connector, already implanted with the existing spinal fixation system, or the extension rod device may include a new transverse connector, also for securing to the existing spinal fixation system.

Abstract: A barrier system for a subsurface treatment area is described. The barrier system includes a first barrier formed around at least a portion of the subsurface treatment area. The first barrier is configured to inhibit fluid from exiting or entering the subsurface treatment area. A second barrier is formed around at least a portion of the first barrier. A separation space exists between the first barrier and the second barrier.

Abstract: A work station chair (10) is enabled to shift in response to a person leaning forward in the chair (10) when in a working mode and leaning back in a rest position. The chair includes a seat (18), a backrest (24) and supportive structure. The seat (18) is resiliently supported on the supportive structure (22) and moveably along an arc track (30) which is mounted on the supportive structure and has a radius generated from the ankle of the person sitting on the chair. The backrest (20) is resiliently supported on the seat (18) and moveable along an arc track (64) which is mounted to the seat (18) and has a radius generated from H-point that is a natural pivot point of the torso and thigh lines of the person. The chair (10) provides a combined tilting movement of the person's body about the ankle point and the H-point when the person shifts his or her gravity to reduce adverse static postural loads and forces which are responsible for the fatigue and biomechanical dysfunction.

Abstract: A method for strengthening a wellbore with an exposed geological formation, the method including: determining or estimating material properties of the exposed geological formation; determining changes necessary in material properties of the exposed geologic formation to achieve desired improvements in property of the exposed geologic formation; and treating the geological formation to improve material property values by injecting a formulation that hardens in-situ to form a geosynthetic composite. In another aspect, an apparatus for utilizing the described method with minimal handling of chemicals includes is an automated in-line chemical metering and pumping apparatus that requires no large mixing tank.

Abstract: The drilling mud with a lowered coefficient of friction having a silicate-based mud and a lubricant selected from the group consisting of: glycosides, alkylpolyalkoxyalcohols, alcohol ester polymers, amine phosphates, starch and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A work station chair is enabled to shift in response to a person leaning forward in the chair when in a working mode and leaning back in a rest position. The chair includes a seat, a backrest and supportive structure. The seat is resiliently supported on the supportive structure and moveably along an arc track which is mounted on the supportive structure and has a radius generated from the ankle of the person sitting on the chair. The backrest is resiliently supported on the seat and moveable along an arc track which is mounted to the seat and has a radius generated from H-point that is a natural pivot point of the torso and thigh lines of the person. The chair provides a combined tilting movement of the person's body about the ankle point and the H-point when the person shifts his or her gravity to reduce adverse static postural loads and forces which are responsible for the fatigue and biomechanical dysfunction.

Abstract: A laser system capable of efficient production of high energy sub-nanosecond pulses in the 2-15 ?m spectral region is disclosed. Diode pumped solid state lasers are used as pump sources. The system design is simple, reliable and compact allowing for easy integration. The laser system includes a combination of compact solid-state ˜1 micron laser sources, producing high power picosecond pulses, with optical parametric amplification and a quasi-continuous wave laser for seeding the amplification process that enables the efficient conversion of the high power ˜1 micron laser radiation to tuneable mid-infrared sub-ns pulses. New parametric processes are presented for achieving high gains in bulk nonlinear crystals. Furthermore, a method of exceeding the fundamental conversion efficiency limit of direct three wave mixing is presented.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a wellbore casing (100). An opening (115) in a wellbore casing (100) is located using a logging tool (310). An expandable tubular member (370) is then positioned in opposition to the opening (115) in the wellbore casing (100). The expandable tubular member (370) is then radially expanded into intimate contact with the wellbore casing (100).

Abstract: A method of minimizing the quantity of solids deposited in a reserve pit of the type used in drilling oil and gas wells. The method is applicable to well sites where drilling is facilitated by the use of drilling fluid and cuttings are generated by a drill bit, lifted to the surface and deposited at a well bore. The method consists of separating cuttings from associated drilling fluid and conveying larger cuttings to a solids storage location, thus bypassing the reserve pit for a good deal of the solid waste generated at a drilling site. Residual drilling fluid is directed to a reservoir such as a suction tank where it can be reused in further drilling operations. Over time the residual drilling fluid in the suction tank will increase in viscosity to the point where the residue is no longer suitable as drilling fluid. Thereupon, a portion of the residue may be discarded from the suction tank to the reserve pit and water or drilling chemicals added to the suction tank to revitalize the drilling fluid.

Abstract: The drilling mud with a lowered coefficient of friction comprising a silicate-based mud and a lubricant selected from the group comprising glycosides, alkylpolyalkoxyalcohols, alcohol ester polymers, amine phosphates, starch and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for balloon-assisted retraction technique for the purposes of retraction of tissues and insertion of instruments in connection with advanced surgeries such as microscopic or endoscopic surgeries. A balloon assembly comprising an introducer, a balloon, and a sheath is inserted either manually or with the aid of stereotactic techniques. An endoscope may be used to ensure the proper docking of the introducer assembly. The balloon is then inflated slowly to retract the tissues, in order to create a corridor with minimal invasion. The corridor is expanded and retained using a series of dilators and retractor. The retractor comprises ports through which endoscope and other surgical instruments may pass. Surgical operation is performed through the corridor. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of conventional retraction systems by providing better visualization and enhanced manual dexterity, as well as providing minimal invasion to allow a shorter recovery period.

Abstract: A drilling mud is converted in-situ to a cement by addition of blast furnace slag.

Abstract: A thermoplastics bag whose wall has an outer layer and an inner layer, each of which is formed by melt-extrusion from an ethylene polymer, the outer layer containing an isobutylene polymer in an amount sufficient to increase the coefficient of friction. Also a multi-layer film suitable for use in the manufacture of the bag.