Abstract: A bottom hole assembly 10 for drilling a deviated borehole includes a positive displacement motor (PDM) 12 or a rotary steerable device (RSD) 110 having a substantially uniform diameter motor housing outer surface without stabilizers extending radially therefrom. In a PDM application, the motor housing 14 may have a fixed bend therein between an upper power section 16 and a lower bearing section 18. The long gauge bit 20 powered by the motor 10 may have a bit face 22 with cutters 28 thereon and a gauge section 24 having a uniform diameter cylindrical surface 26. The gauge section 24 preferably has an axial length at least 75% of the bit diameter. The axial spacing between the bit face and the bend of the motor housing preferably is less than twelve times the bit diameter. According to the method of the present invention, the bit may be rotated at a speed of less than 350 rpm by the PDM and/or rotation of the RSD from the surface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning exhaust system including a top, a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls extending between the rear wall and the front wall. A baffle depending from the top intermediate the front wall and the rear wall. A plate extending forwardly from the rear wall to forwardly of the baffle. A first filter is located in an air flow path. A first spray outlet is located in the air flow path before the first filter for providing a first cleaning spray into the air flow so that the air flow draws the cleaning spray onto a first surface of the first filter. A method of removing contaminants is also disclosed.

Abstract: A flow-through instantaneous fluid heater system is designed to satisfy the need for a heater not limited by being connected to a storage tank and which can be made using a plastic casing, incorporating cool-down when out of service and with features of venting and simplified flushing and draining. The system incorporates the use of one or more compartments, usually assembled in two compartment modules connected in series. Each compartment includes a casing having a hollow cylindrical interior region. An inlet aperture is located at one end of the casing and an outlet aperture is located at the other end of the casing. The lower end of each casing is closed by a removable base and the upper end of the casing is closed by a top plate and a heating element. The heating element is positioned axially in the interior region of the compartment. The heating element is activated by a control system which senses and compares temperatures of the water at the compartment outlets.

Abstract: A movable arm 10 engages a flexible line 50 at a well site for positioning the flexible line between run-in position for passing the flexible line with a tubular through a well hole in the rig floor and a clamping position wherein the flexible line is adjacent the tubular above the rig floor for clamping the line to the tubular. The arm 10 extends upward from the rig floor 70, and includes a line guide, such as roller 12, for engaging the flexible line when in the run-in position. A powered drive 14 moves the arm between the run-in position and the clamping position. A spacer 82 may be used for positioning two or more flexible lines at a desired spacing relative to one another prior to positioning the lines within a clamp secured to the tubular. A slip bowl assembly 60 may be laterally movable so that slips do not engage the flexible line as it is run in the well.

Abstract: A subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR by axial movement of an upper riser 35 relative to a lower riser 28, for disconnecting the upper riser 35 from the lower riser 28. A subsea riser valve assembly 20 may be actuated from the drilling rig DR by axial movement of the upper riser 35 relative to the lower riser 28, for sealing an interior portion of the lower riser 28 and well bore WB below the subsea riser valve assembly 20. A drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR, either onshore or offshore, for disconnecting an upper portion of drill pipe 236 from a lower portion of drill pipe 240. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuatable by hydraulic and/or mechanical forces applied to the drill pipe disconnect 30 from the drilling rig DR. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be compatible for use with or without the subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 and/or the subsea riser valve assembly 20.

Abstract: A trailer 10 includes a frame 12 having a central axis 14 spaced between rear wheels. A plurality of storage units 20 are supported on the trailer frame, with each storage unit supporting a plurality of objects thereon. Each storage support has a support axis 22 substantially parallel to the frame central axis. A carriage assembly 24 rotates the plurality of storage supports, and a lift mechanism 30 raises and lowers the carriage assembly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variety of arrangements for laying of rigid pipe from reeled storage and/or on-board welding fabrication. Thirteen independent aspects of the invention are identified. In one particular arrangement (FIGS. 3a-3b), a tilting lay tower (106) having two travelling clamps (210, 220) is provided centrally on a pipelay vessel with a radius control arch (140) pivotable to receive rigid pipe from either port or starboard lay paths. A vertical axis reel or carousel (104) is provided, within an arrangement of curved take-off arms (130, 134) and a large radius curved wall (128). By these means, pipe can be loaded onto the carousel either clockwise or anti-clockwise, and can be supplied to the lay tower via the port or starboard lay path. Continuous rigid product fabricated by a selection of welding lines (112, 114, 116) at the port side can be guided around the large radius wall either for reeling onto the carousel or for direct feeding to the lay tower.

Abstract: A downhole tool 100 includes a closure seat 116, 176 for seating with a closure, such as a ball. Shear pins or other connectors temporarily limit axial movement of the closure seat which is initially housed within a restricted diameter portion of the central throughbore in the tool body. The closure seat may be lowered to engage a stop 108, 157, thereby positioning the seat within an enlarged diameter bore portion of the tool and allowing radial expansion of a closure seat to release the ball.

Abstract: A system and method for protecting a structure from wind damage utilizes a netting 12 positioned over the roof of the structure and a plurality of ground anchors 16, 17 at least partially below ground level and spaced from the structure. A plurality of perimeter cables 18, 20, 34 are each spaced about a perimeter portion of a netting when deployed, and a plurality of tie-downs 22 each interconnect one of the plurality of perimeter cables to a respective one of the plurality of anchors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating particles preferentially accelerates particles to a rotating collector, which then reliably conveys collected particles to a discharge with minimal re-entrainment of the particles in the fluid stream. The collector minimizes energy transfer to the fluid and maximizes separation under conditions of high particle loading, fine particle content, or both. The separator may be operated in any vertical, horizontal or oblique orientation, or within devices whose orientation varies over time.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in clamping a structure at its edge, the structure having opposed surfaces, the apparatus comprising a stanchion, a first clamping assembly attached to the stanchion and a second clamping assembly selectively slidably moveable longitudinally along the stanchion, the second clamping assembly including a support plate extending laterally outward in a direction away from the stanchion, the support plate being positioned closely adjacent one of the opposed surfaces of the structure when the structure is clamped between the first and second clamping assemblies.

Abstract: Consistent and reliable releasing of a guardrail during a vehicle impact is enabled by a releasable fastener for safety structures along a highway. The release of secured components such as guardrail is controlled, and precise positional cooperation is provided between securing members and the guardrail. Forces may be attenuated to further optimize response.

Abstract: A system is provided for verifying operation of a plurality of alarm systems in a plurality of environmental equipment systems that comprises a plurality of first communication nodes and a plurality of second communication nodes. Each second communication node is typically mounted within a yard to about six hundred yards from respective first communication nodes. The first communication nodes send a first verification signal, e.g., a heartbeat signal to verify the alarm systems to the second communication nodes at first predetermined intervals. The plurality of second communication nodes detect when the first verification signal is not received at the first predetermined intervals. The second communication nodes then determine whether to send a malfunction notification to a server base on predetermined criteria. The second communication nodes may send a second heartbeat signal to the server at other predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A coiled tubing transfer system comprising a carrier having a bed, the bed having a width and the length, the length of the bed being longer than the width of the bed, a reel removably supported on the bed, the reel comprising a spool rotatably journaled in first and second supports, the spool having a core with a diameter and long axis extending between the supports, the long axis having a length greater than the width of the bed, the reel being positionable on the bed in a first position with the long axis of the core extending lengthwise of the bed, the longest dimension of the reel transverse to the long axis of the core being less than the width of the bed and a length of coiled tubing useable in earth borehole operations being wound around the core, the coiled tubing having an outside diameter of from 1? to 9?, the ratio of the diameter of the coiled tubing to the diameter of the core being from 1:20 to 1:70.