Abstract: A downhole drilling assembly including a housing having an upper end for connection to a drill string and a lower end, a fluid passage extending through the housing from the upper end to the lower end, a power unit contained within the housing, a drive assembly extending within the housing between the power unit and the lower end of the housing such that a mandrel chamber is defined between the drive assembly and the housing, a radially movable stabilizer associated with the housing, and an axially movable mandrel contained within the mandrel chamber, the mandrel being associated with a stabilizer actuator for causing radial movement of the stabilizer in response to axial movement of the mandrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing a junction between a primary and secondary wellbore. A deflector is located in the primary wellbore adjacent to the wellbore junction. The apparatus comprises a conduit comprising: an upper section; a lower section comprising a primary leg for engaging a seat of the deflector and a secondary leg for insertion in the secondary wellbore; and a deformable conduit junction located between the upper and lower sections whereby the conduit is separated into the legs; such that when the apparatus is lowered in the primary wellbore, the secondary leg is deflected into the secondary wellbore by the deflector such that the conduit junction becomes deformed, and the primary leg then engages the seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a high torque pressure sleeve for easily drillable casing exit ports. A joint of tubular casing with a pre-formed window in the wall thereof has a tubular sleeve fixedly attached to the exterior of the tubular casing covering the window. The interior surface of the sleeve is sealed to the exterior of the tubular casing on opposite sides of the window. In use, the joint of the tubular casing is run down to the depth of interest in the earth wellbore and the window is oriented with respect to the formation of interest at the depth. The joint of tubular casing is then cemented in place, after which a whipstock is lowered into the wellbore, oriented and anchored therein. The assembly automatimuly fixes the axial and circumferential oriention of the whipstock within a surrounding casing joint and holds the assembly in place.

Abstract: This invention provides a formation evaluation tool for collecting a formation fluid in a chamber at a predetermined pressure and for maintaining the pressure of the collected fluid at a desired level during the retrieval of the chamber to the surface. The formation fluid is pumped into the chamber while a piston exposed to the hydrostatic pressure maintains the chamber pressure at the hydrostatic pressure. During retrieval of the chamber, the pressure in the chamber is maintained at a predetermined level by pumping wellbore fluid to the piston. A control unit at the surface is utilized for controlling the operation of the formation tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying operation and achieving gain stabilization in a helium-3 proportional counter radiation detector utilized in nuclear logging operations. The detector includes a beta-minus particle source selected to provide a predetermined number of radiation counts for a specified time period to verify detector operation. The beta-minus source is further utilized to achieve detector gain stabilization by defining two energy windows on either side of the characteristic beta-minus energy peak. The difference in counts for the two energy windows is used to define an error signal which is applied to negative feedback loop in the detector electronics. The beta-minus source is preferably selected such that the type of source and activity is exempt from Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing and safety requirements.